Page 73 of We Thought We Were Invincible
My father glanced sideways at his press secretary. He'd just announced his campaign. He couldn't not answer. My heart thundered in my chest as images of that night rolled through my mind. I'd dreamed about it. Thought about it. Lived it every day since.
The heat from the cameras overwhelmed me as we all waited. Someone tapped their foot against the ground, the sound echoing through the room.
Growing up with my dad, I knew how politics worked. This early in his campaign, he couldn't speak to support guns or against them. It was one of the hottest issues in this state. He breathed, preparing to give his scripted answer to any gun question.
Without realizing what I was doing, I stepped forward and leaned toward the microphone.
“Kids died,” I said, clearing my throat. “My friend was shot.” Someone tried to pull me back, but I shook them off. “Do you get that?” They were more forceful this time. I lunged away from them for one more moment. “Don't fucking politicize us.”
A strong arm wrapped around my chest, pulling me back. One of my father's body guards. I didn't fight him this time. I caught one more glimpse of my father at the podium before he turned on his heel without another word and walked backstage, ending the press conference.
“Let me go,” I growled once we were out of sight. He did.
With my father refusing to look at me, I stormed out and got in my car without looking back.
He was right. I screwed everything up. I couldn't help it. And Callie had been right. Simply feeling lucky to be alive wasn't enough to combat the crash of reality.
The clip of me dropping an f-bomb to reporters made the national news. Passionate. Scarred. Misunderstood. Those were a few of the things they called me. It brought my dad the recognition he'd wanted for his campaign, but it was more likely to hurt than to help.
That night, he backhanded me for the first time in months as I sat at the kitchen table with my math book open in front of me. He didn't say a word. He didn't have to.
Things were back to normal between us.
I went to hide out in my room, powering up my laptop and looking through the list of small colleges the guidance counselor sent me. I didn't know if I'd get in, my GPA as low as it was, but I had to try. If there was one thing I knew, it was that I couldn't stay in Gulf City after high school. I had to get away from here.
29
Callie
My mom returned to my dreams for the first time in months. She sat on the beach, my beach - our beach, with the faceless man beside her. She had the most carefree laugh and my dream-self wanted to watch her forever.
A calm settled over me as I woke. The corner of my mouth lifted in a half smile as I rolled over and flipped on the bedside lamp.
The clock read half-past six. The early rays of light filtered in through my window, creating an eerie glow.
Stretching my arms above my head, I realized I had the entire day off. Colby was working at the diner with Kat and Jamie had some interview thing with his dad again. He'd had one after school yesterday as well.
I didn't know what to do on my own.
I lay there for a moment longer before heading downstairs in search of sustenance. I almost passed it without notice. Almost. Then something made me turn and the yellow flowers caught my eye. There, leaning against the wall by the front door, was mom's board. I'd always think of it as hers. She was only lending it to me.
I reached out, tapping my fingers against it to make sure it was real. My lips curled up. I could feel mom's strength radiating off it, permeating my hard core.
A post-it fluttered to the floor. I bent to pick it up.
Hope you don't mind.
I stole the pieces from under your bed.
You need the waves as much as I need you.
I love you - don't tell me I don't.
-Jamie
I leaned my forehead against the smooth board, he'd even waxed it for me. A laugh begun in my belly before finding its outlet.
“Is today the day, Mom?” I whispered.
