Page 110 of Rafe

“Hey honey, can you take this basket down to your dad?”

Her fingers stilled on the keys hearing her mom call from the kitchen. She smiled and pressed to her feet.

“Is it time to go?” Dressed in a pale blue sundress, Skylar had made herself presentable for dinner. Mom and Dad were taking her to their favorite seafood restaurant.

She sighed. Do it for Mom and Dad. Skylar pasted a smile onto her face as she lifted the basket.

“Thanks. Dad will handle the rest. I just want to have a little happy hour for sunset. Then we’ll go. You know, like the old days.”

“It’s getting late. The crows aren’t usually out right now.” Concerned the sight of them would make her shift right in front of her parents, Skylar had avoided going outside or feeding them.

“Oh, you know how he is. He’s probably taking more video of the orcas.”

The last time she’d watched the sunset she’d been with Rafe. She bit her lip, struggling to maintain her composure.

“Aw honey, whatever’s going on with you, and I’m guessing it has to do with Rafe, it’s going to be okay.”

Skylar nodded as her mom continued. “And if it’s about what happened? I told you not to worry about us. We were fine. Sebastian and your dad had a laugh riot taking him over to the VFW. They had an eighties band. He’s a great dancer. He was very popular with the ladies.”

Skylar laughed.

“You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’ll be fine, Mom. I just need a little time off. Being here with you guys is just what I need.”

Skylar slipped on her sandals and headed down towards the overlook. Her dad stood at its edge, with a pair of binoculars held tight to his face. Curiosity piqued, she picked up her pace, wondering not just what her dad was looking at but what goodies Mom had packed in one of her famous happy hour surprise baskets of joy.

“Hey, Dad,” she called to him. “Are you ready for some wine?”

“Blue Sky. Come have a look at this.”

“Orcas?” She breathed a sigh of relief. The murder was nowhere to be seen likely getting ready to roost.

Skylar set the basket on the picnic table and joined her dad.

“Come see.”

“Where are they?” Skylar looked down into the sound at the glassy water.

“Over there.”

“I don’t see them.” She scanned the area. “Are you looking at the yacht?”

“Yeah, it’s nice, huh? I wonder who it belongs to?”

“Don’t know. Cool boat though.”

“Looks like it’s gonna pass right by. Hey, maybe I should get a boat again,” he mused.

“Mom will seriously kill you. You know she wants to go to Italy next summer.”

“Ah well, you’re probably right. So hey, let’s have a sit down. I’ve been meaning to talk to you all week, but I wanted to give you some space.”

Skylar sat down on the bench and stared at the water. “So yeah, what’s up?”

“I’m worried about you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so sad. Something seems different.”

Skylar closed her eyes, her heart aching, desperate for the truth to surface. Tears brimmed in her eyes, yearning to confess.