I clutch the envelope and slowly pass it through the small opening to John B.
"That's not gold" I hear Pope sigh.
I reach for JJ outstretched hand as he helps me down from the crypt. I look at John B, shock on his face as he holds up the envelope. "For Bird" written on it in thick black marker. Our dad's nickname for him.
"It's from Dad" he says.
A bright light suddenly shines into my eyes. "Code red, code red" JJ warns. "Square groupers".
"Go, go" John B says as he guides us behind the wall of the crypt. I try to make out the forms a ways ahead.
"Do you think it's them" Kie asks.
JJ warns again "Homie's got a gun". I try to sneak from behind JJ's shoulder to get a better look but he holds me back with his arm. I am almost sure he can feel the pounding in my chest as I remember our previous encounters with these men.
"Screw this" I think. Maybe it was the buzz still slightly ringing through my head, but I refused to freeze and instead take off, making a run for it.
I make it to the tall fence when I realize the others are, in fact, following behind. I jump dramatically and try to grip the bars of the gate, but slip and fall to the ground.
"Let me help!" JJ calls, helping me up. Both hands end up grasping my ass as he pushes me up and over the fence. I can see his face turn beat red through the light of the flashlight as our feet firmly plant on the ground on the other side.
"Guys! I'm stuck!" Pope yells and I look up to see him dangling by his shorts that were snagged on a sharp piece of the fence.
John B runs to help as Kie yells back "Pope come on!" with urgency in her voice.
JJ recovers, pulls out the gun aiming it at the broken gate "Pope, don't move ok?"
I shove JJ's arms slightly, "JJ stop, are you crazy?"
"I'm just trying to help!"
Kie finally gets a good grip on Pope's arm and pulls him down, his shorts ripping off in the process. "It's a little tootsie roll" John B jokes.
We high tail it to the Twinkie and John B hits the gas before I can even get the door closed.
…
"JJ, no. That bread had mold on it like three days ago" I say, watching JJ spread peanut butter over the old sandwich bread in the kitchen of the Chateau.
"I just pulled off the bad parts" he defends "Plus mold is good for you. It's. Just a natural organism".
I watch as he takes a bite and immediately spits it out, gagging at the taste.
"Told you so!" I say as I watch John B light up the dark kitchen table with candles and lanterns. He settles down, envelope in hand and quickly rips it open, pulling out a map, unfolding it and straightening it out on the table in front of him. We all lean over to take a look.
"Holy shit" I say, not believing what I'm seeing. Just off the coast line is a small black X drawn.
"X marks the spot" Pope remarks.
John B looks back in the envelope. "There's something else in there".
He pulls out a small tape recorder, staring for a second before hitting play. I take a deep breath as our dad's voice quietly fills the room.
'Dear Bird. I hate to say, I told you so but I told you so. And you doubted your old man. I suspect at this moment, you're filled with guilt and self-loathing over our last good bye but dont kill yourself just yet, kid. I didn't expect to find the Merchant either. You were probably right to call me out, wasn't exactly father of the decade. What can I say, kid? I could smell the barn. Now, hopefully, we're all listening to this in our brand new sugar-shack down in Costa Rica, livin' off passive investments and pulling on permits. If not, and you find this for less than optimal reasons, well, that's what the map is for. If somethin' happens to me, finish what I started. Go for the gold, kid. I'm trusting you with this, Bird. I love you, even if I didn't always act like it. I'll see you on the other side."
Quiet filled the room, as I stare at the tape, shocked at hearing my father's voice for the first time in nine months. I expected the tape to go on, to hear my dad's voice again but this time a message for me. I wanted to hear 'I love you' one last time, but the recorder clicks off. I feel a tear run down my face, when John B suddenly jumps from the chair, stumbling out of the room. He makes it to the door frame before he crumbles into sobs.
"Holy shit, he did it. Big John, he found the Royal Merchant" I hear JJ exclaim before being cut off by Kie, who is making her way over to wrap her arms around my brother.
I quickly wipe away the tears brimming my eyes, anger flooding my senses. I knew that my father was gone, I felt it for a long time and I think I've pretty much accepted it by this point. I know how hard this moment is for John B, his hope being dashed but the realization that our father is gone because of his crazy obsession stung. The reality that he didn't even have the decency to tell me goodbye hurt worse. I felt like I had nothing to lose, now.
…
"How much was it again?" JJ asks.
We gathered outside on the dock, clearing our minds in the soft summer breeze. Kie plays her ukulele and I hum along.
"Four hundred mill" Pope tells him again.
'All right, let's talk split. Before we say evenly, may I remind you that I am the only one that can properly defend us from those groupers after us. Protection is not cheap, ok?" JJ says holding up the gun "Any objections?" Kie and I raise our hands.
"I didn't think so." JJ concludes ignoring us.
We sit for a moment in silence. The magnitude of four hundred million dollars weighs heavily in the night air.
"What are you gonna do with your hundred mil, Pope" Kie asks.
"Pay for college in advance and also textbooks. Those are expensive." Pope answers.
"What about you, Kie?"
"Yeah, what does a socialist do when she's rich?" JJ adds.
Kie laughs "I wanna make a double album, about OBX, the Pogues. You know, the way Catch a Fire is about Kingston. Record at Marley Studio, Gracie can sing on it, Peter Tosh producing."
"Peter Tosh is dead" I interject.
"I know, but the spirit of Peter Tosh will never die" she responds, raising her drink.
JJ interjects "I know what I want to do. I'm gonna get a big ass house on Figure 8 and go full Kook. I'm gonna get a marble statue of myself and I'm gonna get a koi pond" We laugh, imagining that dream materializing.
"What'll you do with the money?" JJ questions turning to me. I think for a moment.
"I want to travel. Maybe visit every ocean in the world to stick my feet in the sand, surf a wave."
"You're gonna surf in the arctic ocean" John B jokes.
"I could try." I respond, laughing. "I never really pictured myself leaving the outer banks but with the money. It might be nice to see…" I pause "something."
"What about you, John B?" I continue.
He looks over at us, previously looking lost in thought. He raises his beer, "to going full kook".
We raise our drinks together "to going full kook!".
…
The next day was bright, hot and sunny, perfect for a boat day. As we load up the Pogue I can't help but notice John B placing the envelope from Dad on the seat next to him.
Kie and I strip off our shorts and tank tops and settle on the side of the boat in our bikinis, soaking in the sun, as we drive through the marina.
JJ's whistle grabs my attention and push my sunglasses down slightly, allowing my blue eyes to adjust to the bright sun. I could make out a boat in the distance coming towards us. It had got to be the fanciest boat I've ever seen in my life.
"You guys see that? That's the Malibu 24-MXZ, the world's finest wakesetter, number one in luxury, quality and performance. 200K easy." JJ tells us.
"We picked the wrong parents".
Kie leans up "I hate to break it to you guys, but that's Topper and his girlfriend.
I strain my eyes further and make out Topper with his arm wrapped around the waist of none other than Sarah Cameron, sporting the smuggest look on her face. I roll my eyes "The nerve she has after getting you fired, John B." He had filled me in on the specifics of his lack of employment last night, telling me that Sarah had apparently told Ward all about the missing scuba gear.
"Stuck up bitch" Kie agrees, settling back down.
"Yo Gracie, come here!" JJ calls, beckoning me to his side. I slide over to where JJ sits on the front of the boat.
"Come here, just let me…" he continued, gently pulling me towards him, and settling with his arm around my waist.
"What are you doin, JJ?" John B asks.
"I gotta show off my girl, ya know. Show 'em how hot Pogues can be. Make 'em jealous!"
I laugh, my face flushing, but I do puff out my chest just the slightest as we eventually pass the Malibu. JJ shoots a smirk and a wave towards Topper.
"You don't have to act like you don't see us, bitch." Kie shouts in their direction.
…
After we've had enough sun, the five of us load into the Twinkie and head towards Figure 8. Since the storm, only one side of the island has electricity and internet access. Luckily, JJ works as a busboy in one of the hotels on the island and can get us in.
We eventually make our way through the back entrance and into one of the work lounges. I lift up my brown waves in a make-shift ponytail and sigh as the air conditioned air hits the back of my neck.
Pope makes his way to the computer as John B pulls out the map. "Shit It's on the high side. It's only 900 feet!"
"That's not too deep." JJ adds.
Kie looks at the boys, questioning "Is that doable or something?"
JJ nods "Yeah, totally doable."
John B and Pope look over to JJ skeptically. "Ok, will we be taking your personal submarine?"
John B asks "How do you know this, Mr Dive Master?" I laugh.
"The salvage yard." JJ answers seriously. "They got a drone that can drop 1,000 feet. It has a 360 camera and everything."
I ask "Can your dad get his grimy little hands on that for us?"
JJ looks down, almost embarrassed "Well, my dad's grimy little hands got his ass fired. The Salvage captain frowns on showing up shitfaced, turns out".
"He got fired?" I questioned him, "You didn't say anything."
John B and I had been so focused on DCS, I overlooked that JJ was struggling too. Whenever his dad lost a job, JJ would need to pick up the slack if he wanted to eat or have bills paid on time. I know how hard his dad could be on him. I made a mental note to hit up Pope for some extra work. His dad owns the local store and sometimes would let us help with deliveries.
"Not to worry, Kiddo.' JJ responds quickly. "I know the drone's there. They keep it in the impound yard out back."
"How much did you say the Royal Merchant is again?" I ask John B.
"400 mil".
"I've got a plan" JJ looks at me and Kie.
…
I'm nervous as we drive back towards the Cut and pull off the side of the road. Kie and I hop out of the Twinkie. John B leans out "Hey, don't worry. You got this."
"It's not that I'm worried about" Kie responds.. We hop into Kie's car, trailer attached pulling the HMS Pogue. We slowly pull up to the back entrance of the Salvage yard.
"Hello" I wave. "Excuse me"
Kie smiles as the man walks up to us. I can see him eyeing her ass.
"Hi! Um, I actually have a flat tire. I was wondering if you maybe could help us out?"
He looks around, and I see his eyes finally settle on my chest. "Uh, yeah."
"Yeah?" I smile.
"Uh, it's too easy" Kie rolls her eyes and says to me as the man turns his back.
I look towards the old fence at the edge of the property. The boys have arrived to complete their part of the plan. Kie and I'd distract security, allowing the boys to sneak in and "borrow" the drone. JJ smirks in my direction, shimmying his shoulders back and forth signaling me to play up my assets. I subtly shoot my middle finger towards him, behind my back. I see John B punch him in the shoulder.
The guard opens the gate, air compressor in hand. I can see the boys in the corner of my eye bolting through the gate.
I bend down, pointing to the back tire on the opposite side. "It's just this back one right here, must have been a slow leak or something."
He laughs, eyeing me up "Been sitting in the yard too long?"
"Yeah"
We stand by, watching as he fills the tire up slowly. Suddenly a dog bark fills the air. The guard picks his head up, stopping. "You hear that?" He questions.
"Hear what?" Kie responds.
"Maybe just a raccoon or something!" I tell him, innocently. "Nothing to worry about."
He kneels down, continuing to fill the tire. I shoot my eyes over to Kie. We are running out of time and the boys aren't back yet. Kie bolts to the other side of the boat and I peek back, trying to see what she is doing. I watch as she grabs a clip out of her hair and starts letting the air out of the other back tire.
I turn back to the guard.
"Just about done." he says "Hey, where'd you friend go?" The barking continues. I try to block him from moving, but he pushes past me.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"This one looks a little low too." Kie tries to say. He is not buying it.
"Shit" I say, watching the guard run off into the gate.
Kie quickly jumps into the driver's side door. "Get in the car!" She yells at me.
I stop, "What about the boys? They're gonna get caught."
"We can't help them if we get caught too." She replies. I jump into the passenger side and Kie quickly reverses, and we make our way back down the road.
Kie suddenly slams on the breaks as JJ hops down the fence lining the side of the road. I roll down my window and yell "JJ, get in quick!"
"Impeccable timing" he greets us.
"What the hell happened?" Kie shouts.
"Dog" JJ replies out of breath. "I told John B and Pope to run."
Once settled in the back seat, he opens his backpack. "I got it!"
…
We find John B and Pope a ways down the road and let them know the plan was a success.
"Stealing drones makes you hungry," Kie reports. After dropping off her SUV, we hop into the Twinkie and head towards The Wreck.
"What I would do to a beer and shrimp and grits right now." JJ agrees.
Kie guides the boys off to the side of the restaurant as we head behind the counter towards her dad.
"Hey Dad" she greets giving him a hug. "Hi, Mr C" I say.
"Is now a bad time to ask for free food for me and my friends?" She asks.
Mr Carrera sighs looking over at the boys and then at me and Kie. I can tell he wants to turn us away. As much as Kiara's parents welcome me with open arms, it's no secret how they feel about my brother and his friends.
"Take it out of my next check?" I tell him, with a slight puppy dog look.
"No chance, Grace. I guess I gotta throw it out at the end of the night anyway. Might as well."
"Thank you." We tell him, as we lead the way to a table farther into the restaurant.
Servers bring out several baskets of food, setting them down amongst us. The boys scarf down fries, fried shrimp and chicken. Food is a scarce resource nowadays as we have been fending for ourselves using money from John B's job at the Marina and my waitressing tips. Mr C usually sends leftovers home and I'm thankful to be on his good side since we are gonna have to cut down even more now that John B is out of work. I know it can be just as bad for JJ.
Kie gets up and grabs a pitcher of water, returning to the table to fill up our cups, dancing to the music humming in the background. She points at John B, waving him over as a dance partner. I laugh as he joins her and they sway back and forth. She really does like to have fun with her boys. I settle into my chair next to Pope and can't help but notice the longing stare he shoots towards Kiara. Realization hit, I knew the boys all have crushed on Kie throughout the years, she was beautiful, smart, confident, but Pope was in the thick of it and it made me sad seeing him looking lost and maybe even jealous.
I stand out of my chair and grab his hand "Come on, Popey. Dance with me?"
I pull Pope out of his own seat and guide his hand to my waist. We sway to the music alongside Kie and John B, until all four of us are laughing.
"What am I, a 5th wheel?" JJ laughs as he pushes his way into the middle of the group and grabs both Kie and I, moving to the music. We continue to dance, switching up partners, sometimes dancing as a group, someone stopping to get another bite to eat or drink as time passes on.
Finally, it's just JJ and I swaying to the music which I realize has suddenly slowed to a soft romantic beat. He guides both my hands around his neck as his settles on my hips. I let my head fall against his chest and feel his chin sit on the top of my head. We stay there for the remainder of the song until the music once again speeds up.
…
The next day, we meet up at Heyward's. Pope's father agreed to hire on JJ and I to help with deliveries across the island. "We have more orders than usual 'cause of the storm." He said.
We take off towards Figure 8 after loading up with groceries.
"It doesn't even look like the storm hit there." I say, taking note of the pristine beaches and lights on in every building we pass.
"That's because they got generators. And they say the juice will be out all summer on the cut." JJ remarks bitterly.
"Must be nice to be a Kook" Pope agrees.
We pull up to the dock and start to unload, bags full of fruit and cases of beer, dividing it into two piles.
"Grace and I will take this heavier load to the west side. JJ, you take these over to Tanny Hill". Pope tells us.
JJ grunts as he loads his arms with bags "Geez, your dad wasn't kidding around with these orders. Why isn't John B here helping with this?"
"Princess still has his head in the clouds." I remark. "Him and Kie are testing out the drone for when the weather clears out."
"Lucky him." Pope says as JJ remarks "Nice guy, making his little sister do the heavy lifting."
…
Pope and I head towards the country club taking a shortcut through a path leading next to the golf course. My heart rate quickens as I see Rafe and Topper come into view on one of the holes.
"Kooks, 10' o clock, Pope. Let's hurry up" I warn but Rafe's eyes connect with mine and I know we've been spotted.
"Hey guys!" Rafe shouts, catching Pope's attention. "How much for one of those beers?" He asks, pointing towards the case Pope was carrying.
"They're not for sale." I tell him. We try in vain to move past the pair.
"Not so fast" Rafe says as he digs the golf club into my stomach, stopping me from moving forward. "You can just give us one then, right?"
"You need to order one, like everyone else." Pope says, trying to put his body in front of mine.
Suddenly, Rafe swipes the bag from my hands using the gold club. I can hear the sound of shattering glass as the contents fall to the ground.
"Come on Rafe, those weren't even mine. They were already paid for." I try to reason.
"You're gonna owe me for that" Pope yells at him.
" I don't owe you shit, Pogue." Rafe retorts. "If anything, your little girlfriend here still owes me from the other day" he says, eyeing me up.
Rafe grabs my arm, hard and pulls me towards him. "Let go of me" I yell back, but he only pulls me closer, his hot breath on my neck, hand holding my arm, tighter and tighter.
"What are you doing, man?" Topper questions.
I continue to try and squirm out of his grip when Pope lunges at him. Rafe shoves me to the ground and I land with a hard thud. Pope takes a swing at him but misses. Rafe doesn't hesitate and brings the golf club down, hard on his back. Pope falls to the ground next to me.
Topper tries to calm Rafe down "Hey, let's just go. Let's go, man."
"Stay down, Bitch" he yells, lifting the golf club above his head and striking it down right between where Pope and I lay in the sand.
"Seriously, knock it off Rafe" Topper yells.
Rafe kneels down towards us, slapping Pope on the cheek a few times, getting his attention "We don't want you over here, got that? Stay off, Figure 8".
He turns his attention towards me. I stare his blue eyes on mine, full of fear. "You, on the other hand, are welcome anytime. I'll be seeing you around, Grace. That's a guarantee." He licks his lips and stands. Him and Topper moving back towards the gold course. Topper stands for a moment longer, in shock, before following him.
I wipe the tear from my eye and focus my attention on Pope.
"Pope, are you ok?" I lean over him. 'Look at me, buddy!"
He grunts, sitting up. "Fucking, assholes." He seaths. "I am so sick of their shit".
I help Pope to a standing position and we gather what we can of the order and as quickly as we can make the delivery and return to the boat. I find a first aid kit and start to clean up the cut on Pope's lip and above his eye. We don't talk much as we wait for JJ.
…
JJ comes running down the dock as the sun sets behind us.
"You guys are never gonna believe what happened. Whoo, that was the best 100 bucks I've ever made! When I say count me in on all these grocery deliveries, I mean it."
He makes his way onto the boat and takes in our somber faces. "What's up with you guys, you good?"
I pull my knees towards my chest from my place sitting next to the captain's chair and look towards Pope.
JJ takes a closer look at Pope, lifting his hat which hung low over his eyes. "Yo, what happened to your face, dude?" Pope doesn't say a word.
"Rafe and Topper jumped us." I tell JJ. His face instantly hardened, turning to me "Did they hurt you?" He asks.
"I'm fine" I tell him.
"They said no Pogues on their side of the island." Pope tells him "except Gracie".
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" JJ spits, glancing over at me.
"I'm sure it's nothing" I try to reason.
"It sure didn't seem like nothing" Pope accuses, turning back to JJ. "He grabbed her, bro, like really grabbed her you know."
JJ eyes flutter over towards me, checking me over head to toe taking in my dirty shirt and cutoffs, landing on my wrist, a violet bruise already spreading from where Rafe had grabbed me.
"He did this to you?" JJ says, referencing my wrist.
"What are we going to do about this?"
…
I can only imagine what trouble JJ and Pope are getting themselves into as they insist on dropping me off at the Chateau before taking off again. JJ telling me before they leave "They hit us, we gotta hit them back".
I am worried and mad and frustrated as I change into my swimsuit and grab my surfboard, heading down to the ocean, spotting Kie and John B already in the water. I've been a water baby my whole life, growing up on an island. Surfing didn't come easy but I liked the challenge. Something to keep my mind busy when things went haywire. JJ and Pope soon join us, and the events from the day slipped from my mind. It felt like a normal Pogue summer for just a moment, before JJ shot me a worried glance.
He paddles up to me. "You good?" He asks.
"I'm fine, JJ. It's a non-issue." I reply.
"No, like really." He says. "Pope told me what Rafe said. He said it seems like there was some history there. Has he been picking on you?"
"Picking on me?" I question "What are we in the third grade?"
JJ continues "Seriously, Kid. I got your back. You'd tell me if I need to be worried, right?"
I'm quiet for a moment. "Why do you care so much?" I ask, as I bobble up and down on the water. The others aren't paying much attention to us and they take turns catching waves.
"You know why. " He says, solemnly.
"Sure. I'm just like a little sister, right." I say, hoping that isn't the truth.
JJ grins "You're only a few months younger than me, Gracie." He corrects.
It was true, we were the closest in age of all the Pogues. JJ's birthday was in July and mine at the end of September. I just completed my Freshman year while the others would be Juniors in the fall because of the age cut off.
A wave suddenly came into view. "Winner, winner chicken dinner" JJ shouts as he paddles further into the water.
I laugh to myself as I paddle after him, back to the group. JJ lets me catch the killer wave that made its way towards us.
We continue to surf until Kie and I are shivering in the setting sun. We head back to the Chateau, dry off and change before settling into the hammocks John B and I had set up outside, Kie and John B in one, JJ and I in the 2nd and Pope in the 3rd. The night breeze now feels cool on our skin.
"You really think it's out there?" Pope says skeptically "Like, no bullshit?"
"After hearing my father's voice on that tape" John B responds "I think I do."
"Only one way to find out" I say.
"We're gonna find it." Kie adds. "Even JJ believes".
"Oh my god, JJ. Do you really believe." John B mocks.
"Totally" he says. "Wait are we talking about 4 mill?"
"Four hundred mil" John B and I clarify in unison. "Jinx" we repeat.
"I'm gonna dream about shipwrecks" JJ settles down into hammock we share. "Goodnight, Bird!" He yells to John B.
"Goodnight, Birdshit" he responds.
I feel the coolness of his rings as his hand settles into mine.
…
The five of us head out the next morning on Heyward's boat, sailing towards the location of the coordinates shown on the map. As we get close enough to the spot we stop, JJ taking the wheel.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, to going full kook" John B announces settling the drone into the water.
Pope stares at the monitor, watching the screen.
Kie and I grab onto the line, lowering the drone little by little.
"Four hundred feet" I yell.
"Tide's turning" Kiara calls.
"JJ, ten seconds easy, south-southeast" John B directs. JJ controls the wheel as the boat rocks from side to side.
"20 seconds mid-speed, all right? South."
"Copy that" he shoots back in concentration. "Keep the tether out of the prop!" We continue to move more harshly as the winds pick up and the current quickens. "We're trying" Kie responds.
"Okay, 700 feet!" I add. "900 feet." We lower the drone faster and faster, as dark clouds start to gloom above us.
Thunder crashes. "JJ, we're gonna turtle in this storm, man." Pope warns.
"920!" I shout over the wind
"There's too much current, we're gonna lose it!" Kie exclaims as we tighten our grip on the line, pulling back with all of our weight.
"South, southwest, JJ, HARD!" John B snaps.
I hear the monitor start beeping. "Half speed, steady in at this bearing, JJ".
I feel the boat suddenly slow. "Pope, what do you see?" John B pleads, staring at the screen..
"Nothin'. A whole lot of nothin'"
"You should be right above it, brother" he responds desperately.
"Grace!" Pope shouts.
"960, 970, 980!"
Suddenly, Pope yells, "I'm at the bottom! I'm at the bottom!"
"Steady here. Quarter speed, all right" John B directs JJ.
Kie drops the line and I watch as she, Pope and John B stare at the screen.
"You see anything" I yell through the storm.
John B smiles up at me "It's the Royal Merchant".