Page 51 of Forget Me Not

“It’ll rain soon,” I murmur, looking up at the clouds in the sky. Off in the distance, I can see lightning striking the ocean. It’s far off, but in Port Nova, that doesn’t mean anything.

We walk along the sand, away from the party until we can just barely hear the sounds of the music start back up after the mayor’s speech.

“I hate public speaking,” Nova says out of nowhere. “Mine. And other peoples.”

“You were a teacher,” I point out. “Wasn’t that your entire job?”

She shrugs. “Kids are easy. They judge you out loud. Adults are the ones you need to look out for.”

“You aren’t wrong. I guess I’ve just never cared what anyone else thought of me.”

She looks at me, searching my face like she wants to say something, but it falls and the only sound is the water and the rumble of a storm coming.

“The party was a big hit. You did good.”

She smiles softly, wincing when another roll of thunder sounds.

“Couldn’t have done it without you. And Manto and Tara and Katelyn.”

“And Sophie,” I volunteer and she shoots me a look. I chuckle, bumping into her with my arm and she shoves me back. “Want to tell me the real reason why don’t you like her?”

Nova shakes her head.

“I never said that.”

“No, but I can see it all over your face.”

I step in front of her, walking backwards and she stops, giving a light stomp of her foot in the sand.

“Fine. She is my half-sister. Are you happy?”

That puts things into perspective. Finally, my little bird is opening up.

“I thought your parents are together?”

“They are,” she grumbles, crossing her arms over her chest. “My father had an affair around the time Mom got pregnant with me. Sophie was the product of that.”

“And your mom stayed with him?”

“Not everyone can leave,” she murmurs and I don’t like the double-ended sword of that statement.

“Sure, not everyone can leave, but not everyone is willing, either.”

She stares at me for a moment, calculating.

“Some people don’t know they’re being abused. Some abuse isn’t just fists.”

“True. Was your mother abused?”

“No. I don’t believe so. Though, wouldn’t you argue that cheating on your pregnant wife is a form of emotional abuse?”

“You aren’t wrong. That doesn’t mean it’s Sophie’s fault. You don’t place blame idly, Nova.”

“You know me so well,” she grumbles, pushing past me to continue walking down the beach.

“I’ve spent the last two weeks studying you, little bird,” I admit, walking beside her. “I know you better than you think.”

“Well,” she snaps, stammering over her words. “I never said that was the only reason.”

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