She sighed, “I suppose he’ll find out sooner or later. Has the story hit the news yet?”
“News?” I hadn’t given it any thought, and I started wondering who would be the first to arrive on the scene and discover the carnage. “We just left them all where they fell… I don’t even know if anyone’s even found them yet.”
“Oh, I’m sure she’s already had a team out to scrub the scene,” Evie huffed. She said “she” with the same contempt Ethan reserved for his mother, although I knew that Evie was referring to Olivia. “There won’t be a body, a phone, or a single scrap of paper to connect her to the place.”
“That’s probably a good thing,” I said with relief, “There’s no point in getting the authorities involved.”
“True,” Evie agreed, “There’s law, and then there’s justice, and they’re usually two different things. We need to assemble a council meeting immediately and alert the others. We need to make a plan– I promise we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“Count me out,” I said firmly, surprising myself. “I want nothing more to do with the council.”
“But Marina… They’re our kind… It’s mandatory…”
“NO. Not for me it isn’t. Not anymore.” I felt my resolve harden as I spoke the words, and a burden I’d been hauling around since the moment I first learned the truth slipped off my shoulders. The worst had already happened; the ladies of the council didn’t scare me.
She was quiet for a minute, “I suppose they’ve caused nothing but trouble for you.”
“You could say that again.” I snorted.
“But, but…” I could tell Evie was at a loss for words. She was so invested in the idea of the council as an instrument for good, that she had been rendered incapable of seeing the dark forces that were present, scheming right under her nose.
“I’ll never go back again,” I said, digging in my heels. It felt good to take a stand.
“Now Marina, you should never say never,” Evie cautioned. She skipped a beat, and wisely changed the subject, “Your father has called me looking for you. He’s worried because your phone keeps going to voicemail.”
I blinked back the image of my phone being hurled over the cliff by Paul, “Does Dad know anything?”
“No. He said you left without saying goodbye, but he seemed most anxious to speak with you.”
I agreed to call my father, telling Evie I’d come to the city as soon as I was up to it, and promising to tell her all the details then. I asked her to look for the Rover at the airport, and she told me Yuri had already located it and was waiting for her and Boris to land in San Francisco. She promised to have it cleaned and waiting for me at her place. Evie was still fuming, promising to report my passport stolen immediately.
“The least I can do is ruin their little stooge’s vacation!” she huffed indignantly.
I called my father, repeating what I’d told Abby about losing my phone. It was technically the truth, and there was no need to add any more details. I apologized for taking off without saying goodbye, and asked him to thank Amrita for looking after Stumpy.
“Ethan’s mother is gone now… So I can come pick him up anytime.”
“I don’t want you to miss any more school, but we’d really like to see you,” he said, “Can you visit this weekend?”
“How about Ethan and I come up Friday after school?” I asked.
“Perfect,” he sounded happy, “We’ll all have dinner.”
“Okay, tell Stumpy we’re coming for him.”
“Good luck peeling him from Amrita’s lap,” The mere mention of her name seemed to put a smile in his voice.
“I love you Dad.”
“I love you too, sweetie.”
I put the phone down, and sat there for a minute, thinking. Something had profoundly changed, and I realized that it was me. I was still my father’s daughter, but I no longer felt like his child. I respected Evie more than anyone I knew, but I no longer considered her to be infallible.
The door burst open, startling me. Ethan came in backwards, balancing a tray bearing two mugs of coffee and a pair of apples. He smiled, setting it down carefully on the bed. I could see that his bedside table had been reduced to a pile of kindling in the corner.
“Thanks,” I smiled back, taking the cup between my palms and breathing deep, “Smells good.” Ethan picked up his cup and sat down carefully, slipping his feet under the blankets to play footsie with me until I giggled.
We sat up in bed, drinking coffee and talking about what we needed to do to get caught up at school. I told him about Megan’s concert, and my visit with Shayla. It had only been a few days ago, but so much had happened, it seemed like I was telling him about the far distant past. We planned on going to San Francisco for dinner on Friday, picking up Stumpy and my car and coming straight home.
Home. It wasn’t this apartment, I realized, or even Aptos. It was Ethan.
He leaned back on the pillows, “I need to get to the grocery store… I haven’t been eating in much lately. We’ll have to order some pizza or something unless you wanna go for a walk.” He picked up an apple and polished it until it was shiny, holding it out to me, “Hungry?”
I narrowed my eyes at him, “Are you trying to tempt me?”
“As much as possible.”
Ethan reached over and took the coffee cup from my hand, placing it purposefully on the tray. He picked it up and stood, setting the tray on the floor at the foot of the bed. I imagined he was getting up to dress, but he grinned at me, lifted the sheets and dove in headfirst.
He tickled me until I shrieked with laughter, finally pulling me under for another swim in the blankets.
~
Chapter Twenty-Eight
ENGAGED
~
We spent the rest of the week joined at the hip, keeping as close to each other as we possibly could. Ethan was as reluctant to part with me as I was him; if we were in the same room, we always had a hand or foot in contact with each other.
He drove me to school in the morning, and I spent the afternoons reading in the library, curled up in a quiet corner to wait for his classes to finish. After school, I accompanied him to his landscaping jobs, sitting in the truck and watching him work. I was content to wait, not quite ready to be alone.
I returned to my marine biology class, carefully watching Professor Powell for any sign that he knew something about what had happened at the lab. If he did, he was a master of deception, because I failed to see any indication of guilt whatsoever.
Ethan was waiting outside class, pacing nervously, “Well?” he asked, searching my eyes.
“He doesn’t seem to know about me. But he is in charge of that research ship… He must have had something to do with catching Nixie.”
Word on campus was that the bomb squad had cleared the building, but the lab had been closed due to a problem with the wiring. Rumors were flying that the director himself had been accidentally electrocuted, and there were plenty of grad students grumbling about being cut off from their experiments. I ran into Max on campus, and he nervously inquired as to how I was feeling. I thanked him again for his help, encouraging him not to give up on his research, telling him I believed in its potential.
“I still can’t get over the cover up,” he observed wryly. “They sure kept it out of the press. It looks like I may have to re-think a few conspiracy theories.”
“Yeah, I can relate.”
He shook his head sadly, “I still can’t get over what they were doing with the secret lab. You’d think you could trust a university to be ethical.”
“Everyone has a price,” I said cynically, “The people behind it had a lot of money and power. Max… I’m so sorry that I used you to get in there… It’s only that I knew they were after me, and I had to know what they were up to. Believe me– I never wanted to involve you in this whole business.”
“It’s okay,” he smiled. “I’m glad I could help.” He scuffed his sneaker on the cement, “I
always knew there was something different about you.”
“How?” I asked, a little alarmed. My mind started racing– what was it about me that screamed freak?
He looked up at me shyly, “Girls that look like you generally don’t know very much about squid.”
I smiled, gave him a quick hug, and wished him well.
Ethan and I went to the coffee shop after school, where I picked up a spare key from Bill, along with another envelope of cash. Ethan helped me hang up some replacement paintings, following me up the stairs to my studio. He studied, spreading his books and papers out on the big couch while I painted, losing myself in a burst of creative energy.
I was happy, and the paintings I worked on exuded a sense of cheerful joy that had been missing from my earlier pieces. Before, I was addicted to the sea, but now I was high on love, strung out on bliss. I was painting to express myself, not to lose myself.
“Hey,” he tapped me on the shoulder, and I looked up to see I’d lost all track of time, “Let’s go get some dinner.”
Friday came before we knew it, bringing a trip up to the city to see my father. Ethan drove us along the coast, reaching over to squeeze my knee every few minutes.
“Two hands on the wheel,” I admonished him, squeezing his knee back.
We pulled into Evie’s parking garage to see the Boris’ familiar face appear from out of nowhere. He directed us into a parking spot next to my Rover, and when I climbed out he clamped onto me in a wordless embrace.
“It’s okay Boris,” I patted his massive back. “I’m fine.”
He drew back to study me, concern in his eyes. I knew he felt responsible for what had happened under his watch. He lived to keep Evie safe, and by extension, me and my father. He patted my hand solemnly, and nodded, accepting my forgiveness.
“Good job,” he nodded to Ethan.
I looked inside the Rover to see my surfboards and wetsuit still inside, just where I left them. It was as if nothing at all had even happened. Boris escorted us to the elevator, handing me a set of replacement keys, “I tell Evie you’re here.”
When we got to my father’s apartment, I was surprised to find him up on his feet, walking with only the assistance of a cane. I raced over to throw my arms around him, realizing how close I’d come to never seeing him again.
“You look great!” I said, my voice thick with emotion. In the span of only a week he seemed more solid, stronger than he’d been since before he’d left for Afghanistan in the first place. I looked over his shoulder to see Amrita watching proudly. She was the reason he looked so well, and I impulsively darted over to embrace her too.
She stiffened up tensely, more nervous than usual.
Ethan greeted them both with polite handshakes, and my Father gestured for us to have a seat at the dining room table. He seemed unusually formal, which was completely out of character. I watched him and Ethan carefully as they made small talk about school and the weather.
The whole house smelled wonderful, and Dad announced that Amrita had prepared us a special dinner. “She’s been planning this all week,” he told us, making her blush. I offered to help, but she insisted that I remain seated while she busied herself in the kitchen making her delicious chai. After she served us she took a chair next to my father.
He cleared his throat, “I know this might seem kind of sudden…”
Ethan and I exchanged a look. We both knew what was coming next.
“I’ve asked Amrita to marry me,” he looked over at her with adoring eyes, “And she has agreed to do me the honor.”
“Congratulations,” I said immediately, and I truly meant it. After what I’d just been through, nothing could faze me, and a life affirming turn of events was more than welcome.
“Aren’t you shocked?” asked Amrita, her eyes wide.
“We’re used to it,” Ethan said, reaching over to shake my father’s good hand, “Congratulations.”
Ethan and I exchanged another glance and laughed, telling them the story of how Abby and Dutch had broken the news to us. Soon we had them laughing too.
Their secret revealed, the tension in the room dissipated, and we sat and talked about more important things. Dad asked Ethan more about his plans for the future, leading me to believe he was getting used to the idea of our marrying so young. I figured love had softened him up, making him more inclined to believe we were serious.
I excused myself to go to my room, but there was no cat there. I came rushing back out in alarm, “Where’s Stumpy?”
Amrita got up. “Come,” she gestured, leading me behind her to my father’s room. There, curled up on a soft pillow was a little black and white pile of fur. He looked up to see us and stretched luxuriantly.
“He sleeps wherever he wishes. I’ve decided that in my next life I’d like to be this cat. Martin says that he dreams most of the day, and plays the rest.”
I had to laugh at that observation, stopping only when I could see Amrita watching me seriously.
“Thank you for taking such good care of both of them,” I said solemnly.
She reached down to stroke the cat. “I will miss having him here very much,” she said, “But Martin is planning on embarking on a lecture tour in the new year, and he’ll need a steady home.”
“He’ll have one,” I assured her. “With a very big yard to play in.”
She paused, looking like she was groping for words. “Your father is an extraordinary man,” she finally said.
“I know.”
“I’m afraid–” she stopped herself. “I hope you don’t think any less of me,” she said, her dark eyes anxious.
“Why would I?” I asked, confused.
“Getting involved with a patient… it’s so…so… unprofessional.” She said the word with a shudder, like she was admitting to having leprosy or something.
“I think very highly of you,” I said sincerely. “Evie said you were the best, and she was right.”
I had to smile, thinking about the way Evie worked her magic. My father’s wounded soul had been closed off and guarded my whole life, coloring my entire view of the world. His heart was finally on the mend, and I had Amrita to thank for it.
I added, “I think you make my father very happy.”
She smiled timidly, “I’d better go check the oven.”
After we ate, Dad mentioned that he’d invited Evie to join us, but she’d declined. “Marina, she asked me to have you stop by and visit her for a few minutes.”
“Do you mind?” I asked Ethan.
He squeezed my hand, “Go ahead, I’m sure she wants to see you.”
I excused myself, hurrying across the hall. Evie was at the door in a flash, embracing me warmly and kissing both my cheeks.
“I’ve been feeling simply wretched about everything,” she emoted, “When I think of what you’ve been through…” her voice caught in her throat.
I hugged her back. I’d forgotten how good it felt to be surrounded by Evie, bathed in her comforting presence. “Don’t worry, I’m fine,” I told her, realizing it was actually true. “In fact, I’m better than ever.”
She sat me down on the couch, ringing the bell for tea.
“I can’t stay long,” I said. “I left Ethan over at Dad’s.”
She raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing me, “I assume you’ve mended fences with him?”
“Yes,” I nodded with a smile. “For good this time.”
She exhaled, “Well, I’m eternally grateful to him for sounding the alarm.”
Thanks to Yuri, Evie knew everything that had happened at the lab after he arrived, but I filled her in on the rest of it, doing my best to keep from upsetting her too much. Thankfully, she refrained from suggesting any more contact with the hybrid council. It was a good thing, since I was not about to be swayed. I reassured her that I was fine, and that all I wanted was to get back to school, and my life in Aptos with Ethan.
I did have one question, and it was something that had been troubling me.
<
br /> “Evie… If you could be immortal, would you do it?”
I’d spent my whole life watching Evie fight signs of aging. If anyone would be interested in staying young forever, it seemed like it would be her.
“No,” she said firmly.
“Why not?”
She sighed, studying me. Then she spoke quietly, “When I lost Harold, part of me went with him. For a while, I wasn’t really sure that life was worth living.” She looked so sad that it brought tears to my eyes. “Then you came along, and kept me busy. Time has shown me that my life has a purpose… and meaning. I’ve been blessed to be able to help a great deal of people realize their dreams.”
“So why not do it forever then?” I asked, “Aren’t you afraid of dying?”
She shook her head like I was the silliest girl in the world, “Marina, I’m going to have to cross over to see Harold again… And when my time comes, I’ll be in his arms once more. Now why would I be afraid of that?”
I choked back a sob, and Evie reached over to embrace me, patting me like I was a baby. I took a deep breath and stood up.
“I should get back to Ethan,” I said, my voice thick.
Evie rose to walk me to the door, taking me by the hands, “I know I’ve been slow to accept your relationship… All I ever wanted was for you to be protected. I– I always assumed that it was Harold’s money that kept me safe… But maybe it was his love after all.”
I smiled through my tears, “You were the one who said that love is the most powerful thing in the world.”
She nodded, “I want you to send my regards to Ethan, and tell him that I can’t thank him enough. I’d like to have the two of you up for a quiet dinner as soon as possible.”
“Sure,” I smiled, “I’ll tell him.”
She embraced me goodbye, taking my face in her hands. “He certainly must be taking good care of you… You look better than ever… Oh!” her eyes flew open wide, “I completely forgot… I have news!”
She hurried out of the room, rushing back in with an envelope. “Jacques called, he’s been frantic, trying to reach you. He messengered this over.”
The Turning Tides (Marina's Tales) Page 26