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"Not always," I said. "Sometimes, we can change things."

He nodded, but not with any real agreement, and looked out at the sea.

"Any word at all?" he asked.

"Not yet." my mother said. "How could they not have found him or what happened to him by now? He couldn't have gone that far in such a small boat."

"He's been gone all day. Grace," Thatcher said softly. "He could have gone pretty far.-

"I need something to drink, something cold," she said. "Anyone else?"

"No, thank you." Thatcher said. I shook my head and watched her go inside.

-She's the one who is supposed to be

unbalanced, and she's the one we tell the cold, hard truth. Doesn't that strike you as a bit odd, Thatcher? A bit unfair, how the rich and the privileged are so protected?"

"I'm not making any excuses for my parents. Willow. They are what they are None of it matters at the moment."

I agreed with that. "What do you really think happened to him?"

He might have one too far out, or he might have gone ashore someplace, hidden the boat, and traipsed off somewhere. He's capable of something like that. Who haws? A search at night isn't easy."

"I feel so responsible," I moaned, and swayed back and forth. embracing myself.

"Nonsense," Thatcher said, coming to my side. "You can't blame yourself for his erratic behavior. You didn't come here to hurt him, or anyone else for that matter."

It doesn't matter what your intentions were if the results are the same." I said.

"Of course it does. You can't say something like that to an attorney." he joked. "Intent is nine-tenths of the settlement,"

"Right." I said. I looked back at the front of the beach house. "I'm staying with her now, Thatcher."

He nodded, "Okay,,"

"I'll go back for my things in a while.- "No one's throwing you out. Willow."

I raised my eyebrows. "I don't think I'm up to brunch with your parents tomorrow."

"After a day or so. they'll put this all behind them. and..."

"But I can't. Let's just leave it be," I said. "Until this ends, let's just leave it be."

"Sure," he said, pulling back. "Whatever you think best. Willow."

We were both silent, staring out at the water and the beam from the helicopter. Suddenly, it pulled back and away, the beam shutting off. Minutes later, we heard the phone ringing inside the beach house. My heart paused and then pounded. Thatcher and I looked at each other and waited. neither speaking, holding our breath.

My mother emerged, "It was the Coast Guard," she said, pressing her hand against her heart. "They found him some distance from that beach. The boat was caught up in some vegetation and rocks."

"How is he?" I asked.

"They said he suffered some sort of accident, a blow to his head. He was conscious but very confused. They really couldn't tell much more about his condition. The cutter is taking him to the pier in Fort Lauderdale, where an ambulance will bring him to the hospital."

"Let's go," Thatcher said quickly, "I'll take you both."

I reached for my mother's hand, and we followed Thatcher out to his car.

"What could have happened?" I asked as we drove away,