“I guess…it just makes you question people more and trust them less,” I explain. “I…” I lower my voice because I don’t exactly want Ava to hear. “If you can’t trust your parents because they choose not to be around, then who can you trust?”
He nods. “I get it. Do you think any of his family is still alive?”
I shrug again as I turn my raft in a circle using my hands.
“I don’t know. Maybe, like cousins or something?” I guess.
Hutch stills, and I glance over at him. “What?” I ask.
“Let’s look for them. I mean, we’re here. We have the internet and Kasen. You haven’t asked Kasen to look for him yet. Let’s see if we can find any of your family at least,” he says as if he just offered to find my favorite food on the island. He had mentioned Kasen when we talked about looking for my dad, but I’m pretty sure my dad might be back home. I suppose we can figure out that part of the mystery later. But as for my dad’s family, who knows?
“Hutch, I wouldn’t even know where to start looking,” I say with a nervous laugh. What is he thinking? I mean, wouldn’t my family have looked for me if they wanted to talk to me? Maybe none of them were close to my dad.
“Miss Jocelyn! Mr. Hutch! Watch this!” Ava yells as Bray catapults her off his leg and through the water. She dives in and comes up spitting out water and grinning.
Hutch claps. “Nice work!”
“You’re a mermaid!” I exclaim.
“I’m a princess mermaid,” she corrects. And all the adults in the vicinity laugh.
“Well, princess mermaids need to eat dinner. Why don’t you come inside? I’ve got a sandwich for you,” Carly says.
“Mom!” Ava whines.
“We can get ice cream after,” Bray promises as he lifts her out of the pool.
“Promise?” she asks, crossing her arms, her goggles pulled up on her forehead.
“Pinky promise,” he replies.
She purses her lips as if considering it and then grins and holds out her pinky. He grabs it in his and they swing their hands.
“Coming!” she yells as she turns to head to the kitchen, where Carly has a plate of food waiting for her.
“Slow down!” Carly and Bray yell in unison.
“Think it’s weird having a kid?” I muse as I watch Ava sit.
“Probably. But I think it’d be cool. I mean, if the kid was like Ava. I love that kiddo. She’s the best,” Hutch says.
“I suppose so,” I say. I lean back in my floating chaise lounge.
“You don’t want kids?” he asks. Why does this feel like a weird first date?
“Well, when I was growing up, I always wanted three, but now, I don’t know. Maybe if I found the right partner, two?” I contemplate as I swirl my hand in the cool pool water.
“I used to want three also. I think one would be hard. They don’t have a playmate,” Hutch agrees. “And I loved having siblings.” His voice is sad as he says that last part.
I look over at him. “When did you last speak to them?” I ask.
“About a month ago. They needed help replacing an engine on a tractor, I mean, with the money,” he explains.
“And you paid for it?”
He nods. “They haul lots of stuff with that tractor. The farm needs it to be operational, even in the winter.”
“Burgers?” Bray calls out from the kitchen.
