16
I went back to the mansion.
My grandmother was outside.
She smiled.
“Did you get Penelope back?”
L
I didn’t answer.
She thought I was embarrassed.
“You can’t tease him. He’s not used to it.”
My grandfather came over.
“Penelope is…”
I cut him off.
“Your advice worked.”
My grandmother was happy.
“I’m so glad.
“Be good to Penelope.”
I lied.
My grandmother was too weak.
I didn’t want her to know.
I gave my grandfather a look.
He understood.
I went to my mother’s house.
She was praying.
wwww
三
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U O Q q M G H z F G H
She had heard the story of me being with
Janie at the temple, so she must think it was
karmic retribution.
“Did you talk to your grandmother?”
“She’s resting.”
“Was everything taken care of?”
I nodded.
My mother prayed.
I knelt next to her.
Tears fell onto the floor.
17
My friends invited me on a cruise.
I agreed.
Penelope loved the ocean.
She would come as my date.
It was cloudy.
The sea was sad for me.
At the dinner, I turned down every dance.
I stood by the railing.
The sea breeze blew through my hair.
It was like her voice.
I remembered the day my grandmother told
us to have kids.
Her face was so cute.
L
“What are you thinking about?”
Penelope was next to me.
“You.”
She smiled.
I watched her.
Her body leaped into the water.
“Penelope, take me with you.”
I fell.
As I fell, I felt relieved.
She loved the ocean.
She loved the ocean.
I would always chase the sea.
18
The next day, the Sinclair mansion was
playing the news.
“Sinclair heir Cooper Sinclair fell overboard
last night. Presumed dead.”
