Page 59 of The Teacher

“No fucking way, sis.” Cove laughs at me. I roll my eyes at his mocking attitude. My little brother likes to tease, especially when the problem is not about him for once. “You’re crazy, Sandy.”

“As I said, it runs in the family.”

“What are you going to do? Date him?”

I pick up a handful and sand and watch it fall through my fingers. “I dunno. My head’s a mess.”

“You like this guy?”

“Yeah,” I say, nodding. It’s like I’m nodding to myself, like I’m telling myself I know I really do like Skipper, despite our past. I really do like him. “I just hope I’m not another fling to him.”

“You’re talking to the wrong guy here,” Cove says with a chuckle. “I used to be a playboy, so I can’t give you any advice. I’m not the right man for this.”

“How did you know with Ripley? When did you know you were in love with her? How did you know you were going to stop your playboy lifestyle?”

Maybe he is the right man to ask. If anyone could get Ripley, then they must be doing something right.

Cove sighs. “It’s cliché, but you just know. Just see how he acts around you, even the best actor in the world can’t hide their feelings when they’re truly in love with someone. I dunno.”

“Right.”

“You know me, though. I’m just a horny idiot, what do I know?”

“You snagged Ripley, that’s something.”

Cove smiles and looks out to the horizon. “Yeah, that really was something. Lucky me.” He’s being genuine. Really genuine. It’s rare to see my brother like this – this much in love - but Ripley’s brought it out of him. She’s like a witch with magical powers doing the impossible. Making my little brother a normal person.

“But I just don’t know about Skipper. I don’t know what he’s thinking, I don’t know if he won’t screw me over again.”

Cove stands, picking up his surfboard with a grunt. “This really sounds like something you should talk to Ripley about,” he says. “Call her. Really, I mean it. She’ll want to talk to you about this.”

“Yeah,” I reply. “I think I will.”

“I’ve got to go. I’ve got an early flight tomorrow.”

“A surfing competition?”

“Yeah.”

“Whereabouts?”

“Hawaii.”

“That’s amazing.”

It really is.

I’m proud of him.

Cove waves at me and starts to jog up to the parking lot, his surfboard flapping under his arm. “It is! See ya, sis.”

I smile at him as he disappears, and I turn back to watch the ocean. The sun is nearly gone below the horizon.

Maybe, with Skipper, my heart is opening up.

Maybe I have already forgiven him.

Maybe I should open myself up to the possibility of love.