“I need five in all?”
“Start with one.”
“Okay,” I said, thinking it over. “Well, I’m from Lakeview. Also about to be a high school senior.”
“Coming out strong,” he said as we hit a wave, water splashing over the bow. “I like it. Go on.”
“My mom grew up here at the lake,” I continued, “but this is my first real visit. I came once as a kid, but I don’t really remember.”
“Nice,” he said. “Factsandintrigue. Now you need something random and memorable.”
I thought for a second. “People don’t get my humor.”
“Meaning?”
“I think I’m funny, but other people often don’t laugh.”
“I know that feeling,” he said.
“You do?” I hadn’t met anyone who could relate before.
“Yep,” he said. “Okay, now for the strong finish. Your shellfish allergy, so to speak. What’s it going to be?”
I had to admit, I was feeling the pressure. Especially as the seconds ticked by and nothing came. What could I say? I was nervous to the point of obsessive? I liked organizing things?
Roo did not rush me. He just waited.
Finally, I had it. “I read the obituaries every day.”
His eyes widened. “Seriously?”
I nodded. “Yep.”
“Okay, that isgood,” he said, then held his hand up for a high five. I slapped it. “You, in five sentences. Nicely done.”
Me, in five sentences. All facts, some informative, some colorful. Not really all that different from the obits themselves, now that I thought of it. Only shorter, while you’re living, and still have time to add more.
Roo slowed the engine, then stopped it entirely, and we drifted up to the dock. As he hopped off the boat, pulling the line with him, I heard the thump of footsteps coming down the dock. Looking up, I saw Trinity approaching, now in a flowing black maxi dress, her hair wet. She looked grumpy, but considering this had been a constant each time I’d crossed her path so far, maybe it was just her face.
“Hey,” Roo called. “What’s up?”
“Mimi says you should stay for dinner,” she replied. “Since you brought her in, and everything.”
Herwas me. Apparently. While I was not sure what five sentences Trinity would pick, I was pretty sure one would cover the fact that shereallydidn’t like me.
“You know Trinity, right?” Roo said to me.
“We haven’t been reintroduced formally,” I told him. To her I said, “Hi. I’m Emma.”
“Hi,” she said, her voice flat. She turned her attention back to Roo. “Where’s Bailey? She’s not answering her phone.”
“Rode off with some yacht club guy,” he replied. “Maybe up at the Station?”
“Of course she is.” Trinity rubbed a hand over her belly.“Like I have the energy to go all the way up there.”
“I can go find her,” I offered. “I need to learn my way around anyway.”
“I’ll walk you,” Roo said. “If I’m coming for dinner, I should go home and change.”
