On The Rocks

Turning toward the ocean, I see that Casey’s in the water using Brody’s board. She and Hunter are just bobbing on the water, apparently not really caring if they catch a wave. Hunter says something to her and she smacks at the water to hit him in the face, laughing at whatever he just said. Casey can surf… her brother’s made sure she knew how from when she was little, and they taught me as well. I mean, I pretty much suck, but I know the fundamentals. But right now, brother and sister are just content to sit out on the ocean and hang together.

Peeking over at Brody, I see he watches them intently and his lips are curled slightly upward. No matter what horrors Brody has suffered, it didn’t kill the love he has for his family. It’s written all over his face. I suppose that’s just not an emotion you can suppress, no matter what dark demons you have boiling inside.

“So how was the surfing? Was it like riding a bike?”

Brody turns those sad eyes to me, and I see the briefest flicker of interest in what I just asked. “Yeah… it was good. I’m really rusty, but it felt good.”

“You looked good out there,” I tell him. “Gave Hunter a run for his money.”

Then the most joyous sound erupts from Brody. He gives a short bark of laughter. “I don’t think so. Hunter was just out there playing. Letting me look good.”

I shoot him a bright grin and he responds, letting his smile widen so I see a flash of teeth. “I like seeing you laugh, Brody. It’s a good look on you. You should do it more often.”

I expect him to withdraw, because my statement is meant in jest, but it’s also a pointed reminder that we are all aware of how unhappy he is. Instead, he keeps the smile in place, even as his eyes hold a touch of wistfulness. “I’m trying, Gabby. I’m really trying.”

I reach out and touch his arm lightly with my fingertips. “You can do anything you set your mind to, Brode.”

He glances down at my hand laying against his warm skin and then reaches his other hand over to cover mine, giving it a slight pat. “Thanks, kiddo.”

Then he pulls away and leans back in Casey’s chair, closing his eyes and lifting his face to the sun. I watch him for a few more minutes, and I take joy in the peaceful look on his face right at this very moment. I think Brody will be okay.

I hope he will.





I’m not sure what in the hell happened between our day at the beach Saturday and Monday morning, but Gabby reverted back into the shrew that I had come to know and loathe over the last five years. I thought we made it past all that shit, but when I came into the bar on Monday morning, I was met with coolness from her.

I tried to make some light conversation while I sipped on a cup of coffee, watching her take measurements of the existing front bar, and she snapped my head off.

“I’m busy, Hunter,” she grouched. “If you want me to make my deadline, you need to let me work.”

Raising my eyebrows at her, I just nodded and walked away.

On Tuesday, I brought over some bottled water for her and her crew, and she didn’t even spare me a glance. And just before she was ready to leave for the day, and before I opened the doors for the evening crowd, she cornered me, demanding to know if I was going to hover over her every day.

“Gabs… I’m not hovering. I have work to do, and it just happens to be in the same building that you’re working in.”

She stared at me fiercely for a moment and just nodded before turning around to leave. She threw back over her shoulder, “And don’t call me ‘Gabs’. I’m not fucking ten years old anymore.”

I heard Brody snort as he was opening up the register to stock it with cash. Turning to look at him, I gave him the stink eye and I swear I saw a smirk on his lips just before he turned his back on me.

“What the fuck is wrong with her?” I grumbled.

“You’re clueless, dude,” Brody said while he placed the twenties, tens, fives, and ones in their respective drawers. He opened up the rolls of coins and emptied them in their slots. “Absolutely clueless.”

Walking up to the bar, I pulled a stool out and leaned one ass cheek on it, laying my forearms on the bar. “Want to enlighten me?”

Shutting the register drawer, Brody turned to look at me. “You two remind me of two kids who like each other but don’t understand it. So rather than confronting it, you pick at each other, letting your confused emotions come out as anger and stupid words.”