by Andrea Ring
“My blessing, my love, my respect,” she says. “You both have it all.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
In addition to Stanford, I ended up with acceptances to Chapman University, Cal State Fullerton, and the University of California at Irvine, all solid schools within driving distance. Deciding to follow in Clark’s footsteps and major in philosophy, I enrolled at Chapman and have never once regretted it.
Clark and I like to argue and debate, and we like to challenge each other. I think it is the perfect partnership, both personally and professionally. We wrote our first book together last year, a guide for young parents, with lots of moral questions for couples to discuss. A small publisher just picked it up, and it will be released early next year. We’re deep into writing our second book, an introduction to moral philosophy for teens, something we both wish we’d had when we were growing up. It uses a lot of my senior thesis research, and I’m proud of the project.
Clark gave me his grandmother’s wedding ring, a gift from Linda, and hounded me mercilessly about eloping. I didn’t mind the idea of eloping, but I wanted to finish school before marrying and moving in together. We compromised. As soon as my lease was up, we packed up the kids, left them with Linda, and drove to Vegas. Linda understood our desire to have a private ceremony, even though she insisted on throwing a big reception when we got back. Clark and I waltzed for our first dance, and even showed off a bit of the tango. My parents didn’t attend, but they did send a gift—my Grandma Ruth’s china. I try to imagine my mother packing it up piece by piece—It came in six boxes—and I wonder what she thought about while she did it. I wonder if she has regrets. They sold their house in Old Towne—Dad said there were just too many reminders in the house of Jeremy—and moved to a condo up in Pasadena to be near Rhonda. I call them on holidays, and my dad called once to congratulate me on the book, but other than that, we don’t really have a relationship. It’s not something I have control over.
Grandma Ruth is still alive and kicking. She doesn’t know who I am, and she needs a walker to navigate the hallways, but we can still have hilarious conversations. I try to bring the girls to see her every Sunday.
I keep in touch with Gabi and Baby T. Gabi ended up at Oregon State, but her parents flew her down for every break. She went granola—became a vegan, only wears sustainable fabrics, and insists on riding her bike everywhere. She recently got her first job organizing the local weekend farmer’s market in Old Towne, and it’s nice to have her nearby full time.
Baby T decided to stay at home and go to a junior college for her first two years. She said she needed to get her head on straight and remember that she deserved to be treated with respect. She transferred to St. Mary’s up north and finished her degree in psychology. She’s now attending San Francisco State for her master’s in marriage and family counseling, but she plans on moving back and opening a practice in Old Towne. I’m looking forward to spending more time with her.
Raz moved to Arizona alone. He got into ASU but flunked out after his first year. I have no idea what he’s doing now.
Ethan Wozniak chose K-State, and ended up going fourth round in the draft to the Washington Redskins. We see him every Easter—he even babysat the girls once and brought them Redskins hats—and I got to salsa with him at our wedding reception. We’ve become diehard Skins fans, and Clark and I try to watch all Woz’s games. Woz still hasn’t settled down.
You know what Clark gave me for my birthday? A quilt made out of all my bandannas. I didn’t even realize they were missing. He had Tam make it—apparently she’s crafty as well as smart—and it still covers our bed.
We keep the 8x10 picture of us bumping foreheads at Winter Formal on our mantle. Linda has the picture of our rock pose on hers.
I still have the bucket, wrapped in a baby blanket of Bea’s and sitting on a shelf in our closet. It’s faded and brittle and has a crack on one side, but I’ve tried to take care of it. I’ve made peace with it, but I don’t want to completely forget either. I keep a picture of Jeremy on the mantle, too. I think I’ll always have the bucket.
I wrestled with my decision not to tell Jay about Bea for quite a while. Right after Clark and I got married, though, I took the girls for a walk in the Circle. They fell asleep in their double stroller, and I sat on a bench by the fountain, enjoying the sun. I closed my eyes for a bit, and when I opened them, there was Jay, standing over me.
He looked good, more muscular and filled out. Happy. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and sat with me to catch up. He finally asked about the girls.
“That one’s Kate,” I said, pointing, “and that’s Bea. I have full custody now. My mom gave her up.”
“And the other one? Kate?” he said. “I thought you couldn’t have kids.”
“I didn’t give birth to her,” I told him, “but she’s mine.”
Jay just shook his head.
I was on the edge of my seat. I swore that if I saw one ounce of recognition in his eyes, one hint that he’d be open to it, I would give him the unadulterated truth and let the chips fall where they may.
But Jay just said, “Holy shit! A mother of two. I couldn’t do it. If I needed to take one of my brothers…I don’t think I could do it, Leni.”
I remember letting out the breath I’d been holding.
I shrugged. “It’s not that big a deal.”
“No, it is. You’re something else, you know that? Not many people would step up like that.”
“Apparently not,” I mumbled.
“Emily and I…we’re not even engaged. We haven’t even talked about getting engaged.”
“You’re still with Emily?” I said.
Jay had the decency to look embarrassed. “It wasn’t…I didn’t mean for us to stay together. She goes to UC Santa Barbara, you know. It just happened.”
I smiled at him. “It’s okay. I’m happy now. You’re allowed to be happy, too.”
“Thanks, Leni,” he said.
Bea and Kate started kindergarten last fall. They are best friends, but completely different. Kate is small and dark with luminesce emerald green eyes that twinkle behind her glasses. She has a few health issues—asthma, poor eyesight—presumably from Megan’s drug use during pregnancy, but we’ve been lucky that it’s nothing too serious. Bea, on the other hand, is tall and brunette, and her eyes are green like mine, light like sea foam. Kate loves to read, and Bea likes to run. Clark dreads the day they start dating, but I’m looking forward to it. They have to grow up eventually. And I’m just glad I’m here to see it.
Life has not been easy, but it has been full. And satisfying. I made choices I regret, but would I take them back? If I did, I wouldn’t have this life. I wouldn’t be this person. I had to make the mistakes in order to get things right.
Clark doesn’t spike his hair into a mohawk anymore—he was afraid of what the girls’ teachers would think—but he still wears it long, in a ponytail. My hair has grown, too, and I haven’t had more than a trim in four years. It’s down to the middle of my back, I’m happy to say.
I got my first piercing to celebrate our book being published. I won’t tell you where. Suffice it to say, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. It barely hurt. I even managed to turn my head to the side before I sneezed.
FAQs
Do you have a website? Visit me at www.andrearing.net. If you comment on my blog or send me an email, I will answer.
Can I sign up for your mailing list? Please! Sign up by clicking here!
Have you written any other books? Yes! For the latest list, visit my website or Amazon.
Do you plan to write a sequel to Under Water? Already done! It’s called Breaking the Surface, and picks up with Bea and Kate in high school. Most of the original characters make an appearance.
Do you have any writing advice you can share? Visit my website. I love helping teens, especially, write (I’ve been a writing and lit tutor since college).
Note to my readers: As an independent author, I rely solel
y on my readers for support. I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email. Write a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Comment on my blog. You’re the reason I write, and I’ll never forget that.
Questions From Readers
How did you come up with this story? I started to hear conversations in my head between a girl and boy (they turned into Leni and Jay). The boy was trying to get back in the girl's good graces, but he'd messed up, big time.
Where is the series title from? The series title, A Yellow Wood, comes from Robert Frost's poem, The Road Not Taken. The first line is, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood." I thought of the title when I was two chapters into writing the book, and it inspired me the whole way through.
Is the story set in a real place? It is. Old Towne Orange, California, is where I lived when I wrote the story. I didn't attend Orange High—I went to Foothill High in Santa Ana—but OHS was down the street from me. If you're ever in Southern California, I highly recommend a visit to the area. Lots of great restaurants, antique shops, beautiful Chapman University, and tons of old-town charm.
I don't understand Leni's dad. Her mom is depressed and at least has some excuse for her behavior. What's his deal? Grief and guilt can make people do awful things. I think Leni's dad feels responsible for her mom's condition and for his son's death. I have seen in my own life where a parent favors a weak or struggling child over a strong one—it's almost as if they know the strong can take care of themselves. I believe this is the case with Leni's dad. He knows Leni will be okay, but the mom? Not so much. I agree with you, though, that none of this excuses his behavior. It only explains it.
Woz is my favorite character and gets shafted. He deserves to end up with somebody. I love Woz, too. I believe he's destined for happiness.
How many piercings does Clark have? One lip, two nose, one eyebrow, twenty or so in his ears.
Do you believe in universal truths? I do. The cannibals need to shape up, in my humble opinion.
Can someone as young and healthy as Leni really get ovarian cancer? Yes, it happens all the time. For more information on ovarian cancer, visit the Queen of Hearts Foundation at www.qohfoundation.org. Queen of Hearts raises funds for the research and early detection of ovarian cancer. They are an amazing organization.
Why did Leni's mom give her the ring? That scene didn't go anywhere, and you never mention the ring again. Leni's mom was already planning her suicide. She was tidying up obligations.
What's a Prince Albert? Ask your parents.
Clark's tattoo is at the base of his what? Neck. I mean, ask your parents.
Why doesn't Leni tell Jay about Bea? I think she made the wrong choice. This is a tough one. I know why Leni does what she does, and she explains herself pretty well at the end. Is this the right decision for everyone—even anyone else—in her situation? I don't know. I only know what was right for Leni. But that doesn't necessarily make it right for Jay. I'd love to hear more of your thoughts on the subject.
Reader’s Guide
1. Sea, ocean, and water are used as symbols throughout the novel. In what ways are they used? Why are they used?
2. What is Leni’s reaction to Jay’s interest in her when she returns to school? What makes her change her mind about him?
3. In what ways does Leni’s past affect her outlook on the present?
4. What is the most significant experience of your life, and how does it affect you today?
5. Is Jay’s behavior typical for a teenage guy? Why or why not?
6. In Chapter Eighteen, Leni comments that she doesn’t see herself as honest or trustworthy. Why not? Do you agree with her?
7. Do you feel any sympathy for Leni’s mother? Her father? Why or why not?
8. When Leni meets Clark, what is her reaction? What is Clark’s reaction to Leni?
9. Do you believe there are universal truths?
10. Is it ever okay to lie?
11. Is withholding information the same thing as lying?
12. Did you see the ending coming? What clues hinted at it?
13. Why does Leni fall for Clark? Why does Clark fall for her?
14. How does the title of the novel, Under Water, relate to the story? Is it appropriate?
15. Leni’s parents both lost a child, but they handle it very differently. In what ways did that event affect their relationship with Leni?
16. A theme of the novel is the complexity of personalities and behavior – human beings are neither all good nor all bad. Which character do you think is the most complex in this way?
17. Can a person ever really overcome tragedy? What might a person have to do to overcome it?
18. Should people be judged by their appearance? In what ways are characters in the novel judged by their appearance?
19. Many of the characters have regrets. Do you have any regrets? How do you deal with them?
20. Why does Leni keep the bucket?
21. Do you think Jay truly loves Leni?
22. What defines a person’s moral code? Do you have a moral code? What defines it?
23. Leni’s mother is mentally ill. Does that excuse her actions?
24. Is Pascal’s Wager a compelling argument for the existence of God?
25. What part of her body does Leni pierce at the end of the novel?
26. Why does Clark choose to have so many piercings? How does his past contribute to this decision?
27. Is it cruel of Leni to hide her acceptance to Stanford from her parents? Why does she hide it?
28. Do you think Leni and Clark will stay together in the long run? Why or why not?
29. Does the novel have a happy ending? Why or why not?
Dedication
To my husband, Michael. I’m lucky.
Copyright Page
UNDER WATER Copyright © 2013 by Andrea Ring
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Originally published in 2013 by Square Gorilla Press. Previously titled as A YELLOW WOOD. For information, visit http://www.squaregorilla.com.
ISBN 978-0-9893825-0-2
Cover Photography:
Cheryl Walsh, Portrait Fine Art Photographer
High School Seniors: Alt-Senior.com
Underwater Fine Art: CherylWalshPhotography.com
Cover design:
Jason Walsh, http://www.jaymeanoiche.daportfolio.com
Acknowledgments:
Cheryl Walsh is simply an amazing artist. I feel so blessed that I got to work with her and that she went out of her way to make this underwater photo shoot happen. Thank you, Cheryl, for being so professional and creative!
Jason Walsh (no relation!), you continue to blow me away! I’m so lucky to have you on my team. Lots of hugs coming your way!
About the Author
Andrea Ring was born and raised in Orange County, California. At age eight, she wrote an essay proclaiming she wanted to be an “auther” when she grew up. It only took her thirty years to realize her dream.
She enjoys beating her four children at Boggle, reading science fiction and fantasy, and eating bacon. She hates to exercise, but loves taking walks with her family through Old Towne Orange. She's lucky to be married to the love of her life.
Her favorite ride at Disneyland is Indiana Jones.
Her favorite movies are The Princess Bride and
Better Off Dead.
She thinks every book should contain a love story.
Did we mention her love of bacon?
Archive.