Becca moved to sit next to him, and thoughts of his brother fled. They would have three weekends to enjoy Port Aransas because volunteers didn’t work on Saturday or Sunday. No use wasting time worrying over Alton’s antics. Sarah brought over a tourist map she’d found in the trailer. Together they opened it up and planned their adventures for the day.
Once they had settled on a course, Joshua asked Alton if he would like to join them. He shook his head and reached for another piece of cranberry bread. “Can’t. I’d love to, but I can’t.”
And with no more explanation than that, he turned and walked from the room.
CHAPTER 33
What is Alton planning on doing today?” Becca asked Sarah.
They were sitting outside a tourist store with a giant fiberglass shark out front. The store was one of the few structures that had been rebuilt along the main road, and a poster on the window explained that the plastic shark had been specially ordered to replace the one lost in the hurricane. The aisles were packed with shirts, swimsuits, and ball caps. They hadn’t purchased anything, but they’d had a good time looking around and laughing at the slogans on the T-shirts: “Life is better on the beach,” “Beach out,” “I love Port Aransas,” “Orion came. Orion went. We’re still here.”
Becca liked the last one. It showed a stubborn spirit, a refusal to be run off your land. Whether it was smart or merely arrogant she wasn’t sure, but she could definitely relate.
Though no one in their group owned a camera, or even a phone with a camera, they had enjoyed jumping in and out of the huge shark’s mouth and laughing at one another. Even Joshua had seemed to finally relax. Now they sat with ice cream cones and enjoyed the feel of the sun on their faces.
Sarah took another lick of her raspberry truffle. The sight of her eating warmed Becca’s heart. It seemed that her friend was able to put aside her own worries, or at least she had for a time. Maybe island living did that for a person.
Sarah hadn’t immediately answered Becca’s question about Alton, but finally she shrugged and said, “He had a job.”
“A job?” Joshua practically choked on his mint chocolate chip.
Becca continued eating her peanut butter swirl. This should be interesting. It hadn’t taken long to notice how much Joshua worried over Alton, but honestly, what could he do? In her opinion, he should relax and enjoy his day. She didn’t share her thoughts, though. Instead, she watched, listened, and enjoyed her ice cream.
When Sarah didn’t offer any additional details, Joshua finished his cone, walked over to the trash can, and dumped in his napkins. Maybe he needed the time to calm down, as his complexion had turned a bright red. Walking back to the girls, he stood with his hands at his side and a scowl on his face.
“What kind of job? Where? How? And why would he even want one?”
Sarah cocked her head to the side and then said, “Landscape work at some condos, I don’t know, and to rent surfing equipment.”
“Landscape work?”
Sarah nodded.
“He told you this?”
“He did. He asked me to watch him surf later.”
“Are you going?” Becca asked.
“Maybe. It might be fun, though I suspect he’ll spend more time falling off the board than actually surfing.”
“It certainly looks like a complicated thing to learn.” Becca couldn’t help wondering what that would feel like—to stand up as the waves carried you toward the land. Probably it would be exhilarating until you ended up taking a spill and swallowing gallons of saltwater. Falling would be no fun at all.
“I’m not even that gut on a bicycle,” Becca confessed. “I doubt surfing is in my future.”
Joshua was staring at them as if they had lost their minds. “You two act as if this is completely normal. As if every person who comes on a mission trip finds a side job.”
“Maybe it will keep him out of trouble.” Sarah stood and brushed her hands against her dress. “Where are we supposed to catch the bus?”
They had seen on their map that Port Aransas had begun offering a local bus service. Their plan had been to take the bus downtown and then spend the morning walking the streets. It had taken less time than they had expected. Most of the structures were still in some process of being rebuilt. They walked past the job sites for several churches, the post office, and the local museum. Schools had been set up in portable buildings. A large sign announced that construction on a new facility would begin on June first. At many of the locations they passed, crews were working even though it was Saturday.
MDS seemed to be the only organization that didn’t work on weekends. Becca wondered if the crews they passed would work on Sundays as well. In Cody’s Creek, two of the restaurants and the grocery store remained opened on the Sabbath, but all of the other establishments closed. It was something she especially enjoyed about Sundays—the peace and quiet and lack of bustle, not that she ever saw much bustle from her parents’ farm.
They moseyed down the street and passed a place that looked as if part of it had withstood the storm.
“Let’s check it out,” Sarah said.
The Tarpon Inn had rooms for rent as well as a restaurant and office/lobby area. A historic marker in front of the building explained that it was originally built in 1886, and President Franklin Roosevelt had once stayed there while he was in the area fishing for tarpon.
“What’s a tarpon?” Becca asked.
“I have no idea.” Joshua held the door open for her and Sarah.
The person behind the desk was friendly. She pointed out the two walls inside the reception area that were covered with tarpon scales. Penned on each scale was the signature and hometown of the angler who had caught it. President Roosevelt’s scale was covered with a plastic shield to protect it.
“So the inn survived the storm?” Joshua asked the girl.
She was probably Becca’s age, with piercings in her right eyebrow and hair streaked pink. Somehow it seemed normal in a beach town, and Becca found herself liking the girl and her open demeanor.
“Sort of.” Jocelyn—her name tag was pinned to a psychedelic T-shirt—leaned on the counter and pointed to some of the photos caught beneath its glass. “We lost some of the back building, and had damage in others, but we’re still here—which is more than most of the island can say.”
“Why do you think that is?” Becca asked.
“I’m not really sure.” She popped her gum, reminding Becca of her grandfather. “The inn was rebuilt in 1923. At that time, the pilings were placed in concrete.” She shrugged. “Maybe we’re on higher ground, maybe we got lucky, or maybe… maybe God knew this place would be needed.”
It seemed funny to hear someone with piercings and pink hair talk about God, but then Becca realized she was wrong to stereotype someone because of how they looked. After all, Jocelyn hadn’t said a thing about Becca’s dress or kapp.
“This place has served as the headquarters for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and even National Guard. After Orion, it was the only place people had to stay.”
Joshua thanked her for her time. Sarah finished browsing the jewelry section, and Becca followed them both out of the inn.
They continued walking, passing a sign that pointed to the Marine Science Institute. “Simon mentioned that part of the university is still standing.” Joshua smiled at both girls. “Care to walk there? It’s only a half mile farther.”
Becca groaned and Sarah shook her head vigorously.
“My feet are ready to let the bus take us somewhere.” Becca looped arms with Sarah as they set off down the street.
They were at the bus stop in less than five minutes. The bright yellow vehicle arrived, and they each showed their pass as they climbed aboard. The day pass had cost only five dollars, which seemed like a good deal because they couldn’t possibly walk everywhere they wanted to see. The bus itself was actually only a little larger than a van. On its side was an advertisement which said “Port A—Bigger and
Better.” Painted in the background was an outline of some buildings, and next to that a pristine beach.
The driver was friendly enough. He looked to be close to Charlie’s age—whatever that was. He explained that there were only three buses in commission at the moment. “But there will be many more once summer vacation begins. I suppose you all won’t be here then.”
“We leave on the twenty-seventh,” Joshua said, sitting down next to Becca.
Sarah sat behind them and peered out the window.
“I’m sorry you’re upset about Alton.” Becca glanced at him, trying to figure out his mood.
Joshua rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m responsible for him.”
“But he’s grown.”
“Supposedly.”
“Are you worried about his surfing?”
“I worry about everything. Mostly that I can’t keep my eye on him at all times. He… he has a history of getting into trouble when he’s alone.”
“But he’s working,” Becca reasoned.
“With whom? How did he even hear about this job?”
“From one of the boys we met on the beach last night.” Sarah leaned forward. “He seemed nice enough, though he had a lot of tattoos.”
Joshua groaned. “If Alton comes home with tattoos, my mamm will faint.”
“I imagine your mother is made of stronger stuff than that.” Becca turned and smiled at Sarah. “Besides, he’d have to tattoo his neck or hands for anyone to see it back home. Our clothes cover most areas.”
“You girls sound like you’re on his side. You don’t know how much trouble he’s been in, or how I’ll have to answer for any trouble he gets into here.”
“Surely your parents can’t blame you for what Alton does or doesn’t do.” Sarah sat back, as if she’d said all that needed to be said on the subject.
And maybe she had a point. Becca couldn’t stop Joshua from worrying any more than she could stop Alton from finding trouble—if that was what he was looking for. It seemed to her that Alton was more interested in trying new experiences, and she didn’t blame him for that. Plus, he could have stolen a surfboard—now that would have been bad. Working so that he could rent one? That seemed harmless enough to her.
So instead of attempting to talk Joshua out of his worries, she hopped off the bus, walked along the seawall, and allowed herself to be amazed by the size and number of barges passing by the jetty. A pelican turned to stare at them but made no attempt to fly away. The three of them walked out onto the rocks where some people were fishing, and Joshua started a conversation with an older gentleman about what type of bait he was using and what kind of fish might be caught.
Becca was standing near them but not paying attention until the man began to speak of Orion. “Two days before the hurricane hit, the old-timers knew what was about to happen. The fish, they were so thick you could look down and see them here—like so many pebbles stacked up in the surf.”
The old man cackled, showing that several of his bottom teeth were missing. “We came out in a hurry and used buckets to scoop them up. Quite the beach party we had that night—grilling fish and laughing in the face of danger.”
“Did you stay here on the island through the hurricane?”
“I might be old, but I’m not a fool. We were off well before he struck land, though some weren’t.” Now his tone softened and his eyes sought the horizon. “Some didn’t make it, and that is a tragedy for sure.”
Joshua murmured something that Becca couldn’t hear.
The man’s toothy grin returned. “The fishing isn’t as good today as it was that day. I don’t suppose it ever will be. But our weather this week? It’s about the best we could hope for.”
Joshua wished the man a good afternoon, and when he stepped closer to Becca, he reached for her hand, twining his fingers around hers. She was surprised but didn’t pull away. She rather liked the feel of her hand in Joshua’s. She liked that the look of concern over his brother had fled and in its place was a thoughtful, peaceful expression.
They walked along the jetty, the water splashing up and over their feet, and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon before they boarded the bus again.
The day had been very nearly perfect, but then they stepped off the bus and rounded the corner, heading down the street toward their trailers. That was when they saw the police car parked in front of where they were staying.
And suddenly the perfect glow of the afternoon fell away.
CHAPTER 34
Joshua didn’t run, but he did hurry toward the trailers. Becca and Sarah jogged to keep up with him.
What had Alton done now?
Joshua felt a stab of resentment that he couldn’t enjoy one afternoon without dealing with his brother’s antics.
And beneath those thoughts were more serious ones. What if Alton had been hurt? Should he have let him go off alone? How would he explain this to his parents?
By the time they reached the front of the house, the officers were standing outside talking to Jim. They wore dark blue jackets with the words POLICE and ICE in large white letters across the back. Alton was nowhere in sight.
“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” Joshua was practically breathless after hurrying down the street. A part of his mind was aware that Becca and Sarah had come to a panting stop behind him, but his attention was focused on Jim and the officers.
“Joshua, this is Officer Nesbie and this is Officer Bailey.” Both men nodded their hellos. They were the same height, but Nesbie was heavier and older. “They are both Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.”
Joshua didn’t know what to say. ICE? What could they have to do with his brother? He never for a moment questioned that they were standing outside their trailer because of Alton. The past did often repeat itself, and it seemed that the situations they’d endured in Oklahoma were popping up in Texas. But ICE?
“Joshua is Alton’s brother,” Jim explained.
“Is he in trouble? Is everything all right?”
“Your brother’s fine.” This from Nesbie. “There was a situation at the place he was at this morning.”
“We were investigating another matter, and in the process checked that everyone working was eligible to do so.”
Joshua didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say to that.
“Your brother had no identification papers.” Bailey pulled out a small notepad and read from it. “He said that Mr. Snyder could vouch for him and that he’d filled out forms in order to work on this site. We were checking out his story.”
“Most Amish don’t own a driver’s license,” Joshua said.
“Yes, so Mr. Snyder explained.”
When the officers didn’t offer anything else, Becca stepped forward. “So we’re gut? No one’s in trouble?”
“No one’s in trouble,” Nesbie agreed. “However… ”
He glanced at Bailey, who nodded.
“The people your brother has chosen to hang around with have been in trouble before. There’s a reason we were out there this afternoon.”
“What—”
“I’m sorry, but we can’t provide details even to family,” Bailey said.
“We understand you’re visitors here, and we appreciate the work you’re doing.” Nesbie’s gaze drifted to the partially completed homes across the street and then back to Joshua. “You might want to have a talk with your brother. We’d hate for him to get caught up in something illegal.”
Joshua scrubbed a hand across his face and then thanked the two officers. When they had returned to their vehicle and driven away, Jim said, “Joshua, would you like me to have a talk with your brother?”
“Nein. He’s my responsibility.”
“Well, don’t be too hard on him. He couldn’t have known.”
“He should have known!”
Jim studied Joshua for a moment. Then he said, “Remember, he did nothing wrong. Working for the day to earn money shows that he’s motivated and that he’s not la
zy. He’s done good work here, and I wouldn’t want him to have a bad experience with MDS simply because of a small misunderstanding.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
“Great. We’ll leave for dinner at six. Local business owners like to treat each team to dinner on Saturday nights. I think you’ll enjoy the Fish Place.”
Jim walked away, and Joshua stood there in the late afternoon sun wondering what he was going to do about his brother. Becca and Sarah stood on either side of him, but he knew he needed to talk with Alton alone.
Sarah murmured something about cleaning up and moved toward her trailer. Becca held back, as if she wanted to say something. But when Joshua looked at her, she simply reached out, squeezed his arm, and walked away.
He climbed the stairs and then hesitated before opening the door, pausing just long enough to send up a brief prayer for wisdom and patience. He stepped inside and found his brother lounging across the sofa, the television turned on to a baseball game. Joshua picked up the remote, muted the sound, and sat down across from Alton in the room’s only other chair.
“You look like dat with that expression on your face.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“Nothing.”
“Something happened.”
“It didn’t.”
“Then why were the police here? Why were immigration officials standing outside and talking to Jim?”
“I explained it to them, and they explained it to you. I know how the conversation went.”
“And you didn’t feel the need to come outside and defend yourself?”
“Not for a third time. Nein, I didn’t.” Alton sat up, grabbed a tennis ball off the table, and began to bounce it against the opposite wall, which seemed to calm him. That was Alton—he simply couldn’t abide sitting still. Even when he’d been watching the baseball game, when Joshua had first walked into the trailer, he’d been jiggling his leg.
“Explain it to me. Like you did to them.”
“Joshua, there’s nothing to say. I had a job planting flowers at one of the big condos farther out of town.”
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