Page 67 of You Can Trust Me

I’ll be okay. I just have to go slow.

Slow and steady…

Mae is counting on me.

It’s as I’m contemplating all of this and settling nicely into full-blown panic mode that I see a boat in the distance, way off on the horizon.

Boatis an understatement. An insult.

This is a yacht.

A large, white vessel in the distance, though I can’t make out much else.

Lightning strikes above it, brightening the evening sky.

It’s off course, I think, but honestly, who knows at this point? It’s also the only boat I’ve passed on this trip so far, and I feel in my gut that she’s there.

My intuition screams that this is it. That I’ve found her.

I need to get to that boat.

I turn the wheel, veering sharply to the right just as another wave slams into the boat. Torrential rain begins pelting me, making it impossible to see more than a few feet in front of me or hear anything but my own terrified thoughts.

I can’t think straight and certainly can’t keep the boat straight.

I focus my eyes on the yacht in the distance, trying to decide which way it’s headed. From here, it’s hard to tell. I just have to keep moving.

Mae is right there.

So close I can almost see her. I’ll have her in my arms in no time.

I can do thi—

A wave smacks into the boat, but I’m not ready. I slide, losing my footing, and my body slams to the ground. I cry out. Another wave splashes in, drenching me and knocking the wind out of my lungs. I fight to stand, fight to catch my breath as the rain picks up. The sound is deafening.

Thunder rumbles overhead.

Angels bowling, my mom used to call it.

I make it onto my knees, trying to grab hold of anything I can reach, as I spy a big wave coming. I can’t make it to the steering wheel. There’s no time.

No, I have to try.

I stand and lunge just as the wave connects with the boat. I feel it going up, feel myself losing my footing again. The momentum steals my breath.

I hit the water with my eyes closed, bracing for impact.

I am everywhere and nowhere all at once, in pieces and whole.

Everything hurts.

My head throbs.

My lungs scream.

My hands reach.

But there is nothing.