Reggie and Otto both noticed Val was incredibly quiet during their surf session. She followed, though absentmindedly, when they suggested taking a lunch break at the Shack.
"Are you okay?" Reggie asked at last.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"You seem a little....preoccupied," said Sam.
"I'm just thinking about tomorrow." Val replied, sitting Indian style on the sand. "See, I have a mole on my hand." (she showed them). "The doctors don't know if they should worry or not, so I'm getting it removed."
"Is that all?" Otto questioned before walking up to the Shack without a backward look.
Twister watched in surprise as Otto's tough-as-nails, devil-may-care cousin break down in tears. He sat next to Val and attempted to comfort her.
"I'm being stupid," she muttered thickly. "I mean, I'll be in and out in one day. But....I have to admit I'm scared. What if it's bad news?"
Twister didn't know what to say, so he just put his arm around Val and let her cry. Slowly, he pulled off his shark's tooth necklace. He dropped it into Val's open hand.
"I don't know if they'll let you wear this, but here. I've had it since I was a little kid. You take it...for luck."
"I'll need it," she said, slipping it on.
Twister was relieved to see Val was no longer crying. She wiped her eyes, sniffed a few times, then regained her usual composure.
"Thanks, Twist. Now can I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything."
"Would you please take your hand off my shoulder?"