Chapter 5 beach time

Weeks a week passed and I continued to see Jack swimming and catching fish with a spear. I found out by Ann that when he fishes could tell how me was feeling. When he uses a spear he's in a good mood and if he is with a pole he is stressed out, sad or mad. Finally that day I got up the guts to go swim with Jack in the water. Most that day I got in the water cause it was blazing hot. Ann came with me.

"How's it going Karen you fishing too?" Jack asked, as he put on his mask.

"No it's just hot and the water is nice today."

Jack smiled and jumped off the dock into the water. I followed after he was away from me, far away. Often I would look to the dock and see Jack putting a fish in the bucket.

I quickly got out as soon as he started home that night. Since Ann was close by I decided to see if I could spend the night. As usual it was a yes.

We sat on her bed and talked.

"So Karen what do you think of the new guy?" Ann asked her eyes glittering.

"He's cute I have to admit.... And he's very....well..." turned to Ann hoping she would change the subject.

"Nice, I think the same thing you should be at least a little nice to him like you used to be with Kai," Ann smiled. A tear rolled down my cheek, "why does she have to bring up those bad memories I thought.

I used to actually date Kai until that fateful day when my father got mad at Kai for missing just a few berries from a bush. My father was very cruel to him that day to Kai. Afterwards Kai started to get drunk everyday he became violent and yelled at me often.

Ann frowned and pulled me close. "I'm sorry Karen I didn't mean to..."

"It's ok Ann lets go to sleep." Quietly we went to sleep.

The next afternoon at the beach...

It was a nice day but not a good time of day to be at the beach swimming. I silently danced along the beach until I got to the dock and found Jack. He was sitting all alone the rod in his hand and his legs dangling down. I knew as I got closer that he was having a rough time his face was red and puffy and his eyes were watering. I was about to turn around and leave so he could be alone again but my heart was saying to me go see what is the matter. To my surprise I followed my heart not my head for the first time.

Quietly I sat down next to him and when he said nothing inched closer. He looked at me quickly then turned my head away. "Hey Karen, what are you doing here?"

"No reason," I lied.

"Then leave me alone okay!" He snapped.

I gritted my teeth trying not to yell. "What is wrong, Jack," I asked, it was between growling and snapping.

He turned to me and look me in the eye. "Do you really what to know?"

"I think so, ya!"

He shook his head in disbelieve. "Ya, right Karen."

"Look I want to see what is wrong, really," I said calmly.

He looked me in the eye in bewilderment. Then he sighed and turned away. "My mother died yesterday of cancer." A tear streamed down his cheek.

My heart was burning with sorrow remembering my mother. "I'm sorry Jack um.... If it helps my mother died too but I was five."

He turned his head to me his eyes were gloomy. "Really, how did she die?"

I glared at him and looked across the ocean. "My father was drunk and by accident he pushed over the knife rack. I was there under the table when she died. My father told me it was my fault though I knew it was his I've felt guilty all these years." Tears streamed down my face having to remember the worst day of my life.

Suddenly I felt Jack slip his hand under my face and wipe away my tears. Gently he turned my face towards his. "I'm sorry Karen and thanks for trying to help," he said in a soft voice.

"So I didn't help?" I asked in disappointment.

"You did Karen but you didn't help with my other problem." He let go of me and continued watching his lure.

"What is the other problem," I said getting annoyed.

"You never told me about Kai!"

I looked at him in suspicion. "Why would that matter to you?"

He blushed and turned away. "I just uh.... Look I want to lay off that subject!"

I looked at him and asked him, "Jack do you to watch the sunset with me? The water always makes it look pretty."

He looked me in the eye and I blushed. "Sure thing," he answered. He smiled then set the rod to the side.

The day had flown by so fast I forgot to go to dinner with Kai. When the sun disappeared beyond the eye could see. Jack looked at me and smiled.

"Hey Karen are you going to the flower festival tomorrow?" Jack asked, blushing slightly.

My face turned even brighter red from blushing. "Ya but I'm dancing with Kai."

Jack smile went to a grin/frown. "Do you like Kai I mean as a boyfriend?"

I frowned and stood up. "No my father is forcing me to date him because he has worked hard for my father, so I was the prize to win if he worked hard." "And um... oh no I gave to away don't tell anyone please!"

I ran to my room crying that night. My father told me he would kill whoever I told and me if I told about Kai and I. That night I prayed to God for Jack not to tell anyone, until I fell asleep.