Memory in a Bottle

Preview

Ocean waves crash back and forth, the sound of it sounds like a lullaby.

Wshh. Wshh. Wshh.

I'm laying on the sand eyes closed listening to the Seagulls calling for more Seagulls, the trees whispering stories about the history of this beach and the waves taking the whispers and carrying them out in the ocean. I breathe in the salty warm air savoring the smell. Treasuring this moment for the rest of my life. Turning this into a happy place. The feel of the sun gazing down, warming my body feels like I'm in heaven. The coarse sand molds to my body creating cushion all around me. My whole body is tingling with warm sensations. I-

"Satrina! Satrina, it's time for Dinner!" A male voice interrupts my daydream. I look up to see my brother, Lewis, standing in the doorway of our back porch. I get up wipe the sand off and start trudging back to the house. My parents thought it was smart to buy a beach house. I doubt they were even thinking about Hurricane season.

"Come on, little sis, move faster. Dinner's going to get cold by the time you get to the house." He teases. I roll my eyes and walk in the house. I breathe in and smell Enchiladas. I smile, we are trying Mexican food this week! My mom likes to try new food from different cultures. This week is Mexican food.
"My favorite!" I tell Lewis.

"Well, you are getting a tan that looks like you are a Mexican so I can imagine." He jokes and I laugh. "Hey is your boy toy coming over for dinner?"

"Dexter isn't my boy toy! He's, my friend!" I say playfully punching Lewis. "But yes, he's coming over." Just as I said that the doorbell rings. "I got it!" I shout running to the door. I open the door to see Lewis's friend Valentine. "Hey, Val. What are you doing here?"

"Hey, Trina. I need to talk to Scott. Is he around?" He asks.

"Yeah, give me one second and I'll get him. Is there something that you need in particular that I can get for you?" I question.

"Nah, Trina. I just need to speak with him." The dangerous sound of his voice makes me stop asking more questions. What is going on?

"Okay, I'll go get him." I reply closing the door and heading to the dining room. "Lewy? Where are you?"

"I'm in my room!" He shouts. He looks startled and alarmed when I burst through into his room. His computer is out, and his hands are hovering over the keypad as if he were about to type something. "Uh... are you okay?" He asks.

"Yeah... I am. Is dinner not done yet?"

"Apparently not. What do you need?"

"Uh... Val is at the door. He said he needs to talk to you.... It sounds like it's something serious." He stiffens. The look of fear crosses his face and as quickly as it was there its gone.

"Alright. Tell him I'll be there in a minute." He says calmly. What is happening? I walk out and walk to the front door. I swing it open to see Valentine and Dexter standing there facing each other. Dexter looks pissed while Val looks smug. Dexter hates that Val hangs out with my brother.... and me.

"Hey, Dexy." I say looking at him. At my use of his nickname his head snaps over to me. He looks like hell; his eyes are puffy and red. On his cheek there's a red handprint as if someone slapped him hard. "What happened?"

"I'll tell you later. Can I come in?" He asks. His voice sounds harsh and broken as if he was yelling before he came here.

"Of course. Um... go to my room and I'll be there in a minute, okay?" He nods and heads to my room.

"Is Scott coming?" Val asks when Dexter is out of sight.

"Yeah, he said he'll be here in a minute. He's-" I hesitate. Should I tell Val what he's doing? "He's in the bathroom. Lunch didn't agree with him. If you know what I mean." Val smirks.