Page 31 of Black Waters

“You mean go watch over Whitney with your brother?”

My mouth opened. Then it closed.

He nodded. “Got binoculars, kid. And a whole lot of love for you.”

I didn’t sneak out that night. There was no reason to. “I love you, too, Dad.”

The water was extra cold with the weather changing, preparing for winter. I went under the surface to keep the breeze off me while I swam. My lungs burned as I pushed them to hold out little longer. I liked the burn, liked that every time they felt that way, I was making them stronger for my lengthy underwater swims. These nightly swims were the only way I stayed in shape since Whit and I no longer swam together every morning.

Crash was there, sitting in the grass under a tree. I had no dry clothes left, so I sat next to him and shivered. “You okay?” I knew the answer, but it seemed polite to at least ask.

“Never better.” My stupid question deserved that answer. “How’s Reenah?”

“Miserable. But resting.”

I glanced at Crash watching Whit’s window and swallowed my pride. “I thought you would be inside with her.”

He pointed to his face. “Need a night to heal. She’d freak.”

I wanted to ask if Whit talked about me but was too afraid she didn’t.

“Uh, er, this sounds weird, but did Dad leave you alone after we left?”

Crash actually chuckled. “Damn, that did sound weird. Our dad. Uh, yeah, he was tying one on when I snuck out. I think he had it bad for Reenah, and seeing her jacked him up a little.”

“I’m starting to think she is to them what Whit is to you and me.”

“No words.”

“No words to describe how she got under their skin.” My teeth chattered, but I had to know. “How much does Whit know?”

“I’ve kept my word to you. Franky only knows about her brother … not mine.”

“Me.” I was Crash’s brother, and Whit didn’t even know.

Crash stared out over the water. “When I talked to her about Tim, I got to thinking—well, remembering—my dad, uh, our dad, was very paranoid when Tim was abducted. I guess now we know why.”

“Yeah, damn, yeah. I guess we do.” He was afraid Crash would be taken, too.

Crash patted my wet T-shirt. “Go home. I’ll take the shift alone tonight. You’re gonna catch a flu or some shit.”

I smirked. “Taking the big bro role to heart?”

“Go home, dumbass.” Crash proudly smiled.

The answer was yes, and I liked it.

The next day, I was up for my morning Whit swim. Of course I wasn’t going to swim with her, but I loved seeing her run down the dock. It was raining, but weather didn’t derail us much, and she looked beautiful. Maybe I remembered her looking so beautiful because it was the last I would see of Whitney running happily for some time.

I went to school and had to act as if my life wasn’t a soap opera from hell—that I wasn’t living a reality most couldn’t even fathom. I had to continue the façade that I was angry with Whit and continue to ignore her even though I wanted to run to her and feel whole again in her little arms. During Whit’s senior project rehearsal, I spied through her dance classroom’s door window without her seeing me and contemplated hiding from her for the rest of the day so that I could watch over her, keep her safe.

Walking to my car afterward, I called Crash.

“Hey.” He sounded tired.

“Not much sleep?”

“Not everyone was snuggled in a bed, jerk.”