Ari followed her hand to the water. His jaw fell. He yanked off his sweatshirt, kicked off his shoes, took three large steps back, sprinted and… jumped.
T he bench felt rough to the palms of her hands and the queasy feeling in her stomach was intensifying. The air was cold and fresh, but the incessant rocking of the boat on the choppy sea made Sheina’s stomach churn. It took all she had to breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
“Ah. Here you are!”
Sheina looked up. “Ari.”
“I’ve been looking for you. Everyone’s having a great time. Your sister Malky’s got this album with Tammy’s baby photos. Cute. She wants everyone to write something. Why aren’t you up there?”
The fledgling smile fled. Can’t you see I’m dying down here? She didn’t bother to answer.
Ari looked at her, bemused. “You okay?”
She nodded. Just enough to make him say: “You look a little funny. Sure you don’t want to come upstairs? It’s cold, but the sun’s out.”
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