Page 124 of Storm and Sea

She heard a grumbled “Suck up” from Atreus.

They placed different colored markers at key points along the course. The oldest kids would follow the red flags, which they now carried up the hill. Or rather, Atreus carried the heavy box, Nyel held the light, and she tied red flags to fence posts, trees, and anything they could use as a landmark.

“I can’t believe the festival is tomorrow night. It feels like the summer barely started,” Nyel commented, aiming the light at a branch.

“Yeah. Feels too soon.” Atreus agreed, and the melancholy in their voices made Marina’s heart squeeze.

The docks were not a happy place to work. As the remaining days in the season dwindled to single digits, the people of Baia Vita resigned themselves to the prospect of another harsh winter. Catches were scarce, and Marina’s stomach tightened every time she passed the empty shelves in the pescheria, where tubs of melting ice sat by the door.

But she wasn’t about to let their sodden situation ruin the event she’d been preparing all summer. No. This was the end-of-season festival; this was the Bayallon! It was time for the town to rally behind their kids in a day of sportsmanship and fun—none of this messy depressy stuff.

“I don’t have the energy for your whining.”

“I’ll be at the studio, don’t wait for me.”

“I can’t stand your sulking.”

Marina’s breath caught in her throat, choking on her mother’s words as they echoed through time.

“There’s my happy girl.”

“I oh-so-love it when you smile.”

“Come here, my sunflower.”

Marina stretched her lips, lifting her cheeks until her eyes squinted ever so slightly. Her fingers brushed against her dimples, confirming by touch alone that this was the right smile—the one she could summon on demand. The one she’d spent hours perfecting in front of the mirror. The one her mother wanted to see.

I’ll be the happy one. I’ll be the sunshine. I’ll be what Mom needs.

Marina shook herself, snapping out of the memory. She clapped her hands loudly.

“C’mon, you two! No moping! Where is that energy!?” She made a yipping sound, pumping her fist into the air.

“It’s too early for energy.”

“It’s called manifesting, Atty.”

“Manifesting can happen when the sun is up. And I told you not to call me that.”

“I tOLd YoU nOt To CalL mE tHaT,” Marina mimicked. “And when will you call me Rina?”

“When Niccolo grows wings and flies.”

“I’ll have to arrange a meeting with the seagulls then,” Marina replied.

This earned her two strained smiles as both boys half-laughed.

I’ll take it, she thought, trying to infect the boys with her positive attitude. However forced. It usually worked, but this morning, they were a special type of droll.

“So what do you boys plan on doing after the season is over?”

When she was met with nothing but the sound of leaves rustling in the night wind, Marina turned to find them exchanging a glance. “Wrong question?” she asked, cursing herself. She’d done it again, stepped on an invisible nerve.

“No, I just haven’t figured it out yet,” Nyel confessed.

“Will you stay with family like Atty does?”

“I’m not sure,” Nyel said, avoiding her gaze. “What about you?”