Aftermath

by Sandy Goldsworthy

  Aunt Barb and her late husband designed the lakefront shops similar to Disney’s Boardwalk, Dad once said. Of course, a very scaled-down version with a contemporary coffee bar, convenience store, newsstand, and sporting goods shop for boaters and guests. The shed at the end of the beach offered paddleboats and windsurfer boards, not to mention Jet Skis for rent.

  I never really thought about it before, but I guessed Aunt Barb was well off. I remembered Dad once saying she was taken care of financially. I looked around at everything labeled ‘Carmichael Inn’ and realized Dad was right.

  I was lost in thought when Lewis docked the boat, and Matt jumped onto the pier.

  A brown-haired guy in a boat nearby called to Lewis. The guy climbed out of his boat in a quick leap and shook Matt’s hand. Lewis similarly greeted the boy he called Drew.

  “Island party tonight. You comin’?” Drew asked. He looked to be our age, with a tan, lean chest. His hair was long on top and trimmed short on the sides and he wore faded swim trunks that looked like they’d seen better days. I wondered if he lived on the lake and spent his entire summer in the sun.

  “Wouldn’t miss it. I got some friends up, but we’re there, man,” Lewis answered with a smirk.

  “Matt, we missed you on the fourth,” Drew said. “Huge-Ass-Party. You’d have loved it.” Drew was shorter than Matt by several inches, but his posture made him seem taller. He held his chin upward at an angle when he spoke. I wondered if he knew TJ or Hannah and if he went to the high school I’d end up at. Someday.

  “I told him what he missed,” Lewis answered.

  Melissa rolled her eyes at me. That was the weekend she was on vacation with her family and before Matt and I started dating.

  “I’m having some people at the house tomorrow night. If you’re still in town.” Drew’s invitation was quiet and in a lower tone than before. I couldn’t help but wonder if he didn’t want Melissa and me to hear it.

  “Hey, I’ll catch you later. Bring your friends,” Drew said when he finally noticed Melissa and I were standing on the pier.

  “Yeah, for sure,” Matt answered, reaching for my hand. We walked along the water’s edge, weaving through sunbathers and kids playing in the sand.

  “Thanks for coming with me,” I said and looked up at him.

  “Yeah, no problem… I wanted to.” Matt squeezed my hand gently.

  “So how well do you know that guy… the one at the pier?”

  “Who? Drew?”

  “Ah, yeah... I think that was that his name.” The sun was hot on my shoulders.

  “He’s friends with Lewis. I met him when I came to visit this summer.” I nodded, and he continued. “He’s a big partier.” He shot me a look, and I knew exactly what he meant.

  “Yeah, I got that part. You missed this year’s party on the Fourth, huh?” I asked. Waves gently rushed in, covering our feet.

  “Apparently so. I heard they got busted. Some guy got caught with drugs. Drew said everyone laid low after that. Just a few parties at his place. Not like what they used to be.”

  “Drew lives on the lake?” My feet began to sink in the wet sand when the water retreated.

  He nodded. “Yeah… on the opposite end. There’s only a few houses by him, and I think he said they were vacant or something.”

  I stumbled. My right foot got bogged down in the clumpy, wet sand. Matt waited while I regained my step. He chuckled, but he didn’t say anything. I couldn’t help but laugh, as I caught myself from falling a second time. His arms were around me before I knew it, lifting me up. When our eyes locked, I realized how much I would miss him. I was sure he would kiss me until some kids ran past us, interrupting the moment.

  When we reached the equipment rental office, we were third in line. Matt crossed his arms tight against his chest while we waited. I glanced around. Wake boards and skis were stuck in the sand, propped against the small building. Weathered white shutters were folded back, exposing a window where a bronze-tanned brunette girl stood behind the counter.

  The girl stared at the couple in front of her as they completed paperwork. The middle-aged man asked her a question and when he wasn’t looking, she rolled her eyes.

  If she didn’t like her job, why didn’t she quit?

  I was sure Aunt Barb wouldn’t be happy if the girl didn’t at least fake it in front of customers. I wondered if Aunt Barb would let me work here. I was lost in thought when Matt’s voice startled me.

  “So when are you moving?” His voice was soft, and he uncrossed his arms. It was a topic I didn’t want to think about, even though he deserved to know.

  “Next weekend. I think.”

  “That quick?”

  “Yeah.” I focused on the dirty-white sign above the rental window. The Carmichael Inn logo was neatly printed in navy blue with Rentals Here in red capital letters. The customer at the counter pushed the clipboard to the bronze girl. She handed the man a receipt and pointed the couple toward the beach.

  “I guess I’ll have to visit Lewis more often,” Matt said as we moved up in line.

  “Do you come up here a lot?” I couldn’t help but wonder if he did and if I’d get to see him after I moved.

  “A couple times a summer. Not as much in winter,” he said. Then he quickly added, “We were here that week you were on vacation. Before football started.”

  “Oh… yeah.” I remembered him sending a text about it.

  The bronze girl giggled. I noticed how she hovered over the dark-haired guy filling out paperwork. She had a bright smile with exceptionally white teeth against her dark skin. Interesting… she didn’t smile at the older couple.

  I barely noticed the guy in front of us before, but took a look at him while the bronze girl continued flirting. From the side view, I agreed he was attractive. He stood several inches taller than Matt did, but seemed to carry himself with more confidence. When he smiled, his eyes squinted and his jaw tightened. It was a masculine look I never saw on Matt or any other boys at my school. It was a more mature look, like a grin on a man, not a boy, and I guessed he was probably much older than I was.

  He couldn’t be from here, I thought.

  I didn’t realize I was staring at him until he turned and looked at me. Heat crept up my neck, and I focused on the sand around my feet. My heart began to race. He was much more attractive than I originally thought. He wasn’t cute like the boys at school. He was handsome like the Prince Charming I dreamed of when I was little. Like the fantasy characters in all of those sappy Disney stories Mom used to read to me.

  When I felt normal again, I glanced back at Prince Charming. He wore a white T-shirt with the sleeves cutoff and the seams torn at the side. As he filled out the form on the clipboard and his left arm moved, I caught a glimpse of his tanned chest. I felt like a middle-schooler staring.

  The bronze girl perched herself in front of him. Her elbows rested on the counter with her chin sitting in her hands. I could tell she was talking to him, but her voice was low, so I couldn’t hear what she said. I wondered what Prince Charming thought of the brunette, as he pushed the clipboard back to her. Then, an instant later, he glanced in my direction.

  Busted again.

  The same tingling I felt earlier, returned. I caught my breath and stared at my feet, pushing sand around, hoping my face wouldn’t redden. How ridiculous. He was clearly older than I was and staying at the hotel. He obviously wasn’t from around here, so the odds of me ever seeing him again were slim. The idea lessened my embarrassment. I focused on my surroundings, on anything to avoid looking at him. I stared at the sign hanging on the building listing the ten rules of the lake, and I wondered if anyone ever read them.

  “Hey man… sorry for the delay,” a deep voice spoke, jolting me from my daydream. I looked up. Prince Charming was talking to Matt. “Paperwork.” He tilted his head toward the open window as if in further explanation. The brunette was no longer in view.

  “No problem.” Matt shrugged.


  Don’t look at Prince Charming, I told myself. But I wanted to. My eyes were drawn to him like a magnet to metal. I wanted to look, but when Matt leaned toward me and his upper arm gently touched my shoulder, I snapped back to reality.

  I felt like a kid again.

  Chapter 19

  Ben's Story

  Sand crept between my toes, as I stood waiting to rent a Jet Ski.

  It was my first official day undercover as Ben Parker. Normally, I was a confident person. Molly called me arrogant at times.

  I was never nervous, until now.

  Seeing Emma brought back all those insecurities I left behind in adolescence, when I was still alive. I stood at the counter, waiting for the brunette to get approval for my rental. I was under eighteen she told me when I handed her the paperwork and my undercover driver’s license. If only she knew how old I really was. I could have convinced her to release the Jet Ski without the hassle of paperwork, but with Emma standing behind me in line, I was in no rush.

  Of course, Brinn, as her name tag clearly read, wanted to stall my application as long as possible. She took her time making the call to my fake aunt, Marty McMann, who worked in the office. Minutes passed as Brinn moved slowly. Her thoughts of me were initially flattering while she hovered, as I completed the form. But after a few overdramatic eye gestures and fake giggles, I had enough and blocked out her thoughts. Besides, they interfered with eavesdropping.

  Emma and Matt talked about meaningless stuff while I waited for my rental. How long are you staying? When are you moving? Are you coming back to Highland Park? Topics that made Emma immediately tense up. I felt her pain, as she mentally relived the notification at school and the days that followed. I glanced at her as she tried wiping away her tears before Matt noticed them.

  Stupid punk. He didn’t even realize the impact his words had on her.

  I turned to face him, locking my eyes with his. I knew what I was doing. He stood paralyzed, his eyes focused and unblinking. I could manipulate him any way I wanted to right now. The power I had as an immortal was far greater than any human could imagine.

  I wanted to kill him for hurting her. For being with her. I had the ability.

  No one would know.

  A simple heart attack or accidental drowning all came to mind, as I held him in my mental grip. I never did anything like that before. My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it. I never killed anyone for no reason, or without just cause.

  But I could.

  And part of me wanted to. I wanted to protect Emma and that meant eliminating anything or anyone that hurt her. Getting rid of anyone that stood in my way of protecting her, even if the pain she felt was unintentional.

  Ben-ja-min! I heard her screech my name in my head before her hip bumped into mine. “Hey neighbor. Renting a Jet Ski?” Molly said aloud. Her thoughts were less bubbly as she yelled in her British accent, Exactly what the bloody hell are you doing?

  My focus was lost, and Matt was released from my stare. I turned to look at Molly.

  You can’t possibly think compulsion is the answer, she said firmly.

  “I’m just waiting for the paperwork right now, Molly,” I said, pretending we weren’t having a private mental discussion. I wasn’t going to hurt him.

  You wanted to. You thought about it.

  But I didn’t.

  Didn’t your reprimand for that compulsion teach you anything? She was referring to my borrowing of Officer Scott Michaels’ squad car the day Emma learned her father died.

  What reprimand?

  You’re kidding, right? I thought Commander E would have you doing community service by now. After all, you left that garage manager in a compelled state for hours.

  Molly, he was fine. I shook my head.

  Yes, but your spell didn’t wear off as quickly as you guessed it would, Benjamin. You overdid it. Your emotions are running on steroids right now, and you need to tone it down.

  I looked over at Emma and realized Matt was holding her in his arms. Maybe my subtle thoughts helped push him along. Or, maybe he isn’t so bad after all. Molly’s thoughts crept in. At least Emma felt better. I could sense that.

  Marty waved at Molly and me, as she entered the rental office and signed the papers Brinn had waiting for her. “Want to go for a spin?” I asked Molly.

  “Maybe later,” she said aloud. Join me first?

  I shrugged, waiting to hear what she was talking about.

  We need to resuscitate a young boy that is about to choke on a pecan in his turtle sundae at the ice cream shop by the marina. Poor clerk. Some young lady new to the job… Didn’t get her CPR certification yet. Perhaps this will light a fire under her ass, as they say.

  I raised an eyebrow.

  Come with me. It’ll be fun. She smiled, her gray eyes convincing.

  Brinn’s expression turned to disappointment as she handed over the key to the Jet Ski.

  Fine. But you’re buying ice cream.

  Deal.

  Chapter 20

  Emma's Story

  The Carmichael Inn employee walked us through proper use of a Jet Ski.

  It wasn’t the first time I rode one, but I listened anyway. After he ran through the boating rules for the lake, he left Matt and me to attend to others.

  I snapped the buckle on my vest and climbed onto the black-and-red trimmed watercraft. The seat was slightly hot to the touch. Matt stood beside me as if I needed help, but he didn’t offer it. “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you earlier,” he said when I was finally settled in place.

  “It’s fine. I mean, it’s not your fault. I try not to think about it. That’s all.” I looked down at the water.

  He stood next to me for a minute in silence, and then lifted my chin so I couldn’t avoid eye contact. When he bent down and kissed me, I was somewhat surprised. I shouldn’t have been. I mean, the signs were there and we almost kissed on the beach earlier. His eyes locked on mine as our lips separated.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  I nodded and started the engine.

  Matt climbed on the Jet Ski beside me and started it. “Should we head back to Lewis’ place, or ride around for a while?”

  “Let’s ride around,” I answered. Matt led the way into the lake. The water was calm and peaceful until we reached the widest part of the lake, past the island, on the end closest to where Lewis lived and where most of the boat traffic was.

  Matt crossed the waves left behind from other watercraft, and then circled back around for a jump. I followed. There was enough activity between boats and other Jet Skiers that we had plenty of waves to ride. Lake Bell was a long lake with the island and sandbar off center, hugging the southern shores. Anyone that knew the lake knew where to ride and how close to get to the island without beaching their vessel. Those that didn’t know the lake hung out on the western end, where the lake was deeper. Matt was one of those people.

  I chuckled, remembering how I blushed when Prince Charming busted me staring at him. He was great looking, but I realized he was completely out of my league when I saw his girlfriend. She was model pretty with bright eyes and long, dark hair she wore pulled back in tight ponytail. Everything about her was classy. Even in Highland Park, most girls didn’t have the confidence she seemed to have as she clung onto Prince Charming’s arm. They were a perfect-looking couple.

  I was lost in my daydream, as I trailed Matt around the lake. For a slight second, I thought about how Matt and I looked together and wondered if anyone—besides Melissa—thought we looked good together. Before I could dwell on the thought, a Jet Ski flew past me at speeds far greater than what I was accustomed to. The blond driver sped past Matt and wove in between other boaters. He wasn’t really being reckless. He just took more risks than I would, like a stunt driver. Risks Dad would never approve of, if he knew.

  Good thing he wasn’t here to see this. As soon as the thought entered my mind, regret followed. I slowed my speed and wiped my eyes, fighting back
the tears. I would give anything for Dad to be back, even the punishment I’d get for being reckless on the lake.

  Matt was ahead of me when a boat towing a tube neared us. I slowed down and veered away, but Matt didn’t notice. He followed in pursuit of the blond Stunt Boy and the bigger waves. When the tube flipped, losing the riders in the water, I was further detained.

  In the distance, Matt took one wave, and then another. Each time, he got a little more air. He and the blond were jumping in tandem, Stunt Boy taking more risks than Matt was.

  With all the traffic, the water was no longer calm. A series of large waves separated me from Matt and the risk-taker. I tried to catch them. I sped up, taking the first wave faster than I should have. The lift I got was more than I was comfortable with. My stomach ached as I landed and leaned in the water, almost losing my balance. I knew this should be exhilarating, but I wasn’t feeling it.

  I didn’t notice a third Jet Skier until after he did a flip. I let go of the throttle and watched a dark-haired guy do a complete somersault in the air, hovering over the water. I was pretty sure I held my breath. I never saw anyone do that on Lake Bell before. When he landed gracefully with a beautiful spray behind him, I knew he couldn’t be from here.

  I was mesmerized by the sight, but Matt and Stunt Boy were challenged. I sped up in time to see Stunt Boy take a series of waves. He was shaky and off balance, separating from his Jet Ski mid-air. He landed several yards away from it, giving a thumbs-up sign. I hadn’t caught up to them yet when Matt gunned it in pursuit.

  Matt hit the wave the same way. Mid-flight, I could see he was off-center, though he landed first, and then tipped off his Jet Ski. I chuckled after I knew he was all right. X-treme Sports on ESPN wasn’t better than this.

  As I neared Matt, I realized I was headed toward the same waves at a speed I couldn’t slow in time. Dad wouldn’t be happy with me right now, if he were alive, I thought.

  But he wasn’t. And I was alone out here.

  I was sick to my stomach with nerves, as I held my speed firm and took the wave at an angle. The Jet Ski got some air, and my fear increased. My arms and hands felt weak and prickly, and I was sure I couldn’t hold on. I closed my eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath. I squeezed the handles tight. I felt an arm around my back, shifting my body, turning my head and dipping my shoulder to the right. I couldn’t move. My body was rigid in its new position. The Jet Ski shifted below me. The handles turned, and the nose tipped upward.