Page 121 of Absorbed

Mark looked up at the corner of the ceiling, like he was watching a reel of the accident. “The last two weeks, I kept thinking, ‘If I'd been sober, how would it have gone differently?’ I have no idea if I responded fast enough, or if I did the right things. It’s all a fog. He could have died. Mr. Henderson did die.” Mark chewed at his nail and spit it out. “If I ruined Jessie’s chance to ever walk again because of those stupid pills, I could never forgive myself.”

“You saved Jessie’s life, Mark. He knows that,” Stacey said. “It’s what he wants to tell you. He wants to thank you.”

Mark’s face softened as he absorbed Stacey’s words.

Chad added, “Yeah, man. Jess broke his neck when he hit the bottom. That wasn’t your fault. And you were the only one strong enough to get him back-boarded and out of the water so fast. Maybe Bob could have done that, but maybe not.”

“Bob had his own distractions. We all did.” Stacey nodded. “I’m really glad you’re sober. It’s the best thing you can do for yourself. But that day you didn’t act like you were high. You did everything you could possibly do to save Jessie and Mr. Henderson. That’s what I told that lawyer, and I meant it. You were a hero.”

Mark’s eyes misted over, but he stubbornly shook his head. “You did just as much as I did. If I’d acted sooner…been more aware of what was happening…” Tears rolled down his cheeks and he angrily wiped them away. “…maybe Mr. Henderson would still be alive.”

“He was already dead when Jessie dove in, Mark,” Stacey said quietly. “No one could have saved Mr. Henderson.”

Mark looked at Chad for confirmation.

Chad nodded. “It’s true. There was nothing anyone could have done.”

Mark closed his eyes and the tears stopped. He wiped his face before opening them again.

The timer chimed in the kitchen. Mark’s grandma shuffled past them and pulled open the oven. “Don’t mind me, Marky.”

“We should go,” Stacey said to Chad. She stood and pulled the keys from her pocket. “Thank you for having us,” she called out toward the kitchen. “We’re gonna head out. We don’t want to interrupt your dinner.”

“Okay, dear,” his grandma called back. “Thanks for coming by.”

Chad stood and pushed in his chair. He walked around the table and clapped Mark on the shoulder. “I’m gonna miss hanging with you. Keep in touch, okay?”

Mark stood and gave Chad a pat on the back.

Stacey waited for them to part then spread her arms wide to give Mark a hug. “Go see Jessie, okay? And call Tiffany.”

Mark let go of their embrace and stepped back, saluting her. “Yes ma’am. I promise I won’t leave without saying goodbye.” He set his hand on Stacey’s shoulder and looked in her eyes. “You’re a damn fine lifeguard, Chapman. We made a good team.”

Stacey sighed. “I learned from the best.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Are we done yet?” Gabe whined, leaning against the counter at Miller’s Outpost.

Stacey looked through her shopping bags, mumbling to herself. “Dickies, Levis, tank tops, flannel shirts. Yeah, I think that’s good for now. What time does the movie start?”

Gabe looked at his watch. “Thirty minutes.”

“Perfect. We’ll have time to get candy and popcorn.”

“You know, when you said you’d finally take me to seeCable Guy, I didn’t think you’d make me go shopping with you first, then only spring for the dollar theater, cheapskate.”

“What difference does it make?” Stacey juggled the bags in her hand, looking for her keys.

“It’s the principle of the thing.” Gabe pushed open the glass door and held it open for Stacey.

Stacey handed him the bags, then pried open her purse continuing to dig for her keys while they crossed the parking lot to the Silver Bullet. “Will it make you feel better if I also buy your snacks?” Keys in hand, she popped open the trunk.

Gabe set the bags inside, then closed the hatch. “I want nachos. Not popcorn. A large Mountain Dew and a Butterfinger.”

Stacey climbed in behind the wheel and turned the keys in the ignition, turning the AC on high. “It’s hard to believe school is starting the day after tomorrow.”

Gabe closed the passenger door and buckled his seatbelt. “I’m bummed we won’t have any classes together.”

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