Free The Year I Almost Drowned by Shannon McCrimmon Page B

moving. I could see a
    long line of cars ahead of us. The radio was turned off. I heard the low hum of car
    motors and could smell exhaust coming from a nearby car muffler.

    “What
    happened?”
    I
    asked.

    My grandfather looked irritated. “We haven’t moved for a while. I think there was
    an accident. Look at that map and see if there’s another way we can get home.”

    I grabbed the large atlas Nana had placed in the car and opened it to the state of
    Tennessee. “It looks like the next exit will take us through Pigeon Forge. It’s out
    of the way, but it’ll get us to 40 eventually.” I showed him, pointing to it on the
    map.

    He turned on his signal and looked to his right, giving the driver next to us a look
    that read “let me over or else.” The driver immediately complied and allowed us
    get in front of him. It took more than twenty more minutes to reach the exit, which
    had only been a quarter of a mile away. We rode down the US-441 Scenic
    Parkway, passing through towns like Sevierville and Gatlinburg before we
    reached the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most of the leaves had fallen
    off of the trees. My grandfather stopped the car so we could stretch and trade
    places driving. He handed me the keys and we stood side-by-side staring at the
    beautiful view of mountain upon mountain. I took the camera out of my purse and
    held
    it
    up
    to
    us
    to
    take
    a
    photo.

    “Hang on. I gotta get something.” He wandered to the car and grabbed something
    from the back seat. “Can’t take a photo without these.” He smiled and put the
    Elvis
    inspired
    sunglasses
    on
    his
    face.

    “That’s a good look.” I took the camera and held it far away from us, taking several
    photos trying to capture our moment in front of the Great Smokey Mountains.

    “Let’s
    get
    home.”

    We continued to drive off the beaten path on winding, mountainous roads until
    we reached Highway 40 again. For some reason, I didn’t react like I had when I
    drove on it the first part of the trip. I was too busy thinking about getting home,
    that
    I
    didn’t
    have
    time
    to
    dwell.

    We arrived at my grandparents’ house just as the sun was beginning to set.
    Jesse’s car was parked off to the side of their front yard. He and Nana were
    talking on the front porch. Something was wrong. I could sense it. Jesse didn’t
    smile–he looked stressed. Nana was frowning. I wondered what had happened
    and knew whatever it was, it was serious. The sullen expression on his face said
    it all.

Chapter 6
    The mood was solemn. A breadth of seriousness hung loosely in the air. My
    grandfather and I walked up the porch steps carrying our suitcases. Nana was
    relieved to see us. She kissed my grandfather on the cheek and then reached
    over to hug me. “I’m so glad y’all are home,” she said, her soft cheek brushed
    against
    mine.

    “We are, too. We had fun, though, didn’t we, Finn?” My grandfather said to me. I
    nodded a faint “yes” while glancing at Jesse. His expression was grim.

    Nana took my suitcase out of my hand and said, “I’ll get that for you. You two talk.
    I’d like to spend some time alone with my husband.” She wrapped her arm in his,
    and
    they
    went
    inside
    the
    house.

    As soon as the door closed, I faced Jesse and asked, “What’s wrong?”

    His expression was pained. He shook his head slightly. “My dad has had a
    relapse.”

    I wrapped my arms around him. “Oh Jesse, I’m so sorry.”

    He released my hold and motioned for me to sit down next to him on the swing.
    We sat down side-by-side. I didn’t say anything. I let him dictate the mood and
    the
    flow
    of
    the
    conversation.

    “It was really bad, Finn,” his voice was strained. “He got fired from his job. I had
    no idea; he didn’t say anything to me.” His voice was low and his hands were
    clenched into tight fists. “I suspect he’s been drinking again for a while. I think
    that’s
    why
    he
    got
    fired.”

    “You couldn’t