The Last Embrace by Pam Jenoff Read Free Book Online

torso and muscular shoulders. His eyes traveled in the direction of a girl a few years older than me, sunning herself in a suit with a cut-out midriff. My heart sank; I could never hope to fill out a swimsuit like that.
    â€œAre you coming?” Charlie asked as he started toward the water. I shook my head. “I’ll take you,” he offered, softer now, seeming to sense my fear. How I wanted to trust him! I almost felt as if I could.
    Then a wave rose behind him and thundered down. Panic gripped me once more. “You go on.” I stretched out in what I hoped would be a glamorous position on the blanket. A biplane buzzed overhead, advertising the diving horse show at Steel Pier.
    Jack settled down beside me on the blanket and pulled a book from his mother’s bag.
The Red Badge of Courage
; I’d never heard of it. “Summer reading assignment,” he said, noticing me looking.
    â€œOh.” I didn’t know if I was meant to be reading something over the summer. “I’m worried,” I confessed.
    â€œAbout school? Don’t be. I’m sure the other kids are going to like you a lot.” Jack smiled so brightly I almost believed him.
    â€œIt’s the schoolwork. I’m mostly nervous about the writing.”
    â€œWhy don’t I help you? Tutoring, they call it.”
    Robbie peered over Jack’s shoulder. “Whatcha doing? Homework in summer. Aack!” He ran away.
    â€œIt’s the beach, for goodness’ sake!” Liam protested as he followed Robbie to the surf.
    â€œBuddy system!” Mrs. Connally called after them. Her eyes darted back and forth attentively, never leaving the water.
    â€œDon’t worry, I’ve got them,” Charlie called from the water’s edge. He dove in without hesitation, then swam out to meet his brothers, his stroke as smooth and confident as a lifeguard.
    â€œCome on, Addie!” Robbie cried, his voice drowned out by the crashing of a wave. I watched longingly, wanting for once to take part in the fun, instead of simply standing on the sidelines watching.
    But I couldn’t. Instead, I took some of the lotion Mrs. Connally offered. Sand from my fingers mixed with it as I rubbed it into my arms. I inhaled deeply, gazing northward down the beach where the boardwalk bustled in front of the Claridge Hotel and Convention Hall. Haze swirled around the top of the roller coasters and other amusements on the piers that jutted out into sea. The air was salty but curiously sweet, a bit of taffy or caramel corn drifting in from the piers.
    A few minutes later Jack closed his book and went to join his brothers in the water. I lay back, squirming against some sand which had worked its way into the bottom of my bathing suit. I closed my eyes and let the sun lull me into a semi-nap. My parents appeared in my mind. We had been happy once like the Connallys. I saw Mamma and Papa dancing around the kitchen, the three of us and Nonna enjoying long leisurely meals of fish and cheese and bread out on our balcony in summertime. When I was ten, I had asked if it was the lunches that were making Mamma’s belly round. She just laughed. She and I spent long days strolling the city, wading in the fountains and pointing out interesting things until it was time for Papa to come home.
    Only one day he didn’t. At first Mamma tried to be cheerful. “He’s just gone to see friends,” she reassured. But a night passed, then another, and then she forgot to maintain her pretense of calm. She left me with Nonna and did not return by morning. I tried to pray in the darkness at night for their safe return. Please, I said over and over again, because I did not know any other words. It seemed to work, because two days later Mamma came back. She was pale and drawn—and still alone. She took to her bed. Nonna ran for the doctor.
    A few days later, Mamma emerged, but her stomach no longer swelled as much. “Is Papa