Page 82 of Breathing Under Water

Phil barks out a laugh. “It started out that way. We were going to reheat the coconut chicken Harrison made, but Leo’s figured out all sorts of functionality on this thing I never knew about. Were you aware it has a delayed start and timed bake option?” He looks back at the tablet in his hand, where I assume he’s getting all the info about the oven.

“You’re going to eat coconut chicken?” I ask Leo.

“No,” Leo says without offering more.

“You wanted to help because McKenna is coming?” I ask.

“No,” he says again, turning his attention back to Phil’s scrolling.

“Then why?”

“I want to know how to use the tools in the kitchen. It turns out I’m better at it than Dad anyway.”

“It turns out you’re better at lots of stuff than we realized,” I tell him. But at least we’re finally starting to see it.

41

McKenna

April 2024

It’s amazing the things we take for granted. Waking up with access to a sink where you can brush your teeth before hopping into a nice warm shower. Making a piece of toast and then heading out the door of a safe, dry home. I hadn’t realized how much of a toll my living situation had been taking on me, but with this moment of respite, everything has become clearer. Now that I’ve been reminded of how much better life can be with a home, I’m even more nervous that the scholarship committee isn’t going to clear me, that I’m going to end up right back in my car in a matter of days.

“McKenna!” I look up to see Mandy/Mindy approaching me. She’s holding two cups from Starbucks in her hand. “I figured I’d see you in class,” she says. “I thought maybe you’d want one.” She holds out the cup tentatively.

“Wow, that was really nice of you,” I say, taking the cup and tasting the warm latte. “Mandy?” I add.

“Andi,” she corrects matter-of-factly, then takes a sip of her own coffee. “People always hear Mandy for some reason.I’m used to it, so I’ll answer to either one.” She shrugs good-naturedly as her dark eyes roam over me. “You look different, good. Have you resolved whatever... stuff... was going on?”

“Oh, I...” I hesitate, not sure I want to share anything with this girl I barely know. As angry as I am about everything that happened, I still don’t want to go parading my problems or bad-mouthing Coach’s daughter all over campus.

She waves a hand in the air like she’s erasing a whiteboard, taking back what she said.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. I’m just happy to see you looking well.” She shrugs again as though it’s no big deal, and then asks, “Want to sit together in class?”

And I do want to. It’s time for me to start making some changes, and maybe letting in some new people is one of them.

When class ends, Andi waves goodbye and heads toward her dorm. I can’t believe I’ve been in various classes with her for almost three years, and I’m only just now getting to know her. I wonder what else I’ve missed during my time at Meadowbrook.

I turn in the opposite direction to hit the library until my afternoon class, and that’s when I notice Coach Cat. He’s leaning against the outside of the brick building.

“Sonny,” he says. “A word?” He motions to a wooden bench across the walkway.

I nod, zipping up my light jacket and following him. I wonder if he’s already talked to the committee, if he’s come to tell me everything’s been hashed out and I’m back on the team. Maybe it’s a good sign that he’s calling me Sonny again. Except then I notice the tense set of his shoulders. He’s not here to deliver good news.

“Vanessa owned up after I confronted her.” He reaches into his pocket and hands me an envelope. “It’s a letter. An apology.”

I can’t help feeling suddenly irate.

“This is what I get? A note? I’ll pass.” I try to hand it back, but he doesn’t take it. “Coach, I lost my spot on the team because of her, my scholarship, all my friends. My housing! I’ve been sleeping in my car for eight months because of what she did, for fuck’s sake.”

“In your car?” He blanches. “Sonny, why didn’t you tell me?”

“You knew I’d lose all of that when you kicked me off the team.” My tone is even, measured now. I’m impressed with myself for keeping my cool.

“Yeah, but I figured you’d work it out somehow, or at least come to me if you couldn’t.”

“You’d made it very clear by then that I wasn’t your problem.”