I grab my bag and run, following a pack of kids coming up from the beach toward the current bane of my existence. When I finally make it to the front of the offensively long line, I order two strawberry shortcake popsicles and a bag of ice.
Smiling, I hand the cashier a twenty. "Keep the change, please. And thanks for the ice."
"Hey, Martin, can you change the song?" Beth’s voice rings out from behind me, and I spin, searching for her in the crowd.
My heart rate increases, and my chest tightens. Goosebumps trail down my arms, and chills race up my spine.Where the hell is she?
"Here you go." I hear the man speaking to me, but I keep scanning the horde of people waiting. "Ma’am, take your stuff. There’s a line!" He shouts.
I turn back around, smiling politely as I grab my items, but when I walk away, the lyrics fromA Whisper in the Windblast from the truck's speakers.
A whisper in the wind is where the fun begins.
You’ve got to be kidding me!
six
Max
Hard Headed Woman
Sitting on the bench, I’m still not entirely sure what just happened. I spent my morning helping Beau with restock after yesterday’s event and decided to take the long way back to Mom’s to pick up Benny. He can’t be left home alone because he refuses to go to the bathroom anywhere except on the right back leg of my couch, or a pee pad that I have to place exactly two and a half feet in front of the back door.
It’s infuriating.
Strolling along the water has become one of my favorite things to do since everything imploded. Listening to the waves crashing on the rocks has healed something in me, and I find myself ending up here more and more.
When I rounded the corner that cuts back to the sidewalk by the lighthouse, I didn’t expect to see Sadie sprawled across theonly nearby bench. She looked peaceful, in a pale purple top, her hair blowing in the light breeze. I shouldn’t have approached her, but I haven’t been able to get her out of my head. I’m curious what it’s like to leave Mage, to start over somewhere different. And to be honest, I want to know what her deal is.
Howie and I talked a little more at the book fair, but he didn’t seem to know much about what was going on, just that Mal said she wouldn’t spill what is her sister’s story to tell. He shared how close they used to be, though, and I could tell that he’s not just worried—he misses her.
My intention was to come over and make small talk, see if she’s the type who’d word vomit her problems to almost strangers. Instead, I’m pretty sure she broke my nose, or at least bruised it pretty good. When Howie told me she’s independent, I assumed hardheaded—but I had no idea just how accurate that would be.
Sliding my phone out of my pocket, I check a missed text from my mom.
Mabel
Taking my grand-dog to the park. Don’t worry about coming to get him. I’ll bring him home when I’m done spoiling him.
Shaking my head, I can’t help but laugh. She’s been begging for a grandchild since the minute Sam put a ring on Olive’s finger. I guess Benny is filling that void for her. If she doesn’t mind dealing with his unique potty demands, it’s fine by me.
"Okay, so I brought you ice and ice cream." Sadie moves toward me at a rapid pace, with something close to terror on her face.
"I’m okay. It’s not even bleeding now." I point my index finger toward my nose. "See?"
She rolls her eyes and hands me both the ice and a strawberry shortcake popsicle. I lean back, draping the bag over the bridge of my nose, and scan the ingredients on the package.
"Oh my God, you really are trying to kill me."
"What?"
"Strawberries—it’s listed right here."
I watch her process, her eyes scanning the ingredients and then my face. "Are you allergic?" She rips the ice cream from my hand. "I swear I didn’t know."
A laugh rips out of me. As much as I find myself enjoying giving her a hard time, I can’t contain it, and it worsens when her eyes bug out of her head. She crosses her arms over her chest, cocking a hip out. "Just kidding. But you should really see your face."
Sadie drops to the ground, dramatically clutching her chest and both of our ice creams. She folds her legs into a pretzel and closes her eyes. "I swear to God, I might actually consider killing you now."