Page 66 of Reeves

"Yes! And we can check the trap while we're there. It's right on the way to the water."

He turns to me, hopeful again.

I glance toward Charli. She's watching this unfold with careful neutrality. She doesn't push either way, but her eyebrows lift slightly, a silent signal.

Your choice. I'm not stopping you.

Benjy practically vibrates beside me, waiting for my answer.

One more hour to check the hole in the sand, which is surely gone now if the tide is up, and then leave.

Simple.

"Alright. Quick recon."

Benjy pumps his fist in the air.

"Yes! I'll get the flashlight."

He scrambles down from his chair and races toward a kitchen drawer, pulling out a small LED light. I can tell this is an activity they do often.

Ben chuckles, adjusting his grip on the shell bucket.

"Better grab jackets. Gets cool by the water once the sun goes down."

As we head toward the door, Benjy bounces on his toes beside me.

"Can we build a bigger trap tomorrow? I think we need more branches. And maybe some string to tie them together. Do you know how to tie navy knots?"

Tomorrow.

He's already planning it before we've finished tonight.

I follow them outside, the evening air cutting through the heat of the house. The porch light throws long shadows across the yard, waves breaking somewhere out past the dark.

One hour. Then I'm gone.

Benjy stops dead when he spots my Hummer in the driveway.

"Whoa. Can I ride in your big army truck?"

His eyes go wide, flashlight forgotten in his hand. The vehicle towers over Ben's pickup, all black angles and reinforced steel.

Kid's got good instincts.

"That's up to your mom."

The words come automatically. I look to Charli, passing the decision where it belongs.

"It's only a few blocks, Bud. Don't you want to walk there?"

"No way. I want to ride in that." He points to the Hummer, already halfway sold.

Ben hefts the shell bucket toward his truck. "I'll take the pickup anyway. These shells need to ride in the bed, not inside where they can stink up the cab."

He glances between the Hummer and me.

Charli studies my face for a long moment, reading things there I don’t want her to see.