In This Life by Christine Brae Read Free Book Online Page A

home.
    “Where are your friends tonight?”
    “Not sure. I stopped by the house to change and came right here to meet you.” I twisted my foot to shake off a hermit crab that had crawled its way between my toes.
    I watched as he played with a piece of wood, tracing its edge in the sand. The sea was calm. It called to me, invited me to seek release, wash away my confusion. It was difficult to fathom the great loss of human life here only one year ago. What kind of rage could emerge so suddenly, damage everything in its path, when all I’ve seen of this sea is its serenity, its tranquility? What happened to make it so angry at the world?
    I stood up and started running towards the shore.
    “Where are you going?” he shouted.
    “Out for a swim!” I said as I pulled my shirt over my head. I had no qualms about undressing. I felt no shame about my looks, my body, or myself. I never thought I was beautiful, but I always embraced who I was. I didn’t have a workout routine. I was a runner and the benefits that running afforded me—tight calves, firm backside, toned arms—were a result and not the goal. The truth was that I had never done anything like that before either. Being with Jude just made me feel that much more uninhibited.
    And heck! I’d made out with a French guy, slept in a stranger’s hut, walked in on Dante having sex. Why not add skinny dipping to this trip’s most memorable moments?
    “Wait! Blue! What are you doing?” he yelled, following behind me.
    I didn’t look back as I peeled off my bra and hopped around the sand to slip my shorts off my legs. I was in nothing but my underwear as I ran into the warm ocean, the soft, compact sand under my feet. I submerged under the water then flipped over on my back to float peacefully across its surface. I closed my eyes and thought of my family. I pictured my father, lost and alone, my mother’s newfound identity, and my baby brother’s future. I was reminded of how they all depended on me to hold them together. My heart raced, and the stress of what was waiting for me at home began to overwhelm me. But a few seconds later, there he was, reaching out to grab me by my waist, holding me steadfast against the current. His eyes were fixed on my breasts, their tops exposed above the line of the water.
    Shirtless and bare, his thick black hair slicked back, I fought the urge to touch his beautiful face. I was chest deep in the water while he was unveiled and revealed for my eyes only. We stood directly in front of each other with the force of the waves lapping against us, trying to push us together. He took one step towards me while gently taking my face in his hands. I closed my eyes to feel his touch against my skin.
    “What am I going to do with you, Anna?” he asked in a hushed tone, his nose almost touching mine.
    The roar of an approaching wave wasn’t loud enough to distract us from this moment. Before we knew it, we were separated, tumbling and pushed roughly against the sand on the shore. I sat up after I hit the ground. I had already taken in a large amount of seawater. I hacked and choked, trying to get some air.
    “Blue! Are you all right?” he asked, frantically scooping me up and carrying me away from the water.
    “I’m okay, I’m okay,” I said, coughing as he gently set me down on the sand. My choking fit ended in an unexpected barrage of tears.
    “Come here,” he said as he pulled my head close to his chest. He used his shirt to wipe my face.
    I reached for my shirt and slipped it back over my head. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t know what came over me.”
    “You just had a scare, that’s all. It’s okay, Blue. I’m here, and you’re safe.” He adjusted his position so that I was leaning against his solid body as I sat between his legs.
    “I don’t want to go home, Jude. There’s just so much there waiting for me. I don’t know how I can face it all,” I said, still crying. I couldn’t even bring myself to call