A minivan full of kids parked nearby. Then a Jeep with kayaks strapped on top. Finally, a gray pickup pulled into the lot.Parsons’s Garagethe lettering on the driver’s door read. “Great. Nothing like meeting in secret.”
“Relax,” Reya told her. “Go down to the beach. I’ll tell him you’re there.”
As Lucy descended the stairs, nervousness overtook her. What exactly did she expect to get out of this meeting? She’d already told Jep to leave her alone. What made her think he’d tell her anything about that night? She only had one thing for leverage: Ella. Jep seemed like he’d do about anything for access to Ella.
She kicked off her sneakers in the sand and waited at the bottom of the steps. That section of the beach was still in shadows, protected from the bluff above; the sand still cold from the night before. A middle-aged couple made their way down the stairs. Then a bunch of kids. Finally, Reya appeared with Jep Parsons right behind her.
Lucy crossed her arms, readying herself as if for battle.
Reya and Jep joined her and for a moment they stood together in an uncomfortable huddle, silent. Jep, in blue coveralls, looked like he was dressed for work at the garage. His eyes were clear and bright as he addressed her.
“Did you give her the note?”
“What did you mean by ‘Please don’t tell’?”
He ran his hands through his beautiful hair and walked a few yards off, exasperated. Just as quickly he walked back. “You read it?” he scoffed. “Of course you did. I don’t even care.”
Jepwas angry ather? Well, Lucy had plenty of anger stored up, too. “You shove a note in my pocket for my poor sister that says ‘Please don’t tell’ and you really expect me to just hand it over to her?”
Jep was not budging. “Just give it to her. She needs to know.”
“Know what?” Lucy demanded.
Jep shut his mouth, staring at her as if trying to decide something.
“Do you even know how bad off she is?” Lucy asked. Jep had no idea what he was asking of her. It was her turn to make demands.
“I don’t know anything,” he said. “Because your family won’t let me near her!”
“Why would they? She could have died.”
“I tried to protect her,” he cried. “I’m still trying. You have to give her that note. She’ll know what it means.” Jep took in a raggedy breath. “It will help.”
He needed a reality check. “She can’t talk, Jep.”
“What?”
“I don’t think she can read, either. So forget about your stupid note.”
“What do you mean?” The shock on his face seemed genuine.
“She can’t walk, she can’t stand up on her own. She can’t even tell us what hurts.” Lucy’s voice cracked. It was the last thing she wanted, but standing on the sand between her best friend and her worst enemy she felt all the pieces she’d tried so hard to hold together crackle.
“I didn’t know!” Jep insisted.
“Ella isn’t going to Tufts, Jep. Ella can’t even say her own name.”
“Fuck.” Jep held his head in his hands, bending over like he might be sick. “My parents said she was getting better. That she left the hospital and was in rehab.” He straightened, looking at Lucy pleadingly. “They said she was better.”
“Ella may never get better.” And then without warning, Lucy’s eyes filled and she tasted salt. A sob erupted from her throat. Reya was on her, pulling her in tight.
“Just go!” Reya shouted at Jep. “Just leave her alone.”
Jep didn’t budge. “Please, Lucy. Let me see her. I need to see Ella.”
Lucy let go of Reya and turned to face him. “I can’t do that,” she said. “But if you tell me what it means, maybe I’ll read her the note.”
Jep shook his head adamantly. “Lucy, there are some things you can’t know. Believe me, it’s for her sake.”
