It’s not that he didn’t enjoy talking to them or the fish which inhabited the lake, but he needed to be alone to regroup and figure this all out. Being in the water meant he was safe.
It didn’t take him long before he reached the little inlet and swam through until he was protected by the tall cedars and othertrees inhabiting the swamp. He climbed out of the murky waters, shaking off, and walked up to his cozy home built into the trees.
Once inside, he turned on one lamp and then made his way over to the chest at the far side of the room. It was where he kept his family’s most prized positions, which included that family photograph in a frame.
Phineas didn’t have pictures out, because his parents had taught him to hide everything. He’d always been in awe when he’d go over to the Clagues’ home and there were family photos on the walls, lovingly tended. And in every picture, there was happiness.
Kneeling down, he opened the chest. There wasn’t much left of his parents’ life from the south. A few things, and on top was the family photo. Him, small and in his mother’s arms.
He slid the photo out of the frame and looked at the torn edge.
As he stared at it closely, he could make out a tiny remnant of another webbed hand. Like another child. On the back, scrawled in ink, were names, and he could make out what looked like the letter P, but it was mostly torn in half.
You’re reading too much into this.
Phineas put the picture in an envelope and quickly got dressed. Pearl was going to pick him up, so he wouldn’t have to worry about swimming into town. He also wouldn’t have to worry about walking into the bistro alone.
Pearl would be with him.
And that was comforting.
It was such a strange turn of events, going from thinking he wasn’t good enough for her and wanting to avoid her, to suddenly needing her.
It’s because you’ve always needed her.
Which was true. He needed her like the air he breathed. She was his everything and always had been. The fact that she clearlywanted him banished all those foolish thoughts of self-doubt straight out of his mind.
The sound of tires on the long gravel drive drew him to the window. Peering out, he saw Pearl driving her little car, then parking. She got out and his breath hitched in his throat seeing her dressed in a simple lavender sundress, her gorgeous silvery hair blowing in the light summery breeze.
Phineas wandered outside. “Hi.”
Pearl beamed at him. “You look so handsome.”
“I hate wearing clothes.”
“I know, but you still look handsome.”
Phineas glanced down at his jeans and the simple button-up shirt. “It’s clean and Coat is new, and I don’t know the dress code.”
“It’s not open yet,” Pearl said. “Though the owner is a mystery. I wonder how Pierre knows them?”
“Who knows? At least it’ll be quiet.” He fished the envelope out of his pocket. “Could you keep this in your purse? I hate having it in my pocket. I don’t want it to get crushed.”
Pearl took the envelope from him. “What is it?”
“Open it.”
Pearl opened the envelope and pulled out the picture of his family. Her expression softened. “Your parents, and is that you?”
“Yes.”
“You were so adorable,” she gushed.
“Were?” he teased.
She laughed softly. “You still are. Well, more handsome than adorable. This is such a nice picture.”
“There’s a piece missing and…maybe I did have a brother.”
