The Beached Ones by Colleen M. Story

Author:Colleen M. Story [Story, Colleen M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CamCat Publishing

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

On his last night in the trailer home before moving out, Daniel received the toy plane back from his brother. He’d nearly finished packing when Tony surprised him with the gift, handing it over as if suggesting he needed to add it to his backpack before he zipped it closed. Daniel eased off the wrapping as Tony sat somberly beside him, both of them on his bunk bed in their old room. The jet was a little worse for wear, a few more black and white nicks in the silver paint, the numbers faded on the nose, but it was as familiar as his own fingers.

“This is your plane,” Daniel said.

Tony’s eyelids were heavy. He looked older than his nine years, the cheeks having lost their chubbiness, freckles faded on his fair skin. “You should have it back now.”

“Why?”

“It was your plane. It won’t feel right having it here once you’re gone.”

“But I gave it to you.”

“I’m nine years old now.”

“I was fourteen when I gave it to you.”

“Big baby.”

Daniel held the plane in his palm. “You don’t want it?”

“I want you to have it.” He met Daniel’s gaze. “It might bring you good luck.”

Daniel thought again of offering to take him along. It was still summer. School wouldn’t start for another many weeks. But he didn’t know what a nine-year-old boy would do among a gang of bikers. His friends weren’t the best examples. He couldn’t even be sure it would be a better place for Tony than he had here with Valerie, though even as that thought crossed his mind he couldn’t help but counter himself. At least with him, Tony would have a full belly.

“You think I’ll get out someday too?” Tony said.

“You’ll go on to some fancy college and become that whale biology dude or whatever you call it.”

“Marine biologist.”

“That. You gotta finish school though.”

“When are you coming back?”

Daniel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “If I get on the team, I’m not sure. They tour around the country. It would depend on the schedule.” A sticky silence hovered between them. Daniel looked at his brother’s back, at the shoulder blades poking through the thin T-shirt, the hair that was too long on his neck. “I’ll come as soon as I can.”

“You’ll get on. They won’t have anyone better than you.”

“Jay’s better than me.”

“Not as gutsy.”

“You mean not as stupid.”

“You said it.”

Daniel smiled a little and turned the plane in his palm. He thought of when he’d first run the toy around his brother’s crib. Had that really been nine years ago? He slipped it into his jeans pocket. “I have a present for you too.” Without waiting for Tony’s response, he walked out past the kitchen, stuck his head in the coat closet, and emerged with a large box.

Tony followed him out. “It’s not my birthday, and I’m not leaving.”

“This isn’t for any of that.”

“What’s it for?”

“Like the plane.”

“’Cuz you’re leaving.”

Daniel pushed the box across the table. “I’ll be back soon. Then we can use it.

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