Chapter 28
Senior year. It was supposed to be the easiest of all years, but everyone knew that was joke. Seniors not only had to do all of their school work, but they also had to prepare to live on their own and send out college applications. Stress was in the air and the school year had been in session for only a few months now. Holidee, Zeke, Rip, Tom, and Rebekah weren’t stressed about what colleges they would get accepted to. They were more worried about building it. They went to the beach house every weekend and worked on the school. It seemed to take forever, but slowly it was coming together. They still had plenty to do, though. They weren’t even close to halfway done, and they were repairing the inn in the fishing village too. Time seemed to fly by and disappear forever. Holidee had been befriending more Oceains, secretly seeking more teachers for her school. Crix had been trying to balance his work, the school, and his family. It proved difficult, but he managed. They all did. He and Rip still met after school occasionally. They were all busy, and they were all exhausted by the time Christmas break came. They decided to have Christmas together. All of their families were going to meet at Holidee’s house on the beach.
After unwrapping all of the presents on Christmas morning, Mac got out an instrument and started playing an Irish jig. Many of them started dancing, while others simply watched and clapped to the music. There were twelve of them there in the house: Mira, Tom, Rodger, Ali, Rip, Rebekah, Karen, Zeke, Mac, Holidee, Crix, and Mer. They were all having a joyous time, dancing and laughing. Holidee stopped dancing and walked outside onto the porch to catch her breath. Tom saw that she had left and a few minutes later followed her. She was leaning against the railing, her eyes closed, breathing in the sea air.
“Tired?”
“I just needed to catch my breath.” Tom leaned on the railing next to her and stared out into the ocean.
“How’re you doing?” Holidee opened her eyes and looked at Tom questioningly.
“What do you mean?” Tom looked at Holidee.
“How are you holding up?” She didn’t answer. “The stress, the fear, the happiness, the relief…I can see it all in your eyes, Miss Holidee.” Holidee smiled at him. He smiled back.
“I guess I’m holding up.” She looked back at the ocean. “It helps me to be near it. It gives me strength and courage.” She looked back at Tom. “And what about you? How are you doing?”
“Good. Very good.”
“Good. I know you’re happy with Bekah.”
“Yeah. She’s amazing.” He looked at Holidee. “As are you.” Holidee smiled. Tom put an arm around Holidee’s shoulders and hugged her as they looked out over the ocean. He leaned in closer to her, teasingly. “Wilt thou not havest a dance with me? I hear thy is a talented dancer.” Holidee laughed as Tom stepped away from Holidee and bowed down to her.
“And where, young sir, did you hear such a foolhardy tale?”
“Why from only the most truest of lips, young maiden.” Tom was still bent over in a bow. Holidee curtsied and Tom took her hand and started dancing to the Irish music Mac was playing. Tom whispered in her ear and made her laugh as they danced on the porch. Holidee thought of Tom, Rip, Zeke, Rebekah, and herself as friends. Then she thought of Crix, Mer, and her parents. Holidee smiled to herself as she connected the two friendships. She remembered the two pictures sitting on Crix’ desk. She remembered the memories Crix shared with her. A tear rolled down her cheek as she smiled. Tom looked at her and stopped dancing, frowning. “What’s wrong, Holidee?” He wiped the single tear away and looked into her eyes. She smiled up at him.
“Nothing.” She wiped her eyes. “Everything’s fine.” Tom wasn’t convinced.
“Are you sure?” She nodded.
“I just remembered some happy memories.”
“Of your parents?” Holidee looked into Tom’s deep eyes. None of her friends asked or spoke of her parents that often. Tom was the only one who was brave enough.
“Yeah, of my parents.” Her eyes glazed over as she remembered her mother’s smile and her father’s laughter. “I still miss them.” Tom was still holding her. “I thought the pain would’ve gone away by now. I even tried to convince myself it was gone, but no matter how hard I try to hide it, it’s still here. It’s still inside me, forever. There are times when I don’t even want to remember my parents, thinking the hurt will go away. Then there are other times when I need them and I want to remember every detail, every curve of their faces. But no matter what, the pain is always there. And now…” She held back more tears. “…now I’m starting to forget them. Little things, like the smell of them or how their kisses felt on my cheeks.” Holidee stopped talking. She couldn’t continue. Tom pulled her close to his warm body and hugged her.
“Holidee, you won’t forget your parents. You can’t. They’re always with you. The little details may fade, but their smiles, the way they would ruffle your hair to annoy you, the way they would cry when their baby girl got hurt will always be there. The important things will stay with you. Forever. And no, the pain will probably never go away. But that pain only makes you stronger.” They were both quiet for a few minutes. Then Tom continued talking. “I know how you feel, Holidee. I really do. My uncle was like a father to me. I loved him. He practically raised me. Then when he…” Tom swallowed. “…well, I was devastated and livid.” Holidee looked at Tom.
“Why were you livid?” Tom looked down.
“Because his death wasn’t an accident. No one knows the truth but me. My uncle was killed. Murdered. By my father.” Holidee’s eyes widened in horror.
“Oh, Tom!” Tom smiled weakly.
“It’s still painful to think about him, but I remember the happy times and that makes me smile. The good times.” Tom looked into Holidee’s eyes. “Life doesn’t have to be full of pain. It will be, though, if you make it that way.” He grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I’m here, Miss Holidee. We can get through the hard times together. Trust me, there will be a happy ending.” Tom raised his head and looked into Holidee’s ocean blue eyes. Then he pulled her against his body again and started to dance with her, slowly. “I’m here.” They danced together until Zeke interrupted the silence.
“It figures Tom would steal my girl.” Zeke smiled as Tom looked at him. Then he smiled too and stopped dancing.
“I was just keeping her company until you got here.” Zeke smiled as Tom handed Holidee over to him. Zeke held her in his arms as Holidee watched Tom walk back into the house. He turned around briefly to mouth a few words to her. “They’re always with you…Miss Holidee.” Then he bowed and left as Zeke started dancing with her. Holidee smiled and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the strong embrace of the man she loved.