Page 55 of Tell It To The Waves

“My cashier's check, I know.” I widen my eyes at her, letting out an obnoxious laugh.

Bay looks out the window. “Har, Har. You’re funny. I guess you found a sense of humor while you were gone.”

“Touche.” That one was good; I have to give it to her. We both giggle.

As we're driving onto the ferry after our wait, I hear Baylee snicker before typing on her phone.

I don’t ask her what’s going on; I know she’ll tell me.

Parking the car, unbuckling and rolling down the windows, we sit in silence as I pull out my seashell, rubbing it.

I watch Bay put down her phone. “You’ll never believe…” She stops talking when she sees what I’m holding. “You still have it,” she says in disbelief.

Still rubbing the white, now shiny shell, “I couldn’t do away with it, and it’s become my own little fidget toy.” My memory flowing back like the sea to the night Bohdi proposed to me, the ring laying cocooned in this shell.

I look at her, and she’s giving me a small smile.

Changing the subject, “What won’t I believe?”

“Ha! Guess who came by the house.” Baylee’s eyes widen at me.

I mimic her. “Who?”

“Bohdi! He came by to apologize to Kai.”

I sit there, shocked, looking at Baylee, wondering what had gotten into him, because this is a total one eighty from the Bohdi who I’ve been talking to.

Baylee sits up straighter. “He must be dying, right?”

“Don’t say that, Bay!”

“That’s the only damn reason he’s letting you buy the store and apologizing to Kai. AND! He told Kai he’ll be staying at the bed-and-breakfast.” Her raised hands fall to her thighs, slapping them. “I’m confused.”

“You’re confused, I’m confused. I bet Kai is confused,” I huff out as we sit there looking at the other, not knowing what to think now.

Watching Driftwood Bay come closer, remembering the day I arrived not that long ago and the pit that was in my stomach. Now, there is excitement sitting in it. Excitement for what’s coming and, honestly, for the unknown. If I was to tell that August about what would happen by coming back here, she’d never believe me. And honestly, I don’t believe myself half the time.

Driving to Seaside Manor, Baylee invites me in to eat Chinese food with her and Kai, who’s already waiting with it. My stomach grumbles, letting me know, yes, we want to eat Chinese food. And I can take a shower before I leave; two birds, one stone.

Baylee was smart and let me leave fresh clothes here along with other stuff I’d need.

Kai is already sitting in the living room, takeout containers placed all around the table. I saddle up to the table, sitting on the floor in front of them, so I can see and talk to them.

We all start eating, the sweet-and-sour sauce coating my mouth as I take a bite of my chicken egg roll. “Mmm,” I moan with approval, remembering how much I loved Chang’s Gourmet.

I watch as Kai drops his chopsticks into his box, setting it on the table. “So, what the fuck do we think is going on? This is truly stressing me out. Did they break up and he’s seeing his ways?” Kai’s face is confused, his green eyes jumping from me to Baylee.

Swallowing my bite, I say, “I don’t know. I don’t know who Bohdi is anymore, so I can’t voice anything.” Because I don’t. I knew the Bohdi that was twenty-three when I left. I don't know the thirty-one-year-old who is Bodhi now. I tell them before taking a sip of my Diet Coke, the cold can clutched in my fingers, leaving them damp when I set it back down.

“Something has to be up.” Baylee fixes herself on the sofa. “You’re meeting him tomorrow; maybe you can get some insight.”

I slap the table, stinging my palm. “No. Absolutely not. I want to give him the cashier’s check and sign the papers. That’s it, that’s all.” Because what’s going on with Bohdi isn’t my worry anymore.

Her head whips to Kai. “Maybe you can go with her tomorrow.”

“That’s weird, Bay,” he tells her.

“No, it isn’t. You’re her contractor; you need to see what has to be fixed and updated. So, it’s not weird. You’re doing it.” She glares at him.