Down the Shore (26 page)

"I promise,” I whispered. They turned in shock and walked out. I broke down, crying hysterically. Colin didn't even know what to do. I heard him talking to Joey.

"How could you...how could you do this to us?” Colin asked.

"Sorry, Colin. They called upset and they said she ran away. I didn't have any options. I'm truly sorry,” Joey said.

I couldn't move. I was back down on the floor, curled in a ball, still dizzy, breathing heavily. Colin swiftly leaned over, picked me up and wrapped his arm around my waist to steady me. We walked outside in silence, not saying anything, so afraid of letting go of each other.

Colin's worried face and nervous manner said it all.

We had only one night left together, and I was a complete and utter mess. I didn't think I could cry anymore, but the tears still came. I had so many thoughts at one time. Should we run away, get married? Should we just go ahead and get on a plane? I was surprised that they let me go. What made them let me stay? Was it the ring? The announcement? The shock? I'm sure I would find out tomorrow.

Now I needed to concentrate on my future, Colin Murphy. If this was going to be our last night, I was going to make it count. We wouldn't sleep, we wouldn't let each other go. We stumbled up to the room we'd shared for the last few weeks. His bags were already half packed, mine lay open on the floor. I walked ahead of him. I went straight to the bed, and lay there, unable to move, to breathe, to think.

"Abigail, I don't want you to go. I know I'm being selfish, but I'm not ready. I'm not ready for you to go yet."

I wanted to take his pain away, my pain away. We had all night to talk, but right then I didn't want anything else but him. I tugged gently at his neck, pulling him down to me, my lips frantically searching for his, the salt of our tears spilling into each other's. We spent the next few hours, not separating, not letting one finger move from one another's body. His hand slowly caressed my arm, pulling my hand close to his mouth. His lips touched each finger.

"I don't know what to do,” he admitted. “I feel like part of me is going to die tomorrow, without you.” He closed his eyes, nestling his chin on top of my head.

I didn't know what to say either.

"I hate this just as much as you do, but I guess we knew it was coming,” I reminded him gently.

"It's still early enough, maybe we could find someone to marry us tonight. Then they couldn't take you home.” He was desperate, trying to hold on.

"Colin, I promise that I will marry you someday, but not tonight, not like this,” I said.

He looked surprised. I had taken on the strong role and he was the one not able to let go.

"You're changing your mind, aren't you?” he grumbled.

I tilted his chin up to look into his eyes. “Not a chance. They know now, so we can begin to plan everything,” I said softly.

I knew he realized he had to let me go, and I reassured him we would be together soon.

"Don't let go of this,” he said.

"We're gonna last forever, right?” I asked, knowing I couldn't begin to doubt us.

"I'm never going to change my mind. I'm yours.” He wrapped his arms around me, and I somehow rose above all my fears for the rest of the evening.

We stayed up talking the entire night, planning our future, our wedding which would happen after I graduated. We both wanted a small ceremony, only family and our closest friends. Convincing my family of any of this would be entirely another obstacle.

He insisted on walking me to meet my parents in the morning, and to speak with my father. I wasn't sure if it would do any good, but he was adamant about it. He hoped to convince them that what was happening was fate, our meeting, our summer. He wanted to tell my parents how much he loved me, and how he would take care of me for the rest of my life.

We both drifted off to sleep sometime in the middle of the night, wrapped around each other. The sunshine poured in early and we were both tired from talking all night. He was still fast asleep in my arms when I opened my eyes just as the morning sun warmed the room with its light.

I didn't want to move. I glanced down at my watch, and saw that it was already seven-thirty. We didn't have much time left together. We had thought about trying to see each other again before he left, but I would have to see, feel out my parents. He was scheduled to fly out of Newark, and I knew I could easily meet him somewhere.

I lay cuddled up beside him as long as I could before waking him. He looked peaceful, content. I leaned over, letting my hair tickle his face, and parted his lips with mine. He slowly began to wake. It was one of the most beautiful moments we had shared all summer. He pulled me down softly to him, slowly tugging at my T-shirt, his mouth occupying itself in the crease of my neck, breathing in and out. I was going to miss that. He took in every part of my body, studying it like it was the last time he was going to see me.

We slowly got dressed. I put on his favorite sundress. I wanted him to remember me looking happy, not sad in any way. He grinned when he saw my choice of clothing, helping me tie the strings around my neck. His lips lingered on my shoulder as long as they could.

He sighed. “We best be going,” he said sadly.

I twisted my body to meet his. “I love you, don't forget.” I kissed him quickly.

"I'll see you before I head home, I promise, and I love you, too. Don't you forget.” He picked up my left hand, and kissed the ring he'd placed on my finger last week. I couldn't help but smile.

I glanced around the room one more time, taking it all in. His plane ticket sat on the edge of the desk, his bags were half packed, and I knew my summer was getting ready to leave me.

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He grabbed my bags and held onto my hand as we walked silently to the boardwalk to meet my parents. I knew they would be waiting for me, although we were running a few minutes late. They glanced over at each other when they saw us approaching, surprised that I'd brought him, I assumed. He held onto my hand tighter, squeezing it harder. He couldn't let go, and even as we stood four feet from them, he didn't release my hand.

"Abby, it's time,” my mother told me with sadness in her eyes. She looked as bad as I felt, and she looked as if she had been crying all night.

They were surprisingly patient, letting me say goodbye to Colin. He pulled me in a little closer, his arm wrapped around my waist. He let go abruptly and turned to my father.

"Sir, can I please have a minute of your time?” he asked.

I could tell my father didn't want to talk to him, let alone look at him.

My dad's eyes stared into mine for a few seconds before he turned to Colin. “Fine, let's take a walk,” he agreed.

Colin squeezed my hand one last time, kissed my forehead and turned away from me to join my father. I couldn't take my eyes off them as they walked away, talking quietly. I had no idea what Colin was doing, what he was saying—but I didn't care. My mother stepped quickly to my side, gazing into my eyes. I was sure she would understand if I just explained our story correctly.

"Are you okay?” she whispered.

"Do you really care?” I snapped.

"That's not fair, Abby."

"I'm sorry, I just...” I sighed. “I feel like half of me is dying right now. Didn't you feel like that about Daddy?"

"Yes, but I was much older, Abigail. What about college?"

"I'm still going to school. He wouldn't ask me not to."

I was still trying to figure out what was going on with the two men in my life. They stood a distance from us, propped up against the railing, looking out toward the ocean.

She tried to get me to meet her eyes as she looked at me.

"You're so young. Marriage—are you sure?” she asked.

"Positive. Please trust me,” I pleaded.

"Your father and I will discuss this later, okay? Right now we need to get you ready for school. Go shopping for things for your dorm room, remember?” She spoke with amazing enthusiasm.

She was trying to change the subject. She knew a few months ago it was the only thing I could think of, and now my life was so different. I played with my ring, twirling it around and around, waiting for Colin to come back to me.

The tears started to build up again as I saw him and my dad walking toward us. Colin had his hands shoved in his pockets.

Colin looked at my parents. “Can we have one more minute, please?” he asked.

"Sure. Robert, let's walk.” Mom winked in my direction.

I was sure I'd made some progress with my mother, and I was hopeful for the first time.

Colin wrapped his arms around me tightly. I was used to feeling the warmth of them, and all was right in the world for that split second. He leaned down, and kissed me with as much passion as he had that morning. I didn't care if my parents were watching. All I could see when I closed my eyes was Colin.

He pulled away. “I think your father hates me,” he muttered.

"I'm sorry, I'll talk to him,” I answered. “He'll come around.

"I can't say I blame him. You're his only daughter. He loves you, and I'm taking you away. He's just mad,” he whispered.

"I love you,” I told him. The tears leaked down my face.

"We'll talk every day, I promise. I will come see you, very soon. I'm going to try before I leave, okay?” He spoke softly, holding my chin in the palms of his hands.

I nodded.

"I love you, Abigail, and we
will
be together someday,” he kissed me gently. “I promised you forever, and I plan on keeping that promise."

I forced a grin to make him feel better.

"If I have to come steal you I will, you know that, right?” he asked jokingly.

My father cleared his throat, letting us know it was time. I closed my eyes, fighting back the tears that kept flowing.

"I'll see you soon,” I sighed. “Love you."

He grabbed my hand, kissing my ring. “Love you, too."

His lips kissed mine one last time, and then he let go of my hand.

With a broken heart, I slowly walked away to meet my parents, and walked away from my summer. I turned to look one more time, and he stood there, beautiful as ever, exactly like the first time I saw him and again he took my breath away. I closed my eyes as we rounded the corner, and he was lost from sight.

I ran into the house, dropped my things and ran upstairs to my room. Mike was waiting for me, sitting on the corner of my bed. I ran over to him and hugged him as long as he let me hold him. It wasn't like him to do this, but he let me cry in his arms as long as I needed.

It had been a few hours and I knew my parents were huddled downstairs talking about my future. I needed to talk to Colin. I couldn't find my phone. I couldn't help but think I had left it at Colin's. How could I do this? How would he get hold of me? How stupid could I be? I ran downstairs, rummaging through my bag, frantic, as I looked everywhere.

"Abby, we took your phone earlier,” my mother said.

"Oh, great, thanks.” I was relieved. “Where is it?"

"I don't think so,” my father growled.

I looked over at my mother. “Is he serious?” I asked, stunned.

She nodded in agreement.

"We can't let this happen,” my mother said.

I ran back upstairs and slammed my door as hard as I could. I needed for them to know to how mad their behavior was making me. I had to figure out how to get hold of Colin and right then, that was my only thought.

I couldn't get out of bed. I just lay there, daydreaming, holding onto the silly photo-booth pictures of us. We had taken them one night, each having one set to take home. It had not even been twenty-four hours, but I missed him immensely. I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing at this moment. I wanted to talk to him, to see him, to feel him, to smell him.

My mother came to my door and tapped on it lightly, “Abby, are you awake?” she asked, pushing the door open.

I rolled over to avoid looking at her. How could she do this to me?

"Abigail, please.” She paused. “Trust me, you will forget him. You'll meet a new boy, and everything will be fine,” she said.

I thought I was going to lose it.

"Forget him, mother? He's going to be my husband! What is wrong with you? Why can't you see that?” I yelled.

She rolled her eyes. “Abby, you're not marrying that boy. I'm sorry, but no,” she insisted.

I glared back in her direction. “I can do whatever I want! I am an adult, remember?” I quickly reminded her. “Don't push me, mother.” I growled, clenching my teeth.

"Okay, Abby, whatever you say.” She wiped a tear from her face and walked away.

Mike lingered outside my room, listening by the doorway.

"Mike, let me use your cell?” I pleaded.

"Later, I promise.” He turned and ran down the steps.

I could only think of one thing, Colin Murphy. I'm sure he was trying to get in touch with me. He was only going to be in the states for three more days. I had to see him, to figure out a way. I knew what I had to do—I needed to pretend my life was moving on. I thought of everything. I would call Makenna, have her call Colin, and he could meet me at the airport. I needed to see him one more time before he left.

Everything went as planned. Makenna was going to make the call for me, and arrange everything, and if I was lucky, Mike would come through for me tonight. I had only made one brief appearance when I phoned Makenna. My mother gave me some privacy once she discovered whom I was calling. That was her first mistake; she wanted to believe I was happy, making plans to go shopping, still acting like the typical teenager. I had been up in my room for one entire day, and the sky was growing darker. My father had been home for a while, never once coming to my room. It was around seven when Mike knocked on my door. I quickly opened it when I heard his voice.

"Abs, it's me,” Mike whispered.

"Hey.” I bit down on my lip.

"Here, I'll be back in twenty minutes to get it back. Mom and Dad are outside on the porch. Hurry up,” he added.

I shut the door, quickly dialing his number.