“A prison, in case I didn’t make myself clear. A prison of…” he frowned, searching for the word, then snapped his fingers, “of privilege!”

Kelsey didn’t know what to say. Suddenly she felt like an intruder, who had no right to hear these things.

“You’re right, Kelsey,” Skip said, very quiet now, “I probably am drunk.” He twirled the beer can slowly between his fingers, then shook his head. “No. I’m not drunk. I couldn’t do that to Justin, not tonight.” He smiled at Kelsey, and she smiled back, believing him. “No, Kelsey, it’s a strange, strange world I live in, this land of the rich and greedy. Everyone thinks I have everything.”

“And do you?” she asked softly.

“I’m used to getting what I want.” His smile twisted, went bitter. “And what I don’t get…well…I just take.”

Kelsey felt her smile falter, fade. She looked at him uneasily, then turned as Justin’s voice floated up from the stairs.

“Kelsey, we’re leaving!”

“Yes, I’m coming!”

Skip raised his beer can in farewell. “To out next meeting?”

“Skip, you either have to drive us home, or we’re taking your car!” Justin yelled, and Skip clambered up with a sigh.

“That’s what I get for giving the chauffeur the night off…”

Kelsey was glad to rejoin the others, and this time she sat in the backseat beside Justin. The night had turned chilly, and as the jeep sped homeward, she was conscious of Justin’s arm protectively around her, his chest and shoulders shielding her from the wind. When they finally reached the cottage, Neale jumped out first, eyeing them coolly as Justin casually withdrew his arm and nudged Kelsey out.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Donna promised. “I know a great place for a picnic—breakfast, okay?”

“Well, some of us have to work for a living,” Skip said, ruffling Donna’s hair. She ignored him. “See you guys tomorrow—”

There was a chorus of good-byes, and Kelsey followed the boys into the house. Neale went straight upstairs and closed the door. Justin hesitated in the hall outside Kelsey’s room, waiting for her to turn on her lamp.

“Justin, are you sure you’re all right?” Kelsey asked again. She looked into his eyes, searching for answers.

He nodded. “But what about you?”

“I’m okay. You know you really terrified me tonight—I really thought—”

“Ssh…” His finger touched her lips. “Me, too…but it’s over now. Everything’s okay.”

“Is it?” She wasn’t sure why she said that, wasn’t sure if she just imagined a shadow flickering over his face. “Justin, what happened out there? I was standing right next to you—if it was an undertow like Neale said, then why didn’t I get washed away, too, and—”

“It wasn’t an undertow,” Justin said softly.

At first Kelsey thought she’d misunderstood him. She stared, frowning, letting his words sink in. “What…?”

“I know what Neale said, Kelsey, but he was wrong. I didn’t want to scare anybody back there, especially you. But it wasn’t an undercurrent or anything like that. It was like—I don’t know—” He shook his head slowly, as if trying to recall the exact feelings, the exact fear—“like something alive grabbed me from underwater. Grabbed me and pulled me down.” He glanced at her, almost guiltily. “Maybe I imagined it…maybe I panicked when I went under…it just felt…” His eyes closed for a second, a brief flash of pain creasing his brow.