Free Overboard by Sandra Madera Page B

The girl you met last year at
that summer camp you work at,” she said, appearing unsure. “Chelsea
Erving, right?”
    “Yeah, she was in charge of the eight year olds and I
was in charge of the six year olds. We just really hit it off and
we’ve kept in touch ever since. I invited her. I think she will fit
right in with our group.”
    “I don’t know how you can still work at that camp
after... the accident .” Marissa shook her head as if shaking
away a negative thought.
    “It’s my job, Marissa. I look forward to looking
after new campers every year. I am not going to let one bad thing stop me from doing what I love.”
    Shocked, her friend gazed at her as if trying to
register this new information. “ One bad thing? You are over
it, aren’t you?”
    She nodded, tiring of the subject. “Life goes on and
you just have to go with it.”
    “Yeah. Okay.” Marissa looked at her skeptically.
“Well, I haven’t seen Chelsea but she might have gotten passed me.
I will ask Orman if he has seen her, but he wants to get out as
soon as possible. If she is not here yet, we might have to ditch
her.”
    “I am sure she is here,” Brenna told her
matter-of-factly. “She is always on time for everything. She may
have just gone to her room. She is not that social, but once you
get to know her she is really sweet.”
    Marissa led her to a large cruise ship that was
docked on the deep end of the marina. “What is this? I thought we
were taking Orman's yacht to the Keys.”
    “Orman's dad retired a cruise ship from circulation
so Orman thought it would better for us to party on.”
    Brenna smiled. “He was so right. This ship is
awesome,” she said, walking up the aluminum ramp onto the large
vessel. “This is the biggest boat I’ve ever been on.”
    “I think it is the biggest boat any of us have ever
been on,” Marissa responded, reaching the deck first. “Welcome to
the millionaire lifestyle. A girl could really get use to all this
splendor.”
    “She sure can.” Brenna said absentmindedly, looking
around the deck for her boyfriend. “Have you seen Dylan? I tried to
call him this morning and he didn’t pick up his cell.”
    “Yeah, he arrived an hour ago with—,” Marissa began
but stopped. “Why don’t I show you to your room? Then you can
unpack and find Dylan?”
    She shrugged her shoulders. “Sure.”
    Marissa led her through the reception areas and into
the hall where there were elevators. “There are five levels. Top is
for crew; the captain and first mate. I am second level - south.
You are just below me.”
    “Do you have my key?” she asked as they boarded the
elevator down.
    Marissa reached in her pocket and handed her a key
with a white tag. “302.”
    “Who am I bunking with?”
    “No one,” her friend answered, pressing the button to
the forth level. “Everyone has a wing. Orman didn't want anyone
stepping on one another’s toes. Besides, there is more privacy that
way.”
    Brenna smiled. “This is way cooler than a small
yacht,” she commented and allowed her eyes to drift to Marissa’s
wrist. “You still have it!”
    “Of course,” Marissa said warmly, cupping the charm
bracelet which hung from her wrist delicately. “My best friend gave
it to me.”
    “I gave it to you in the fifth grade. I didn’t think
you still had it.”
    Marissa’s smile faded. “Just remember one thing when Chelsea arrives...”
    “What?” she asked, suddenly concerned by the sadness
in Marissa’s eyes.
    “That I’m your best friend,” Marissa finished in a
small voice, her eyes reflecting her preoccupation.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Brenna launched herself atop of her grand, king-sized
bed, allowing her body to sink into the pillow-top mattress. Her
muscles instantly relaxed, and she felt suddenly at peace.
    Marissa had left her to unpack, but she didn’t feel
much like unpacking. She felt like relaxing and sleeping her
vacation away. Before she could get too comfortable with the idea
of