Chapter 18

We camped near an overlook, a jutting flat rock from which we could see the ocean below and in the distance. Just a sparkle, really, with the sun settling into it like a plump golden apricot. We cooked up some of the dehydrated meals over a small fire while planning our descent in the morning. “We’ll be at the beach before noon,” Lily said, her spoon scraping the last of the chili mac from her tin plate. Or maybe it wasn’t tin but some kind of metal camping plate anyway. “If we check into the motel right away, we can change and go for a swim.”

“Or lunch.” Vivi wrinkled her nose, looking much like the animal she was named after. I’d wondered whether she’d done that as a baby right away, leading her mother to pick her name. “I would like something not raw and furry or barely rehydrated please. Maybe a shrimp salad or shrimp scampi or a shrimp cocktail.”

“I’m sensing a theme here,” Lana said, rummaging through her pack. “I don’t have any shrimp, but I did bring this.” She held a bottle o