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What if We Drown 7
"Uh-uh, tonight's all about you bud," Kass chastised, wagging her finger as though he were a misbehaving child. "I have a question for you, and I expect you to give me a serious answer." Ashlyn could hear Derek's gulp from where she sat. She released the breath she had been holding, thankful for Kass' quick thinking."What is your spirit animal, and why?" She rested her chin on her fists, expectant.Ashlyn rolled her eyes and smiled apologetically. She should have known this would come. Kass asked everyone she met this question, for she believed a person's answer told her all she needed to know about a person. A moment passed as Derek thought about his answer."A Deer? I'd like to believe that I am a gentle, loving, and compassionate person, but still strong when the need arises."Ashlyn nodded. From the little she'd already heard in the way he spoke about his family, she believed it. He had a gentle heart for his sister and his nieces, and no doubt towards many others.Kass nodd
What if We Drown 8
The morning was wet and cold as it kissed her cheeks and nuzzled her nose. With a sleepy smile, Ashlyn opened her eyes to greet Coley who had successfully coaxed her into waking for breakfast.Coley's meow was croaky as Ashlyn scooped her into her arms and kissed the tip of her nose. Coley remained compliant for a moment before she pushed Ashlyn's face away and jumped down, the soft sound of her pitter-pattering towards the kitchen. Ashlyn grinned as she climbed out of bed and followed, the cats hinting not lost on her.The early morning sun was warm against the terracotta paint she'd begun applying to the feature wall of the open plan living area. While the renovations were not progressing as quickly as she would have liked, Ashlyn was enjoying how relaxed, and in control, the ordeal made her feel. With each stroke of the brush and each new piece of furniture, she could see her fathers plans for the house coming to life.Coley's impatience pulled her from her thoughts as she weave
What if We Drown 9
By the time five thirty rolled around the café was empty, the last patron had left ten minutes ago. Ashlyn stood balancing the till for the fourth time that hour when Kass closed the drawer."You need to sit down," Kass commanded, steering Ashlyn by her shoulders over to one of the tables in the front window. Sitting opposite her, Kass sighed. Ashlyn watched her hands on the table before her, her fingers knotted together."I know somethings bothering you Ash. You've been distracted all day, and I haven't seen you smile once—"I've smiled plenty, Ashlyn interrupted, her movements half-hearted."—and mean it," Kass finished, her tone gentle. "I'm worried about you."Ashlyn bit her lip, glancing away before Kass could notice the tear that caressed her cheek. It was true. Her mind had been elsewhere today, somewhere dark and lonely. But still, she'd thought she maintained a composed front. Guilt at that moment sat not on her chest, but inside her mind, and its power grew stronger w
What if We Drown 10
The cerulean blue Ashlyn had been cautiously applying to the walls of the guest room appeared darker than she'd thought. While it had initially seemed to boast a more turquoise hint in the paint store, now that she had applied it to the wall it appeared bolder. Stepping back to admire the newly completed wall, she took a bite of her peanut butter and jelly sandwich and smiled. As bold as it may be, she could already feel the calmness flow gently through her. The floorers were scheduled to come the following weekend to lay the new laminate flooring throughout the house. That didn't give her nearly enough time to get all the painting completed, but she'd at least made a dent in it over the past two days. She couldn't wait for Zion to visit again and see everything she'd already accomplished. Her dreams for this house were slowly coming to life. Coley lay curled up on the top rung of the ladder, soundlessly sleeping as Ashlyn moved about the room cleaning up the paint brushes and roll
What if We Drown 11
Derek and Kass walked over to Kass' pickup while Ashlyn quickly went inside to fill Coley's bowl and place the flowers in a vase. The cat fed, and the flowers taken care of, Ashlyn locked the front door behind her and jogged to the pickup. "You are going to love the Street Market, Derek. Each Sunday they close down Marine Parade and put on this big market with lots of shopping, and live entertainment and street food," Kass rambled, the pace of her words increasing the more excited she became. It's as beautiful as it sounds, Ashlyn turned in her seat to sign, smiling with excitement. The Sunday Markets were one of the most anticipated parts of the weekend. "Well then, I cannot wait." Derek grinned, winking at Ashlyn. Blushing she turned back in her seat to look out the front window. While Derek and Kass continued to speak animatedly, Ashlyn stole glances at him in the rear-view mirror, the cadence of his voice and the light that shone in his eyes soothing her. After searching ten m
What if We Drown 12
The next day it was like a switch had flicked, and Ashlyn could no longer access the person she had been the previous night. Without the photo she looked at now, she wouldn't have believed that it had occurred. The peace and joy, it all seemed so foreign, like a dream. The echoes of just one night floated around her as Derek stepped up to the counter. Her smile was subdued as memories of the previous evening came back to her. The erratic beating of her heart and the joy that was coursing through her veins. The feeling of unadulterated peace, followed by the surprise of holding his hand in hers. Her hands felt clammy already just thinking about it. Good morning. Ashlyn wiped her palms on her apron, before busying herself with the sugar packets. She appreciated anything that could keep her busy at that moment. Derek's grin consumed his expression as he waved to Ashlyn and then Kass. "Morning, ladies," he greeted. "Morning Sailor. Your usual?" Kass inquired, handing the previous cus
What if We Drown 13
It had been two days since her encounter with Derek, and two days since Ashlyn had seen or heard from him. Early on Wednesday morning, she'd found herself standing outside his door; hand raised to knock. Before she could make those two gentle knocks, her apprehension stepped in and convinced her it was a mistake to see him. He wouldn't want to see her again anyway. It would only hurt her more when he shut the door on her, not that she didn't deserve it. Torn between the matters of her mind and her heart, she had trudged back downstairs to open the café. Thankfully she had a stack of textbooks to keep her mind busy in between customers. An hour and a half later, Ashlyn drummed her fingers against the counter in time with the Stevie Lujan song playing over the speakers, her eyes following the text on the page. A chocolate chip muffin sat half-eaten beside the coffee machine; the chocolate melted just slightly from the heat it was throwing off. The textbook and printed articles before
What if We Drown 14
Ashlyn pressed down hard and fast on Abels' chest, her lips moving hastily with silent protestations. Grief crashed over her in waves of fear and doubt, the reality of this situation too much to comprehend. Wake up, please. She pressed down on his chest with more force. "Jack, call 911," someone yelled, falling to their knees beside Ashlyn. "How long has he been down?" the man asked, his hands replacing hers, maintaining the same rapid rhythm. Ashlyn shook her head, leaning back, as the stranger titled Abel's head back. How long had it been? A minute? Maybe two? The aching within her chest was unbearable as she watched this stranger try to revive her friend. My fault. It's all my fault. Jack, she assumed, came to her side. "The ambulance is on its way," he stated, the distant sound of sirens splitting the silence. Jack placed his hand on her shoulder in a show of comfort, but Ashlyn couldn't feel it. Next to the pain constricting in her chest, everything else felt numb. "Ma'am, do
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