On The Surface

Chapter 11

Kayla, Abby, Cole and Jason sat around the kitchen table. It was covered with the remains of spaghetti, salad and bits of broken garlic bread. Bellies full, they were ready to tackle their next problem: how to get Kayla and Jason home. Cole pushed his chair away from the table and leaned back. Kayla reached over and took Abby's hand. The knowledge that she would be leaving soon was bittersweet.

"Our plan was to return in the submersible, but the shark took care of that," said Jason. "You don't happen to know anyone with a submarine, do you?"

Cole shook his head, "I'm afraid not. But I have this friend, he always knows a guy. I can give him a call. Maybe he can at least point us in the right direction."

"What do you mean, he knows a guy?" Kayla asked.

"It just seems like no matter what you need, Joe knows a guy who has it or does it."

"Well I sure hope he does this time. I still can't make contact with Atlantis," said Jason, "I've sent emails and I've tried the main line, but no response so far."

"I'll call Joe, see what he says."

Cole got up from the table and headed into the living room. Kayla rose after him and began clearing the table. Jason and Abby both got up to help her, but she ordered them back down.

"You're recovering from gun shot wounds. Sit down. I've got this."

They exchanged a smile and resumed their seats. Kayla put away the leftovers, washed and stacked the dishes and wiped the table. Jason had retrieved some college pamphlets Abby had left lying in the living room and was currently pouring over them. Kayla sat down at the table and smiled when Abby reached for her hand.

"How about we go out on the deck, where we can talk?" she said in a low voice.

Kayla nodded and they rose to leave. Jason didn't look up.

"We're going out back," said Kayla.

Jason grunted and turned the page. The girls grabbed their jackets and headed outside. They sat in the late afternoon sun, just holding hands and enjoying the quiet.

Abby spoke first. "You'll be leaving soon,"

Kayla nodded. "If we can find transport."

Abby was quiet, then she whispered "I don't want you to go."

Kayla turned to look at her. There were tears in Abby's eyes. Kayla leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss.

"I have to go to my parents."

"I know. But you'll be so far away. It's not like I can pop down to Atlantis for the weekend."

Kayla tried to imagine Abby coming for a visit.

"I haven't even told my parents yet."

"Well, of course not. You haven't been able to get a hold of them."

"No, I mean... I haven't told them I'm...that I... that I like girls"

"They don't know you're a lesbian?" Abby sounded shocked

Kayla shook her head, looked at the ground and blushed.

"I never seemed to find the right time to tell them."

"Well, how do you think they are going to react?"

Kayla shrugged. Her parents were normally open-minded, but they were also very protective of their daughter. She really wasn't sure what they'd think.

"Are they homophobes?"

"No, not at all. My mom's best friend in college was a lesbian."

"Then what are you so worried about?"