Coming Home (Norris Lake Series) by Amy Koresdoski Page B

turn up the tunes". Rodney yelled at his other friend.  Michael was considered new to town.  He and his sister Cat had only lived in Norris about a year or so.  Prior to that, they had lived in nearby Knoxville with their mother.  In a short time, Michael and Rodney had become fast friends since each was heavily into sports and working out. 
    The houseboat belonged to Curtis’ parents.  They were out of town and often let the kids stay on the houseboat at the marina during the summer, as long as it remained docked.  This was the first time the kids had taken the houseboat out without their parent’s permission.  Even though Curtis said it was okay, Rodney had his suspicions that Curtis was trying to impress his new girlfriend Cat and really didn’t have his parent’s permission at all.  No matter, Rodney thought to himself, it wasn’t his ass that would be in a sling if something happened.  Rodney walked over and plopped down next to Curtis on the edge of the houseboat. 
    The kids had left about 9:00 p.m. from the marina and were now anchored in a small cove a few miles from the dock.  Curtis’ dad had stocked the houseboat with beer and liquor during the summer, locking it in a small, little-used, closet.  Curtis had lifted the key from his dad’s key ring before his parents had left on vacation, planning this outing all along just to be alone with Cat.  When he’d asked Cat to come out on the houseboat with him, she had said no, unless she could bring some of her friends along for protection.
    Beth, Sarah and Cat were all inside the houseboat putting on their bathing suits while the boys stayed out on the deck listening to music and drinking beer.
    “Where’d you get that? Sarah asked Beth pointing to a silver bracelet on Beth’s wrist. 
    Michael gave it to me earlier tonight.  Isn’t it beautiful? she said holding out her wrist to the other two girls. 
    “It’s great,” Sarah cooed.
    “How romantic” Cat agreed.  “I wish I had a boyfriend who lavished jewelry on me, even if it is my brother.”
    “Did you help him?” Beth asked.
    “No.  He did this on his own,” Cat answered.  “I am just as surprised as you are.  I am glad for you.  I can’t wait to see if he proposes.”
    “Do you think he will?” Sarah posed.  “That would really be romantic”
    “I want to marry Michael, Cat,” Beth confessed. “Would that be okay?”
    “It would be okay with me, Beth.  You know I love you like a sister, but my dad would hit the roof if he thought Michael or I would even consider not going to college.  It would be like Hiroshima going off.”
    Beth pulled her friends together holding their hands.  “Michael’s going to ask me to marry him tonight.  I just know it.”
    “This is so perfect! Beth, you would marry Michael. Cat would marry Curtis and I would marry Rodney. We could all have babies and they could grow up together.  We could stay here together and be friends forever,” Sarah cooed.
    “Curtis and I haven’t even kissed. Saying that we’ll get married is rushing it,” Cat admitted. “I do like him though, even if he is your brother, Sarah.”
                  Sarah grabbed Cat’s hands.  “Try it, you’ll like it.  Maybe he’ll slip you the tongue.”  The girls giggled.
                  “Gross,” Cat and Beth shrieked in one voice.  “Let’s get out there.”
    It was about 11:00 p.m. now.  They had grilled some burgers and were well into their second case of Budweiser when Rodney had suggested that they all go swimming. 
    "Hey, Beth,” Michael called banging on the door of the houseboat.  "Let’s go.  We’ve already been in and the water’s great."  Michael set his beer down on the deck and jumped off the side of the houseboat into the water. 
    The girls came out of the interior of the houseboat each sporting a swimsuit. 
    "Wheeee. Whoooooo!" Rodney wolf-whistled.  "You three look good enough to eat." 
    "Oh