Page 46 of Wild Life

“You s-spent time on the beach. You saw how d-dead it was.”

She bit her lip.

“I don’t think anyone knows this pl-place exists,” I said.

“Does that mean we’re just going to die out here? That’s so morbid.”

I shrugged again. “That was my plan.”

She shoved me gently, this time careful not to push me into the fire. “Ugh, you’re not helping my anxiety.”

“S-sorry,” I said.

“If you were only ten and all alone, how come you speak like an adult? And don’t tell me that Poaka is a magical pig who can speak.”

Poaka’s ears perked up with his name, but he continued scarfing down some fish guts I had saved for him after today’s catch.

I was flattered that she thought I spoke like an adult when I felt like I was failing to keep up with our conversation. The flow was much easier, yet I still found some words difficult.

“I learned from books.”

“You have books?!” she shouted, her eyes gaping wide. “And you didn’t share them with me? Asshole! I was bored out of my mind this whole time, and you didn’t have the decency to offer them to me?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “God, you must really hate me.”

“I guess I have a lot to a-apologize for now.”

“This is far worse than you lying about speaking.”

She was dramatic, and I found it endearing. “Dad had p-packed some into a trunk, and it wa-washed up with us. I’ve added a few m-more over the years that I found on the b-beach.” People loved throwing stuff away into the ocean in plastic bags, which were insanely protective.

“That’s how you amassed your collection of…”

“Junk?” I completed the question for her.

“I was trying to be polite, but yeah, your shelves are like Ariel’s secret lair with all the knick knacks.”

“Who is A-riel?”

“Ugh, really?” Maris waved her joined hands through the air like a dolphin fin. “The Little Mermaid?”

I stared at her blankly, no record of anyone named Ariel coming to mind.

“Hot jailbait redhead in a shell bra and fins, with a weird obsession with legs?”

“I don’t understand any of that. I c-collect whatever washes up since I never know when I m-might need it.”

“I see there’s a method to your madness now.” She smirked, and it melted my insides.

“W-will you ever forgive me for lying to you?” I asked, hopeful we were making progress. I missed her. I wanted to fix things between us.

Her focus fell to her lap. “Probably. But right now, I still need to be mad at you.”

Human emotions were complex and difficult to understand after years of not having to deal with them from another person, but I was willing to try.

“I understand,” I said.

Chapter 22

Bat Kisses; No Rabies

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