Page 51 of Off the Hook

The early morning air was crisp, fresh with the scent of Bermuda grass that was still slightly damp with the dew that hadn’t burned off yet. As I stepped into the kitchen, Dad was already up making coffee. He looked over and held up the pot. “Want a cup?”

I nodded, and he silently pulled a second mug from the cabinet. He gave me that Dad look. He could tell somethingwas on my mind, but he didn’t press, just sliding the mug of black coffee across the counter. I pulled out a stool and swung a leg over, bellying up to the bar, gripping the warm mug tightly in both hands. That first sip was heaven.

Faith had never been here, but I could picture her beside me, chatting with Dad, part of the family. I shook my head at the ridiculous thought. The clink of coffee cups, and Dad milling around the kitchen was comforting. But everything still felt off. And it wasn’t just Faith.

“I need to talk to you about something.”

Dad raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say a word, waiting for me to continue.

“What do you think really happened to Kylie?” I asked. “I can’t help but think it’s weird she died just like mom.”

I watched his expression tighten before his face cleared and he shrugged, trying to act as if I hadn’t struck a nerve. “It is weird, son, but sometimes weird things happen. We can’t always make sense of it.”

“But what do you thinkreallyhappened? That some stranger just happened to be robbing Kylie’s mom’s house in broad daylight and she caught him and ended up dead? Or do you think that was just a coincidence, a random robbery in broad daylight, and completely unrelated, she just happened to slip and hit her head and drown?” I stared at him, but he just stared right back. “I don’t believe it,” I told him. “Any of it. None of it makes sense.”

He ignored my questions, moving to the stove. “Want some breakfast? I can whip up something quick.”

Before I could push for answers, Trouble walked in, yawning. “What’s with all the yapping this early? Don’t you two know that Rodman men don’t talk in the mornings?”

“Morning Trev, want some coffee?” Dad held up the half empty pot. “I can put another pot on if we need it.”

I nodded at my brother while he pulled up the stool next to me. “I didn’t know you stayed over.”

“Yeah, Corrine stayed at her place last night so I decided to keep the old man company.”

“Want some breakfast?” Dad asked.

As if they’d heard the call for food, the twins rolled in the front door with the dogs. “Our fridge is empty, you got anything to eat Dad?” Kai asked, heading straight for the fridge.

“We need more coffee,” Reef shouted, emptying the pot into his mug.

The kitchen filled with happy sounds. Dad laughing, the dogs barking, Kai and Reef fighting over the last of the coffee.

“Settle down boys,” Dad shouted over the din. “Everyone, sit, I’ll make some pancakes. Banana chocolate chip okay with everyone?”

Trevor leaned against the counter and grinned. “So, Corrine wants to know who’s bringing a plus one. She says I need to arrange the boats. So, guys, gimme a headcount.”

“Boats?” I interrupted. “For what?”

“Oh shit, we didn’t tell you?” Trouble chuckled. “You’ve had so much going on. Sorry bro.”

“Tell me what?”

“We changed the wedding plan. We’re doing a sunset ceremony on the water out at Alligator Lighthouse. Then the party back here at the marina afterward. So we still need Alex’s band. Did you ever ask him if they can play?”

I blinked at him trying to process the barrage of information before the caffeine had kicked in. “Way to complicate things.” As if planning a wedding in less than a month wasn’t already difficult, why not make it a logistical nightmare?

“It’s not that big of a deal. Corinne got the Paradise Key resort boat, and their big dive boat. We have theEllie IIand theOsprey, and we’re rounding up a few other big charter boats. We know enough people with big boats, that won’t be hard. But we need to get a headcount to know exactly how many we’ll need. So which of you derelicts will be able to round up dates–that is the question.”

“We’ll bring some girls.” Reef said, stealing the first pancake off the griddle.

“And who would that be?” Dad asked, slapping his hand away before he stole another.

“Dunno yet,” Kai answered. “I’ll find a cute girl before Reef does.”

“Pff.” Reef huffed. “As if. I bet you twenty bucks I’ll beat you to it.”

“Okay so that’s four,” Trevor grabbed a pen out of the cup beside the house phone on the wall. Dad still had a landline, and swore by it in case of a hurricane.

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