Down By The Water Read Online Free Page B

grinned. “Older than you.” I waited and he said, “Twenty-two.”
    Only two years older than me. I didn't know why it mattered but it did.
    His mother spoke. “And where do you live, Lily? Some place close by?”
    “No. North Dakota.”
    His dad's eyes were on me, his expression thoughtful. “You look so familiar, “ he said. “I could have sworn you were local. Tipton or Alexandria.” I wasn't sure but I guessed those were the names of neighboring cities.
    “Nope,” I said, swallowing a mouthful of water.
    He frowned. “So odd. I swear I've seen you before.”
    I wasn't going to tell him that he had. That, ten years ago, even though I didn't remember him, he had seen me. Probably talked to me. Numerous times. The more I stared at his face, the more vague memories I had of it. Of me standing behind my father, clinging to his shirttails, listening as they spoke in hushed, panic-laced voices, watching the pained expression on the resort owner's face as their conversation intensified. And I remembered seeing him on the doorstep as we pulled out of the driveway that final time, grief an uninvited passenger in our car.
    I wasn't going to tell him any of this, about the past and about my connection to Minnesota. To this particular place in Minnesota.
    Because he already knew it, even if he didn't remember me.
    “We,, it doesn't matter where you're from,” Sheila said, turning to look at me. “We have an extra bedroom. You can stay as long as you need to.”
    I opened my mouth to decline her offer but quickly closed it. I absolutely didn't want to stay, but my options were nonexistent. So I took a deep breath and said instead, “Thank you.” And I meant it.
    The table was quiet for a few minutes, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Ty's dad asked a couple of questions about some guests and Sheila answered him and soon they were immersed in their own conversation.
    Ty reached for the serving spoon and helped himself to another serving of casserole. He motioned to my plate. “More?”
    I shook my head. My stomach still felt unsettled. “No, I'm good.”
    He brought a forkful of food to his mouth and chewed. “I need to make some rounds after dinner,” he said. “Just around the resort. I'm sort of like security. Which sounds incredibly lame, considering this is like the safest place on the planet.”
    I stiffened in my chair. It wasn't the safest place. I knew that from experience. It had been deadly for me. For my family.
    “Anyway, thought you might want to tag along,” he said. “Instead of just hanging out here at the house.”
    I shook my head hard. “No.” I tried to sound calm, nonchalant, but his eyes flew to me, his expression puzzled and I thought frantically for an excuse. “I mean, I'm still a little beat. I think the heat really got to me, you know?”
    Ty nodded slowly, his eyes still locked on mine. “Yeah. You were out there for a while.”
    “Uh huh,” I agreed. “So I think I'll just hang out here. If that's okay, I mean.”
    “Sure,” he said. He scraped his fork across the plate, finishing off the second helping. He stood up, grabbing his plate and glass, and I followed suit. “You don't have to clear.”
    “Why wouldn't I?”
    “Because you're the guest.”
    He walked into the kitchen and I followed behind him, dishes in hand. “An unexpected guest. The least I can do is grab my dishes.”
    The kitchen was a disaster. Bowls and utensils cluttered the butcher block island in the center of the room. A cutting board filled with unused chopped onions and tomatoes sat next to the stainless steel sink and shredded cheese littered the terra cotta tile floor.
    “Mom's a bit of a wreck in the kitchen,” Ty said. He opened the dishwasher and slid his plate into the lower rack. He held out his hand and I handed him mine. “She tries, but...”
    “Dinner was good.” I wasn't lying. It had been.
    “Yeah, that's something she actually makes well.” He deposited the glasses on the top rack.