Free Too Many Secrets by Patricia H. Rushford

voice as soon as the car door shut.
    â€œI’ll think of something,” Jennie said with a lot more confidence than she felt.

8
    For the first half hour of their trip, Jennie read books to Nick and tried to block out the fact that Mom and Michael were in the front seat talking like Dad and Mom used to.
Well, not exactly
, Jennie thought, grimacing. When her dad was home, there were a lot of arguments between her parents. An awful lot.
    A scene from the past slid unbidden into Jennie’s mind and began to play out like a movie …
Jennie sat between her parents and leaned against her father, pretending to be asleep
.
    â€œThe chief called last night,” Dad said.
    Mom sighed. “Oh no, not again. Jason, you just got home. When do you have to go?”
    â€œTonight.”
    â€œTonight? But what about Jennie’s birthday? You promised her you’d take her to the amusement park.”
    â€œI’ll take her when I get back. She won’t mind. She understands about my work.”
    â€œFor how long, Jason?” Mom asked in an accusing tone. “How long will she put up with you putting your job ahead of your family?” She rushed on, “And what about me?”
    Dad’s fist slammed into the steering wheel and startled Jennie. “Why do you always have to fight me on this?” he hissed. “You knew what it would be like before you married me.”
    â€œDaddy?” Jennie looked up into her father’s angry face and began to cry. Through a screen of tears she watched his features soften. “I’m sorry we woke you, Princess,” he said, smiling down at her. “Your mother and I were just talking. It’s okay. Go back to sleep.”
    Jennie shook the memory out of her thoughts. That day, her father had left after dinner and had never come home. Jennie felt a wetness on her cheeks and whisked it away. She didn’t want to think about the bad times. She only wanted to remember the good ones, the fun they’d had together. Besides, maybe if Mom had been more understanding they wouldn’t have argued. She pushed the memory away, and a few minutes later sleep wiped away her thoughts.
    Jennie didn’t stir until Michael turned off the motor. “C’mon, you sleepyheads. I’ve got just the thing to wake you up.”
    Jennie rubbed her eyes. “Where are we?”
    â€œAt the US Coast Guard Station near Ilwaco. We go through here to get to the lighthouse at the top of the hill. C’mon, Susan, let’s race these kids up the hill.”
    Jennie looked up the hill and back at Mom. Michael was crazy if he thought Mom was going to race up that. Jennie’s mouth dropped open when her mom took Michael’s outstretched hand and started running. “See you kids at the top!” she called over her shoulder, laughing.
    â€œHey!” Lisa grabbed Jennie’s arm and pulled her along. “This looks like a neat place. The scenery’s great.”
    One look around and Jennie could tell Lisa wasn’t talking about the view. Four guys in uniform walked out of one of the buildings and came toward them.
    â€œAren’t they cute?” Lisa asked.
    â€œI’m shocked,” Jennie teased. “I thought you and Brad were going steady.”
    â€œWe are, but that doesn’t mean I can’t look. Besides, maybe we can find one for you.”
    Jennie rolled her eyes. “Come on.” She grabbed Nick’s hand and started for the hill, wanting to get Lisa away from the guys before she embarrassed them both.
    Lisa, Nick, and Jennie took off up the trail, passing the adults. While they waited for Mom and Michael to huff and puff their way up, they pressed against the cyclone fence and watched the surf crash against the craggy outcropping of rocks below.
    â€œLook at all the boats!” Nick pointed to a dozen or so spots bobbing in the distance.
    For the next two hours they hiked trails and explored