by Jamie Summer
I took a deep breath and bit into my burger. I had gotten very good at ignoring things, and people, so it was exactly what I was going to do now.
And pretend. I had gotten very good at that, too.
Chapter Eight
Jake
If I would’ve known she was here for lunch, I would’ve asked Scott if we could go somewhere else. There weren’t many places around, but Earl’s was always a good option. We were here now, though, and I doubted Scott would appreciate me changing our plans when food was so close. We were both starving and had been talking about Betty’s food for most of the morning. It was a welcome distraction with all this storm talk.
Weather reports had put the storm into a category four, but I knew it was not going to end there. There were still three days left before it made landfall, so plenty of time to strengthen. I watched the news channel this morning. The small islands south of ours were on high alert, most of the people already evacuating from the area. Something told me it was only a matter of time before it happened here.
Betty’s voice drew me to the present and I smiled when I saw her working behind the counter. She had been one of the first people to befriend me on the island, and it was a debt I would never be able to repay. She continued to give me preferential treatment, something I never stopped thanking her for.
“Here’s your food, guys. Now, don’t eat too quickly, okay? Gets you all bloated.” And with that, she was gone again.
I stared at my meal, trying to remember the hunger I had when coming in. It didn’t work. My stomach was in knots at the thought of Maddy sitting next to me.
The mere knowledge of her so close brought back memories of our earlier meeting.
She had been very clear. She didn’t want to remember. She wanted to forget.
Whatever illusion I had about us getting a second chance was destroyed the moment she glanced at me with nothing but pain and loss in her eyes. She needed to come to terms with those buried feelings before there could ever be a chance for the two of us. If there ever were a chance.
I wasn’t sure at this point.
She was here for another two days, then she’d be gone. Forever. The mere thought caused my stomach to convulse.
“You all right, man?” Scott asked. I meekly nodded.
I didn’t bother explaining my behavior. Scott and I were close, closer than I was to anyone else on the island. I knew he had an idea why my mood took a nosedive and my hunger had vanished into nothingness.
He started to make idle chitchat, and I held up my end of the conversation. We talked about the job, deliveries, and other non-important issues both of us couldn’t care less about. I had wanted to talk to him about Maddy’s return as much as Scott probably wanted to grill me on it, but with her right next to me, that wasn’t possible.
Not even a foot separated us. I hadn’t been this close to her in ages. Last time was the day before she left without a word. The memory was like a knife slicing through me. I had started building myself up for exactly the same at this point.
Scott finished his monologue and arched a brow at me. He expected this lunch break to be different, no doubt. So did I. Sometimes life didn’t work the way you wanted it to.
The Coke hit me without warning, splashing over my jean-clad leg, as well as my arm, dripping down slowly.
“I’m so sorry,” Maddy said, panic written all over her pretty features as I turned to look at the damage, her face right next to mine. “I completely forgot Betty put that there. I’m sorry. I can have the clothes cleaned and—” Maddy dabbed at my sweater with a napkin, hastily wiping away the remnants of her refreshment.
I took her hands in mine and forced her to look up at me. “It’s okay. Not the first time this has happened,” I joked and saw the way she swallowed. She remembered.
“I’m still sorry,” she whispered, her voice quiet enough for me to have to lean closer. It brought me into her personal space, a place I wasn’t sure she wanted me.
“Don’t apologize.” My eyes were fixed on hers. The green of them always reminded me of the forest leaves on an early spring day. Bright, glowing, and mesmerizing. I saw her breath hitch and waited for her next move.
She sat back in her chair, effectively putting some distance between us. I wasn’t too fond of it, but knew it was her way of protecting herself. Protecting her heart.
Anna watched us, and I felt Scott’s gaze on me, too. They both wanted to know what happened.
When exactly did we become the subject of a reality TV show?
Some of my frustration must have shown on my face because Maddy frowned. I didn’t humor her and returned to my own chair, trying to act as if the past two minutes hadn’t happened. Scott shook his head with a smirk and returned to his food.
This was all kinds of messed up.
I pined for a woman who wanted nothing to do with me. Despite my best efforts, walking right into her path was what I ended up doing. Again.
I picked up my ham and cheese sandwich and took a few bites, not able to enjoy the juicy goodness the way I usually did. When I was done, I nodded at Scott, who had also finished his burger, and we stood. I stopped at Betty’s counter on my way out.
“I wanna pay for their food,” I told her.
A slow smile crossed her face. “Would you now?” she asked, her eyes darting to the table where Maddy and Anna sat. We were far enough away for them not to hear our conversation, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
I lowered my voice. “Please?”
She laughed and rang up their bill, along with ours. After I paid, I swear I heard her mumble under her breath, but I didn’t have the mind to dwell on it. I walked out the door to where Scott stood, the cold ocean breeze making me shiver.
“What the hell was that? You do remember you have a girlfriend at home, right? A woman you are supposed to love and all that shebang?” Scott didn’t waste any time. “She is the one you should be giving those looks to, not someone you haven’t seen in two years.”
He was right. Bridget was my girlfriend. The one I should’ve remembered when I saw Maddy. The fact of the matter was, though, I hadn’t thought about her for a single moment in that café. I was consumed by a different woman. A woman who, quite frankly, made her intentions clear.
“Look, if you don’t love Bridget anymore, that’s fine, but you need to tell her. You can’t string her along. It’s not fair…for either of you.”
I swallowed whatever retort I had on my lips. What was I going to say? That what he said was utter bullshit? I knew it wasn’t, and so did he.
“I know whatever you and Bridget once had is long gone. I’m pretty sure she does, too. You’ve barely spent any time with her lately. Maddy being back proved what everyone else already knew. Your relationship with Bridget isn’t that of two lovers, but two good friends. That’s okay, but you need to talk to her about it.”
I didn’t reply as we made our way back toward work. Scott silently brooded beside me, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Every part of me should care about what he said, but I didn’t.
Because he spoke the truth.
Once we got there, a flurry of activity awaited us.
“What’s going on?” I asked. Several men hurried around, as if on the lookout for something.
Sully stopped on the way to the lockers. “They said the storm may get here earlier. It increased in speed and may be bumped up to a category five soon. They want everyone out of here tomorrow. They haven’t put a mandatory evacuation on us yet, but I expect it won’t be long until they do.”
“So everyone’s leaving?” I asked.
“Of course not. Nothing has changed. Most won’t abandon their homes. We’re putting all the supplies in the shelter so they have a chance at survival.”
I let my gaze wander the room and noticed the shipment of food and non-perishables had arrived.
“The ship made it?”
Sully nodded. “Al said he’ll be back tomorrow, but I’m not sure that’s t
rue. It may be calm out there right now, but we both know the wind will start before long.”
Horror gripped me at the thought of Maddy trapped on this island. As much as I wanted her to stay, I wanted her safe more than anything.
“Do the citizens know?”
Another nod from Sully.
“All of them?”
He shrugged. “We distributed the news earlier than expected. You know how things work on this island. Within a few minutes, everyone knew.”
“Jake, I need you over here,” Barry called.
I walked over, Sully right beside me. I looked at him, remembering all of the sudden.
“Why aren’t you with your family? I thought you wanted to go to the mainland.”
Sully sighed. “I will. Tomorrow. That was the plan all along. So I’m truly hoping Al can return. He had to take the tourists off the island today. The boat was packed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it that crowded. The Coast Guard said they may send another ship tomorrow to get everyone who wants to leave.”
Good. Al’s boat didn’t hold all the people on Crystal Cove. Even if only half wanted to evacuate, they wouldn’t fit. So bringing in another vessel would rectify that.
I got to work, helping unpack and carry everything over to the shelter situated a little farther down the beach, a few hundred feet inland. Constructed years ago, I knew it was built for instances exactly like this one. There were cots, a kitchen, a functioning bathroom, as well as an area to sit and relax. It was almost like an underground housing unit. People would be okay there. Or so I hoped. I had no idea how sturdy this thing was or how strong the storm would end up being.
“Hey, over here.” I recognized Earl’s voice as I stepped down the few stairs to the inside of the shelter. “Over there.” He pointed to an area where most of the items from the mainland had been positioned. Toilet paper, food, drinks, batteries, candles… Everything that may come in handy should the world turn upside down. “Jake, why don’t you leave? Take Bridget and leave the island behind. You’re too young to put yourself in danger like that.”
“I have no plans of leaving.”
Earl gave me a small smile. “I figured you’d say that. Be careful then, okay? Get Bridget and her mother down here sooner rather than later. We don’t want anyone out there who doesn’t have to be.”
I nodded and walked toward the entrance.
“And Jake?”
I glanced over my shoulder at Earl.
“Do me a favor and make sure everyone who doesn’t want to be on this island leaves.” There was no judgment in his voice, only a statement, yet it carried way more weight than he may be aware of.
I headed back to work, noticing people out and about now. They tried to hide their worry behind a strong façade, but several of them couldn’t keep it up. The uncertainty about our fate, the island’s fate, was clearly written all over their face.
The news of the storm being stronger and possibly arriving earlier than expected was bound to leave marks on people. I only hoped everyone would keep a clear head and not go crazy. Situations like this one could definitely test your limits.
Our numbers at work had more than doubled. Every available man seemed to have come to help out. I joined them, the work keeping me from worrying about the people on this island. I may have only lived here a few years, but this was more a home to me than any other place I’d ever been. I didn’t want to see it eradicated by nature. I wanted Crystal Cove to survive this impending disaster.
Chapter Nine
Maddy
Betty had informed us our bill was taken care of, a wicked glint in her eyes. I didn’t want to think about what it meant as we walked back to my house.
Spilling my drink on him had thrown my plan of avoiding the fact he sat right next to me straight out the window. Every second I spent near him was another second I was closer to ripping down the walls I had built around my heart.
“What next?” Anna asked as we stood in the hallway of my house.
While we were eating, several people came in and told Betty the storm may hit earlier than expected. Everyone who wanted a ride to the mainland was supposed to be ready the next day. Which meant I had less time than anticipated.
I pointed upstairs. “My bedroom.”
Anna followed quietly as I took the stairs slowly. The wood creaked whenever I took a step. Dad had always called it charming, while I reminded him it could be life threatening. He’d always laugh at me and call me chicken. I figured it was survival.
I stopped when I reached my closed bedroom door. I had already peeked inside, so I knew nothing had changed, but entering this room and cleaning it out would bring memories I wasn’t sure I was ready for. I didn’t remember half of what I cherished in this room, but of the half I did, I couldn’t tell if I wanted to explore it all again.
“It’ll be okay,” Anna said from behind me, her hand on my shoulders. Knowing she was there made me reach out and turn the door handle.
It opened easily, as if welcoming me back with open arms. There was a soft glow outside the window where the sun fought its way through the throng of clouds. The curtains were halfway closed, so I stepped up to them and pulled them open a little farther. Dust fell at the movement, trickling down onto the equally dust-covered floor. The carpet showed signs of two years having gone by without anyone walking on it. The grey hue, paired with several water stains from where the roof had started to leak, showed the non-existing care this house had received. Guilt ate at me.
My dad wouldn’t have wanted his pride and joy to succumb like this.
The thought ate at me again.
There were several posters on the wall, one more faded than the other. There was one I bought on our trip to Spain—a beach picture done by a local artist. The moment I saw it, I fell in love, and dad didn’t hesitate to get it for me. Another poster, this one a display of flowers from our back yard, was one my dad had given me for my fifteenth birthday.
I searched the area, noticing how many items in this room were from my dad. Souvenirs from his fishing trips to the surrounding harbors, from his travels, or trips we took together. My whole room was decorated by him.
The ache grew slowly. With every postcard from another place, every dust-layered item, the hole in my heart increased in size.
He would never bring me anything from his trips anymore. He would never come home, a huge smile on his face at the prospect of seeing me again, of giving me the gift he got.
Tears rolled down my cheeks, each representing another moment I wouldn’t have with him. And there wasn’t anything I could do to change it.
“Here.” Anna appeared by my side, holding something in her hand.
I watched her for a few seconds before she opened her palm and revealed a butterfly. The sight of the blue-green brooch made the tears fall harder. I felt Anna guide me toward the bed and sat me down. She held me as I cried, mourning my losses and the memories that would disappear if it weren’t for small things like the butterfly.
“Your mom made this one, right?”
I managed to nod, but didn’t look at the brooch. My heart had already broken open. I didn’t think I could handle the pain my mother’s death brought with it, as well.
Anna enclosed the piece of jewelry in her palm again before leaving the room. I heard her walk downstairs and into the living room, then she came back. She didn’t say anything, just sat with me.
Hearing thunder outside made me straighten. For a short second, I thought the storm had already reached us. I stood and walked over to the window, leaning on the sill. I saw the playground, a few kids goofing around. It seemed they were enjoying the last few hours before the stormed rolled in.
As I watched, I caught a glimpse of Grace coming through the throng of trees, holding a paper bag in her hand. Considering the time, I hoped she’d have some of her amazing baked goodies in there. Additionally, the mere sight of Anna’s mom soothed some of the ache in my heart. While Anna had always been my friend, Grac
e had been my mom in every sense of the word since my mother died. Whenever she was around, I felt a little lighter, the weight on my shoulders not as heavy anymore.
I heard the door open and close, then footsteps on the stairs. “Hey, ladies. I brought food. Are you hungry?” she asked when she joined us in my room. When she saw me, her eyes widened. “Maddy, dear, come here.” I moved on autopilot until she engulfed me in her arms. “I love you,” she whispered into my ear. I nodded against her shoulder. “Let’s go downstairs and have some cookies. I had some left over and thought I could feed you guys.”
I pulled away and eyed Anna. We exchanged a knowing glance. Grace never baked too many cookies by accident. She was too accurate for that. No, if she had any cookies left, it was precisely so she could bring some over.
While we had eaten not too long ago, I felt a slight urge to run down and grab a handful of sugary goodness.
We all went to the living room and sat around the dining room table. Grace had also brought a carton of milk and some cups, saying she had no idea what condition the utilities in the house were in, so she wanted us to have clean cups to drink out of.
While we ate, she told us the latest news about the storm. It wasn’t news to us, since we had heard the murmurs in the café, but having it confirmed again brought another wave of panic.
I had to finish today. There was no way around it. Tomorrow, I needed to take the ferry off the island. I wasn’t going to be here when the storm hit. The mere thought sent shivers down my spine. It reminded me too much of how I lost my dad. Of how the ocean had turned from my sanctuary into my undoing.
“I know you guys already started, but I wanted to help. We only have a few hours of daylight left, so we should use them wisely.” Grace looked at me.
I had no idea if I would make it. Could I go through everything in a few hours, then leave the rest behind to be destroyed? I needed more time. I needed to save more. I needed to—
The thoughts tumbled over each other in my head. I had a hard time forming a coherent one when hands squeezed mine tightly.