Into the Deep Read Online Free Page B

surf.”
    “It’s magical. I guess it is frightening also, if you’re unfamiliar with it, but you can’t live in fear.”
    “You plan to be a motivational speaker instead of a vet, right?” I tease.
    She laughs. “I’ve got some very big shoes to fill.”
    “You never told me your parents were vets,” I say in surprise. She keeps a lot about them to herself so I don’t press it. I can’t imagine losing my mom when I was down a parent already.
    “Yeah, they were,” she answers distractedly. “Try and sleep, you had a lot of excitement today.”
    I say goodbye and push aside the sheet covering my stump. For months I couldn’t bear the sight of it. In the beginning, it’d been scabby and pulpy and gross. After a few surgeries, the end was smoother, stopping four inches above where my knee should be. I’m thankful for my health and that I’m able to maneuver as easily as I can, but it doesn’t stop the wishes. Alone, with no one to judge, I pray for a miracle, to feel normal again and not fixate on what’s missing.
    I reach for my cream, a special concoction to smooth over the scars, and rub it in, letting the monotony of the familiar task lull me. It wasn’t until I was eight that my doctor mentioned fitting me for a prosthetic. The previous two years had been full of painful surgeries and a ton of missed school. To this day I loathe crutches, which I use only when the stump is bothering me. I avoid using them at school. I’d rather deal with the pain than wobbling through that maze. Learning to walk again was excruciating, as was learning my limitations. I’m still learning actually. I know a full day at Disneyland is too strenuous. When I sweat, the leg makes farting noises, and I realize driving is going to be a challenge. It will be difficult to control the pedals, so I chalk that up to yet another difference setting me apart.
    Pushing aside the dark thoughts, I lay in bed while listening to the fierce, pounding rain. Dreams of sharks are coming, it goes without question. The entire night I’ve been on edge, jumping at shadows. Soon, it will fade and things will return to normal. At least a normal I am used to.
    My mind drifts to what Charlotte said about parents having a tough job and how it’s true, especially for a single mom. I vow to be patient with her. She’ll share what is bothering her when she’s ready.
    But as I make the promise, I realize it’s going to be difficult.
     

Chapter Five
     
    Saturday evening is a welcome gift. Not only has the epic rain decided to stop for an evening, I’m desperate to be away from Mom, who broke her promise to give me any explanations at my birthday dinner. She delayed, saying she needed another couple of days. I don’t understand what can be so big that she’s this reluctant and scared.
    Charlotte picks me up and I order myself to have fun. I refuse to let the weirdness with my mom hamper it. She doesn’t even bother with the usual list of safety instructions, which is another flashing neon sign something major is up. It’s never been this awkward between us and it sucks. I miss her and am concerned she’s becoming a stranger, one whose bombshell will shatter my world.
    There’s already at least a dozen kids at the beach, one of the few that remain above water. Due to the rising sea levels, the sand, which is usually wide and flat, has shrunk to less than half its original size. The fire casts a white glow on the heavy, low lying clouds. It’s not raining, but the threat of precipitation lingers in the air.
    Day passes to night without me really noticing and soon, stars pepper the sky where it breaks through the clouds. I stand by the ocean, listening to the waves, and my cheeks ache from smiling. Yet, it’s hard to peer out at the immense sea and not be fearful of what lurks beneath the surface.
    I rejoin the group as they roast marshmallows and hot dogs, shyly taking a seat next to Scott. He offers me a grin and, for the first time all week,