Forget Me (Hampton Harbor) by Jess Petosa Read Free Book Online Page A

a
chance to retort before he continues answering my questions. "I went to
Hampton Harbor High School and graduated with one hundred and fifty other
seniors in my class. I attended the University of Southern Maine for four years
and graduated with a bachelor degree in Business. I guess this all blends into
working for Davey & Sons Boating. I always knew that I would come work for
the company, but I wanted to at least experience college and get a degree I
could benefit from. In the mornings I work in the office. In the afternoons I
head out to the marina, helping to service the boats or checking on boats we
are boarding for people out of town. Many of our customers only visit for a few
weeks each summer, but they still dock their boats year-round."
    "Davey & Sons ,"
I start. "Does that mean you have a brother, or brothers?"
    Will nods. "My older brother is the lead accountant, and my
younger brother is a sophomore at USM, getting his degree in business. We
aren't sure if he is going to come work for the company or not, but at least my
older brother and I are set to inherit it."
    "What are their names?" I ask.
    I've gone off the assigned list of questions but I find that I'm
feeling genuine interest about Will's life. What I want to know about him comes
to me with ease. 
    "My older brother is James, named after our father. I'm named
after my grandfather, and my youngest brother, Lincoln, well his name is an odd
story."
    "Tell me!" I urge. 
    The waitress drops off our waters and neither Will nor I spare her
a glance.
    Will sits back against the booth and smiles. "Well, my mom
wasn't fond enough of her father to use his name for Linc, so when he was born
they still didn't have a name picked out. My dad wanted Jeffrey and my mom
wanted Christopher so they decided to flip a coin. All my dad had in his pocket
at the time was a penny, so they used that. When it hit his hand my dad said, "Abe
Lincoln's up" which was his way of saying head's up, and they had an AHA! moment ."
    "They did not!" I say through a laugh. "So your brother
is named after a President."
    Will shrugs and crosses his arms over his chest. His smile is so sincere,
and contagious. "Crazy, right? Linc is just glad that they didn't go with
Abraham, or Abe."
    I love the way Will talks about his family, and the way his eyes
light up when he does. I can only hope that when my memories return, I have
that same joy for my own family. Whoever they are.
    "So, your turn." He points at me and put his hands back
on the table.
    "Wait a minute, we skipped the minute details," I say
quickly. I'm not ready to come up with answers just yet. "How old are you?
When's your birthday?"
    Will raises one eyebrow. "I sense some distraction
techniques, Miss. Jane."
    I can see our waitress pulling dishes from under the warmers, and
I am hoping it is our food.
    "Just answer the questions, Mr. William," I retort in a
similar tone.
    "I'm twenty-four, and my birthday is July fourth, so I guess
I'll be twenty-five in just a few weeks."
                “July
fourth,” I repeat.
                The
date tickles at my mind.
                “Hey,
it’s always a celebration and I always have a free fireworks show.”
    The waitress arrives at our table and sets our plates down. The
ravioli smells amazing and I decide that even if this isn't truly one of my
favorite foods, it has to be up there on the list. I haven't even tasted it yet
and my mouth is already watering.
    " Now  is it
your turn?" Will asks.
    "Yes," I say. "But first I want to taste the best
cheese ravioli in the state."
    Ten minutes later I've conclude that this truly  is the best cheese ravioli I've ever had. Technically, it
isn't a lie. I can't remember any other cheese ravioli dishes I've had. 
Will and I made small talk during the meal, but mainly I chose to stuff my face
with pasta.
    "I don't think I have room for ice cream." I push my
empty plate away and place my hand over my stomach.
    Will takes a