Fisher - On a Summer Tide

C AMDEN G RAYSON TOOK THE TURN into her dads driveway a little fast. She was never late to anythingexcept when it came to family events. Like this one. She threw the car into park, grabbed the key, and instead of jumping out, she leaned back against the headrest, squeezed her eyes shut, and took in a deep breath. Just one minute. Give me just one minute of peace.

Instead, her cell phone chirped a text. She groaned, then glanced at it.

Blaine

WHERE ARE YOU?

Her sister always texted in full caps, her version of acceptable shouting.

Cam blew out an angry breath as she pushed open the car door. From the yard across the street came the happy shrieks of children playing and a dog barking, but she focused on her dads front door, the landscaping, the new trim on the windows, anything but that house across the street. Three years later and she still couldnt bring herself to look at it, with its floodgate of pain.

The front door was unlocked. She hurried inside to the living room, where her dad and sisters were waiting. Sorry! I know Im late, and I cant stay long. I left Cooper with my neighbor.

Dad disspelled her frenetic arrival with a friendly wave. Not a problem, he said in his scratchy voice. I havent gotten started yet.

Cam exchanged a puzzled look with Maddie, then they both turned to Blaine. Their youngest sisters chin was tucked to her chest as she texted rapidly on her phone with both thumbs. Typical Blaine. Was I like that when I was nineteen? No, Cam decided. She had no time to be.

A week ago, Dad had asked all three girls to come to the house on Sunday afternoon. He gave no explanation, only that hed tell them everything then. As Cam sat down on the edge of the sofa, she glanced at her dad, wondering what to expect. He seemed more rested than he had on her last visit homewas it in January?his face wasnt as lined or careworn. In fact, she realized, he wasnt bad looking for a man of his age, fit and trim, with graying hair.

Girls, I have an announcement.

Cam leaned forward, bracing herself for serious news. Her dad had seen one specialist after the other, trying to get his voice back in working order. Over Christmas, hed had a severe case of laryngitis and his vocal cords had never recovered. His normal speaking voice wasnt much more than a hoarse whisper. Maddie had already given them a list of dreaded possibilities: nodules, tumors, cancer.

Blaine, put away your phone. On silent, please.

They all watched and waited as she finished her text, sent it, and put her phone in her purse.

Dads eyebrows lifted as he inhaled a deep breath and let it out. I sold the house.

Cam, Maddie, and Blaine looked at each other, then back at their father. That was the last thing Cam had expected. This house? Their childhood home, filled with sentiment. And stuff. And memories of Mom.

He wasnt finished. And... I bought an island.

Cam exchanged panicked looks with Maddie and Blaine.

No. He didnt. Dad sat there beaming.

He did.

Dad, Maddie said, do you think you had a seizure? Or maybe a stroke?

Not to my knowledge.

Hold it, Blaine said, now fully attentive. You did what ?

I bought an island. A little one. Part of one, actually. Not the whole thing. Its off the coast of Maine.

You bought an island, Cam said in a flat tone.

I did.

Blaine grinned. Hes pulling our leg. She laughed. Just one? Why not a bunch of islands? I think theres over three thousand off the coast of Maine.

Just one. Its the place where your mother and I met as camp counselors, back in the day. Camp Kicking Moose.

He wasnt kidding. Cam glanced at Blaine and watched her smile fade. Why, Dad? Why?

Because its time for a change.

Maddies mouth dropped open in an O . I knew it. She looked at her sisters and covered her face with her hands. Dad is dying.

Whoa! Not dying! Not even close.

Cam squeezed her hands together, trying to stay calm. Dad, what did the specialist say? Whats wrong with your voice?