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“The arms.”
Pulling open the door, I gave him a look that suggested he’d lost his mind. “Last I checked I only had two and they’re not covered with suckers, thank you kindly.”
“Huh. Well, it seems like you have more. You use all of themto wrap around anyone and everyone, always. Looking out, taking care. You reach out, you grab hold, and pull people in close.”
An unexpected rush of emotion made my throat tighten. I stepped outside. “That’s actually kind of sweet. Maybe I don’t mind being compared to an octopus after all.”
“There is a downside.”
I swatted away a mosquito. “What’s that?”
“Your arms are always full, Maggie. Too full. I’m worried that you’re being weighed down by helping everyone else. An octopus needs its arms to move forward, to move freely. Otherwise, it’ll soon be buried by shifting sand and will eventually suffocate.”
I knew he was worried about me. The concern glowed in his eyes as bright as Mrs. Pollard’s floodlights. Still, annoyance flared, and my tone was sharp when I said, “There’s nothing wrong in helping others. You of all people should know that.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, my lip trembled and I could feel tears gathering. My emotions were all over the place these days. Before I broke down, I quickly said, “Thanks for dinner,” and walked away.
Leaving him behind, I hurried down the lit path and in the blue glow of a bug zapper saw Mrs. Pollard sitting in a patio chair, watching us. Gus started barking.
Donovan’s voice chased me. “Maggie, wait a second. Please.”
Clenching my fists, I stopped walking and faced him.
“That you help so many is one of the things I love most about you, but it’s like how on an airplane you’re supposed to put your mask on first, then help others. You’re not wearing your mask. You’re doing for everyone but yourself.”
Suddenly, I was bone tired. I just wanted to go home, slip into bed, and pull my covers over my head and sleep until my alarm went off in the morning.
“Good night, Donovan.” I rushed toward the side gate with Gus dancing around my feet, yapping happily. I bent and let him sniff my hands before I patted his head. “Good night, Mrs. Pollard!”
She threw a hand in the air in lieu of a wave, and I wondered how much she’d overheard between Donovan and me. I supposed it didn’t matter. By this time tomorrow the whole town would know I’d been here tonight and that Donovan and I hadn’t parted on the best of terms.
Once out on the sidewalk, I turned toward home and tried to take a deep breath but my chest was too tight. As much as I wanted to focus on Donovan saying there was something helovedabout me, I was too worried that he might be right about the mask thing.
Because right now it really did feel like I was suffocating.
And I wasn’t having the least bit of fun anymore.
CHAPTER 20AVA
The morning sun sat low in the sky as the Mermaids finished their morning patrol of the beach on Wednesday morning. Most everyone was excitedly chattering about the storm system blowing in this afternoon.
The water gave no hint at what was to come. It was clear and calm, the waves rolling gently onto the sand. A group of seagulls squawked excitedly. Gracie had told me they were called laughing gulls, which fit perfectly.
I loved it here, on the beach, my toes in the soft sand. I often walked along the shore at night, watching the sunset. I’d been swimming only a few times, not liking to swim alone after what I’d heard about Maggie’s mom. There was brave, then there was common sense. I needed to find a swim partner.
For some reason, my mind immediately chose Norman, and the thought made me smile.
Juniper, who was tucked into her baby carrier, was sound asleep, her chubby legs dangling. She looked as peaceful as could be as we headed for the boardwalk. My skin was tight with dried salt, my feet were caked in sand, and my hair was one massive knot from the wind.
And I hadn’t felt better in days.
I’d found several shells that I’d tucked into a mesh bag that Dez had lent me. Gracie had stuck by my side during the whole excursion, telling me the names of the shells, but I’d already forgotten most of them. A few pieces of driftwood had been collected, some ceramic pieces, an arm of an old porcelain doll, and lots of trash, but no sea glass.
The other Mermaids were headed for the coffee shop, butI was on my way back to Dez’s. I wanted to give the kitchen and deck chairs a good scrub today, and I was still working my way through the mountain of clothes in the laundry room. I also needed to make a grocery run and check in with Maggie, because I’d heard some interesting gossip this morning about a late-night visit she’d paid to Donovan.
As we neared the boardwalk, Gracie turned and blew a kiss toward the water. When she saw me watching her, she said, “For Ben, who’s out there somewhere. It’s a thing we do.”
“It’s adorable. You must miss him terribly.”
“I do. Juniper, too. And I know he misses us. But his is a good, steady job. Great benefits. Decent money. It’s hard to complain when others might not have that kind of security.”
