The Paige Family

By M.J. Galway

In the sunny little California tourist town of Adamant, life has continued to move forward for what's left of the Paige family after the loss of their parents, and they are each now faced with the decision of whether letting love into those lives is worth the risk of being hurt. They’ve only had one another for so long, and after all, loving someone new means possibly losing them, in one way or another. 

While oldest sister Chloe, an early-retired competition surfer and now co-owner of a popular beach-side surf shop struggles with her true feelings for her business partner and soul-mate, middle child Josh is impulsive and looking for love in all the wrong places. That is, until he finds that his true love has been right in front of him all along…until a spur of the moment decision puts that new love to the test. Youngest Paige, Mia, armed with her two best friends, Edwina,a ginger-haired beauty, and Seth, a smart aleck, boy crazy, self proclaimed clairvoyant, is ready to start anew at college. When love demands Mia’s attention, she must decide if it plays a part in this chapter of her life. 

When this close-knit family is devastated by tragedy for the second time, they must learn to open their hearts to the people around them, lean on those people for support, and maybe even love them back.

For a more in-depth description of The Paige Family, please visit mjgalway.com.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gypsy Moon Publishing
• Release date: Oct 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9780996912709

Book preview

Chapter One

On a small balcony just outside Mia Paige’s bedroom window was a chair. As a child, she would stand on that chair, and then she could just see the ocean over the rooftops and between the trees. Although, as Mia grew up in her little seaside town and became old enough to frequent the beach without supervision anytime the desire came upon her, an ocean view became somewhat less of a novelty. Mia hadn’t stood on that chair since she was eleven. But the chair was still there on the balcony, in the case that she was ever feeling nostalgic. Her parents had been In-landers, and for them, this peek of water was the deal closer when they had purchased the house during a time in their lives when the children who would fill the rooms were still just an idea. Mia had lived in this house all eighteen years of her life and couldn’t possibly imagine growing up anyplace away from the ocean. Daily, that seaside air that smelled of salt and sunshine drifted directly through the open windows, chasing away any possibility of stagnancy.

On this warm, sunny morning, Mia prepared for another installation of her last days of high school. Graduation loomed on the horizon, and seniors everywhere felt as if time stood still, that they held their very breaths until they would be free of the scholastic institutions in which they had lived their lives since at least the age of five. That they waited in limbo for the day to come when they would no longer be surrounded by the gray lockers and beige desks that had entrapped them for what seemed like a lifetime. Waiting for new beginnings on new campuses across the country, away from home and free, yes, free.

Mia had received an educational scholarship to attend a biology program at Leland University, something that she had worked at relentlessly since she had first learned of the scholarship as a freshman. The guidance counselor had pulled her aside and told her that she showed promising potential in the field of science. Just as most of the seniors around her, Mia truly believed that college would be a completely new world full of interesting possibilities and change.

Change. Change would be nice. Mia loved her home. Adamant was all she knew...which was why some change would be welcome. Leaving the little tourist town of Adamant: a bittersweet concept, evoking a mixed bag of emotions ranging from sheer exhilaration to an aching sensation of homesickness and anxiety. She wasn’t venturing far from home. She would be close enough to drive back on the weekends if she pleased, but far enough that she wouldn’t run into a familiar face at every turn of every corner. Far enough that the daily looks of pity and melancholy she still received even now, eight years later, would be a thing of the past. Those sickly, compassionate looks of grief from strangers who seemingly knew who she was, whose sideways glances at her seemed to scream, Poor child! You poor, sad child. Yes, to get away from that would be good.

That warm and sunny morning, something in the air made Mia feel like singing. She had been in very high spirits the past few days, and the closer graduation came, the more her mood improved. Downstairs she could hear the movement of her brother and sister preparing for their day, and she couldn’t help but smile. She had been overly nice to both of them lately, arousing suspicion from each, especially her brother, knowing that soon she would not have the pleasure of a Thursday night movie with Josh, or a spontaneous late night drive into town for frozen yogurt with Chloe.

Mia quickly dressed but paused long enough in front of her open window to breathe in the sea air. It was thick that morning, a result of last night’s storm. She opened her mouth and gulped it in, tasting the salt that clung to the back of the breeze. Tasted like home. Then, just outside, a crow flapped its way onto the balcony, stealthily landed on the back of her chair, and cawed at her. The invader looked dark and out of place on such a bright, sunny morning.

One crow brings bad news, she said, recalling the first part of a rhyme that her mother had read to her when she was a little girl. Mia waved a hand at the crow trying to shoo it away, but the black bird simply sat and looked at her, letting out another loud Caw!  Mia took an offended step back.

You are not going to ruin my day, she scolded the crow. No bad news allowed. It’s Friday, it’s sunny, and it’s going to be a great day, so fly away. Mia clapped her hands loudly, but the crow still perched, refusing to move.

Caw! This crow did not seem disturbed in the least by Mia’s presence, which irritated her. She hesitated there a moment longer, studying the obtrusive creature that never took its eye off her. The situation recalled to her a poem from English class, some years back.

‘Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door,’ she recited. She paused, waiting to hear if it would screech nevermore. When the crow remained silent, she shrugged her shoulders. Suit yourself. Stay there all day long for all I care. I won’t be here to listen to your nonsense. She closed her bedroom window just in case the nasty bird decided to make an uninvited entrance and grabbed her book bag. Taking one last glance over her shoulder as she exited, she saw that the dark invader of the bright morning was still perched on her chair.

Downstairs was surely a scene that Mia would be homesick for once she was on campus, microwaving breakfast burritos in a common room shared by an entire floor of dorm dwellers. Just as at home as the salty sea air had made her feel prior to this moment, the aroma of toasted onion bagels and the familiar sound of the Grateful Dead, Chloe’s favorite band, filled the kitchen as Mia entered. Chloe, forever a scavenger of misplaced possessions, was digging through the junk drawer, and Josh was sitting at the table reading the comics in the morning paper and laughing with an open mouthful of the cream cheesed bagel that so headily scented the room. Though he was twenty-five, Josh still had the crude eating habits of a poorly disciplined child.

Don’t be vile, close your mouth, Mia demanded as she took a seat next to him. She always chided him, but she was secretly amused by his crudeness. Somehow his lack of table manners added to his charm.

Sorry, princess, did I offend your delicate senses? Hey! That’s mine, make your own! Josh protested as Mia snatched the bagel from his plate. He reached for it, but Mia quickly bit off a large chunk.

You think I won’t still eat it? He reached again for his stolen breakfast then drew his hand back as Mia licked all of the cream cheese topping before offering it back to her brother. He wrinkled his nose as he looked in disdain at the suddenly undesirable bagel.

Talk about being vile. I’ll make another one.

Mia, happy with her small triumph, settled back in her chair and enjoyed her reward. Chloe continued to rummage through the junk drawer as Josh retreated to the toaster to toast another bagel.

What are you looking for, Clo? Mia asked.

Do-Good-Goop, she replied, not turning around as she answered.

What? I hate gibberish.

It’s for surfboards. It’s in a plastic purple jar about this big, Chloe held her hand above her head and made a circle with her thumb and middle finger. Have you seen it lying around anywhere?

Nope, Mia said, taking another bite of her bagel. Why do you even hold on to that crappy old surfboard?

Mia knew why her sister held onto the ancient old relic, some cross between sentimentality and superstition that only Chloe understood, but she occasionally asked why anyway.

I’ll have to go to the shop early and get some, Chloe said to herself, ignoring Mia’s question. Josh took this opportunity to sneak away from the toaster and reach into the cupboard where the drinking glasses were kept, retrieving from the top shelf the purple jar that Chloe was so determined to find. He showed the jar to Mia, then put a finger to his lips. Mia watched as he crept up behind Chloe, who was still madly riffling through the drawers, and set it on the floor behind her foot. He quickly sneaked back to his place next to the counter and quietly waited for his bagel to finish toasting. After about another minute, Chloe declared herself defeated and gave up the search. She stepped back, right onto the little jar, nearly losing her balance. Stepping to the side, she looked down to inspect what had nearly toppled her. She bent, her long, tie-dyed skirt billowing out around her, and picked up the purple jar, holding it out to Josh and shaking her head. Josh innocently spread cream cheese onto his bagel and pretended not to notice Chloe’s accusing glare. He finally looked up, feigning surprise.

Oh, you found it, good job. He patted her head. Good for you.

I could have twisted my ankle, you know. Chloe playfully swatted him, then, never bothering with shoes unless they were a necessity, walked out to the back deck where her surfboard was waiting for some attention.

You’re terrible, Mia said with a laugh as Josh took his seat back at the table.

No, I’m wonderful, which is why you two love me. I keep life interesting around here. If it weren’t for me, all you would do is homework, and all Chloe would do is surf and work.

I could think of worse things, Mia told him. Can you give me a lift to school?

Ed’s not picking you up? Josh asked.

She has a fantastic case of Ditch-the-mile-dash-in-gym-itis and is staying home sick today.

That’s too bad. So, what has my good friend Ed been up to these days anyway? Josh asked, a mischievous smile spreading over his face.

When Edwina McCullough and Mia had been placed in the same second grade classroom, they had become immediate best friends. Upon their first introduction, Josh had taken to calling her Ed, simply to annoy her. As the years passed, the name stuck, but the annoyance did not. Perhaps because everyone had become accustomed to hearing this shortened version...or perhaps because as all of the girls around her matured and started noticing boys, Eddie matured and only started noticing Josh.

Lay off. I told you before, I won’t allow you to break my best friend’s heart, Mia told him, only half joking. 

I would never! Josh was exaggeratedly hurt by Mia’s accusation.

You have a girlfriend. Don’t toy with Eddie’s emotions. You know she’s in love with you.

I know, and it’s all the more reason why I like when she comes to pick you up. It’s good for me when she’s around. It’s good for my ego that someone that young and pretty is in love with me.

Blah, blah, blah. You’re enough in love with yourself that you shouldn’t even need female attention. Are you going to give me a ride to school or what? Mia grabbed her backpack and stood waiting for an answer by the kitchen door. Josh glanced up at the antique clock hanging on the wall, the pendulum forever swinging to and fro, to and fro.

Yeah, I guess I have time before work. He shoved the last bite of bagel into his mouth and grabbed the keys hanging from the hook on the wall. He slid his feet into a tattered pair of Vans and followed Mia out to the classic 1973 Dodge Charger that sat in the drive. Mia said goodbye to Chloe as they passed, who was busy waxing her surfboard, which in its day had been a brilliant, bright candy apple red but now no more than a faded out, muted pink. She mumbled a goodbye and barely glanced up from the old, ugly thing. Throughout her surfing career, Chloe had gone through a dozen or more surfboards, always had at least three or four spare Le Vyne Custom boards in her possession, but somehow had managed to hold on to this one for the duration. Both Mia and Josh knew that Chloe believed the old board to be charmed.

Is it surf season around here? Josh called to no one in particular as he descended the back deck steps and followed Mia to the car.

Minutes later, as they bounded down the road in the super sleek yet slightly ostentatious muscle machine, Mia’s thoughts drifted back to the crow outside her window that morning. One crow brings bad news. She tried to shrug it off. Contrary to her sister, Mia had never been a big believer in superstition, but the rhyme was sticking with her that morning, and she knew why, though she buried the reason deep inside where it wouldn’t bother her. One seemingly ordinary morning when she was ten, Mia had counted nine crows on her bus ride to school. Nine tell of dying. After brooding over this all day, Mia had arrived home to find that her parents had perished in an accident.

Do you remember that book Mom used to read to us about the crows? Mia asked as she absently watched the all too familiar town roll passed her window.

Crows? What? Josh could barely hear her soft-spoken question over the noise of the engine.

Yes! Crows! Mia shot back, a bit louder than necessary.

Not at all.

Come on, the words were like a nursery rhyme. One crow brings bad news, two is for joy, three is a girl, four is a boy. It had the most hauntingly beautiful illustrations. Don’t you remember?

Nope. Josh was busily searching for some decent music on the radio.

Hm. I’d like to find the book, she muttered.

Now, vexed that the crow had spoiled her day because she would be waiting for the inevitable bad news, she tried to redirect her mind by starting a new conversation.

What are your plans tonight? she asked Josh, speaking loudly to be heard over the noisy car. "Something with Andrea?" She said Andrea as if the very name were acid on her tongue, burning it and leaving behind an unpleasant taste while making very clear, as she had numerous times before, that she thoroughly disapproved of her brother’s choice in female companionship.

Probably. I wish you and Chloe would give her a break. He was serious now, something that Josh rarely was.

Why? She’s a hussy...and a little crazy, I think, Mia told him, moving in her seat as if the thought of how many men Andrea might have been with made her skin crawl.

‘A crazy hussy.’ You’ve just described the majority of the female population of Southern California. Sorry I’m not dating a librarian. You’d think that anyone I dated was a hussy anyway. You, and especially you, have always had a problem with my girlfriends, Josh accused as he guided the beastly car down the road. The Charger had been their father’s car. Jack Paige had bought it as a piece of junk for a few hundred dollars, and he and Josh had spent two years restoring the beast into what it was now: like new and really quite impressive. Definitely noticeable, which was part of its appeal for Josh.

Because when it comes to girls, you have awful taste, Mia snorted. "And what’s that mean, me especially?"

Clo may not have liked the girls I brought home, but at least she kept her opinions to herself.

Then how do you know that she didn’t like them?

Josh fell silent for a moment as he pondered this question. Then, coming to no definite answer, he shrugged and said, You know how Clo is. She might make a statement once and never again, but she gets her point across.

What does she say? Mia asked, genuinely interested in the case that she ever brought home a boy, like Max Connors, she would know what to listen for from Chloe.

Well, like with Andrea. She said, ‘Better watch your back with that one. She’s crushed tougher men than you, little bro!’ Josh did a rough and completely inadequate impression of his older sister’s voice.

Yeah, I can see her saying something like that. Mia nodded, laughing, and let her neurosis of the crow slip-slide away for the time being.

She and Josh poked fun at one another and carelessly chatted the rest of the way to South Adamant High. By the time Josh pulled up in front of the large brick school, Mia had forgotten all about her worries and didn’t see the single crow perched on the goal post of the football field as she entered the building. She waved to Josh, who revved the engine of his sleek car as some of Mia’s attractive female classmates wandered by, eyeing him. She shook her head, amused, and ventured through the school doors.

After cramming her backpack into the insufficiently sized locker, she checked her reflection in the little mirror hung on the inside of the locker door. Hair and make-up were good, and something behind her caught her attention that was even better—the reflection of what was to Mia the most perfect high school male specimen that existed anywhere. The reflection of her most intense high school crush...approaching her. She quickly made herself seem busy, unconvincingly looking for some books at the bottom of her neatly organized locker, when the voice that belonged to the reflection almost seemed to sing to her.

Hey, Mia.

Oh, Max. Hi. She tried to act as if she had no idea that he had been approaching; that his presence didn’t take her breath away; that the smell of the cologne or deodorant or whatever it was that he wore didn’t burn into her memory, making her feel giddy and lightheaded; that she didn’t want to laugh and cry at the same time when his dark chocolatey brown eyes met hers but felt stupidly obvious.

Where’s Eddie? I don’t usually see one of you without the other, Max told her as he leaned on the locker next to hers.

She’s sick today.

Oh, too bad. I was hoping that the two of you might come to my place tonight. My parents are out of town, and I’m having a little party. Nothing huge, just a few people.

Really? Mia asked, her heart nearly stopping and jumping right out of her mouth.

I would like it if you came.

Those eyes. Those dark chocolate eyes had Mia trapped in his gaze as if she were being hypnotized. She had to blink several times before responding.

Well, Mia lowered her voice as if she was letting Max in on a devious secret, and he leaned in so as to hear her better, making her stomach flutter. Eddie’s not really sick. She’s skipping today, but I’ll tell her. Maybe we’ll see you tonight. She flashed her best smile at him, thankful that she could at least muster that much.

Max winked at her as if to assure that he would keep her secret and pulled out his phone.

What’s your number? I’ll text you my address.

Oh, Jesus, be cool.

Mia recited her number to Max, thankful that she could even recall the digits in her flustered state. Seconds later, she felt a short vibration in her back pocket. She pulled her phone out and read Max’s address followed by, Hope you can make it.

I’ll see what I can do. I’ll talk to Eddie.

Well, you see, now I have your number. So if you don’t show up, I’ll just have to call and harass you. He gave her that smooth smile that made her knees weak and her cheeks red, but she tried to play it as cool as possible.

Like I said, I’ll talk to Eddie and just say ... probably.

Probably means yes. I’m going to hold you to it. Bring a swimsuit. He started to say something else, but Denny Nichols grabbed Max as he passed and pulled him away, bellowing about some game on television the night before.

While Max was more of a pretty-boy, caring way too much about his hair and the labels on his clothes, Denny was a jock. He played as many sports as his daily schedule would allow and, to fill in those dull intervals between sports, spent his spare time watching sports on television. He was obnoxious and rude, and even though girls thought he was a pig for the most part, he was never dissuaded from pinching an ass or putting on his A-game when he thought he had a shot. He was simply too much. The only factor keeping Max from being the perfect package was his annoying best friend, and Mia figured a girl could do worse.

She slammed her locker shut and headed to her first class of the day, her head spinning over the fact that Max had finally asked her out. Kind of. Right? It seemed like it. Concentrating on class was a lost cause at this point, so Mia let her mind stray as she tried to preplan what she would wear that night and how excited she was to call Eddie the very second that that damned bell rang, signaling the end of first period. 

––––––––

Where’s Miss Thing today? Seth, Mia and Eddie’s other best friend, asked, motioning to Eddie’s empty seat at their usual table in the cafeteria.

Sick, Mia stated, using finger quotes.

Sick of gym, maybe. Seth emptied out his brown bag lunch and was about to dig into his salad when he glanced up and laughed. But my, my, she rallies like a champ.

Mia was surprised to see Eddie stalking toward them on her long legs.

I thought you weren’t coming today, Seth called.

Edwina McCullough was uniquely beautiful. She always looked out of place in a seaside California town with her pale skin and red hair. She looked more like a Scottish princess, and this was the uniqueness that drew men to her like moths to a flame and made other girls wish they could stand out without even trying as Eddie did. She had sharp green eyes to go with her sharp little face, and a personality that gave her a carefree, roll-with-the-punches reputation.

I told my mom that I had cramps earlier and that they went away, Eddie shrugged, filling her usual seat and snatching a few fries from Mia’s lunch tray.

She bought that? Seth asked.

I’m surprised that she even remembers what cramps are. It has to be about a hundred years since she’s even had her period, Eddie said, rolling her eyes.

Are you nuts? You have a Get Out of Jail Free card and show up anyway? Seth asked.

I was bored. There’s nothing to do at home except read what everyone is bitching about on Facebook. Who cares? Besides, you missed me! Eddie ruffled her hand in Seth’s meticulously styled hair.

Hands off! Do you have any idea what kind of time goes into creating this kind of beauty? This magnificence? Seth tried to smooth down what Eddie had just disheveled.

Sethy, you always look handsome. Even when your hair is a mess. I wish you were straight so that you could marry Mia.

You both wish I was straight so you could get with this. That’s no secret.

Wait, why me? Mia asked. Wouldn’t you marry our Sethy?

Sadly, I could not. Eddie gave a comical sigh of dismay.

Why not?

"Because you and Seth would make the most beautiful babies the world has ever seen. They would have Seth’s tropical mocha skin and your amazing eyes; oh, they would be the most beautiful olive babies that have ever existed! If Seth and I had babies, with my pasty skin and carrot top? Imagine Seth’s dark complexion and my red hair. They would look like mutants."

Ew, stop talking about making babies the hetero way. Please, I’m eating. When I do have children, no sooner than age forty, I will get a catalogue, and my husband and I will adopt one like normal people...it’ll be like shopping for a baby. Seth mused, tilting his head to the side as if envisioning a baby catalogue.

Okay, okay, guess what! Mia was unable to hold back her news any longer.

Your brother has admitted his love for me and wants us to run away so I can have his love child! Eddie pressed the back of her hand to her forehead, doing her best interpretation of a distressed Vivian Leigh.

Dream on, girl! He’s decided that he plays for my team now and wants my number. Seth pretended to search in his pockets for his phone.

Seth was fully aware that Josh was not even slightly gay, but he loved to taunt Eddie by pretending to be interested in him as well, though Seth never did have a hard time admitting that Josh was ...too much fun to look at. 

Okay, both of you need to stop drooling over my brother and focus on me right now. Mia snapped her fingers as if talking to a couple of house cats. Eddie and Seth pasted exaggerated expressions of placation on their faces and directed their attention to Mia.

Guess who invited me to a party tonight?

Denny Nichols, Eddie laughed.

Ew, no. Guess again, Mia insisted.

Wait, what do you mean, ‘ew’? Seth asked. Don’t you think Denny is good-looking? I do.

Does it matter what he looks like? He’s a pig. His personality totally deflects his looks, Eddie stated, wrinkling her nose.

You think? Seth glanced across the cafeteria to where Denny sat, shouting obnoxiously with the rest of the baseball team.

Seth! Do you have a crush on Denny Nichols? Eddie laughed.

God, no! So totally not my type. I’m not into that whole jock scene. I’m just saying that if you saw him walking down the street, and he didn’t have a chance to open his mouth, he’s a pretty good looking guy. I can make simple observations. Besides, I have a boyfriend, thankyouverymuch.

Hello! Me! We’re talking about me! Forget about Denny, I’m trying to tell you who invited me to a party. Mia waved her hands about, as if this would force their attention on her.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt! Eddie burst. Joseph was Seth’s obsession.

Oh my God, it’s weird that you said that! I saw him last week in L.A. going into this new bistro next to where I was shopping, Seth told Eddie. This was clearly a lie designed to interrupt Mia’s story and irk her. If Seth had actually seen Joseph Gordon-Levitt in person, he would probably cry, then faint, then call Eddie and Mia both from the ambulance to tell them that it had been the single greatest moment of his life.

Really? What did he look like? What was he wearing? Eddie was fully aware of Seth’s game and feigned delighted interest.

"Just jeans and a nice white T-shirt, but it was hot. He looked good."

And did he fall madly in love with you?

Of course. We’re jetting off to Paris for a spring wedding.

Does your obsession know no bounds? Does it not deter you at all that he’s actually married to a woman? Eddie shook her head.

It’s me he loves. He told me so. Seth sighed.

Okay. Fine. I see what you’re doing. Let me know when you two are done being terrible friends, and I’ll continue. Mia sat back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. She knew this game and would have been fully amused had she not been trying to deliver possibly life-altering news for which she would need the guidance and support of her two best friends ... who at the moment were being incredibly annoying .

Who? Eddie finally gave in, sensing Mia’s irritability.

Max Connors.

Shut up! Seth’s mouth fell open. You’ve been crushing on him for, like, a year.

Yes she has! Eddie slapped Mia’s arm across the table. Why didn’t you tell me?

What do you think I’ve been trying to do? Mia snapped.

Where’s the party? Eddie insisted.

His house. Will you guys come with me?

I can’t. Seth stuck out his bottom lip in a pout. Brian and I are going to see a movie.

Whoa! Passing up a party full of drama for a quaint movie night with the boy-toy? You guys must be getting serious, Mia laughed.

Ugh! I want to go to that damn party. Typical! The one night that there’s bound to be plenty of real life drama, he wants to see a movie. I’m going to sulk over this.

Eddie, you’ll come with me? Mia pleaded.

Of course I will. I need to see this first hand. What did he say to you? Eddie waved at a random boy who had called hello to her from halfway across the cafeteria without so much as a glance up.

He just said that he wanted us to come to his party and to bring something to swim in.

"Well, fine, you two go. But I want details, damn the time of night. I don’t care if it’s three in the morning. I’m serious. Not the next day, not when you get around to it, call me from the car as soon as you leave the party, Seth demanded. I’ll know if you leave the party and don’t call me. You know that I will know."

Yes, yes, Seth. We will call you before we even pull out of Max’s driveway, all right? Jeez, Mia said. She took a deep breath and felt like she held that breath for the rest of the day. Funny, these days Mia always felt like she was waiting to breathe again.

––––––––

If nine years ago, someone had asked sixteen-year-old Joshua Paige what he saw himself doing after high school, his response would have been college, obviously. Probably something incredibly ambitious, Ivy League very likely. Definitely something for overachievers, and the possibility of being a townie, working at the docks, would have seemed just about as likely as space cowboy.

But here he was, jumping on and off board boats all day. Loading and unloading and delivering to local restaurants and markets and at the end of the day reeking of fish. At the docks, Josh made an honest living, but this was blue-collar work for seaside townies, and Josh had always anticipated bigger and better things for himself. His parents had certainly anticipated better for their only son.

Jack and Sandra Paige’s original plan was for all of their children to go to college and make something of themselves as they had done. However, after Chloe had graduated high school, she had made very clear to her parents that their scholastic dreams would not come true for their eldest. Chloe was a free spirit, as her mother had called her. Their mother had been more accepting of the fact that Chloe refused a higher education than their father had been. Chloe wanted to surf and paint and dance and make jewelry, pottery, and music. She wanted to go to festivals and concerts and hang out in the parking lots in the backs of vans. She had reminded Sandra Paige of her own self when she was just a girl. Jack Paige, who had joined the service right out of high school, had earned himself several degrees in time. He was less accepting of his eldest daughter’s free-spirited ways. He had claimed that Chloe would never make her own way in life on her chosen path and that she was setting a poor example for her siblings. Sandra had taken a more optimistic approach as Chloe had begun dabbling in competitive surfing and was really very good. She had also reasoned that Josh was a straight A student. There was no chance that he wouldn’t go to college on anything less than a full scholarship, and since Josh had been Mia’s personal hero and champion since she was a baby, she would be sure to follow in his footsteps. Jack, who had intended his only son to join the military as he had done, was pacified with this once he saw the stellar grades Josh brought home, report card after report card. It was clear that college was the path for his boy.

Jack and Sandra died before Chloe had proven herself as a widely known professional surfer and before they would find out if either of their other children were college-bound. Josh felt shame in his life choices and was glad that his father couldn’t see him now, because the disappointment would be a certainty. Before Jack and Sandra died, Josh had great aspirations. He had an outstanding GPA, was the most valued member of the track team, played basketball, tennis, and was in the drama club, math club, and Students for Environmental Rights; everything a respectable college wanted in a potential undergrad. He had been actively trying to involve himself in everything that an Ivy League college looks for in a potential student.

After the death of their parents, Josh stopped caring about Ivy League colleges, extracurriculars, and his schoolwork. He stopped turning in homework, let his classwork slack, and dropped out of all the clubs. The only aspects of school that motivated him were the sports teams from which he was dismissed as a result of poor grades, and that was after he had been cut a tremendous amount of slack due to his unfortunate circumstances. The colleges that he and his father had been so sure would have admitted him would never even consider him now. He could hope for community college, but this interested Josh about as much as learning to make pottery with Chloe. Josh was the most changed after their parents died. Granted, all of them had dealt with personal changes. Mia became more independent and even a little withdrawn from everyone around her with the exception of her brother and sister. And Chloe, who used to be irresponsibly whimsical and considered herself an inspired painter, had only picked up her brush once since then–to paint a mural on a wall in her surf shop. But the girls managed to carry on a resemblance of the people they had been before their parents’ death.  Not Josh. He was a completely changed person. Josh, who had been the perfect all-American high school boy, morphed, for a time, into the shell of a boy who went through the motions but felt nothing. Josh, who had always been known to be a little conceited and boastful, but also goofy and good natured, became dull and passive unless provoked. Then he was downright angry and violent. Never to his sisters, but anyone else was fair game. All he needed was a nudge. He was like a burning fuse ready to blow at any sign of conflict. Josh became a very rage-filled young man. He was almost always getting into scuffles with other boys, always putting fist-holes in walls and constantly had a temper that could blow by any little trigger. After court ordered counseling sessions to control his anger subsequent of several schoolyard fights, Josh reigned in his aggression enough to keep out of trouble, but he hadn’t regained his determination and motivation to be the best version of himself that he could be. Chloe blamed Josh’s shift in personality and goals on his age when Jack and Sandra passed away. She was old enough to have at least a loose grasp of who she was and would be in life. Mia was way too young to have any inklings of forming an independent identity at her young age. But Josh? Josh was at that age where the last couple and next few years would shape who he would be as a man. His parents died precisely at the time in his life where Josh needed them most.

They all silently acknowledged that had their parents not died, Josh would have gone to Yale or Harvard or Stanford, would have sailed brilliantly into the future full of confidence and expecting nothing less than wild success. None of them ever spoke a word about it. None of them blamed him. What was in the past was in the past and couldn’t be changed. Josh could have tried for a lesser college, but at a time before Chloe had become the celebrity that she was, money was still scarce.

Chloe, being the executor of their parent’s will, had used all of the money that Jack and Sandra had saved for their children’s college education and the life insurance to pay off the house where they had lived as a family their whole lives. After going through such tragedy, she felt that this was the best action to take, to assure that no matter what happened in their lives, she and her brother and sister would always have a home. More than that, they would always have their home. After a long talk, the three of them decided that this was more important than higher education. There were scholarships and student loans if need be. There was also the double funeral to pay for, the cremations, headstones, and some frivolous purchases that may not have been the most efficient ways of spending the money, but they were needed at the time. A Jeep for Chloe, a Jet Ski for Josh, and a new bike and trunk full of books for Mia. Little comforts, but even the smallest of comforts were more than welcome to the three of them during that time in their lives.

After Josh had barely graduated, he had taken the first job that was offered to him: a dockhand loading and unloading the fishing boats and making deliveries. The job wasn’t all bad all the time. True, the labor was sometimes hard, and his back hurt when he drove home at the end of the day. And true, he did come home every day reeking of his work, and the inside of his beautiful car, no matter what he did to try to cover it, always carried the lingering odor of fish. And yes, he was expected to work in the blazing heat or pouring rain. But it wasn’t all bad. He enjoyed the company of the other dockhands and fishermen who worked around him. They were a grizzly, rag-tag bunch of jolly perverts. Dirty jokes and nudie pictures were constantly circulating among them, nearly as numerous as the fish that came and went around the place. Vulgar language and pranks on one another were just another way to make the day go by a little faster, a little easier. It wasn’t unusual to find a dead fish under the seat of your car. And rules were loose around here. As long as the work was done, there was really no structure or pecking order.

One of Josh’s favorite working-day pastimes was listening to the older fishermen come to dock and tell tales of the incredible storms they had endured out at sea, or the mysterious and phantasmal phenomena they had witnessed hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles from all land and civilization. These stories would captivate the dockhands, and they would all listen in awe, their mouths agape. A small part of Josh longed to be at sea, to be at odds with the elements and to live to tell his tale. Any one of the dockhands felt the same way. To get away from the docks and out into the mystical, unforgiving ocean would be preferable. It was a romanticized notion and an adventure besides. Being out there was more than moving fish from one location to another. Here, he would go nowhere. The best he could hope for was a manager/foreman position in which case the pay would be slightly more than he made now, which wasn’t much. Josh was capable of better, he knew, but he just hadn’t had the drive or motivation to pursue higher goals, whatever they might be...until lately. 

––––––––

Hey gorgeous, Josh said into his phone while driving to the docks.

Oh, hi, Josh, Andrea replied in a nasally voice, ending the sentence in a loud cough.

Wow, you sound terrible. Are you sick?

I have a horrible cold. She sounded downright miserable. I’m all stuffed up, and I can’t stop coughing. I feel just awful.

I guess you probably don’t feel like doing anything tonight, huh? Josh tried to hide the disappointment in his voice, but not very convincingly.

I don’t think so. I just want to stay home in bed and sleep it off. Besides, my nose is all red from blowing it, my eyes are all watery and puffy, and I look as bad as I feel, she stated, sneezing.

Do you want me to come over and keep you company? he offered.

No, I wouldn’t want you to catch it. Then you’d be sick after I was better, and there’s no sense in that.  I’d feel horrible. I wouldn’t be much company anyway. I’m just going to sleep all night. But I’ll call you tomorrow when I feel a little more human, okay?

Sure. I’m sorry you feel so bad. If you need me to do anything, call me, all right?

You’re such a teddy bear. I will. I promise. Have a good day. Bye.

Bye. Josh tossed the phone onto the passenger seat.

Lately, Josh had been sensing a change in the wind. Maybe the fact that Mia was about to graduate and embark on the next chapter of her life had motivated him, lit a fire under him. For whatever reason, Josh was ready for ... something. What, he wasn’t sure, but he knew that something in his own life had to change.

Andrea was great. She was pretty and fun and a little mysterious. She didn’t talk about herself much, so Josh’s insight into Andrea’s little-known past came mostly from the mouths of others. He was never one to believe rumors though, being that when he experienced his dark days of fighting and flunking out of classes, the rumors flew about what caused the outrageous behavior. The fact that his parents were dead didn’t seem to be bad enough. People had said that he had turned into a juvenile alcoholic. That he was taking every kind of illegal drug imaginable. One rumor even claimed that he had joined a cult to deal with the emotional trauma.

No, Josh did not buy into rumors. Andrea had a reputation of being somewhat promiscuous. She had denied all such claims, reasoning that people in this small town jumped to conclusions about her because all of her closest friends were men. Josh had noticed this, as had his sisters who weren’t shy about their feelings regarding the company their brother’s girlfriend kept, and this had secretly bothered him. Even his best friend, Jerry, wasn’t a huge advocate of the Josh-Andrea relationship. And Jerry was one of the most non-judgmental and easy-going people that Josh had ever known, so Jerry’s indifference was a little alarming. Andrea had shrugged it off, claiming that she had never really clicked with other girls and had always felt much more like one of the guys. Josh had outright asked her if she had slept with any of them. He may have been naïve, but he wasn’t stupid. She had laughed the question off and claimed that they were like brothers to her, not boyfriends.

Maybe Andrea was the one. The one he was supposed to settle down and spend the rest of his life with. Maybe taking the relationship to the next level with Andrea was the change he needed in his life. Josh always knew that he had wanted to be a father–to be even half as good of a father as his had been. He and Andrea hadn’t been seriously dating that long. The idea of marriage had never even come up in a conversation, but Josh decided that maybe this was a conversation that should be had.

––––––––

Almost ready? Eddie’s reflection appeared in the bathroom mirror behind Mia, who was curling romantic waves into her sandy-colored hair.

One more ... there. Ready. When did you get here?

Just now, Eddie said, leaning against the doorframe. She wore a pair of jeans with a hole ripped in the knee and a dark green tank top that made her emerald eyes glow. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail and tied with a long, black, silk scarf, detailed with gold spirals around the edges. Gold hoops hung from her ears, and even Mia was a little struck by how effortlessly beautiful Eddie looked. She wore little make-up, maybe some mascara and lip-gloss, but nothing more.

However, Mia felt confident that evening. Max had asked her to come to his house. She put on her favorite denim skirt. Form fitting, knee length, and had splits on both sides of her thighs that reached near-scandalous heights. She put on a white, sleeveless top printed with pale pink lilies and a pair of pink sandals. Her long brownish hair  hung down her back in luscious curls, and she augmented her eyes with very subtle blue shadow and gray liner, accentuating her best feature–the trademark Paige eyes. Chloe, Josh, and Mia all inherited their father’s violet eyes. Not quite brown, not quite blue, but an exotic intermingling that looked to be an earthy shade of dark purple. The color was subtle until one was close.

Wow, hot mama! Eddie exclaimed.

I was worried that the eye makeup was too much. It’s okay? Mia studied her reflection in the mirror.

Absolutely. Max is going to fall head over heels for you as soon as he sees you, Eddie assured her. Mia gave herself one last check-over and flicked off the bathroom light. The girls headed to the kitchen where Chloe was busily washing dishes.

You know, it’s supposed to be your turn for dish duty, Chloe informed Mia.

Why don’t you just put them in the dishwasher? Mia asked.

These aren’t dishwasher safe. See these with the wooden handles? Chloe held up some wood-handled cutlery. You can’t put these in the dishwasher. The handles will sliver.

I put them in the dishwasher all the time–look at them, they’re fine, Mia pointed out.

Stop it. If you keep doing that, it’ll ruin them, Chloe argued.

Yes. And then how would I ever sleep at night?

Mia. Chloe’s tone was warning.

Okay, okay. Pick whatever day next week that you don’t want, and I’ll do them.

Thursday.

Deal. Thanks, Clo.

Chloe looked annoyed, but Mia knew that she wasn’t.

Tell me about this party, Chloe said.

It’s just a small gathering at a friend’s house, Mia answered.

Which friend's house?

Oh, Max’s house! Eddie piped up, her enthusiasm slightly over the top. You know, Max? The guy Mia’s been eyeing for months now?

Thank you, Eddie. Mia gave her a sardonic smile. Yes, Max Connors is having a small get-together.

Really? Even Chloe knew that Mia had had eyes for Max for a while now. Well, be careful, and call if you need a ride. Then, with a sideways glance at Eddie, I’ll send Josh to get you.

So, where is Josh tonight? Eddie asked, picking up on Chloe’s cue.

Upstairs primping for Andrea. She’s sick, so Mr. Sensitive has to surprise her with a care package, Mia replied in a mocking tone.

Don’t talk about me like I’m not here, Josh said carelessly as he strolled into the kitchen. What’s up, Ed? He flashed her a flirty smile.

Eddie, forever playing it cool, flashed him one back. Eddie could have had her pick from a wide variety of admirers, but she had only ever had eyes for Josh.

Not much. Going to take care of your sick girlfriend? she asked, teasingly.

You know me. I’m good that way.

That’s what I hear. Eddie raised an eyebrow. She and Josh had been doing this dance since Eddie turned fourteen. Teasing each other, flirting with each other—it had been going on for years.

Well, we have to get going. Josh, you’ll be able to give us a ride if we need it? Mia asked, pushing Eddie toward the door.

You mean if Ed drinks too much to drive? Of course. You know I’m always at your beck and call, twenty-four seven, Josh teased.

Thanks. Love you both. Bye, Mia called.

Love you back, Josh and Chloe both shouted in return.

Tell your girlfriend hi for me, Eddie teased over her shoulder, getting in one more shot as the screen door slammed shut.

Chloe watched them from the kitchen window as they trotted to Eddie’s car. That one has it bad for you, she told her brother.

I know, I just like to pick on her. Josh was sitting on the chair by the kitchen door, pulling on his shoes. She’s a good kid. She’s been good for Mia, you know? It’s been important for her to have some kind of stable connection to the world outside this house. Plus, Eddie’s parents have been really great to Mia too. To all of us, really.

Yes, I know. The thing is, little bro, she’s not a kid anymore.

That she’s not. Josh joined Chloe at the sink, watching through the kitchen window as Eddie climbed into the driver’s seat of her Monte Carlo. Mm-mm-mm, damn.

She’s single, Chloe said.

I’m not.

You could be.

Just stop. Really, give it a rest.

What? Busted.

Listen, I know you don’t like Andrea–trust me, you and Mia are really great about being passively aggressive about that one–but she’s in my life. She’s my girlfriend, and I wish you’d give her a chance. Or at least stop acting like my pimp, because this, what you’re doing right now, is weird. Eddie is great, but she’s our kid sister’s best friend. You know, you don’t bother Mia about her romantic life, and you sure as hell don’t bother with a romantic life of your own, so your sudden interest in mine is slightly creepy. Maybe you should turn some of that attention on yourself. When’s the last time you even got laid?

Oh, relax. Seriously, I was just making a suggestion. Here, dry. Chloe handed the dishtowel to Josh.

I can’t, I’m going to Andrea’s, remember?

Keep your phone on you in case Mia calls, Chloe instructed him.

It’s only eight; I don’t think they’ll be needing a ride for a while. I’ll be home before they call. Andrea’s pretty sick. Love you. Josh kissed his sister on the top of her sun-bleached blonde head and breezed out the door.

Love you back, she shouted through the open kitchen window then added, And FYI, I had sex last week! That was a lie.

I didn’t want to know that, but I’ll bet the neighbors are glad that they do, Josh shouted back as he jogged to his car. And FYI, with yourself doesn’t count!

Chloe sighed as she watched her other sibling pull out of the drive.

Sick girlfriend my ass, Chloe mumbled to herself. She was getting one of those instinctual gut feelings that tonight was going to turn out to be a rough night.

––––––––

Earlier that day Chloe had been standing in the display window of the surf shop that she and Lizard, her business partner and best friend, owned and operated; Clo-Bo’s Surf Supplies. Lizard had taken a short vacation from his daily routine of crafting custom surfboards and other shop duties to visit his mother in Hawaii, and thus Chloe found that she had double the duties while he was gone. Mia and Eddie both worked there part time after school and on weekends and were currently unpacking the new shipment to hang on the display floor.  Chloe had grabbed some of the new T-shirts from the box and was dressing the window mannequins in them. She had an idea of what the display should look like in her head. Three mannequins: a male model, a female model, and a child model, all side by side in order of height. Chloe chuckled as she realized that this sounded like the beginning of a bad joke. On each end of the lineup of headless, limbless bodies dressed in surf wear she would stand a surfboard, one yellow and one green.

Mia, can you and Eddie go see if we have any more of that Hawaiian lei?

What for? Mia asked as she and Eddie pulled the T-shirts out of the boxes and hung them on hangers to put on the sales racks.

Because I want to get leid. Get it? Leid? Le–forget it. Chloe gave up as Mia and Eddie exchanged unamused looks. For the window display. I think there’s a box on the top shelf in the back.

Sure. Mia and Eddie retreated to the storeroom. Chloe stood back to look at the mannequins. 

I guess the little guy should go in the middle, she said aloud to herself.

As she approached the window she just happened to glance up. Across the street, a young couple caught her eye coming out of The Bay Breeze, Adamant’s most popular restaurant and watering hole. At first she was slightly envious, as she always secretly was when she saw a young couple in love. But when Chloe suddenly recognized the female half of the affectionate young couple, shock came and bullied envy right out of the way. Chloe stood behind the male mannequin and watched as Andrea exited with a young man who had his arm snuggly around her waist. At first Chloe had decided to try and give Andrea the benefit of the doubt, per Josh’s request, and assumed that the attractive young man was one of her many, many male pals. However, this delusion was quickly dismissed as they stepped out of The Bay Breeze and locked lips for a long kiss while he fondled her backside. They embraced for a long while before Andrea broke away and dragged him up the sidewalk with a nervous glance toward the surf-shop that her boyfriend’s sister owned. Chloe stayed behind the mannequin, looking out the window until Mia’s voice behind her made her jump.

What are you doing? Mia stood with a large box of stringed fabric flowers in her arms, she and Eddie both looking questioningly at Chloe.

For an instant, Chloe considered telling Mia what she had just seen, but deciding better of it, she said, I’m, um, just checking to see what size this one is. Chloe pulled the tag out of the male mannequin’s shirt, inspected it a little too closely, then tucked it back in and gave the mannequin a satisfied pat, resting her elbow on the shoulder. Mia set the box down, giving her sister a quizzical look, then turned her attention back to hanging up the new shipment.

Did she start smoking pot again? Eddie whispered to Mia.

I don’t think so. Unfortunately, she’s just a weirdo sometimes.

After Eddie and Mia had left to prepare for the night’s festivities, Chloe lingered at the shop. She had two other employees scheduled to work that evening and could have easily taken her board to the beach and hit the waves, her first choice for spending any amount of free time. However, she did not. She stayed in her office trying to catch up on some bookwork but couldn’t concentrate.

Chloe never was the type to let little trivialities bother her. She was as easy-going as they came for the most part. Sure, she had opinions on anything that mattered, just like anyone else did, but she never forced them on someone whose opinion differed from her own. Live and let live. Life was too short to dwell on the negative, a lesson she had learned early on. If for some reason someone found a reason to treat Chloe indecently, she was able to let it roll off her shoulders without much strife. 

However, if someone acted indecently toward her siblings, that was a different matter. Chloe had been the mom in their lives for the past eight years. She had the mothering instinct to shield and protect them from all the bad in the world, but she also had that big sister instinct which made her want to kick the ass of anyone who wanted to harm Josh or Mia. She didn’t, but the urge was there. Every time one of them was unnecessarily hurt, Chloe did harbor a tiny desire to beat the crap out of whomever was responsible. Quite out of character for laidback Chloe. Regardless of what role she played, big sister or mom, she had taken care of them and watched out for them, and that would never change. She had never acknowledged the fact that she had sacrificed a normal life for her siblings. What was normal anyway?

Chloe had never had a long-term relationship. The few guys that she had dated were scared away by the fact that she was responsible for a family at such a young age or intimidated by the fact that she was a celebrity in the surfing community. Chloe had to refuse going out with her friends to party on a Friday or Saturday night more times than not so that she could work or stay home with her little sister. She had to work three jobs before making it big in the surf scene to support her family while her friends journeyed off to college or moved into great apartments and lived the life of twenty-somethings exploring their independence. Chloe had missed out on the carefree whim of being a young adult because she was a guardian by default.

She wasn’t bothered by any of this. She loved Josh and Mia more than life and would die for either of them, and she hated to see Josh or Mia hurt for any reason. She tried to prevent them from grief when possible, they’d all had more than their share, but without being overprotective and sometimes even letting them learn from their mistakes when such a lesson was appropriate.

Right then, Chloe wanted to chase Andrea down the street and shake her until she had whiplash, but she didn’t. She knew that if Josh did not find out about Andrea’s extracurricular relationships that she would have to tell him. And the conversation would be horrible. Josh had some difficulty controlling this temper at times. He would never hurt anyone, at least not anymore; he wasn’t as angry as he used to be. However, Chloe still had to ask Lizard to fix a fist-sized hole in the wall from time to time.

It was no secret to Chloe that Josh was desperate to start a family. Josh and Mia had very few secrets from Chloe, whether they knew the fact or not. He had talked about being a father since he was just a little guy of six or seven, always telling her and their parents what he would do when he had his own children. Of course, back then those sentences usually ended with some sort of children’s foolishness. "When I have my own children, their names are going to be Darth Vader and Hulk, and they will be able to eat ice cream and pizza