Ripples (DROPLETS Trilogy Book 2) (4 page)

     Touched, I looked away. I knew I had hurt Jillian, Dad, and my brothers by leaving, but I hadn’t really thought about the effect it would have on my half-siblings. I crossed the room to my dresser and pulled out my old pajamas.

     “What exactly did you tell them?” My voice cracked as I tossed the flannel pants and t-shirt onto my bed.

     “We told them and anyone else who asked, you had enrolled in a foreign study program. You were in Norway living with my brother and attending classes at his school.” I nodded my head and thought of Jillian’s crazy older brother, Joel, who lived in Norway. I had met him twice and he was even crazier than the stories Jillian would tell about him. I knew the two of them trusted each other more than anything, and if Jillian asked him to say I was living with him, then he would do it without asking questions.

     The more I thought about the plan, the smarter it seemed. Joel had been living in Norway for the last nine years and was head of a local school. I smiled to myself as I realized how logical my absence could sound.

     “Thanks,” I said. “I wouldn’t have been able to come up with something that good.”

     “It took some thinking,” she shrugged as she took the decorative pillows off my bed and placed them on the floor. I watched while she turned down the comforter and the three blankets that were layered beneath. She straightened, “Are you all settled?”

     “I think so,” I nodded. “I’ll just get changed and brush my teeth. Do I still have a toothbrush?”

     “Not you’re old one. Before the kids got up on the morning you were gone, we packed away some of your stuff. We wanted to make it look like you had actually left. It’s all in a big box at the boys’ apartment. We can get it tomorrow.”

     “Okay, I’ll just use my finger. No worries.” I shrugged and yawned without thinking.

     Jillian walked across the room and gave me a tight hug, her thick sweater tickling my nose. “So glad you’re home.”

     “Me too,” I said and as she turned to leave, she paused at the door.

     “Be sure to sleep in nice and long,” she smiled, knowing how tired I was. “Goodnight.”

     “Night,” I said just before the door clicked shut.

     A sigh of relief escaped my lips, and I changed clothes hurriedly while placing the pack with the dagger on my bedside table. I was exhausted and I hoped that sleep would take me quickly, but that was not meant to be. For the first time since Lathmor I was alone and had nothing to keep me busy. The past two days I had swum constantly to avoid this feeling; the weight of what had happened crashed over me. 

     I let the images of him fill my mind. He moved behind my eyelids doing tasks of no importance. I watched the memories of him as he carved a swan out of wood. I saw him slicing the meat for dinner, picking out one of his favorite books for me to read, laughing in the firelight, giving me a bracelet that was more beautiful than anything I had ever owned.

     My fingers found their way to my naked wrist and I choked back a sob. Would this separation from him be so hard if I could have had that last gift? It had been given to me with such wonderful love and to have it now would be a treasure beyond anything I could ever imagine.

     I rolled to my side and let the tears crawl down my nose and splatter on the pillowcase. It was the first time I had allowed myself to truly mourn his death; to let my whole body crumple in silent wracking sobs that shook the mattress beneath me.  He deserved so much more than just my tears, but I could do nothing to change it. All I could do was hold onto the memories of the happy days I had spent with him on our island, in our home.

     The hole in my chest grew wider and I tried to silence my sobs into the pillow

I recognized the view as soon as I saw it. I was on the beach, and I knew I was dreaming. I cringed because I knew what came at the end of this dream. I had seen the events unfold before. It all happened like I knew it would. Patrick was there and he walked with me, holding my hand. I reveled in the moment of seeing him smile; it was so real, I almost thought I wasn’t dreaming. But then came the worst part. Patrick stopped and his eyes filled with fear. He could see things I couldn’t and I tried to ask him what it was he saw. He took a step in front of me and disappeared. I knew he wasn’t just taken, he was literally gone. He was no longer part of this world that I lived in. I crumpled to the ground in pain and agony. A heavy weight pressed me into the sand and I felt as though I couldn’t get up. As I tried to free myself, a voice filled my ears. I struggled, and raised my head to look around. I knew it was his voice but couldn’t tell where it was coming from. He was calling my name desperately, as though he was trying to find me. I held out my hands not knowing if he could see. “I’m here! I yelled, “I’m here!” And then there was nothing. 

     I woke with a jolt; a cold sweat on my brow. I raised a hand to my head and moaned softly at my throbbing temples knowing they hurt because of the nightmare.

      I had had my beach dream, that’s what I called it, three nights in a row. But tonight it had ended differently. Usually I just fell to the sand crying, with weight pressing on me, and then I would wake up and cry myself back into a dreamless sleep. But tonight, I had heard Patrick’s voice. It had been coming closer and sounded so desperate.

     Shaking my head, I turned my eyes to the clock. Good, it was late enough for me to get up. I was sick of having to just lie in bed and wait for the house to wake. I threw off the covers and placed my feet on the floor. Today was Saturday, that meant it was my first day of work.
That should keep you occupied.
.

     I had wanted to start work the day after I got back but Dad forbade it. He had wanted me to catch up on sleep; apparently I had looked too tired. Little did he know I would rather be awake because it was better than having to relive that awful dream over and over again.

    My feet fumbled down the stairs and I made my way into the kitchen. No one else was awake yet, I had the house to myself. It was nice to hear the complete quiet. After spending the last three days babysitting Emly, Kaleb, and Justin while the other kids were at school, I was glad to have some quiet time.

     I sat down on the couch and flicked the TV on. My finger was trigger happy on the remote and I became easily bored. I ended up watching some stupid infomercials over and over again, about some product that could crack open eggshells for you, until a little hand tapped my curled up legs.

     “What you watching Lissie?” It was Justin and I smiled at him. He spoke so much clearer now; I  had been disappointed the first time I heard him say my name again. I was no longer Withie anymore.

     “Nothing really,” I said and shrugged. Justin walked around and waited for me to move my legs. I did and he climbed onto my lap. “What do you want to watch?”

     “Cartoons,” he declared immediately and I searched for the channel I had seen earlier. Once I found Bugs Bunny, I put the remote down. We watched the cartoons and my mind shut down slowly. I was relaxed and nodded off for a few minutes more than once.

     The rest of the house woke up slowly, it was Saturday and my parents slept in as late as possible. They were still in bed when Derek and Sean came over for breakfast and as a special treat, all the kids began to make pancakes and bacon to surprise them when they woke up. When Dad and Jillian finally stumbled out of their room, they were surprised even though I was sure they had been listening to our commotion for the past hour.

     The breakfast table was crazy, but it was wonderful at the same time. If I couldn’t have my earlier life, then this is what I would choose.

     “Are you ready for work today?” Dad asked while he tried to pry Kaleb’s sticky fingers off a baby spoon.

     “Definitely,” I bobbed my head. “It’ll be nice to see everyone again.”

     “And you can tell them all about your school in Norway!” Sara yelled from down the table. She was the most enthusiastic about school due to being in first grade, somehow after that first year it just went downhill; at least that’s what I thought.

     “Yes, she can tell them all about that,” Jillian was holding Emly who kept squealing randomly to get attention.

     “Well, I’m going to get ready. I have to be there in about an hour.” I rose from the table, ruffled Justin’s curls and walked to my room.

_______________

     About an hour later, I trudged down the familiar path to the restaurant in my snow boots. They were fuzzy and warm, but I knew I’d rather go barefoot and be just as comfortable. I looked more like a normal citizen of Maine in the middle of winter, with layers of clothing, a warm jacket, and hat and gloves on. This was all for appearance of course. Although, if someone had looked under my clothes and seen the hunting knife I still carried, strapped against my waist in and partially tucked into my jeans, they would have thought I was very odd.

     I reached the restaurant in record time due to the anxiety I felt about working today. It wasn’t the customers I was worried about, but had more to do with my cousins and the questions I was sure they would ask. As I walked up the steps that led to the kitchen, I braced myself for what was to come. It seemed like ages since I had passed through the doorway.

     Swinging the door open and stepping inside, I welcomed the warm embrace of the kitchen and the familiar smells of ready-made meals. I had missed this place more than I thought.

     “Lissie!” Laura and her sister, Chelsea, came running from the dining area and I was tackled in hugs. Jessie and Hannah followed right behind them and gave me friendly hugs too.

     “We thought you weren’t ever going to come back.” Jessie said while Hannah took some of my many layers, hat, and gloves, over to the coat rack.

     “It seemed like I wasn’t going to,” I agreed. I knew this meeting with the girls was going to be awkward and I was going to have to lie repeatedly to them, but I had to. “But I’m back now and can’t wait to get all this started.” I rubbed my hands together, showing them it was time to move and quit talking. More than anything it was to cut off their questions, especially the ones I could see Laura had on the tip of her tongue.    

     Our first customers arrived not long after I had, and then it was a continuous flow of taking orders and delivering trays that went on and on. I was assigned tables with only tourists and visitors, this way I didn’t back up any of the work with questions from family friends. Of course this had been my idea, and I acted as though it was for the restaurant, when in reality I wanted to avoid any inquiries to my supposed trip to Norway.

     The day passed by, slow at first, and then increasing with speed as I fell into my usual routine. I ducked around guests and waded through the tables with an ease which seemed to run through my blood. I rattled off the menu with a memory that surprised me and before long I could feel the fear and desperation of the past begin to slip away. In the arms of the commotion, I was lost and whisked into a blur of activity that kept me from thinking beyond what needed to be done in the next minute.

     The restaurant was nearing closing time, when I finally came to my senses and realized how tired my feet were. Shifting my weight from side to side, I hurriedly rinsed off the plates before sending them through the dishwasher. The door to the dining area opened and Hannah walked in.

     “Hey,” I said. She looked tired, as she always did at the end of school a week.

     “Hey,” she replied. “The boys want to talk to you before you leave.” She made a face and crossed her arms; always the informer.

     I sighed, I wanted to talk to Jonathan and his friends too, but I was a little worried about not being able to lie convincingly. Hannah had seen me avoid them all night; I had acted busy and had refused to look at their table for longer than a second.

     “I’ll be out in a sec,” I said and reached for the top plate on a tiny stack of dishes.

     “Here,” Hannah held out her hand for the plate after I had rinsed it. I gave it to her and she put it in the dishwasher. We finished the dishes quickly with team work and I wiped my hands on a dry towel. I was shaking internally and wished that I could get this over with.

     As I walked out of the kitchen, Hannah was right on my heels, and I spotted the large round table located in the adjoining building. It was kept off to the side, typically used by parties or large groups; and this one was rather big in size.

     Jonathan sat with his arm around a girl I recognized from years of going to school, but I didn’t know her name. Beside him sat his friends, Ethan and Adam, whom I remembered from the night Morven had come here. Trey sat near his friends, as well, slouching in a chair, while Chelsea was next to him trying desperately to get his attention. Jessie was sitting with a skinny, lanky boy with square brown glasses, and Laura was on the lap of a rather large rough looking guy. They heard us coming and stopped their conversation.

     “There she is!” Jonathan yelled. He stood up to give me a hug. I was surprised by how big he had gotten; not just tall, he had really filled out.

     I said hi to everyone and sat down between Hannah and Jonathan’s girlfriend. She introduced herself as Brittany and I found out the big guy with Laura was Joey and the skinny boy with Jessie was Ryan.

     “So how has your year in Norway been?” Ethan asked, curiously.

     “It wasn’t a whole year, just a semester, but it was awesome.” I smiled.

     “How come you didn’t tell us about it,” Jessie wondered, while beside her Ryan looked as though he couldn’t be more uninterested.

     “Uh,” I said and opened my eyes wide in innocence. “See, I had applied and the plans were getting all settled when Jillian’s brother, Joel, called and said that if I wanted to go I would have to leave immediately. It was all very strange, something to do with their school policies, I never really understood it myself actually. I would have told you guys but I didn’t have time. I mean I literally left right after Emly was born.”

     “Yeah, that was such a bummer,” our conversation had grabbed Chelsea’s attention and she gave up on trying to get Trey to listen to her. “So, like, what did you do there?”

     “I was in Oslo, the capital, so basically there was lots to do, but lots of studying. It was a really neat experience.” I said, as excited as I could.

     “Are you going back? Or are you coming to school with us again?” Trey asked and I noticed that during my absence from Coveside, he had grown more forward. For a long time I had known he liked me, but in the past he’d hardly looked me in the eye. But now, he looked at me with no hint of covering his feelings. I internally cringed and hoped he would never act upon those feelings. He didn’t know what I’d been through.

     “No, I’m staying here, but I won’t be going back to school until the fall. I finished a whole years’ worth of school in one semester over there.”

     Jonathan whistled, “So what you really mean is you did nothing but study and go to school?”

     “When you can’t speak the language it kind of leaves you without a choice.” I laughed, even though I didn’t feel it, and they did too.

     “Do you realize how long it’s been since we’ve seen you?” Laura spoke even though she still had her arms around the neck of the big guy named Joey.

     “It’s been a while,” I said and shrugged.

     “Yeah,” Jessie bobbed her head. “I think it was since the night when that guy came.” I stilled, not wanting the conversation to head in this direction.

     “Oh! Was he from Norway?!” Laura asked excited by the turn of the conversation.

     “No, he wasn’t,” I said quickly, hoping they would take the hint, but they didn’t.

     “Yeah, that guy was weird.” Trey said and puffed up his chest, so sure of himself. I even noticed he flexed his muscles under his long sleeve shirt. If he only knew that blades could come out of Morven’s forearms as fast a lightening, he would be telling a different story.

     “He wasn’t weird, he was hot. I mean did you see him?” Jessie’s voice rose high and I wondered if Ryan would care that she was talking about other guys in his presence; he seemed to not even hear her as he played with a straw wrapper, his hair hanging into his eyes.

     “I did,” Laura joined in now and it grated on my nerves. I knew questions would be headed my way in just a moment. “He was like inhuman, he was so amazingly hot. Sorry babe.” She looked at Joey and he shrugged even though he looked annoyed.

     “Who was he?” Brittany who sat to my left was honestly curious; I couldn’t blame her. If circumstances had been different I would have wanted to know who Morven was also. The only problem was Morven happened to be the last person I wanted to know.

     I soon learned that Jonathan was a story teller as he launched into an epic tale of what had happened when Morven had come into the restaurant and how I dropped the soup in his lap. There was something charismatic about the way he told the story and I found myself smiling as he recounted how hot the soup had been on his crotch. He then went on to explain Morven’s appearance and I was surprised with how much he had noticed.