by S. E. Smith
Makayla slowly lowered her phone and blindly stared at it. Henry’s note said he had an errand to run. That errand had obviously been an unexpected trip to Tampa. Her fingers slowly curled around her phone. The overwhelming urge to throw it, to break something swept through her. Deep down, she was afraid that if she gave into the feelings, she might not be able to stop. Turning, she buried her face in the pillow on the bed in an effort to smother her tortured sobs. The old fear of becoming what her mother was once again swelled up like a tidal wave that threatened to drown her.
I won’t become the person my mom is – I won’t, she thought in despair even as the seed of fear grew.
Chapter 10
Makayla sat on the front porch later that night. Breaker lay on the ground beside her. Every once in a while, the Akita would look up at her and whine, but Makayla didn’t respond. She just stared out at the river, watching as the sky lit up from heat lightning over the ocean as she waited for Henry to return.
She had spent the rest of the day finishing up the multiple tasks she was given, but her mind had been on her mom and what was happening back home. The guys had given her strange looks the rest of the afternoon when she didn’t respond to their teasing. She had just shrugged and told them she was fine when they asked if she was feeling alright. The last thing she wanted to do is tell the world about her personal problems.
Breaker’s head popped up and he stood up when the sound of a truck and the flash of headlights lit up the river. Makayla watched as the Akita walked over to the top of the steps and turned his head. His fluffy, curled tail wagged back and forth in slow motion and his ears were pitched forward. A bark escaped him when the truck turned into the curved driveway and pulled to a stop.
Makayla lowered her legs where she had them propped on the edge of the chair, but she didn’t get up yet. Instead, she waited until Henry turned the truck off and slowly slid out of it. Her lips tightened when she saw the slight droop of his shoulders.
“Hey, boy,” Henry said, patting Breaker on the head as he stepped by him. “It’s late. Thought you might be in bed.”
“Not likely,” Makayla retorted.
“I’ve got to go to the bathroom,” Henry said. “Did you eat?”
“Yes,” Makayla replied, lifting her chin.
“Well, I haven’t,” Henry replied. “Let me go to the bathroom and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
Makayla pushed up out of the chair and nodded her head. She grabbed the screen door before it could close behind Henry and waited for Breaker to follow him into the house before she stepped inside. She locked the screen door before closing the front door and locking it as well. Tucking her hands into the pockets of her hoodie, she walked through to the kitchen.
She paused in the doorway before releasing a sigh. Turning, she opened the refrigerator and pulled out a package of Swiss cheese, turkey, lettuce, and mayo. Carrying it over to the counter, she quickly washed her hands and dried them before reaching for a plate and the bread.
She glanced over her shoulder when Henry walked into the room. He nodded to her in appreciation when he saw that she was making him a sandwich. He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of beer before walking over to the dinette table and sitting down. He twisted the lid off the top and took a long drink before he sat back in his chair as she set the plate with the sandwich and some chips down in front of him.
Makayla quickly cleaned up the mess before she slid into the chair across from him. Leaning forward, she rested her elbows on the table and her chin in the palm of her hands and watched him eat. He ate almost half the sandwich before he took another swig of his beer to wash it down.
“The rehab called me late last night to say that your mom was gone,” Henry explained, looking at Makayla. “Rob came to visit and she left with him.”
“I thought they were supposed to monitor their patients,” Makayla said bitterly. “How was he able to get to her, anyway?”
“He said he was her brother,” Henry replied. “Your mom was doing better so she was allowed to use the main visiting room which isn’t monitored as closely. Rob brought her some clothes and she changed into them and they walked out.”
Makayla sat back in her seat and looked out over the back yard. There was a full moon out and shadows danced around the yard as a gentle breeze blew through the trees. She was quiet as she waited for him to continue.
“I found her back at the apartment.” A glimmer of a smile curved his lips when he looked at her. “She told me that Rob wasn’t too happy to find that you had cleaned house,” he said, picking up his bottle of beer and pointing it at her before he took another drink.
Makayla’s lips tugged in a reluctant response to his amusement. One thing she had learned so far about Henry was that he had an odd sense of humor when it came to certain things. Her smile faded as she stared at him.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I could have gone with you,” she asked in a quiet voice.
“This isn’t something you should have to deal with, Makayla,” Henry replied in a tone that held a bite.
“I’ve dealt with it a lot longer than you have, old man,” she scowled and slid out of her chair.
Grabbing the plate with the remains of the sandwich on it, she walked over to the trash can and tossed the remains in it before moving over to the sink. She quickly washed the plate and set it in the dish rack. Turning, she leaned back against the counter.
“Where is she?” She demanded, folding her arms across her chest.
“Back at the rehab, under closer observation this time,” Henry admitted, standing and walking over to stand next to her. “She needs time.”
Makayla shook her head. “She needs me,” she whispered. “Why didn’t you bring her back here? I could at least help her.”
Henry sighed. He set the empty beer bottle down on the counter next to him and reached out to touch her shoulder. Makayla shrugged his hand off and scooted several feet away. She didn’t want to be touched. She didn’t want his sympathy. After all, she wasn’t the one who needed help, her mom was.
“She isn’t ready to come back,” he said, turning and rinsing out the bottle. “It’s late and I’m tired. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Makayla realized that he wasn’t going to talk about it anymore. Grabbing the empty bottle, she turned on her heel and headed for the back door. Opening it, she stepped out onto the back deck and shut the door behind her. A growl of frustration escaped her when Breaker pushed through the doggie door. She dropped the bottle into the green recycling bin and frowned down at the Akita in frustration.
“You know, I can be alone for a while,” she snapped. “Did I mention that I don’t like dogs? They are annoying and pushy and don’t listen….”
Her voice died when Breaker whined and bowed his head before he reached out and nudged her hand with his nose. Kneeling, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face against his soft coat. After a few minutes, she felt more in control and that she had a grip on her emotions. She still felt like screaming at the world that life was unfair, but realized it wouldn’t make her feel any better. She twisted and sank down until she was sitting on the smooth deck beside Breaker and looked up at the stars. For a moment, she was held spellbound as a falling star flashed across the sky.
“I wish…,” she began in a soft voice before she shook her head. “I wish my mom would get better and that we could be like we used to be. The trouble is that everyone knows that wishes don’t really come true.”
Releasing a tired sigh, she rolled to her feet and called softly for Breaker to follow her back inside. She turned off the kitchen light as she walked by and double-checked that the front door was locked before she and Breaker slowly made their way up the stairs. Tomorrow was another day.
*.*.*
Makayla groaned the next morning when she heard her phone vibrate. Sliding her hand under her pillow, she blindly felt around for it. Her finger instinctively pressed the button even as she buried her fac
e back in her pillow.
“This better be good,” she muttered.
“Are you still asleep? I thought you were working. Did you get fired? Wait a minute, can a grandfather fire his granddaughter?” Tisha asked.
Makayla groaned again and rolled over onto her back. “There should be a law against people like you. No one should be this cheerful in the morning,” she muttered. “What time is it?”
“Almost nine,” Tisha said with a laugh. “Dad just dropped me off. I think he had enough of me and Erika. I swear if I’m ever that much of a…”
Makayla blinked sleepily up at the ceiling as she listened to a long list of Erika’s, Tisha’s dad’s former girlfriend’s, lack of qualities. She yawned and switched the phone to her other ear as she moved her hand back and forth, looking for Breaker. She lifted her head and frowned when he didn’t do his normal morning demand for attention.
“Listen, is there a point to this call, other than to rant about Erika?” Makayla interrupted as her head fell back onto the pillow. “Because if there isn’t, I’ve got to tell you, I’ve really got to go pee.”
“Oh, yeah, well, I was calling to see if everything is okay,” Tisha said with a sigh. “My mom was talking to a friend of hers at breakfast this morning… Did I tell you my mom got transferred to the narc ward? Well, anyway, mom was talking to this other nurse that works there and I overheard her mention that your mom was brought in yesterday.”
A wave of cold washed through Makayla. She had done everything she could to keep her mom’s problems hidden from her friends. Laying her arm over her eyes, she swore that things were just getting more mixed up.
“Hey, are you there? I mean, they shut up as soon as they realized that me and dad were there. Mom doesn’t like meeting dad at the house anymore since he brought Erika there. She decided she would meet us at a restaurant after we got off the cruise ship. Are you okay? I mean, I didn’t know your mom was a....”
“She’s not,” Makayla interrupted in a sharp voice. “She was in an accident and has problems with the medication they gave her.”
“Hey, I’m cool,” Tisha replied. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m fine,” Makayla said in a husky voice. “I’d just like it if you could keep it to yourself. I don’t want the world knowing my business, if you know what I mean.”
“I know. My lips are sealed,” Tisha said, mumbling the last few words as if she had zipped them closed.
Makayla chuckled. “Thanks, Tisha,” she replied softly. “I can’t wait to see you. Did you get a nice tan on your trip? Are you going to meet up with any of the others? Have you heard when Debbie is supposed to be back?”
Makayla relaxed when Tisha continued to talk, sharing gossip she had heard. She finally had to cut their conversation short since she really did have to go to the bathroom. Shoving the covers back, she rolled out of bed and grabbed a clean set of clothes before she padded across the hall. She took a quick shower and brushed her hair and teeth, feeling more human when she was done.
A low squeak escaped her when she opened the door and came face to face with Henry. She fell back a step, holding onto the door and glowered up at him before she raised her eyebrow at him. He was wearing a pair of kayak shorts, a long sleeve shirt and deck shoes.
“You scared the sh… snot out of me,” she grumbled. “You let me sleep in.”
“I had to do some things down at the boat yard,” he said. “Defiance is in the water. You ready to go?”
Makayla’s eyes widened. She had forgotten they were taking the sailboat out on its shakedown cruise. She glanced down at her shorts and tank top.
“Can you give me a minute?” She asked.
Henry nodded and turned on his heel. “Brian and Jason are going with us,” he called out over his shoulder. “I fixed us sandwiches for lunch.”
“Thanks,” Makayla muttered, hurrying back to her room. “I’ll be down in a few.”
*.*.*
Five minutes later, Makayla, Henry, and Breaker were heading back to the Riverside Marina. Henry told her that the travel lift that was used to move the boats around had been available early this morning and they wanted to take advantage of it. He told her he had almost taken Brian’s head off when they started to put the Defiance in the water and the ‘kid’ forgot to close the seacocks.
“What happens if you forget to close them?” She had asked, thinking it was a funny name for whatever it did.
“The boat sinks,” Henry said. “Luckily, I asked him about it right before they splashed the Defiance in the water. Rookie mistake. Thanks for the work you did on her, by the way.”
Makayla shrugged. “It’s been kind-of fun in a way,” she replied, looking out the window as they waited for a train to go by so they could cross into the marina. “Is it true you planned to sail around the world?”
“Before your mom and Jason,” Henry said. “I might still do it.”
Makayla turned and gave him a skeptical look. “Aren’t you a little old?” She asked, doubt clouding her question.
Henry grunted. “I’m not dead,” he snapped in a tone laced with amusement.
“I would be scared,” Makayla replied, scratching Breaker’s jaw when he stood up on the seat as the last of the train cars passed by and the crossing gate rose. “What if something happens to you while you’re in the middle of nowhere?”
“Something can always happen, Makayla,” Henry responded in a quiet voice. “You either let fear control you, or you control it. I prefer the latter. Life is too short not to live it.”
“I wish mom could understand that,” she said in a slightly bitter tone.
Henry didn’t reply. She figured he knew there was no good answer. There was a small part of her regretted saying her thoughts out loud. Normally, she had better control over her emotions, she thought in disgust.
The rest of the drive was made in silence. Breaker’s bark broke the tension when he saw Brian and Jason. Makayla pushed on the Akita when he stepped on her thighs. She barely had time to slide out of the truck before Breaker pushed past her and jumped out. The Akita ran over to Jason, his whole body wiggling with excitement.
Makayla listened as Jason talked to Henry, telling him that he and Brian had done a check of everything while he was gone. She started when she felt Brian’s hand against her face. Glancing at him, she raised an eyebrow when he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Are you feeling better today?” He asked in a light tone.
Makayla shrugged. “I’m fine,” she said.
Brian placed his hand on her arm and turned her toward him. Makayla looked up at him with a wary expression. Raising a hand, she tucked her hair back behind her ear again and waited.
“That’s what all women say when something is bothering them. My mom always says that to my dad when she is mad about something,” he teased before his expression grew serious. “I just want you to know that if you need help with anything or to talk about it, I’m here.”
Makayla’s lips curved into a reluctant smile. “If I need help, I’ll ask,” she said.
Brian touched her cheek with his fingers, a slight frown creasing his brow before it cleared. He turned when he heard Jason call out to him. With a grimace, he nodded his head.
“Come on,” he said, holding out his hand. “It looks like the perfect day to be on the water.”
Makayla laughed, sliding her hand into his outstretched one. “I hope so,” she said. “Henry promised to teach me how to sail.”
Makayla ignored Henry’s curious look as Brian helped her on board the Defiance. Instead, she decided she was going to focus on having fun. All of them had worked hard on getting the sailboat refurbished. She had learned a lot over the past month about the parts to a sailboat, now it was time to learn how to sail it.
She moved up to the front, pulling her tank top off as she went. She tossed it and her shoes down into the companionway as she passed by the opening. She chuckled at Brian’s low wo
of-whistle when he saw her in the dark blue two-piece top that was lined with white lace. His whistle was cut short when Henry barked at him to get the dock lines.
Makayla sat down on the front and held onto the lifeline running around the sides. She glanced down at the glittering water as Henry fired up the engine. Before long, they were idling out of the channel toward the Intracoastal. She looked up when Brian came and sat down next to her. He had removed his shirt and shoes as well and was wearing a pair of colorful board shorts. Makayla bit her lip to keep from releasing a woof-whistle of her own.
“Not bad,” she murmured, pulling her sunglasses off the top of her head and pushing them onto her nose.
Brian grinned. “I was about to say the same thing,” he chuckled.
Chapter 11
The next three weeks were both amazing and frustrating to Makayla. She was enjoying learning how to sail the Defiance. For the first time in her life, she felt a sense of peace and excitement. When they were under full sail it felt like they were flying. She enjoyed the challenge of learning how to anticipate the wind and waves.
Brian often made an excuse to join them and she couldn’t help but think things were going well with him, too. The only dark cloud was the calls from her mom, but even those were getting a little better. Her mom had been released from the rehab center a few days before and was working with her counselor to find a job. The test would be if she could stay clean and not fall back in with the wrong people, including Rob.
“Watch the wind off the front quarter, Makayla,” Henry called out. “You don’t want the boom to swing around and knock you overboard.”
“Should I furl the jib?” Makayla yelled, noticing that the waves were getting a little higher than when they had left earlier this morning.
“Not yet,” Henry shouted. “The wind is picking up, but it’s not too bad.”
“Keep the bow into the wind,” Brian said, coming up to stand behind her. “Like this.”
Makayla’s breath caught in her throat when she felt Brian’s warm hands sliding up her sides before he ran them along her arms. He had been doing things like that more and more. She had taken it as just innocent flirting. He never kissed her for long, just teasing brushes of his lips against hers. Today, there was something different. He had been watching her with an intensity that made her excited and uncomfortable at the same time.