Page 96 of The Summer We Mended
She made a mental note earlier to take as many pictures and videos as possible so they could send them to Luke.She wanted to document everything so that when he was found, he wouldn’t feel like he’d missed anything.
She knew, in her heart, he would come home to them.She couldn’t think any other way.Being out on the water always filled her with such peace and clarity; today was no different.
As the rest of the family climbed aboard and got settled, Tom guided them through a short safety rundown, where the life jackets were, how to move around the boat safely, and the basics of what to expect.Then, with the engine humming low and the sails still down, they began easing out of the harbor.
Vineyard Haven receded slowly behind them.The masts of other boats bobbed like rows of pencils lined up in cups, and gulls wheeled overhead, their cries mingling with the occasional clang of rigging.Onshore, people strolled along Beach Road, and kids rode bikes along the harbor path.From this distance, it all looked like a watercolor, blurred but beautiful.
Lily stood beside Anna near the stern, eyes fixed on the horizon.She had a hand on Nora’s shoulder as the girl leaned over the rail to watch the water churn.
“It’s been a long time,” Lily said softly.
Anna nodded, her throat tight.“Too long.”
They didn’t say it out loud, but they were both thinking about David.The last time they’d all sailed together had been when she had gotten pregnant with the twins.As children, the boat had been her father’s kingdom and the sea his sanctuary.Cody and Anna had grown up with the scent of salt in their lungs and wind in their hair, learning knots and sails the way other kids learned video games and summer camp songs.
“I think he’d be happy,” Lily murmured.“Seeing us out here.”
Anna looked around, at Cody laughing with Blaze as they tried to spot jellyfish near the hull, at Nora leaning into Tom’s instructions as he showed her how to coil rope, at June setting up a small spread of fruit and crackers on a tray.
“Yeah,” Anna said, the breeze brushing against her cheeks.“I think he would.”
Tom cut the engine as they cleared the harbor.The sails snapped open with a satisfying sound, catching the wind like wings.The boat leaned just slightly as it caught speed, and cheers erupted from the deck.
“We’re flying!”Blaze shouted.
“Hold on, Little Captain.”Tom grinned, steady at the helm.“Let’s see how fast we can really go.”
They sailed along the coast, past the soft curve of East Chop, the lighthouse standing tall like a sentinel watching over the sea.The shoreline was peppered with shingled cottages, long grasses, and little white boats moored in calm pockets of water.The sky above was the color of worn denim, streaked with feathered clouds.
Cody sat up near the bow, sunglasses on, guiding Blaze and Nora through how to read the wind.
“See those ripples?That means the breeze is coming from that direction,” he explained, pointing.“So we angle the sail like this.”
Blaze leaned in, wide-eyed.“Cool.”
“You’re so smart,” Nora added with admiration.
Cody shrugged modestly, flashing Anna a look that made her smile.He’d grown into such a steady, gentle man.Reliable.Like their dad, in so many ways.Watching him now with the kids filled her heart.
They passed a group of seals sunning themselves on a rocky outcrop, their dark eyes watching lazily as theSeraphinacruised by.Nora gasped and pointed.
“Seals!”she shrieked.“They’re just lying there!”
“I think they’re judging us,” June said with a laugh.“Look at that one, he’s giving us the side-eye.”
Blaze imitated the seal’s expression, making everyone burst out laughing.
They took turns at the wheel, Tom guiding their hands, always close by but letting the kids feel the thrill of steering.Anna even gave it a go, and for a few minutes, she was twenty again, carefree and sun-kissed, the wind wrapping around her like an old friend.
Lunch was simple but perfect.They anchored in a quiet cove near Tashmoo Pond, the water shallow and a brilliant blue-green.Everyone sat on towels or leaned back against the railings, eating turkey sandwiches, grapes, and chips with sea salt.A few gulls circled overhead, hopeful for scraps.
Afterward, they went swimming.Blaze and Nora were the first to jump in, their laughter echoing across the water.Cody followed, doing a neat cannonball that earned cheers.Even Lily dipped her legs in, holding Anna’s hand as they sat side by side on the edge.
“This feels like a memory I’ll want to keep forever,” Lily said quietly.
Anna nodded.“Me too.”
June floated on her back a little way off, her hair fanned out around her like seaweed, her arms spread like wings.
