When We Touch

I remember how it kicked my guts out and set me on the path to what I am now. My dream was over. Might as well live out my dad’s dream for me.

Only, now that dream is all fucked up, too.

A new song begins, and sure enough, a live band is situated in the back corner. Three guys strum acoustic guitars while one is on a small drum kit. A tap on my arm, and Pablo hands me my vodka. I give him the twenty and turn back to watch the show. I’m just collecting my change when I see her.

Jet-black hair swept up in a red kerchief, severe bangs, and blood-red velvet lips. An hourglass figure wrapped in a tight red dress…Tabitha Green is across the bar swaying her hips to “Jamming,” holding the arm of some guy I don’t recognize and laughing. She hasn’t changed a bit.

For a moment, I’m frozen, unsure where to go or if she’ll even recognize me.

It doesn’t matter. The moment her green eyes land on mine, they blink twice quickly, then widen so big I can see the whites around them.

Her chin jerks forward as if she choked on her drink, and I try to fall back, to disappear into the crowd, but my back is against the bar. I’m trapped. This is happening, and Tabby never walks away from a showdown.

“Jackson Cane?” Her voice cuts through the din. The party doesn’t even pause.

She crosses the small space to where I’m caught in the rope swings. Squaring my shoulders, I get ready. I’m not afraid of this ghost.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Perfect black brows pull together over her eyes, which are shooting sparks.

“Hi, Tabby,” I say, taking a sip of my drink and doing my best to act casual. “I didn’t expect to see you.”

“Why not? I live here.”

“At the Tuna Tiki?” I give her a wink. In my experience, it disarms angry women, although I know Tabby better than that… or I used to.

“Are you flirting with me, Jackson Cane?”

“I’m trying to be friendly. I haven’t seen you in ten years.”

“No shit, Sherlock. Why are you here?”

“Well, despite this warm welcome, I like to think of Oceanside as my home.” I exhale and take another sip of vodka. “I grew up here. My mother grew up here.”

“You’ve got a lot of nerve coming back like this.”

This adversarial bullshit is pissing me off. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“That’s just what a lying bastard would say, isn’t it?”

“I’m not a liar.” My jaw tightens as anger flares in my chest. “If this is about my dad, I can assure you he didn’t expect business to centralize out here the way it did. Mark it up to unintended consequences.”

Her eyes flash like I just jerked her ponytail. “Your dad?” Her velvet lips part. “You don’t…” For the first time I’ve ever known her, it appears Tabitha Green is at a loss for words.

Standing up straighter, I’m at my full six foot two, looking down on her. “I know this is part of your persona or whatever.” I gesture to her Bettie Page getup. “Tough girl. But I’m just looking to have a quiet drink. Take it easy, Tab.”

I slug the last of my vodka and leave her standing there gasping like a fish out of water. I guess coming back to Oceanside I thought I’d find peace and quiet, home and comfort, a place to sort out what’s become of my career.

My gut led me here… I’m starting to think I shouldn’t trust my gut.

Four

Ember

The day after Jackson left for college, my nightmare returned.

Water rushing in all around me, pouring in the windows, rising from the floor, filling the small space where I’m strapped down. It comes in faster than I can breathe, faster than I can scream for help.

I’ve always loved the ocean, but this dream is different.