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He expects me to stick around.
Good, because I have no plans to leave.
When he goes out to take care of his errands, I go right along with him. He doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, he smiles the whole time he drives around town, whistling along to whatever song’s on the radio. Was he always this capable of acting free and happy? I hang my head from the window and let the breeze toss around my messy hair.
One errand has us stopping by the arcade, where he has something to discuss with the owner. I stand around his car outside, basking in the sunlight as I wait for him.
The arcade doors pop open, and out comes a familiar face, but it isn’t Cooper’s.
He comes to a stop, recognizing me.
I stare back at him, and all of my peace is broken.
“Hey, I know you,” he says.
Fear fills my bones. It’s the guy I sat next to on the beach just a few days ago—the guy whose thirty bucks still sits in my pocket, untouched.
I see my whole future crumble before my eyes.
My life here. My happiness with Cooper. My paradise.
Then the guy smiles. “You’re from the beach, right? A few days ago? I think your name was Clyde …?”
Oh. I forgot I gave him that name.
“What’s wrong?” He comes right up to me. “You look like you’re freaked out or something.”
Is he not mad? Or did he not realize …? “I’m just … I was just waiting on someone.”
“Someone? Oh. There aren’t many people inside, other than Cooper talking to Michael about business stuff. Did you forget my name already?” he teases me. “I’m Toby.”
I try to smile, but honestly, I’m still panicked. “Nice to meet you, Toby. Well, again, I mean.”
He smiles. “Well, I won’t keep you. I was just blowing off some steam on the games, like I do every weekend. Got to get back home. Boyfriend’s working on something. We should maybe hang out sometime, since you’re new here, too. Wait, didn’t we establish that?” Toby seems to confuse himself suddenly. “Or am I assuming you’re new here?”
Is this when I make a real commitment?
Is this when I decide I’m definitely staying?
Can I really stay in a place where my conscience isn’t clear? “I, uh … have to confess something.”
Toby lifts an eyebrow. “Confess something? Oh. Are you the guy who has the new Mortal Kombat high score competing with mine?”
If only it was something that innocent. “No. I, uh …”
“Yeah?”
Suddenly I can’t say it. So instead, I just fish the thirty bucks out of my pocket and extend it to him. He squints at the wadded up bit of cash before letting me slap it into his palm. He inspects it with uncertainty. “I … I don’t get it. Do you owe me for something? Or—?”
“I took it from you.” My heart hammers in my chest. “I took it when you went down to get in the water. You left all your things there on the beach, and I …” I can barely breathe. “I’m sorry, Toby.”
He seems to work it out in his head. Then it clicks. “Oh. Y’know, I … I honestly just thought I’d spent it at the antiques store on the boardwalk. My boyfriend thought I’d gotten art supplies, and then I was confused, and …” Then he meets my eyes. “You stole this from me?”
My insides are shaking. My teeth are shaking. I’m not even sure I’ve taken one breath since I uttered the words. “Y-Yes,” I manage.
Toby studies the cash for a moment longer, then lifts his eyes to mine. “I should probably be upset or something. But ever since moving here, I’ve realized I need to forgive and be more understanding. Why should I be angry about it when you’re here trying to make good on something bad?” He smiles. “That’s something that should be appreciated. Good for you, Clyde. You did the right thing.”
I stare at him, stunned.
Is he serious?
“In fact,” he goes on, then takes my hand and presses the cash right back into my palm, “you obviously took it for a reason, and I’m suspecting you need it more. So how about you keep that, alright? And I still insist we should hang out sometime.”
He’s crazy. He has to be. Who does this?
“The name is Seany,” I say rather suddenly.
Now that makes Toby gasp. “Wait. And you lied about your name?? I take it all back! I only wanted to be friends when I thought you were named after one of the Pac-Man ghosts! Just kidding,” he quickly adds with a silly laugh. “I like it. Nice to meet you! My name really is Toby, though.”
“Thank you, Toby.” I fidget with the thirty bucks still in my hand. It feels odd, accepting it back. Is everyone on this island so fucking forgiving?
