Lost on Brier Island (14 page)

Alex scrambled up the cliff as if Spike the German shepherd was nipping at her heels. Rachel somehow managed to keep pace behind her.

It felt as if they were climbing Mount Everest. Each new foothold was harder to grip, more slippery than the last one. Then something changed. It wasn't slippery anymore.

“Rachel,” Alex said. “The seaweed's gone!”

“We're past where the tide comes up?”

“Yeah.”

Rachel started to sob. “So, we're not going to die?”

“No, we're not going to die. C'mon, just a bit farther.” Alex strained to pull herself up the last few feet. She reached down and grasped Rachel's hand.

They lay against the rocks. The only sounds were the ocean waves, their ragged breathing, and the barking seals out at sea. Alex scanned the ocean surface. The wall of fog was farther out now, past the entrance to the cove. She could see no trace of Rooftop and Daredevil. Where had they gone?

“I didn't think we'd make it,” Rachel finally said.

“Really?”

“I don't know,” Rachel murmured, staring off into the distance. “I was so scared. I mean, I can swim. But I couldn't do anything. What happened to me?”

“Fear does weird things to you,” Alex said.

“I was thinking about my dad, you know? And that I wouldn't see him again. All I could think about was the last thing I did—yell at him that I didn't want a sister.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. But…I guess a baby sister might be okay.”

Alex leaned her head back against a grassy patch and closed her eyes. “Yeah, it might.”

“I wish I was brave like you.”

“Brave? Me?” Alex hadn't thought of it like that. She'd just done what she had to do. She wasn't brave, not by a long shot.

“You saved me. Sorry I tried to drown you,” Rachel said in a small voice. “I was so scared. It didn't even seem like me, you know? Like I was watching everything from outside myself.”

“I was scared too.”

“You didn't show it.”

“Sorry I jabbed you in the ribs.” Alex played their escape back in her mind. It didn't seem like her, either. She'd done things she never imagined she could do. She certainly hadn't acted like the whimpering sap Adam used to drag around the woods.

“It hurts,” Rachel said, rubbing her stomach. “But I'll take sore ribs over being dead any day.”

Alex rolled over and stared at the ocean below. The waves crashed against the cliff. There was still more tide to come in. There was still no sign of Daredevil or Rooftop, either.

She thought about how she'd yelled at Daredevil, saying he should have stayed with his mom. And how much like Adam he was. They didn't listen. What had made Daredevil leave the safety of his mother's side? For some reason, he had decided to do it, just like Adam had decided not to wear his helmet.

Adam knew he was supposed to wear his helmet.
I told him to wait, but he wouldn't,
she thought.
He decided not to wait. Just like Daredevil decided to leave his mother.
The realization washed over Alex like the rising tide had done. Everything came into perfect focus.

“It wasn't my fault.”

“What?” Rachel's voice seemed far away.

“It wasn't my fault!”

“What wasn't?”

“My brother's accident!”

“Well, duh, of course not. I heard he skateboarded without his helmet. How could that be your fault?”

It was hard to explain it. The sadness she'd felt, the shame that she couldn't even get on the skateboard in front of his friends, the jealousy that he was so fearless…and all the other emotions had piled on top of her mountain of guilt—the guilt over having taken his helmet.

She'd been so mad, too. She remembered that. But he'd been lying in that bed, silent and still. How could she get mad at him? She'd felt guilty about that, too, and then angry at herself instead. She'd been smothered in a mammoth-sized boulder of guilt, so heavy it was a crushing weight on her all the time. And now it floated off her shoulders like a feather on the wind, disappearing as quickly as the fog they'd been wrapped in.

As they hobbled slowly back along the hiking trail to the lighthouse, it seemed to Alex like weeks rather than hours since she'd been on the rocks, building her inukshuk, then tearing it down. That anger seemed far away now too.

“I can't believe it's still the same day,” Rachel mused, echoing Alex's thoughts.

“I know.”

“I really have to pee!”

Alex shook her head. She was in the midst of a life-changing revelation and that's what Rachel came up with. “You're unbelievable.”

“Well, I do!”

The path became more worn the closer they got to the lighthouse. Heat from the sunlight warmed their wet, shivering bodies.

“I'm really sorry about Daredevil, Alex.”

“Me too.” Alex automatically turned to survey the ocean again. Did he make it? Was Daredevil out there somewhere, swimming with his mom? She thought of the fishing line still wrapped around him. Was it possible he could escape it after the amount she'd cut free? He'd seemed so weak. “Maybe he'll be okay,” she added hopefully.

“You never know,” Rachel said. “I mean, it's always best to be positive, right?”

“Sure.”

“I wonder if anybody missed us,” Rachel said as they cut across the grass to Aunt Sophie's front door.

The house looked just the same. Bright blue curtains billowed out the open window. There was no car in the yard. Figures, Alex thought. They were probably off arguing somewhere and didn't even know she'd been gone. Aunt Sophie's car was gone, too—strange, since she almost never drove anywhere.

Rachel ran straight to the bathroom, leaving Alex in the messy kitchen. Coffee cups and plates were still scattered across the table. Marty was happily lapping from the cream jug. Where was everyone?

“Oh wow, are those Eva's cinnamon rolls?” Rachel said on her return. She didn't wait for an answer, pulling back the wrap and grabbing a fat bun from the pile. She stuffed a huge bite into her mouth and sat down with a groan. “Mmm.”

Alex grabbed two pops from the fridge, passed one to Rachel, then pulled the tab off her own and tilted her head back. The cold liquid soothed her parched throat and she glugged it down all at once—just like they did on
TV
commercials.

Rachel did the same. “Ahh,” she said, smacking her lips together. Then she let out a burp that would have made an ogre proud. “Oops!”

There was a crunch of tires on gravel and then car doors slammed. Raised voices echoed from beside the house. The back door banged open. “I don't know what to do,” Alex's mother wept. “Where else do we look? The man at the ferry was sure they wouldn't have gotten on without him noticing…”

“It's all right, Colleen, we'll find them,” Alex's dad said.

They stood in the hallway. Her dad had his arms around her mom and she had her head on his shoulder.

“We can't lose her, Douglas,” her mom said, her voice muffled by her dad's shirt. “Not her too!”

“She's okay,” her dad said reassuringly.

Alex felt like she'd been transported to some kind of alternate universe. These were her parents, but not really her parents. She should have said something. But she was frozen in shock.

“Are you looking for us?” Rachel piped up.

Her mother spun around. “Alex!” she cried, running towards her. Then she stopped, gasping. “What happened to you?”

“What do you mean?”

Her mother reached out and lightly touched her face. “You look like someone beat you up.” She turned to Rachel. “So do you. Were you two fighting?” she frowned.

“No, but—”

“And you're soaking wet!”

“It's a long story. We were—”

Her mom wrapped her arms around her and squeezed her tightly. “I thought something had happened to you!”

“We almost died,” Rachel said, “seriously.”

“I'm okay, Mom,” Alex said. She hugged her back. “I'm okay, now.”

“We'll work things out. We will…”

Her dad came over and put his arms around them both. “Alex, you're the most important thing in the world to us,” he muttered gruffly.

Standing there, soaking wet, in the embrace of her parents, another one of those pieces of her that had felt disconnected quietly slipped back into place.

They stood like that for a moment, and then her mom gently pulled back. “What does she mean, you almost died?”

Alex and Rachel exchanged glances. Rachel shrugged and took another bite of Eva's cinnamon bun. Alex was on her own.

“Uh,” Alex began. How was she going to explain this one? Then she realized it didn't matter. She felt a peacefulness inside her, free from guilt. For the first time in a very long time, Alex had an overwhelming feeling that things were going to be okay.

“Mom, your suit looks great,” Alex said. “Just like the last
two you tried on. Come on, we're going to be late.”

“I'm almost ready,” her mom said, pulling the top off that she was wearing and grabbing another one off the hanger.

Alex sighed. You'd think her mom was the one getting married.

“What are you doing up there? Having surgery? Let's go!” Aunt Sophie's impatient cry echoed up from the bottom floor.

Alex bounded down the stairs, her gift tucked safely in her bag. “She's coming,” she said to Aunt Sophie.

“She does know this is a country wedding?” Aunt Sophie rolled her eyes. “Not some royal event in the big city?”

“You can tell her,” Alex smirked. “Is it really on Gus's boat?”

“That's what he said.”

Alex took the fresh eggs Aunt Sophie had just collected and began placing them in the egg tray in the door of the fridge. “I thought Eva got seasick.”

“Yes, it should be interesting.”

Aunt Sophie slipped her feet into flat sandals. She was wearing a short-sleeved flowery top and white walking shorts.

Alex smoothed the front of her purple skort. Even though there were shorts underneath, it felt too much like a skirt for her liking.

“Don't fidget, it looks nice,” her mom said from the stairs.

There was a bounce in her mom's step and she was smiling. Her hair was cut short in a new style with highlights. “You look like a model, Mom.”

Her mom blushed and giggled like a kid. “Oh, stop.”

“She's right,” Aunt Sophie said. “The pink in that outfit is a great colour on you.”

“What a cheering section you two are!” Her mom grabbed her purse. “Do you think we'll need jackets?”

“The middle of August is pretty warm here,” Aunt Sophie said. “But it gets cool on the water. I'd take one, just in case.”

Her mom was humming under her breath as she swept out the door ahead of them.

“She's acting like she's going on a date,” Aunt Sophie whispered to Alex as they followed her mom out the door.

“Dad's going to be there,” Alex whispered back.

“Yeah, I know.”

“She's been on the phone with him almost every night this week from Nan's house.” It was like her parents were dating—a bit weird, but nice-weird.

Her mom had whisked her away to Nan's in Bridgewater after her almost-drowning day six weeks ago, vowing to watch her every second, keep her totally safe, blah, blah. At first, when her dad came to see her, he'd pick her up and they'd go out. Then, a few times, he'd stay and have dinner with all of them. Lately, she'd heard Mom talking to him on the phone and she'd invited him to come to the wedding. And there had been no fighting. Now here it was the end of August, and they were back on the island.

They strolled down through the village to the dock. The
Evania Rose
was already packed with guests. Her dad smiled and waved from a far corner, pinned in by an older couple.

Rachel came bursting out of the cabin. “Finally!” she said. “I've been waiting for you forever.” She hopped over the steps and looped her arm through Alex's. “And you wore purple.”

“Well, you emailed me to say I had to,” Alex said. “But no one else is. I thought it was a theme or something.”

“Kind of,” Rachel said. She leaned closer. “It's a surprise.”

“For who?”

“You'll see.” Rachel tugged her on board. “Come check out the cake—it's awesome!”

Inside the glassed-in cabin area, purple and yellow streamers were draped around the windows. Balloons with hearts on them were tied to chairs and swayed gently back and forth. The research books had been removed and the table was covered in a white cloth. Sandwiches of all different kinds were arranged on lettuce-lined trays, garnished with tiny tomatoes and little cubes of cheese. Alex spied a plate of ham and cheese rolls.

“Isn't it beautiful?” Rachel pointed to the centrepiece—
a two-tiered cake covered in purple and yellow roses. “I helped Eva decorate it.”

Alex grinned. It was pretty obvious to her which flowers Eva had made and which were Rachel's creations. “Wow! Great job.”

“Thanks,” Rachel beamed. “I helped make the punch, too. Try some.”

“Hey, no snacking,” a gruff voice teased.

“You shaved off your beard!” Rachel squealed. “You look very handsome, Uncle Gus.”

Gus was standing in the doorway to the wheelhouse, dressed in a white shirt and black pants. It looked like he had attempted to tame his wild mane of hair, but hadn't been very successful. He was definitely still very lion-like.

“Thanks, squirt.” Gus reached out as if to ruffle her hair.

“Hey, watch it. Mom took me to the hairdresser.”

“Pardon me,” Gus laughed. “Nice to see you, Alex. My two spotters, together again.”

Spotters—Alex felt a sinking in her stomach as she thought about Daredevil. “Have you been out on tours?” she asked, hoping for news.

“No.” He shook his head. “Eva's had me all over the place, introducin' me to relatives and such. I've cut back this month quite a bit and my brother's boy has been running all the tours for me.”

“Oh. I kept checking your blog from my Nan's, but there weren't any updates.” There hadn't been any mention of either Rooftop or her calf in any of the other whale-watch blogs, either.

Gus patted her shoulder. “Wonderin' about your little friend, I s'pose,” he said kindly. “I know how you felt about him. We did search for him, but there was no sign. Given the state you told me he was in, still tangled in fishing line, and how long he'd been beached…”

“I know,” Alex said. “It's just, well, I was still hoping—”

“Nothin' wrong with a little hope,” Gus agreed.

“No gloomies today, Alex,” Rachel said. “Eva, let's open the gifts first.”

Eva beamed at them from the doorway. “Why not? We can do whatever we want. May as well have a spot of lunch while we're at it.”

“Great idea,” Alex said. She'd had enough gloom and doom. Besides, she was excited for them to open their presents too.

Looking a bit confused that the gift opening and lunch were coming before the ceremony, guests were nevertheless quick to adjust and hit the food table in the cabin. Laden down with sandwiches and punch, everyone found seats while Gus and Eva opened their gifts. Alex had made sure hers was on top.

“Bogs, that's beautiful!” Gus said in his booming voice. “That Alex has some talent, doesn't she, Eva?”

“Must run in the family,” Eva said. “Sophie's got such a fine hand herself.”

“Show us,” Rachel said.

Eva turned the frame around to everyone. The coloured pencil sketch of Eva's exotic flower garden was a wild splash of colours.

“Wow,” Rachel cooed, “you
are
good! Can you do one of me?”

Alex blushed. “I'm not so good at doing people yet.”

“That's okay. I'll be your practice person.”

Alex glanced out one of the large windows. The ocean was as calm as glass. A flock of orange-beaked puffins floated quietly nearby. At one point Alex saw her dad reach over and take her mom's hand. And her mom didn't pull away this time. That was a good sign.

After lunch, the small crowd of twenty remained in the cabin, chatting with Eva and Gus. It was almost time for the ceremony, which was to take place on the open deck. As Gus relayed one of his stories to the minister and guests, Alex drifted outside to the back of the boat. Alone, she kneeled on the cushioned bench. She leaned over the side, holding her arms close to the water as she'd done that first day she'd met Daredevil.

“Are you out there?” she whispered, knowing in her heart that he wouldn't come. Not a ripple broke the shimmering smoothness. She stared into the deep blue depths, imagining she could see both of them together—Adam, her daredevil brother, whooping in glee as he flew along on his skateboard, and Daredevil, the baby whale, zooming in circles around him. Alex reached down to dip her hand in the water, watching the ripples fan outward.

She was glad she'd gone to the lighthouse when they arrived that morning. It was something she'd thought about often since leaving the island. It had felt good rebuilding the inukshuk—the symbol of her family. She'd even included a stone for Daredevil this time. He and Adam were the two foundation stones—her two daredevils.

“Are you ready, Alex?”

Alex turned to look at Eva. “You look beautiful, Eva.” She wore a lilac pantsuit with shiny silver sandals. “But I thought you got seasick. You don't look sick at all.”

“Seasick patch,” Eva said, tapping behind her ear. “Figured my namesake was the perfect place for the wedding.”

Alex nodded. It did seem like the perfect place. Rachel smiled at her as she approached from the cabin.

“Now, are you ready to be a flower girl?” Eva asked.

“Flower girl?”

“Didn't Rachel tell you?” Eva raised an eyebrow. “Flower girl…Hmm, I guess you're too old for that, aren't you? How about bridesmaid, then?”

Alex didn't know what to say.

“Don't worry,” Rachel said. “I took care of everything.” Rachel dragged Eva and Alex back into the cabin.

“Took care of what?” Alex asked, confused.

“The flowers weren't murdered.” Rachel lifted the edge of the tablecloth and pulled out potted Gerbera daisies from underneath. “See? They're alive!” She thrust one of the satin-wrapped pots at Alex.

“I was told you had a problem with cut flowers,” Eva murmured, her eyes twinkling.

Alex laughed so hard she thought she'd burst. She was still laughing when they marched out of the cabin holding their flowerpots filled with daisies and dirt and stepped into the sunlight.