Return to Gray Harbor by J.J. Bryant Read Free Book Online Page A

morning.
    He woke up the next morning and struggled with what he would wear that day, and with facing the day in general. Michael didn’t want to look uppity, but he also wanted to show his father he had changed. Then he stopped himself. His father just had a stroke. It was doubtful he would care about Michael’s outfit. Michael finally threw on a Polo shirt, jeans, and brown Sperry Topsiders boat shoes. He combed his hair and looked in the mirror. His brown hair was perfectly in place, his blue shirt brought out the color of his eyes, and his muscular arms looked tan. He seemed strong and confident, but he was shaking on the inside. Not only was he going to see his father today, but he was also going to Malone’s Market.
    Michael looked over at the other bed, where Jonah was still asleep. He walked over but before he could say or do anything, Jonah said, “Don’t even think about it, I’m getting up anyway. I have to go to the market today for work, and yes, I know those shingle guys are coming any minute.”
    With that, a sleepy Jonah got out of bed and made a beeline for the bathroom. He shouted over his shoulder, “Hey, I’ll drive today if you want. I’ll be down in five minutes.”
    Michael walked down the stairs and was glad in a way that with Jonah going in today, it would keep Michael from making a run for it, which is what he really wanted to do. As he walked down the stairs, the doorbell rang. It was a man from the hardware store. Michael let him in and they made small talk as Michael followed him outside to explain what he was looking for. The man took some measurements, scribbled down some calculations, and told Michael he’d have an estimate out to him no later than the next morning. If all was satisfactory, he could start the following Monday. They shook hands and he was on his way. After the man left, Michael stayed outside and walked around the yard.
    Michael sat on a tree stump that was on the perimeter of the front yard and looked out at the street and back to the house again. This house held so many memories for him — both good and bad. But as he thought about it, the bad outweighed the good—his brother’s death and his estrangement from his father. He sat there for a long while, lost in thought.
    “Hey, earth to Michael, are we going to go or what?” Jonah asked in an impatient tone.
    “Oh, yeah, sorry. So what’s the rush, little brother?”
    “I don’t like to be late, the guys at the counter will give me hell. That’s all.”
    Michael looked at his brother with amusement. He suspected it was more likely that there was a woman of interest at the market, but he’d let it slide for now. “All right let’s go. Here, you drive,” he said as he tossed the keys up to Jonah. Jonah caught them, let out a whoop, and made a mad dash for the car. Michael trailed behind him.
    Malone’s Market wasn’t far from his parents’ house, just a fifteen-minute drive. It was also just a short distance from the Gray Harbor Lighthouse and the Warren Inn. When they pulled up to a house, Michael didn’t recognize it at first.
    Where were they, he wondered?
    Then he realized in disbelief that this place was actually his family’s market. It reminded him a lot of McAllister's, with the wood exterior, but instead of the whitewash, it was left natural with blue accents, reminiscent of the sea, no doubt. They still had the same old signage, which could use some updating, but overall the place looked great. They got out of the car and Jonah said he had to run and get started with work, but he pointed Michael towards Annie’s direction.
    Annie was the Assistant Manager at Malone’s Market, and their Dad was the General Manager and Owner. Mom helped with operations in general but was sometimes out on the floor of the market as well. Michael saw Annie, who was wearing her blue Malone’s Market t-shirt.
    “Hey, Annie! Wow, this place looks so different,” Michael exclaimed, trying to show