Page 21 of Tell It To The Waves

His lips turn down. “Never thought my brother and I would be practically strangers. I could blame it all on Molly and herfamily, but Bohdi lets it happen. When we do speak, it’s only about jobs.” Kai frowns.

My face must show confusion. But I don’t voice why.

“Molly runs Bohdi. What she says goes. If she told him to jump, he’d ask her how high. He doesn’t visit our parents. Hell, this is Driftwood Bay; it’s small. Can you imagine staying away from your parents here? It’s impossible. My mom sees him around, and it breaks her heart. Dad is running the Marina on his own, barely able to do so with his age and other things. I help when I can, but I’m also running my own business. So, it’s hard.”

This Bohdi he’s talking about isn’t the Bohdi I knew. There is no way he’d let his father run the business on his own or ignore his own mother. I’m so confused.

Kai sits up straighter, pulling my focus to him and away from Bohdi. “Speaking of the marina, I have to head over there. Do you want to go with us?”

I look to Baylee, then to Kai. “Umm.”

“Oh, come on. They’ll love to see you,” Bay says.

My stomach knots, but I would love to see them, even if it’ll be uncomfortable. “Sure,” I say with a weak smile.

The drive to the marina takes no time, as I sit in the back seat of their car. The short ride is quiet, not uncomfortable. I watch Main Street pass by, people milling around; the town is alive.

Turning onto Driftwood Lane brings back so many memories of us coming and taking the boat, hanging at the marina, fishing off the pier. Days of simplicity. I’d work two days a week here with Baylee during the summer, helping to sign customers in and check them out.

The gravel drive bumps us along until Kai parks in front of the shack. It’s not a shack, but that’s what we’d call it. Where the customers would come to pay to fill up their boats, buy bait, or just hang around and talk.

The red, rust-colored wood still looks like it did years ago, just a little lighter now from the sun.

Kai opens the door for us, the bell sounding to announce our arrival. Walking in, the fish smell is still strong as ever, familiar.

“Hey Mom,” Kai calls from behind us, walking around to get to his mom, who stands at the counter.

Mrs. Julie still looks the same, but her hair is gray now, and she’s donning glasses these days. I follow behind Bay and Kai, my stomach flipping a bit from nervousness. Scared of the reception I’ll get.

“I brought someone to see you.” Kai laughs out. Knowing I’m feeling uncomfortable but not caring.

“Who’s that?” Mrs. Julie asks.

I step out from behind Bay, a small smile on my face. Mrs. Julie looks at me and immediately lets out a small, excited scream. “August! Oh, my goodness, come here.” She yells while coming around the counter, hands raised for a hug.

Her arms engulf me, squeezing me to her slight frame, and I melt into her touch. A mother’s touch that I haven’t felt in so long. We stand there for a minute as her hands rub up and down my back, whispering, “I’m so sorry about your daddy, baby.” Leaning back, she takes in my features, more grown now than the last time she saw me. “I missed you.” And I can feel it radiating from her; she isn’t just saying it to say it.

My eyes water, but I wipe them quickly, whispering, “Hi.” My voice allows me only that one word, because if I speak more, I might cry.

“Come, come.” She grabs my arm, pulling me with her as she passes Baylee, giving her a quick peck on her cheek. I lookbehind me, and Bay smiles so wide and winks at me. Mrs. Julie leads me to the small section of tables at the back of the shack where you can eat your lunch or just take a moment. We all sit, Mrs. Julie's face overtaken with so much joy.

“Tell me everything. How have you been?” she asks excitedly.

I tell her about everything: my plans for the cottage, and then opening my own bakery.

“I’m so proud of you, August. A bakery. Ugh, I miss those red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese and vanilla frosting.” She sighs, and we all laugh.

We sat and talked for over an hour, all of us catching up, and it felt like the old days.

Kai offers to take us on the boat, and I can’t say no.

The ride down the coast is slow and peaceful, as Kai drives and Bay and I lie together on the front of the boat. Just talking. She pulls out her cell phone and says, “Smile.” And we take a few pictures. And then it reminds me.

“Can I follow you on Instagram?” I hold out my phone.

Bay sits up. “Umm, yeah.” She looks at me like I’m nuts.

After I hit the follow button, it tells me Baylee needs to approve my request, and immediately I’m approved.