Everblue

Chapter 34 - Ash

ASH

 

I felt absolutely horrible in the morning. Whatever drugs they'd put in my IV were far better than the stuff I took every four hours during the night. After a fitful night of sleep, I finally stumbled to the kitchen to eat breakfast.

My parents bustled around, competing for counter space as they made lunches to take to work. I ate my Mini Wheats in silence only to catch Mom's fretful glance every once in a while—silent questioning of my stability, I assumed.

"You know, Ashlyn. We eventually need to talk about what happened," she said abruptly.

Dad stopped and shot her a puzzled look. "Karen. It was an accident. If Ashlyn doesn't remember what happened, the doctor said there's nothing we can do to force her."

"Yes. I understand that, but the fact that she lied to stay home from church and then left the house without leaving a note bothers me."

I stopped eating and stared at the last few unappetizing Wheats floating in the milk. The silence weighted heavily on my guilt-torn chest. I hated living this lie. "I'm sorry. It won't ever happen again."

Mom moved a little closer. "Did something happen at the dance?"

"No." I forced a Wheat under the milk with my spoon. "I didn't get picked for Queen, so I wasn't ready to see anyone yet."

"Oh." Her eyes softened. She cast an anxious glimpse at Dad, who took pity as well.

"I wanted to go for a walk to clear my head. That's all."

 "There's no need to apologize again," Dad calmly interrupted. "It all worked out and could have been much worse. Luckily, the Fire Chief recognized you when they arrived at the scene. We're not mad at you, Ash."

I swallowed back my tears. "I know. But I really am sorry."

They watched me with compassion in their eyes and I wanted to crawl into a hole. Here was my opportunity to come clean and I wasn't doing it. My heart started to pound as I finally opened my mouth to confess.

With a cheery smile, Gran came bustling into the kitchen. "And she's obviously got a guardian angel. God's not finished with her yet, is He?" She rubbed her hand over my shoulders and squeezed. "Oh, and Jack, you forgot to put the boat back in the shed."

The spoon fell out of my hand and hit the milk with a clattering splash.

"I didn't take out a boat," Dad said.

"What?" Mom darted to the sliding glass door. "Where?"

"I think it's The Sea Star." Gran pointed towards the dock. "Right there. Shouldn't it be locked up in the shed 'til summer?"

Dad looked out the kitchen window too. "Yes, it should. I wonder how it got out there." He turned toward me, the empathy replaced by a straight face.

"I'm not feeling so good," I said, shooting a guilty smile.

He watched as I made my escape.

They continued to talk about who might have borrowed the boat as I hobbled back to Gran's room, heart pounding. I turned on The Price is Right and hid under the covers, dreading the conversation I knew would be coming, hoping everyone would just leave. Would he confront me before he left for work or later tonight?

I pinched my eyes shut and listened, waiting. After what seemed like forever, the house finally quieted down. My mind whirred with a million questions as I limped outside on crutches to the dock. Who found the boat and returned it? Did they see me? Did they know what happened? Where was it? Would they tell my parents?

And there The Sea Star floated, pristine and tethered to the dock as if nothing ever happened. I touched the jagged piece of metal and shivered. Could the angel have possibly brought the boat back as well?

Growing excitement tickled my belly as I scanned the tree line, thinking he could actually be here—watching me. Ever since the accident, my dreams were filled with nothing but him. All I wanted was to talk to him, ask him what happened.

"Thank you," I whispered, holding my hand out towards the horizon, "wherever you are."

My body fluttered with warmth until I remembered the biting frigid water and the fear in my parents' eyes. I shook my head, unable to wrap my mind around what was real and what wasn't.

Just beyond the beach, a group of men walked to the back door of Tatchi and Fin's house. The stiff way they moved reminded me of Secret Service Agents except they were all wearing skirts. Who were they? And what were they doing? I took a seat on the bench and tried to melt into the surroundings so they wouldn't notice me staring.

"Ashlyn?"

I jumped at my father's voice. "Dad?" With wide eyes, I watched him walk down towards me on the dock.

"Should you be out here?"

The tears came from nowhere. "I can't take it anymore with the boat, and the guilt. I have to tell you the truth about what happened."

A pensive look crossed his face as he joined me on the bench. "Okay."

I discretely wiped my nose on my sleeve. "I didn't get swept out by a wave like everyone thinks. It's all my fault what happened. I took the boat to Fannette Island because I thought it would somehow bring Tatchi back. We have a treasure box buried there from when we were kids but when I was paddling home, I accidentally tipped the boat and fell in. Someone saved me and I honestly don't know who. But now the boat is back. And I've been trying to figure out what this all means."

Dad took a deep breath and put his hand on my knee. "Well, that explains where the boat went."

I gasped. "You already knew?"

"About the boat missing? Yes. But not that you'd taken it to Fannette Island and fell out. It makes sense being the Fannette Island Ranger Station is miles from our house. The reaction you had to the boat reappearing did seem suspicious this morning."

I blinked back in astonishment. "Does Mom know?"

"It would probably be best if you told her."

"Me?"

He pursed his lips together and nodded.

I wanted to die. Telling Mom was the last thing I wanted to do.

"I know you'll make this right, Ashlyn."

His words came crushing down on me and the last thing I wanted was to disappoint him. "Oh, Dad," I wailed and threw my arms around his neck, "I'm so sorry, you don't even know."

He patted my back. "Mom will be mad, but it's better to tell her the truth than have her find out otherwise."

"I didn't mean to lie. Everything was so fuzzy at first and then when I remembered—" I pulled away and looked at him with my tear streaked face. "Wait. Why are you still home? Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"I don't need to be in until nine."

"Oh."

"Feel better?" He smiled warmly with knowing eyes.

I shook my head.

"Good. This was a hard lesson to learn, but always remember; the truth will set you free."

"Thank you, Dad." I hugged him again. And does it ever.