Free The Final Piece by Maggi Myers Page B

feel so special, knowing he’d gone into town to buy it and tote it back to the lake for me. The best feature on my ski tube is it has four handles for two riders. Tommy spent a lot time riding with me, until I was confident enough to go alone.
     
    “Breathe, baby girl, I’m here.” Tommy encourages. It’s hard to stay nervous watching the way Tommy’s face is lit up with excitement. I breathe deep into my lungs and smile back at my friend. “Now, grab the handle here and I will boost you up the rest of the way.”
    Once we are on the tube, Tommy instructs me to lay on my belly propped up on my elbows. ”Don’t let go, Beth. If your arms get tired I want you to yell ‘Hawkeye’ so I know you’re ready to let go, and I’ll let go with you.” Tommy puts his fingers in his mouth, whistling to signal Uncle Rob. The rope tethering us is pulled taut as the boat takes off.
    Bouncing along in the wake of the jet boat, Tommy and I hold on for dear life. On the second lap around the lake, my arms begin burning in protest.
    “Hawkeye!” I holler into the wind.
    Tommy faces me and nods his head, “On three, ready? 1...2...3!” We let go and are dragged a few feet by the boat’s momentum. Adrenaline is still racing through me as I swim toward Tommy.
    “Oh my gosh, that was so much fun! Can we do it again?” My words come out with lightning speed, peppered with excited giggles.
    Tommy’s smile equals my own as we bob up and down in the water, waiting for Uncle Rob to circle back to us. He regards me with the warm tenderness he always does.
    “You did great, Beth! I am so proud of you,” he beams. “Happy Birthday.”
     
    The boat idles while Ryan grabs the ski tube. He turns to face me as he secures the towrope, “You know, I have never ridden this thing?” he notes. “Will you teach me, Beth?” He smiles innocently while I eye him suspiciously. His expression softens further and I am reminded of the boy who picked up cherries with me. The one I told I would trust. I struggle not to stumble as the boat rocks with our movement.
    Uncle Rob and Aunt Melissa pretend to be in deep conversation, but I know they are listening carefully for my response. Aunt Melissa is practically levitating off her seat with anticipation.
    “All you have to do is hold onto the handles, Ry. You don’t need me for that.” Suddenly feeling bashful, I look away. Ironically, I find myself better capable of handling flirty Ryan over friendly Ryan.
    “Maybe not,” he cocks his head as he contemplates, “it still looks like more fun with two people. You and Tommy always looked like you were having a blast out there together.”
    He looks at me with sheepish, pleading eyes. He’s very deliberate with the way he’s interacting with me, careful not to provoke defensiveness. He thinks he’s “handling” me. I smile at my pink-pedicured toes, not wanting my pleasure to be obvious.
    “No way, Casanova,” Tommy chimes in from behind me. I sigh heavily.
    Here we go again.
    “What?” Ryan’s face flushes slightly as he addresses his uncle.
    “Do you think this is amateur hour?” Tommy turns all the way around in his seat facing Ryan, placing me directly between them. I lock eyes with Aunt Melissa, begging her silently. Please, please stop them !
    “I was a seventeen year old boy once. I know...” Tommy doesn’t have a chance to finish before Aunt Melissa jumps in.
    “Enough, Tommy! You are embarrassing Beth,” she scolds. “Back. Off.” She crosses her arms across her chest giving Tommy the stink eye.
    “But...” Tommy starts.
    “But nothing! If you want to talk to Ryan about something, you should be doing it in private. You are making everyone uncomfortable with all your posturing,” she continues.
    “You two, in the water.” Uncle Rob interrupts, signaling Ryan and I to get in the water and away from Tommy’s grousing. In my desperation to get away from the argument brewing on board, I forget that I haven’t