Old Palmetto Drive by S.E. Reed

Author:S.E. Reed [S.E. Reed]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Ink Publishing LLC
Published: 2024-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

17

Teenage Sleuth

I text Sam 9-1-1 as I run towards the shop. The white collar on my dress is choking me and the expensive fabric has hardly any give. Every movement is constricting. When I get close enough I think someone will hear, I start shouting. “SAM! Where are you? SAM!”

No answer.

“TRAVIS!” I yell. The gravel crunches under my feet and the sun reflects against the tin, amplifying the heat rising in my face. But the shop is quiet and I’m out of breath from my run and yelling. I look around in a panic. It’s so hot, they are probably out on the skiff fishing. I glance toward the overgrown trees on the other side of the shop, and a shiver runs up my spine. I really don’t want to walk the trail all the way to the dock by myself. What if I run into a python, or something worse?

I’m pretty sure I can manage to drive one of the side-by-sides… Big Jackie keeps the keys labeled in a box on the wall. So without giving it another thought, I run to the out-building that has the ATV’s and snag the pair of keys before I can talk myself out of it. I get into one and I’m just about to start it up when my phone buzzes.

Oh thank god!

It’s Sam. He wants to know if 9-1-1 means a real emergency or just some girl crap.

“God, dummy,” I say out loud and check the review mirror, and jump when I see the reflection of a person, walking between the buildings. It’s Justine. She looks pissed.

I have two options. I can drive out of here and find Sam and Travis, to ask if they know who Annona is and why Justine was arguing with her. Or, I could grow a pair and ask Justine myself. Maybe I’m stupid. But I leave the keys in the ignition and climb out of the vehicle and run towards her. Option two it is.

“Hey Justine, wait up!” I shout and wave my arms so she can see me.

“Rian.” She acknowledges me, but she’s not slowing down, clearly on a mission to get anywhere but here.

I know that feeling. I’ve battled it myself recently.

“Wait, slow down.” I grab for her elbow, my fingers brush gently across her skin, but she’s moving too fast for it to have any effect. “Are you okay?” I ask.

“Why wouldn’t I be okay Rian?” She turns around. She’s wearing a pair of cut off jean shorts and a flowy yellow tank. Her hair is pinned over to one side and smoothed in finger waves. Like an old picture of Bette Davis. Even with her lips pouting and eyes dark from anger, she looks– beautiful. Should I tell her? Maybe it would make her feel better.

“I heard you and Annona arguing,” I admit.

She shakes her head and turns to keep walking. I’m like a lost puppy dog, I follow her, step for step, until we reach the porch of her little house.

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