Jonah finished building his Lego contraption and announced he was going to bed. She gave him a few minutes, hoping hed be asleep before she entered the room, then put aside her book and rose from the couch.
Good night, sweetheart, her dad said. I know it hasnt been easy for you, but Im glad youre here.
She paused before crossing the room toward him. Leaning over, and for the first time in three years, she kissed him on the cheek.
Good night, Dad.
In the darkened bedroom, Ronnie took a seat on her bed, feeling drained. Though she didnt want to cryshe hated when she criedshe couldnt seem to stop the sudden rush of emotions. She drew a ragged breath.
Go ahead and cry, she heard Jonah whisper.
Great, she thought. Just what she needed.
Im not crying, she said.
You sound like youre crying.
Im not.
Its okay. It doesnt bother me.
Ronnie sniffled, trying to get herself under control, and reached under her pillow for the pajamas shed stashed earlier. Pressing them close to her chest, she stood up to go to the bathroom to change. On her way, she happened to glance out the window. The moon had ascended in the sky, making the sand glow silver, and when she turned in the direction of the turtle nest, she detected a sudden movement in the shadows.
After sniffing the air, the raccoon started toward the nest, protected only by yellow caution tape.
Oh, crap!
She threw down her pajamas and raced out of the bedroom. As she bolted through the living room and kitchen, she vaguely heard her dad shouting, Whats wrong? But she was already out
the door before she could answer. Cresting the dune, she began screaming as she waved her arms.
No! Stop! Go away!!
The raccoon raised its head, then quickly scurried away. It vanished over the dune into the saw grass.
Whats going on? What happened?
Turning, she saw her dad and Jonah standing on the porch.
They didnt put up the cage!
13Will
The doors of Blakelee Brakes had been open only for ten minutes when Will saw her push through the lobby doors and head directly into the service center.
Wiping his hands on a towel, he started toward her.
Hey, he said, smiling. I didnt expect to see you here.
Thanks for nothing! she snapped.
What are you talking about?
I asked you to do one simple thing! Just make a call to have the cage put up! But you couldnt even do that!
Wait whats going on? He blinked.
I told you I saw a raccoon! I told you a raccoon was coming around the nest!
Did something happen to the nest?
Like you even care. What? Did your volleyball game make you forget?
I just want to know if the nest is okay.
She continued to glare at him. Yeah. Its fine. No thanks to you. She turned on her heels and stormed toward the exit.
Wait! he shouted. Hold on!
She ignored him, leaving Will shocked and rooted in place as she pounded through the small lobby and out the front door.
What the hell was that all about?
Over his shoulder, Will realized Scott was staring at him from behind the lift.
Do me a favor, Will called to him.
What do you need?
He fished his keys out of his pocket and started toward the truck hed parked out back.
Cover for me. Ive got to take care of something.
Scott took a quick step forward. Wait! What are you talking about?
Ill be back as soon as I can. If my dad comes in, tell him Ill be right back. You can get things started while Im gone.
Where you going? Scott called.
This time Will didnt answer, and Scott took a step toward him.
Cmon, man! I dont want to do this alone! Weve got a ton of cars to work on.
Will didnt care, and once out of the bay, he jogged toward his truck, knowing where he needed to go.
He found her at the dune an hour later, standing beside the nest, still as angry as shed been when shed shown up at the brake shop.
Seeing him approach, she put her hands on her hips. What do you want?
You didnt let me finish. I did call.
Sure you did.
He inspected the nest. The nest is fine. Whats the big deal?
Yeah, its fine. No thanks to you.
Will felt a ripple of irritation. Whats your problem?
My problem is that I had to sleep outside again last night because the raccoon came back.
The same raccoon I told you about!
You slept outside?
Do you ever listen to anything I say? Yes, I had to sleep outside. Two nights in a row, because you wont do your job! If I hadnt been looking out the window at exactly the right moment, the raccoon would have gotten the eggs. He wasnt more than a couple of feet away from the nest when I finally scared him away. And then I had to stay out here because I knew he was going to come back. Which is why I asked you to call in the first place! And I assumed that even a beach bum like yourself could remember to do your job!
She stared at him, hands on her hips again, as if trying to annihilate him with her death ray vision.
He couldnt resist. One more time, so I have the story straight: You saw a raccoon, then you wanted me to call, then you saw a raccoon again. And you ended up sleeping outside. Is that right?
She opened her mouth, then closed it. Then, whirling away, she made a beeline for her house.
Theyre coming first thing tomorrow! he called out. And just to let you know, I did call.
Twice, in fact. Once right after I put up the tape, and once more after I got off work. How many times do I have to say this before youll listen?
Though she stopped, she still wouldnt face him. He went on, And then this morning, after you left, I went straight to the director of the aquarium and spoke to him in person. He said that this nest will be their first stop in the morning. That they would have come today, but there are eight nests on Holden Beach.
She slowly turned around and studied him, trying to decide whether he was telling the truth.
That doesnt help my turtles tonight, does it?
Your turtles?
Yeah, she said. Her tone was emphatic. My house. My turtles.
And with that, she turned and went back to her house, this time without caring that he was still there.
He liked her; it was as simple as that.
On his way back to work, he still wasnt sure why he liked her, but never once had he left work to chase after Ashley. Every time hed seen her, shed managed to surprise him. He liked the way she said what was on her mind, and he liked how unfazed she was by him. Ironically, hed yet to leave a good impression. First hed spilled soda on her, next shed seen him almost involved in a riot, and then this morning shed believed him to be either lazy or an idiot.
No problem, of course. She wasnt a friend and he didnt really know her but for whatever reason, he cared what she thought about him. And not only did he care, but crazy as it sounded, he wanted her to have a good impression of him. Because he wanted her to like him, too.
It was an odd experience, a new one for him, and the rest of the day at the shopworking through lunch to make up for the time hed missedhe found his thoughts returning to her. He felt that there was something genuine in the way she spoke and acted, something caring and kind beneath the brittle facade. Something that let him know that while hed disappointed her to this point, there was, with her, always a chance for redemption.
Later that night, he found her sitting exactly where he thought she would be, in a beach chair with a book open in her lap, reading by the light of a small lantern.
She looked up as he approached, then went back to her book, acting neither surprised nor pleased.
I figured youd be here, he said. Your house, your turtles, and all.
When she didnt respond, his gaze drifted. It wasnt very late, and shadows were moving behind the curtains of the small house she lived in.
Any sign of the raccoon?
Instead of answering, she flipped a page of her book.
Wait. Let me guess. Youre giving me the cold shoulder, right?
With that, she sighed. Shouldnt you be with your friends, staring at yourselves in the mirror?
He laughed. Thats funny. Ill have to remember that.
Im not being funny. Im being serious.
Oh, because were so good-looking, right?
In response, she went back to her book, but Will could tell she wasnt actually reading. He took a seat beside her.
Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, he quoted, pointing to her book. Its the first line in your book. I always thought there was a lot of truth in that. Or maybe thats what my English teacher said. I cant really remember. I read it last semester.
Your parents must be so proud you can read.
They are. They bought me a pony and everything when I did a book report on Cat in the Hat.
Was that before or after you claimed to have read Tolstoy?
Oh, so you are listening. Just making sure. He spread his arms toward the horizon. Its a beautiful night, isnt it? Ive always loved nights like this. Theres something relaxing about waves sounding in the darkness, dont you think? He paused.
She closed her book. Whats with the full-court press?
I like people who like turtles.
So go hang out with your aquarium friends. Oh, wait, you cant. Because theyre saving other turtles, and your other friends are painting their nails and curling their hair, right?
Probably. But I just figured you might want some company.
Im fine, she snapped. Now go.
Its a public beach. I like it here.
So youre going to stay?
I think so.
Then you wont mind if I go inside?
He sat up straighter and brought a hand to his chin. I dont know if thats such a good idea.
I mean, how can you trust that Ill stay out here all night? And with that pesky raccoon
What do you want with me? she demanded.
For starters, how about your name?
She grabbed a towel, spreading it over her legs. Ronnie, she said. Its short for Veronica.
He reclined a little, propping his arms behind him. All right, Ronnie. Whats your story?
Why do you care?
Gimme a break, he said, turning to face her. Im trying, okay?
He wasnt sure what she thought about that, but as she collected her hair into a loose ponytail, she seemed to accept the idea that she wasnt going to be able to easily run him off.
All right. My story: I live in New York with my mom and little brother, but she shipped us here to spend the summer with our dad. And now Im stuck babysitting turtle eggs while a volleyball player slash grease monkey slash aquarium volunteer tries to hit on me.
Im not hitting on you, he protested.
No?
Believe me, youd know if I was hitting on you. You wouldnt be able to stop yourself from succumbing to my charms.
For the first time since hed arrived, he heard her laugh. He took that as a good sign and went on.
Actually, I came here because I felt bad about the cage, and I didnt want you to be out here alone. Like I said earlier, its a public beach and you never know who might come walking up.
Like you?
Its not me you should be worried about. There are bad people everywhere. Even here.
And let me guess. Youd protect me, right?
If it came down to that, Id protect you in a heartbeat.
She didnt respond, but he had the feeling hed surprised her. The tide was coming in, and together they watched the waves flare silver whenever they rolled and washed toward the shore.
Through the windows, the curtains fluttered, as though someone were watching them.
All right, she finally said, breaking the silence. Your turn. Whats your story?
Im a volleyball player slash grease monkey slash aquarium volunteer.
He heard her laugh again, liking its unfettered energy. It felt contagious.
Are you okay if I stay with you for a while?
Its a public beach.
He motioned toward the house. Do you need to tell your dad Im out here?
Im sure he already knows youre here, she said. Last night, he must have checked on me every other minute.
He sounds like a good dad.
She seemed to consider something before shaking her head. So you love volleyball, huh?
It keeps me in shape.
That doesnt really answer the question.
I enjoy it. I dont know if I love it, though.
But you do like crashing into people, right?
That depends on who I crash into. But a few days ago, I guess Id have to say it turned out pretty well.
You think drenching me is a good thing?
If I hadnt soaked you, I might not be here now.
And I could be enjoying a quiet, peaceful night at the beach instead.
I dont know. He smiled. Quiet, peaceful nights are overrated.
I guess Im not going to find out tonight, huh?
He laughed. Where do you go to school?
I dont, she said. I graduated a couple of weeks ago. You?
I just graduated from Laney High School. Its where Michael Jordan went.
Ill bet everyone in your high school says that.
No, he corrected. Not everyone. Just the ones who graduated.
She rolled her eyes. All right. So whats next for you? Are you going to keep working for your dad?
Just through the summer. He scooped up some sand and let it slip through his fingers.
And then?
Im afraid I cant tell you.
No?
I dont know you well enough to trust you with that information.
How about a hint? she prodded.
How about you go first? Whats next for you?
She thought about it. Im strongly considering a career in guarding turtle nests. I seem to have a knack for it. I mean, you should have seen the way that raccoon took off. It was like it thought I was the Terminator.
You sound like Scott, he said. Seeing her blank expression, he explained. Hes my volleyball partner, and the guy is the king of movie references. Its like he cant complete a sentence without one of them. Of course, he usually works some sexual innuendo in as well.
That sounds like a special talent.
Oh, it is. I could get him to give you a personal demonstration.
No, thank you. I dont need any sexual innuendos.
You might like it.
I think not.
He held her gaze as they bantered, noting that she was prettier than he remembered. Funny and smart, too, which was even better.
Near the nest, saw grass bent in the breeze and the steady sound of the waves surrounded them, making him feel as if they were in a cocoon. Up and down the beach, lights glowed in the oceanfront houses.
Can I ask you a question?
Im not sure I could stop you.
He pushed his feet back and forth in the sand. Whats with you and Blaze?
In the silence, she stiffened slightly. What do you mean?
I was just wondering why you were hanging out with her the other night.
Oh, she said. Though he had no idea why, she seemed relieved. Actually, we met when she spilled my soda on me. Right after I finished cleaning up what you did.
Youre kidding.
Nope. As far as I can tell, dumping soda on people is the equivalent of Hi, its nice to meet you in this part of the world. Frankly, I think standard greetings work better, but what do I know? She drew a long breath. Anyway, she seemed cool and I didnt know anyone else, so we just ended up hanging out for a while.
Did she stay here with you last night?
She shook her head. No.
What? Didnt she want to save the turtles? Or at least keep you company?
I didnt tell her about this.
He could tell she didnt want to say more, so he let it drop. Instead, he motioned to the beach.
Do you want to go for a walk?
Do you mean a romantic walk, or just a walk?
Im going to say just a walk.
Good choice. She clapped her hands together. But just so you know, I dont want to go too far, being that the aquarium volunteers werent concerned about the raccoon and the eggs are still exposed.
They were definitely concerned. I have it on good authority that an aquarium volunteer is helping to guard the nest right now.
Yes, she said. But the real question is why?
They walked the beach in the direction of the pier, passing a dozen oceanfront mansions, each with massive decks and staircases that led down to the beach. A few houses down, one of the neighbors was hosting a small gathering; all the lights on the third floor were on, and three or four couples leaned against the railing, watching the moonlit waves.
They didnt talk much, but for some reason, the silence didnt feel uncomfortable. Ronnie kept just enough distance so they wouldnt accidentally brush against each other, sometimes studying the sand and at other times staring ahead. There were moments when he thought he saw a fleeting smile cross her features, as though she remembered a humorous story she hadnt yet shared with him. Every now and then, she stopped and bent over to retrieve seashells that were half-buried in the sand, and he noted her concentration as she examined them in the moonlight before tossing most of them aside. The others she slipped into her pocket.
There was so much he didnt know about herin many ways she remained a cipher to him.
In that, she was the complete opposite of Ashley. Ashley was nothing if not safe and predictable; he knew thoroughly what he was getting, even if it wasnt what he really wanted. But Ronnie was different, no doubt about it, and when she offered him an unguarded and unexpected smile, he had the sense she was intuiting his thoughts. The realization warmed him, and when they finally turned around and made their way back toward their spot near the turtle nest, there was an instant when he imagined himself walking beside her on the beach each and every night into a distant future.
* * *
When they reached the house, Ronnie went inside to talk to her dad while Will unpacked his truck. He set up his bedroll and supplies on the side of the turtle nest, wishing Ronnie could have stayed near the nest with him. But shed already told him there wasnt a chance that her dad would agree. At the very least, though, he was glad shed be able to sleep in her own bed tonight.
Getting comfortable, he lay down, thinking that today had been a start, if nothing else.
Anything might happen from here. But when she turned, smiling as she waved a final good night from the porch, he felt something leap inside at the notion that she just might imagine it was the beginning of something, too.
Whos the stiff?
Nobody. Just a friend. Go away.
As the words drifted through the hazy corridors of his mind, Will struggled to remember where he was. Squinting into the sun, he realized he was face-to-face with a little boy.
Oh, hey, Will mumbled.
The boy rubbed his nose. What are you doing here?
Waking up.
I can see that. But what were you doing here last night?
Will smiled. The kid acted as serious as a coroner, which seemed comical given his age and stature. Sleeping.
Uh-huh.
Will pushed back, giving himself room to sit up, and noticed Ronnie standing off to the side. She was dressed in a black T-shirt and torn jeans and wore the same amused expression hed seen the night before.
Im Will, he offered. And you are?
The boy nodded toward Ronnie. Im her roommate, he said. We go back a long way.
Will scratched his head, smiling. I see.
Ronnie took a step forward, her hair still damp from her shower. This is my nosy brother, Jonah.
Oh? Will asked.
Yeah, Jonah answered. Except for the nosy part.
Good to know.
Jonah continued to stare at him. I think I know you.
I dont think so. I feel like I would have remembered meeting you.
No, I do remember, Jonah said, beginning to smile. You were the guy who told the police officer that Ronnie went to Bowers Point!
The memory of that night came surging back, and Will turned to Ronnie, watching with dread as her expression changed from curiosity to puzzlement and finally to understanding.
Oh, no.
Jonah was still going on. Yeah, Officer Pete brought her home, and she and Dad had this big fight the next morning
Will saw Ronnies mouth tighten. Muttering, she turned and stormed into the house.
Jonah stopped in midsentence, wondering what hed said.
Thanks for that, Will growled, then hopped to his feet and sprinted after Ronnie.
Ronnie! Wait! Cmon. Im sorry! I didnt mean for you to get into trouble.
He reached for her arm as he caught up with her. When his fingers grazed her T-shirt, she whirled to face him.
Go away!
Just listen to me for a second
You and I have nothing in common! she snapped. Get it?
Then what was last night about?
Her cheeks were red. Leave. Me. Alone.
Your act doesnt work on me, he said. For some reason, his words kept her quiet long enough to go on. You stopped the fight, even though everyone else wanted blood. You were the only one who even noticed the kid who started to cry, and I saw the way you smiled when he went off with his mom. You read Tolstoy in your spare time. And you like sea turtles.
Though she raised her chin defiantly, he sensed hed struck a nerve. So what?
So I want to show you something today. He paused, relieved that she didnt immediately say no. But she hadnt said yes, either, and before she could decide one way or the other, he took a small step forward.
Youll like it, he said. I promise.
Will pulled into the empty parking lot of the aquarium and followed a small service drive that led around back. Ronnie sat beside him in the truck but hadnt said much on the drive over. As he walked her toward the employees entrance, he could tell that even though shed agreed to come, she hadnt yet made up her mind about whether or not to still be angry with him.
He held open the door for her, feeling the cool draft as it mingled with the hot, humid air outside. He led her down a long corridor, then pushed through yet another door that led into the aquarium itself.
There were a handful of people working in their offices, although the aquarium wouldnt open to the public for another hour. Will loved being here before it opened; the dim lights from the tanks and absence of sound made it feel like a secret hideaway. Often, he would find himself mesmerized by the poisoned spines of the lionfish as they moved in saltwater loops, skimming the glass. He wondered whether they realized their habitat had shrunk in size, and if they even knew he was there.
Ronnie walked next to him, observing the activity. She seemed content to stay quiet as they passed a massive ocean tank, home to a smaller replica of a sunken German submarine from World War II. When they reached the tank of slowly undulating jellyfish that glowed fluorescent beneath a black light, she stopped and touched the glass in wonder.
Aurelia aurita, Will said. Also known as moon jellies.
She nodded, returning her gaze to the tank, transfixed by their slow-motion movement.
Theyre so delicate, she said. Its hard to believe the stings can be so painful.
Her hair had dried curlier than it had the day before, making her appear a bit like an unruly tomboy.
Tell me about it. I think Ive been stung at least once a year since I was a kid.
You should try to avoid them.
I do. But they find me anyway. I think theyre attracted to me.
She smiled faintly, then turned and faced him directly. What are we doing here?
I told you I wanted to show you something.
Ive seen fish before. And Ive been to an aquarium, too.
I know. But this is special.
Because no one else is here?
No, he answered. Because youre going to see something that the public doesnt see.
What? You and me alone near a fish tank?
He grinned. Even better. Cmon.
In a situation like this, he normally wouldnt hesitate to take a girls hand, but he couldnt bring himself to try it with her. He motioned with his thumb toward a corner hallway, tucked neatly away so as to be practically unnoticeable. At the end of the hallway, he paused before the door.
Dont tell me they gave you an office, she teased.
No, he said, pushing open the door. I dont work here, remember? Im just a volunteer.
They entered a large cinder-block room crisscrossed by air ducts and dozens of exposed pipes. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead, but the sound was drowned out by the enormous water filters that lined the far wall. A giant open tank, filled nearly to the top with ocean water, lent the air a tang of salt and brine.
Will led the way onto a steel-grated platform that circled the tank and climbed down the industrial steps. On the far side of the tank was a medium-size Plexiglas window. The lights above provided enough illumination to make out the slowly moving creature.
He watched Ronnie as she eventually recognized what she was seeing.
Is that a sea turtle?
A loggerhead, actually. Her name is Mabel.
As the turtle glided past the window, the scars on her shell became apparent, as did the missing flipper.
What happened to her?
She was hit by a boat propeller. She was rescued about a month ago, barely alive. A specialist from NC State had to amputate part of her front flipper.
In the tank, unable to stay completely upright, Mabel swam at a slight angle and bumped into the far wall, then began her circuit again.
Is she going to be okay?
Its a miracle shes lived this long, and I hope shell make it. Shes stronger now than she was. But no one knows if she can survive in the ocean.
Ronnie watched as Mabel bumped into the wall again before correcting her course, then turned to face Will.
Why did you want me to see this?
Because I thought youd like her as much as I do, he said. Scars and all.
Ronnie seemed to wonder at his words, but she said nothing. Instead, she turned to watch Mabel in silence for a while. As Mabel vanished into the back shadows, he heard Ronnie sigh.
Arent you supposed to be at work? she asked.
Its my day off.
Working for Dad has its perks, huh?
You might say that.
She tapped the glass, trying to get Mabels attention. After a moment, she turned to him again. So what do you usually do on your day off?
Just a good old southern boy, huh? Going fishing, watching the clouds. I feel like you should be wearing a NASCAR hat and chewing tobacco.
Theyd spent another half hour at the aquariumRonnie was especially delighted by the ottersbefore Will had taken her to a bait shop to pick up some frozen shrimp. From there, hed brought her to an undeveloped lot on the intracoastal side of the island, where hed pulled out the fishing gear he kept stored in the truck box. Then hed led her to the edge of a small dock, and they sat, their feet dangling just a couple of feet above the water.