“So,” he continued, drawing the two-letter word out. “If you and I got married in the next couple of days?—”
She screamed and threw her arms around him, laughing as he lifted her off the ground.
The others came closer, questions flying.
Still in Dusty’s arms, feet floating in the air, she looked at them over his shoulder.
“Guess what, everyone?” she called out. “We’re getting married!”
August 6, 1993
I swear Destin weather is actually insane. Almost as insane as what happened to me when the sky decided to have a crazy mood swing and unleash a monsoon on us.
Tonight started out simple and fun. We all walked down to the Ice House, that place by the boardwalk, to get ice cream after dinner. Of course, some of Eli’s friends were there, so that turned into a whole thing. But, still, I was happy with my mint chip cone even though Tessa says that flavor tastes like toothpaste (she’s so wrong it hurts).
We all sat with our treats at the picnic tables out front where you always feel like you’re sitting in the middle of a parking lot but somehow it’s still fun. The whole group was there. Mom, of course, trying to keep everyone from getting sticky. Eli being with the annoying college boys (except Peter, he’s so much more mature than them) and acting like he’s twelve even though he’s definitely not. Crista complaining about who knows what, the usual.
Kate and Tessa and I were laughing about it, and I remember thinking, this is what it’s supposed to feel like. Just summer. Just best friends. Just ice cream melting too fast.
And then Peter walked over to our table, and I tried too hard to be cool. I probably failed. I don’t even remember what hesaid, but I remember the way my stomach did that stupid drop thing anyway. Yes, I still love Peter McCarthy.
Everything was loud and busy. There were so many people. Kids running around. Cars pulling in and out. Music blasting from somewhere. It felt chaotic in a normal way.
And then it wasn’t normal.
It happened so fast. One second the sky was still kind of pink from sunset, and the next second it was like someone poured black ink across it. The wind came out of nowhere. Not a breeze, but a real, serious storm kind of wind. Someone uttered the word “tornado” when napkins and wrappers were flying everywhere.
Tessa literally squealed and grabbed my arm. Then the first raindrop hit my shoulder, and it was huge! Like a warning shot. And then the sky totally opened up, I mean full-on Florida apocalypse rain. Sideways, like a sheet, enough to make you feel like you’re being drowned just standing there.
Everyone started yelling and scrambling at the same time.
Mom was shouting Crista’s name. Eli got serious, fast. Parents were grabbing kids and sprinting to cars. Someone knocked over a chair. The ice cream shop door kept slamming open and closed.
It was chaos. Total chaos.
And somehow, in the middle of all of it, the group splintered.
Tessa and Kate ran toward one car with some of the other teens, screaming and laughing like it was a fun adventure. Eli took off in the other direction and got into someone’s van with some friends. Mom and Aunt Jo Ellen were trying to herd people and calling out names.
I was right there, and then I wasn’t. I don’t even know how it happened. I turned for one second—one second—because I thought I saw Kate’s glasses go flying, and when I turned back, it was like everyone had vanished.
The parking lot was a blur of headlights and water. Windshield wipers going crazy. Doors slamming. Engines starting.
I stood there soaked, my hair plastered to my face, my shirt sticking to my back, and my heart exploding.
They LEFT. Not on purpose. I know that. But still. I was left behind. Truly, I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more invisible in my life.
I started running between cars, calling out, but the rain swallowed my voice. I couldn’t even see where I was going. And then I had this horrible thought: What if they think I’m with someone else? What if everyone assumes someone else has me?
The cars were all gone and I was freaking out. I could be here all night! I could be struck by lightning!
I was blinking rain and tears out of my eyes when I heard an engine slow down and saw a truck pull into the lot, headlightscutting through the sheets of rain. It stopped right in front of me.
Do I even need to say who my heroic rescuer was? Peter McCarthy always saves the day.
Peter leaned across the seat and yelled, “Vivien! Get in!”
For a second I just stood there, frozen, because it didn’t feel real. He came back. He actually came back for me.
