Page 133 of Bring You Back

“Is everything okay?” I’m quick to ask as I shift to face him, my concern a little strange, yet not surprising.

“Oh, yeah, just routine.” He studies me a moment, then smiles. “You can come.”

I exhale a breath, my body tensing back up. “I’m gonna need some more time on that one.” Dad nods like he expected me to turn down the offer. This time. “And I have to get back to the shop.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says, waving me off. “Just make sure you’re ready for your big surf lesson tomorrow.” He gives me a teasing smile with a little knowing underneath.

I haven’t forgotten. I’ve been thinking about the lesson since Camille volunteered to be my first foray into trying out teaching. Mostly picturing her in a wetsuit. And picturing myself taking it off of her.

I don’t know if she’s still interested, if she’ll still show, but I’ll be there, anyway, bright and early.

“Thanks, Dad,” I say as he starts to turn and head back down the pier. I’ve gone back and forth so many times between Brent and Dad, but I keep coming back to the latter. Because heismy dad. I am his son. And I’ve never felt more assured, or happier to know that.

From the way my dad looks at me as he faces me again, he’s never been happier to hear me say it.

31

Injury

Julian

Hard Sock Life

By Banks Collins

Paul, Brandy

Scene 1

After a night full of drinking and hanky-panky, Paul and Brandy wake up the next morning in their tent to quickly find that things aren’t the way they left them when they fell asleep.

Brandy: (groggy) Why am I fuzzy?

Paul: (disgusted) Why do I smell?

Brandy: (mortified, fully awake now) Where are my limbs?!

“What the fuck am I reading?” I ask Banks as I drop the script to the kitchen table.

“Nothing yet,” he says with a face. “You have to keep going.” He flicks the script before picking it up and shoving it back in my hands.

“I think I’ll stop here,” I say, swapping out the script for my car keys.

He smacks his lips and stares at me in offense. I had finished off a banana when he barreled in through the front door just a minute earlier, waving his script in the air.Fresh off the printer,he said, since I’d refused to touch trash residue. He didn’t even give me time to question why he’s up with the sun before forcing me to read. Read what, I’d rather not know.

I cast another glance down the hall to Camille’s closed door. If she’s awake, she hasn’t left for the beach yet. I’m getting an earlier start to make sure I have everything ready for the lesson, so she still has time, but the longer that door stays shut, the more my hope dwindles.She’s not going to show.

“Don’t you wanna know what happens?” Banks pushes, drawing my attention. “It’s so good!” He’s so earnest and confident, I almost feel bad for him. But no. I can’t do it. I’ll end up even more mortified than Brandy.

When I shake my head, he dives in with his pitch, anyway. “So, this couple wakes up as socks, and the story goes backward from there, right, as they try to figure out how the hell that happened.”

I blink, making my final decision before he’s even finished. “Yeah, I’m not reading that. And I don’t think anyone else will, either.” The words inside those pages will no doubt chip off more brain cells than the weed we used to smoke ever did. “That’s not gonna win, man,” I add, and his jaw drops so low, I can’t help but laugh before defending myself. “I’m trying to help you.”

“I don’t need help,” he says. “I needpraise.” He retrieves his script, staring down at it with defeat, and now I do feel bad. “I don’t have time to write another one.” He looks up at me, braced to be let down again, yet hopeful I’ll change my mind. “You really don’t think it’ll win?” I hold steady, but when I shake my head this time, I’m more reluctant. He makes a face and stands straighter, back to Banks. “Whatever. What do you know about writing, anyway.”

About the same as you,I think with a chuckle. “Nothing,” I say, mocking in my voice. “You’re right. It’s gonna be great.”

“Har har,” he says, tucking the script inside the back waistband of his shorts, and I finally get to tease him about being up with the sun.

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