“Still nothing?” Valen asks, looking over my shoulder at my phone.
I shake my head, stuffing my phone into my jacket pocket as August makes his way to the podium at the top of the stairs outside the school entrance. Thayer, Holden, and William are seated behind the podium, along with Christian and his parents, Samuel and Elyse. I’ve only met Samuel a handful of times at various family gatherings, but I don’t think we’ve ever had an actual conversation. He’s tall and imposing, like the rest of the Ames men, but he seems more approachable than August and William. Maybe it’s due to the fact that he actually smiles. The people of Sawyer Point must love him, seeing as how he’s an elected official.
I feel a sprinkle on the back of my hand, but the scent of impending rain tipped me off twenty minutes ago. The Ames family is protected by the awning, but the rest of the town huddles together, sharing umbrellas with the people who came prepared. The school’s orchestra plays some sad classical piece as a couple of students pass out white candlesticks for everyone to hold.
I look up at Thayer, who manages to look both lethal and elegant in his peacoat with a dress shirt and tie underneath, then back down at my oversized tan Sherpa jacket, black leggings, and Adidas, feeling underdressed. I wish I would’ve worn something more appropriate for the occasion. Always a bit of a rebel, his hair is still disheveled, mussed in that perfectly imperfect way, and he kept his piercings in. His face is blank, void of emotion, but his sad eyes give him away.
As if he can hear my thoughts, his eyes scan the crowd, seeking me out. He holds my gaze and I attempt to give him a reassuring smile. I know he’s not looking forward to this. If there are two things Thayer hates, it’s being in the spotlight and emotions. Add in the reason for this gathering and it’s the perfect shit storm.
Valen’s outstretched arm appears in front of me, handing me a lit candle with a paper around the bottom to catch the wax, pulling my attention away from Thayer.
“Thanks.”
I turn around, searching for Grey once more, but deep down, I know he’s not coming. I do, however, spot my mom on the perimeter, and she holds up her hand, giving me a discrete wave of her fingers, still in her flight attendant getup. She had a quick flight today, but she leaves tomorrow morning for a long trip, so I doubt she’ll stick around long. It has to be uncomfortable for her to show her face around these people, but Danny was practically her stepson, and splitting from August doesn’t change that.
The music comes to an end as August’s voice fills the air. “Thank you to the Sawyer Point orchestra,” he says before clearing his throat. “It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since my son was taken from me—from all of you—from this earth. Daniel was a light in this community. He loved his family and friends, he loved his school, he loved the game, and most of all, he loved his brothers.”
Thayer’s hands tighten into fists on top of his thighs.
“Our family aren’t the only ones who suffered a loss,” August continues. “The entire town mourned with us. Prayed with us. And ultimately, it was your love and support that got us through it.”
He’s really laying it on thick. Thayer must think so, too, if the way he rolls his eyes is anything to go by. I slide my gaze over to Holden to find a similar reaction. He bounces his knee, appearing antsy already and it’s only just started. Christian looks down at the ground, twisting his fingers.
“In his honor, we’ve started the Daniel Ames Memorial Scholarship Fund. Each year, two students will receive a twenty-thousand-dollar scholarship.”
Everyone applauds, but I fight an eyeroll. The people of Sawyer Point aren’t exactly in need of assistance. August holds up a hand, silencing.
“Daniel’s college experience was cut short. It is my hope that out of this tragedy can come something good. We’ll be able to make a difference in the lives of young people for years to come and keep Daniel’s memory alive.”
Another round of soft applause.
“I think Coach Shaw has something else he’d like to announce.”
The basketball coach joins them at the stop of the steps. He shakes August’s hand before August returns to the empty seat between Holden and William, then takes the podium.
“It’s starting to come down,” he starts, gesturing to the rain. “So, I’ll keep this short.
Danny, as we called him, was an exceptionally talented player, and an even better kid. I was lucky to have him on my team, and lucky to know him. As most of you know, last year a lot of you petitioned to have Danny’s number retired.”
Coach looks back at Christian and Holden, and they take that as their cue to stand. They walk behind the row of seats to retrieve something out of a large box, then make their way up to the podium, each of them holding a side. They prop it up on the stand, then remove the black fabric to reveal a large shadow box that holds Daniel’s jersey, with the number sixteen below his last name. A couple of pictures line the side of the frame, along with what appears to be a quote that I’m unable to read from where I’m standing.
“I’m happy to announce that we’ve made that happen. This will hang in the gymnasium lobby. That way a piece of Danny will always be with us here at Sawyer Point High.”
People clap, and some guy—presumably from the basketball team—cheers loudly before a couple of his friends join in. Holden and Christian bring the jersey back to the box behind the chairs before returning to their seats. Once the noise dies down, a projector screen to the left lights up. “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan plays as a picture of Danny as a baby fills the screen, then one as a toddler holding a basketball, one of him and Thayer on the beach at maybe four and five years old, another one of all three brothers opening presents on Christmas morning.
When he reaches middle sch
ool, it becomes a timeline of all of his awards and achievements, everything from sports to academics. As the song winds down, the pictures become more recent. A shot of him during a basketball game after scoring the winning point with his hands in the air as his team runs to bombard him, one of him in his cap and gown at graduation. His senior photo. And the last one is of Danny, Thayer, Holden, and Christian at the falls, of all places, standing in a line with their arms over each other’s shoulders. I remember that day. It was one of the last good ones we had all together.
My chin starts to tremble as the tears I’m trying so hard to keep from falling finally spill over, and Valen puts her arm around me, pulling me into her. She sniffs, and I know she’s crying, too, as I wrap my arms around her middle, careful to hold the candle away from her. My shoulders start to shake, and I turn my head into her chest to hide my face. The only thing worse than crying is crying in public. Not that anyone would fault me. There isn’t a dry eye in sight. Still, I feel like I’m under a microscope, like everyone reads into every little thing I do.
A loud sound coming from the top of the steps has me pulling back to see Thayer storming away, his chair tipped over behind him. The crowd parts as he cuts through it. I want to follow him, to make sure he’s okay, but people are already suspecting something as it is. I can’t risk raising his dad’s suspicion. As he’s passing me, I catch his palm in mine. He doesn’t look at me, keeping his gaze forward, but his thumb glides over my wrist, caressing the faint scar there. The entire thing happens in less than two seconds, and then he’s prowling toward the parking lot.
Holden stands to go after him, but William stops him with a hand on his shoulder. He says something in his ear, and Holden’s nostrils flare, his jaw set tight as he reluctantly takes his seat. The slideshow ends, and August thanks everyone for coming.
When the crowd starts to disperse, I blow out my candle, then hand it over to Valen. “I’m going to talk to Holden.”
She nods. “Go. Call me later.”