Jay backed off, looking at Mason with concern. He was puzzled by Mason’s sudden change of mood.

My eyes never left Jay as he helped Mason make sandwiches.

“Kendall, do you want a water?” Mason asked.

I nodded.

Jay leaned across the counter grinning at me. He grazed my hand as he put the sandwiches together.

“Do you like pasta, Kendall?” he asked, going to the stove to tend to the boiling water.

“Yeah, it’s one of my favorite things to eat.” I bit down on my bottom lip, drawing it in as he stirred the pasta.

Mason dropped my plate on the countertop and headed for the dining room. My sandwich fell on the floor.

That got my attention, and now I was pissed at his foul mood. I quickly started to clean up the mess Mason made all over the marble floor.

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. My face burned with embarrassment.

“Why are you apologizing for Mason?” he asked, taking the food out of my hands. He opened up a door on the cupboard and tossed the sandwich in the trash. It didn’t seem to bother him at all.

“I think he’s mad at me,” I said, trying to find the words to explain what was going on, even though I wasn’t really sure myself.

“You did nothing wrong. And you’re a guest in my home. So take my food, eat, nap, do whatever you want. Don’t worry about Mason.” He touched my hand, trying to comfort me after Mason’s tantrum.

“I don’t feel so hungry anymore,” I said, pushing the plate away. I knew I needed to find Mason and smooth things over.

“Bull, you look hungry to me. Don’t bullshit me…eat! Mason will be over this in no time. Mark my words,” he said, giving me a wink.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” I told Jay. Mason knew I was attracted to Jay. So, unless things didn’t turn around, it could get ugly fast.

“Guys are jealous of just about anything. He’ll be okay.” He squeezed my shoulders and didn’t let go until I agreed with him.

I finally nodded and smiled.

“Okay, I’ll let you be right this time. But that doesn’t mean I don’t know him a lot better than you,” I insisted, taking the sandwich. He was right, I was starved.

It had been days since I had anything close to food.

JULY 10

TH

IT WAS ALMOST MORNING and I still hadn’t slept.

I was sitting outside on the patio chewing my nails obsessively. Aunt Wanda and I were no longer together. Even though I hated her, it still didn’t stop part of me from feeling like I was incomplete. I didn’t trust anyone like I did her—besides Mason.

My thoughts ran wild with what kind of trouble we were probably in. I wondered how many police departments were on the lookout for us. I wondered if there were sketches of us out there.

I feared my life was going to be cut short. That I wasn’t going to get a chance at a good one. I was scared of everything.

Someone touched my shoulder, and I jumped. An older woman with drab blue eyes. She pulled the shawl she was wearing closer to her fragile frame.

She took a seat in the chair across from me. She smiled and pushed her hair behind her ear, several rings adorning her knobby fingers.

“It’s just amazing out here,” she said, letting out a breath of air as she smiled into the pre-dawn sky.

I agreed, watching her as we soaked in the beautiful view together.

“Everything about this place is amazing,” I said. I loved the smell of the water nearby, and the way that, even in July, there was still a coolness that gave me goose bumps.

“I grew up ten minutes from here in a little town called Oran. My father was a fisherman—a good one.”

“I’m sure it was a good life living so close to the water.”

I smiled at her. She seemed at ease talking to me.

“It was the best life one could ask for. What is your name?” she asked. “In all my rambling I forgot to ask.”

“Kendall,” I said.

“Mason always talked about you in all the years he and that tramp of a mother passed through,” she said. She tightened her grip on her shawl as the wind grew stronger. “Pardon my French, but I have always thought that woman was just awful.”

“No problem. She is and probably always will be,” I said with a nod.

“Mason is such a good boy, a really good boy. It’s a shame he has such a mother to deal with. He’s sad and lost. I’ve always told Johnny that.” She nodded her head in confirmation.

I knew she was right. Mason was lost in a lot of ways and I knew that made him sad. He just never let it show.

“Johnny?” I asked curious.

“Oh, he likes to be called Jay. He’s my grandson. I’m sure you’ve met. He takes care of me. He’s a sweet boy despite his actions at times,” she said, looking away from me.

“He seems to be,” I agreed.

“I think a mother’s role is very important in a young man’s life. And Johnny and Mason never had very good ones. Which is why they are on the wrong paths. It’s my wish to see them do well for themselves before I die,” she said.

“I think a mother could be good for a girl, too, if you don’t mind me saying so.” I stared at my feet.

“There’s nothing wrong with saying so, sweetie,” she said, trying to read my somber expression.

“I never had one since I could remember. And I know I probably would have turned out a lot different if I did. Maybe life wouldn’t feel so bad. Do you think that’s possible?” I asked, letting out a sigh, on the verge of tears. For some reason talking to her made me feel vulnerable.

“Who was there for you, sweetie?”

“My Aunt Wanda and she’s not a good person,” I said, catching sight of the sun as it started to come up.

“I’ve heard my share about her as well. The only words of advice I can give you are these: live your life to its fullest. And make sure you find some kind of happiness in it or it will all be for nothing.” She stood up. “I’ve been on this earth for sixty-two years and I’m happy where life has led me. I’m sick and I’m not going to be around much longer, but I’m happy and that’s what matters to me the most.”

I smiled at her. She walked away, squeezing my shoulder in passing. I thought about her words. She had seen a lot in sixty-two years, but probably nothing like what I’d seen.

“Gran, what are you doing outside? You’re going to catch a cold or something,” Jay said, taking her by the arm. He shot me a glance, taking her back inside.

I waited around, hoping he would come back out and visit for a while.

The door shut quietly and he appeared in front of me. His smile returned as he got closer.

“I like your gran,” I told him.

“Yeah. Most people do. She’s really sick and we brought her home…to…well, you know,” he said, unable to say the word.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Are you okay?” I asked, trying to read his smile.

“I’m scared to death of what it’s going to be like when she’s not around anymore quite honestly. I don’t share that with just anyone,” he said, crossing his arms.

“She said she’s had a happy life. And I think that’s amazing to be able to say that. I know if I died tomorrow I couldn’t say that.” I looked away.

“Yeah, me either. And I’m sure Mason couldn’t either. He barely said anything to me tonight. I really don’t know what his deal is,” he sighed.

“I told you I know him better than you,” I said with a grin.

“Oh I know what upset him. I just don’t understand why,” he said, looking at me. Our eyes locked and I couldn’t look away.

“Well, then, why don’t you tell me what you think upset him?” I asked.

“I told him I wanted to learn more about you. And how gorgeous I think you are. I just don’t get why that didn’t fly with him.” He blinked, waiting for me to say something.