“I don’t know. Maybe I can find help.” I started to slough through the sand.
“Anne and I will go with you,” Marla said.
“Sure,” Anne said.
We walked away from the water. I tried not to look back but couldn’t help but turn once. I no longer saw them. Only the ocean spreading to the horizon.
What were they thinking? Did they fight over me and get swept out? Surely, neither would be that stupid. But what happened?
We might never know. Helplessness washed over me.
I gulped deep breaths. I kept going until I reached Daniel’s car. There were no other cars in the area. Should I drive for help?
A gnarled tree nearby offered the only shade. I sat down cross-legged on the ground and tried to think. Anne and Marla knelt beside me. Without asking, Marla took my hand and Anne’s and began to pray.
I reached for Anne’s hand and bowed my head, too. My thoughts raced, and I could barely focus on what Marla said. God. Help. Give us peace.
And, amazingly, I did feel more peaceful.
“Thank you, Marla,” I said.
“I’m sure they’ll be okay,” Anne said.
Marla reached a hand to rub my arm. “Do you want to go back and see if they’ve returned?”
“Should we go find someone to help?” I asked, doubtfully.
“How? Do you have Daniel’s keys?” Anne asked.
I had not even thought to get the keys. “I guess we’ve got to go back and look for the keys, if they’re not back. . .” I arose on shaky legs.
Marla took my arm. “I’m sure they will be.”
We made our way back, and I prayed with each step that they had returned. My pulse thumped loudly in my ears as we neared. Tommie and Andrew were at the water’s edge, helping someone stand.
It was Daniel.
“Is he okay?” I called, running to them.
Daniel smiled and managed a wink. “Fine. Just tired.”
The boys helped him to the blanket, and he laid back, his eyes closed. I knelt beside him. “Are you okay?” I repeated.
“Fine. Just need to catch my breath.”
I touched his arm, and he opened his eyes.
“Where’s Michael? Is he okay?” I asked.
Daniel frowned at me. “Fine.” He took a shuddering breath. “On a sand bar.”
My heart steadied, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “What happened?”
“Let me catch my breath.” He closed his eyes, and I backed away.
Marla and Anne had both hovered behind me and heard Daniel. Marla squeezed my shoulder but didn’t say anything. I could read the relief on both their faces.
But Michael wasn’t out of the woods. A troubling thought crossed my mind. What if Daniel lied? What if Michael had drowned and Dan was just afraid to tell me? Afraid because it had been his fault? Surely, he didn’t harm Michael. Did he? But he could have hurt him without really meaning to.
I chewed my bottom lip, sitting back on my heels. No, he would never hurt Michael. I trusted Daniel. He had changed. He was not the Dan Drake who hurt others. Hadn’t I just told him I trusted him?
Andrew shouted, and my eyes swept over the area he pointed to. A tiny dot drew slowly closer.
Daniel rose on his elbows. “Is it Michael?”
“I think so,” I said.
“Good.” He flopped back down. “Tell him I win.”
Win? They had some kind of bet? Anger surged through me.
Stupid boys. Scaring me like this. Scaring everyone.
When the others, except for Daniel and Sylvia, ran to meet Michael, I stayed seated on the blanket, gritting my teeth.
Neither Daniel nor Sylvia bothered sitting up. Sylvia’s floppy straw hat covered her face and not a muscle moved. I didn’t know if she slept or just pretended.
Michael came out of the water on his own volition. His eyes sparkled in the sun, and he smiled up toward us. I tried to avert my gaze, but my eyes continually drew back to him as he made his way up the incline.
Marla ran ahead of him and spread out another blanket. He dropped down with a smooth motion.
“That was fun,” he said. He tilted his head and glanced up at the four who had gathered around him.
“Fun?” Marla said angrily. “You had us worried to death, especially Jay!”
Michael looked contrite. “Sorry. I just didn’t think. I saw the dolphins and followed them.”
“You saw dolphins?” Andrew asked, his face lighting up.
“Yeah. Dan didn’t tell you?”
Several heads shook.
I pulled my gaze away and stared out at the ocean, clenching my teeth, angrier than I had been in a very long time.
Chapter 29—A Hoot
Michael grinned. “Five. There were five dolphins.”
I glared at him. “Daniel said to tell you that he wins. I hope y’all had fun.”
“Yeah.” He grinned at me. “I thought there were only four. He said five.”
Marla’s brows drew together, and she placed her hands on her hips, looking like a teacher. “And y’all swam after them just to prove who was right?”
“No.” Michael grinned. “I had an opportunity to swim with dolphins. I wasn’t going to pass that up.” He flashed a smile. “That was something.”
Daniel propped on his elbows and looked up at our faces. “I did it to win.”
“What?” Was he crazy? Worrying me just to win some stupid bet? “Do you always have to win?”
He gave me a funny look. “Yep. Always.”
“I wish I had been with you,” Tommy said.
Anne laughed. “Tommy, I believe you said you weren’t going any farther than waist-deep? Or, was it knee-deep?”
“Yeah, but if I had known there were dolphins . . . “
Anne shook her head and laughed at him.
Michael glanced at me. “Daniel turned around to come back, refusing to rest with me. He was afraid Jay would be worried.”
Daniel pushed into a sitting position. “Don’t be telling her that!”
I shifted away from him. “Don’t ever do that again!”
“I’m sorry, Jay. We didn’t mean to worry you.” Daniel didn’t look sorry. I was sure he’d do it all again if he had the chance.
Here I had imagined them fighting over me. Instead, they swam after dolphins. I drew my knees to my chin and wrapped my arms around my legs.
Everyone started talking and laughing at once, even Sylvia who had finally removed her hat and was sitting up.
After a few minutes, Anne stood. “I’m turning into a lobster. I’ve got to get out of the sun, or I’ll be burnt to a crisp.”
“It’s about time to go anyway,” Marla said.
“Awwww, ‘Momma’,” Andrew said in a whiny voice. “Do we have to?”
But everyone got up and began gathering the blankets and towels, shaking out as much of the sand as possible.
“I know a restaurant that’s not too expensive,” Daniel said. “We can stop there on the way back.” Everyone nodded agreement while Daniel explained where it was located.
When we got to the cars, Sylvia looked at Daniel’s car longingly. “I wish I could ride with y’all.” She poked out her bottom lip in a pout.
Michael studied her for a moment before turning to Marla and Andrew. “Do y’all want to switch with us?”
I pulled Daniel aside. “Tell him no,” I whispered.
He shook his head and made a motion of bringing a drink to his lips.
“He’s drinking?” I hissed.
“Both of them.”
“Both?” I hadn’t bothered lowering my voice. How did he know? Did Michael tell him?
“Who’s going to drive your truck?” Andrew was asking.
“Well, that’s between you and Tommy. Unless one of the girls wants to drive.” He held the key up in the air, and both boys grabbed for it.
They play-tussled before Marla broke them up. “You can take turns.”
Tommy swirled to face her. “B
ut who gets to drive first?”
“Anyone have a quarter?” Anne asked.
Daniel rummaged in his car. “Will a dime do?”
Marla took charge of the dime and flipped it. Andrew called out heads. Marla caught it and slapped it on the back of her hand. Both boys crowded around as she slowly lifted her hand.
“Tails!” Tommy shouted. He danced around, snatching the keys from Michael’s hand. He grabbed Anne’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Michael held out his arm as if he changed his mind and then dropped it. He shrugged his shoulders. “Marla will keep him straight.”
“Hopefully,” I said.
Michael and Sylvia laughed as we climbed into Daniel’s car.
Sylvia leaned forward and shook a finger at Daniel. “I knew Michael would do something crazy like swimming after dolphins, but I thought you had more sense, Dan.”
When Daniel didn’t answer, Sylvia moved back, and I heard kissing sounds. I thought Michael was mad with her for wearing that immodest suit. He sure got over that in a hurry—if he had been mad at all. I didn’t understand him. Drunk or not, what did he think he was doing?
But who cared what Sylvia and Michael did? I moved closer to Daniel, and he took my hand.
“Hey, Jay,” Michael said. “How’re you liking biology? Professor Paxton’s a hoot, isn’t he?”
I twisted around and stared at Michael. “A hoot?” The Michael I knew didn’t talk like that.
Michael leaned forward, his breath warm on my neck, and I caught a whiff of the alcohol.
Daniel had been right. But had I really doubted him?
“Professor Paxton clutches his stomach with one hand while he writes notes on the blackboard,” Michael said.
“Why does he do that?” Sylvia asked.
“He’s been teaching about parasites. We all think he’s a hypochondriac, imagining all those worms wiggling inside him.”
I forced myself to laugh along with Michael.
Yeah, Professor Paxton was a hoot.
We pulled into the graveled parking lot. Well, once it had been graveled but now dirt covered most of it. Weeds poked up everywhere. A couple of other cars were parked out front along with Michael’s truck.
Tommy had beaten us there. The four of them waited for us at the door.
“How long have you been here?” I asked.
“Ten minutes or so,” Anne said. “It would have been longer if Marla and I hadn’t screamed at Tommy to slow down. I think he was going eighty-five at one point.”
Tommy cleared his throat. “Ninety, actually.” His ears reddened more than they already were, and he ducked his head.
“Ninety?” Michael said. “Wow, Tommy. I didn’t think the old truck would go that fast.”
“It was shaking sugar in the gourd,” Andrew said.
“It felt like it was about to fly apart.” Anne pushed the hair away from her face. “I’m still shaking!”
“Oh, you loved it.” Andrew punched his sister’s arm.
“Ouch! I’m burnt. Don’t touch me!”
Anne’s face was red, along with every other part of her body that showed. Andrew, too. The others had varying degrees of redness.
Marla put a hand to her face. “Am I as red as Anne?”
“No,” Daniel said. “You look great.” His eyes brightened as he surveyed her.
What was going on? Was he trying to make me jealous? I had to admit Marla did look exceptionally pretty with her cheeks rosy and her golden hair windblown around her face. I probably looked a mess. I pulled my hair back from my face and tried to smooth it as we entered the restaurant. The waitress led us to a table.
Tommy glanced around when we were seated. “Yep, looks like everyone is burnt. Everyone except Jay.”
Sylvia studied me for a moment. “I wonder why she didn’t burn.” She spoke as if I were not even present.
I caught her eye and spoke a little louder than normal. “My skin’s darker because my grandmother was an Indian. I usually don’t burn.”
“Oh, how interesting,” Sylvia said. She turned to Michael. “Do many Indians live near your home?”
I rolled my eyes, and Marla frowned at Sylvia.
Michael grinned at me. “Jay’s the only wild one.”
Sylvia laughed, and I seethed.
Tilting my chin back, I glared at Michael. “I’m proud of my heritage. What’s wrong with having Indian blood?”
“Nothing!” Michael held his hands in the air as if in surrender. “Nothing at all.”
Daniel draped his arm over the back of my chair as the waitress arrived to take our order. He squeezed my shoulder. I don’t know if he was warning me that it was no use arguing with a drunk person.
I didn’t speak to Michael or Sylvia for the rest of the meal. Or on the rest of the way home either.
When Daniel dropped me off, he told me he was on furlough and planned to go back home for a couple of days before coming back to see me.
Chapter 30—The Argument
Aunt Liza was waiting up when I went into the house.
“Did you have a good time?” Her forehead was furrowed, her eyes red, and I wondered if she had another migraine.
I considered her question. Parts were fun. But, most of it had not been. I dropped down beside her on the couch and told her about my day, leaving out the drinking part.
When I told her about the dolphins, she laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I didn’t think it was funny, Aunt Liza.”
She gazed at me with her turquoise eyes and smiled. “One day you’ll think so. One day you’ll look back on this with fond memories.”
I looked down at my hands, shaking my head. I couldn’t imagine this day ever being funny. “Let me tell you what happened when we stopped to eat. Sylvia wanted to know why I didn’t burn, and I told her it was probably because of my Indian blood. Sylvia asked Michael if any Indians lived nearby, and he said ‘Jay’s the only wild one.’”
Aunt Liza chuckled. “Well, child, wasn’t any harm in that. He was just teasing you.”
I was tired and got up, yawning. “Where’s Uncle Howard?”
“He’s gone to bed. Wasn’t feeling well.” She stood and stretched. “And speaking of bed, it’s about my bedtime.”
“I think I’ll go to bed too. Got up early this morning. My day’s been exhausting.”
She kissed my forehead. “Good night. Sleep tight.”
“You, too.”
I went to my bedroom and got ready for bed. But once I turned off the light and lay down on the bed, I couldn’t sleep.
I kept replaying the events of the day. Michael, no telling how much he had been drinking, swimming out so far. He could have died.
When Daniel dropped me off, he had assured me he would make sure Michael got back to the dorm in one piece. Angry as I was, I felt better knowing Daniel was taking care of Michael. Both of them had acted foolishly today. And, Sylvia! Flirting with Andrew, wearing that skimpy bathing suit.
I don’t know how long my thoughts tumbled when I heard the voices.
I raised up on my elbows and listened. Was that Uncle Howard? His voice thundered through the small house. Aunt Liza had said he wasn’t feeling well, but he didn’t sound sick now. Was he drunk?
I couldn’t make sense of his words. I strained to understand, but his voice dropped, and all I heard was murmuring.
I had never heard them argue before. True, Uncle Howard appeared angry that day I arrived home without Zeke, but I never learned about what.
The voices faded away, and I rolled over and into sleep.
The next morning, I stumbled to the kitchen, yawning. Aunt Liza, still in her gown, sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee.
The clock on the mantle couldn’t be right. “What time is it?” I asked.
“It’s eleven o’clock.” She took a sip of her coffee without looking at me.
“We’re going to miss church!”
She waved toward a chair, motion
ing me to sit down. “We’re not going today.”
“Why? Is something wrong with Uncle Howard?”
I noticed for the first time her red-rimmed eyes. “Aunt Liza, what’s wrong?”
“Howard lost the job.”
“Again?” I fell into the chair.
She took my hand in hers. “And that’s not all. He’s gone.”
“Gone?” Fear clutched my heart. “Gone where?”
She shook her head and bit her bottom lip.
“Aunt Liza, where is he?”
“I don’t know. He was gone when I got up this morning.” She lowered her forehead into her hands.
“Surely he’s around somewhere. He wouldn’t just leave.”
She raised her head. “His clothes are gone. His watch, his billfold.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve looked everywhere. He’s not here.”
“Maybe he’s just out looking for work.”
“He would have told me.” She glanced into her coffee cup. “Besides, it’s Sunday. Nothing’s open today.”
“Do you want to go to the police?”
“No.”
“Get someone. The preacher? The neighbors?”
“No, Jay. This is between Howard and me. I don’t want to drag anyone else into it.” She pushed her chair back. “I’m going to lie down for a while.”
I put a hand out to stop her. “Is there anything I can do? Do you want any breakfast?” I searched her eyes.
She blanched. “No, no. I just need some quiet. I have a bad headache.”
“Call me if you need anything.”
“I will, dear.”
She left. I, too, felt sick to my stomach. I got up and poured a cup of coffee but couldn’t drink it. I threw it out the back door. I decided I would go ahead and get dressed.
It was so hot in the kitchen that I didn’t wait for the water to heat much. I took a lukewarm bath and washed my hair.
After I emptied out the water, I went back to my room to comb out my hair and to dress.
At a loss. I paced the floor, my stomach churning. Only silence came from Aunt Liza’s room.
Had she checked the shop to make sure Uncle Howard wasn’t there, sleeping on one of the cots? Maybe in an alcoholic stupor like Michael had been when he had slept in his truck? I decided to go check.
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