Moonglass

was overstepping. She had no idea. And no place.
    “Well, thanks,” I said curtly. “Thanks for enlightening me. I’ll give my dad your regards.” I turned and walked hard, wind at my back. As I did, a twinge of guilt worked its way around me like a corkscrew, but I didn’t slow down.

CHAPTER 11
    A woman’s laughter, followed by a familiar male voice, drifted down the steps from the backyard as I approached. I stopped midstep and listened, wavering between being peeved that someone was at the house and grateful for a distraction. And then I recognized a voice I had known since childhood.
    “Holy shit!” Andy blurted out as I paused on the top step. “She jumped from the top of it? Dude …” My dad just shook his head and swallowed a hard swig of beer.
    I leaned casually on the corner of the house and tried not to smile, proud that Andy seemed impressed. He saw me. “Anna Banana! We were just talking about you.” He strode over and lifted me up, squeezing until I felt my headache returning. “Guess you had some night last night. Huh, kiddo? Chip off the old block! You know, back in the day your dad—”
    My dad cut in. “I think she got her little dose of history last night.” He glanced at me and offered a tentative smile. A smile that asked if we could drop it for now. I looked away. “Besides, you were supposed to back me up and tell her how dangerous that jump is. And with lifeguards, too.”
    Andy put on a stern look and raised his index finger at me. “No sixteen-year-old girl should be jumping off rocks, drunk, in the middle of the night. With lifeguards . How’s that?”
    Judging by their tone, they weren’t on their first beers. The mood felt genuinely light with them together, and I was too tired to stay mad. I raised an eyebrow. “Just so you have the story right, I wasn’t drunk. And I think it was only midnight or so. And I thought you were always supposed to swim near a lifeguard. But you’re well on your way to being a strict disciplinarian.”
    My dad took another swig and rolled his eyes. Andy held up his beer, tipping his head. “Well said. Joey, I think the girl can hold her own. Anna, don’t go jumping off any more rocks. You’ll give your old man a heart attack. Now. Let’s call it done and get out there.” He looked from me to my dad, who I could tell was almost ready to let it go. He probably thought he should make me sweat it, so I obliged and walked over to him, doing my best to look remorseful. “Dad … I’m sorry I jumped off the rock that you made legendary. I was just trying to make you proud.” I gave a little shrug and looked down, knowing it had a pretty good chance of working, since Andy was there.
    He tried to keep a straight face for a second, then shook his head and turned, trying to hide a smile. “You smart-ass. You’re lucky I didn’t drag the rest of the underaged off the beach too. That woulda made you a real hit with everyone.” I silently thanked God or fate or whatever that he hadn’t.
    “Who’s a hit?”
    I turned around at the sound of the female voice and saw, coming out of the kitchen carrying a glass of wine, a woman that had to be Andy’s. She was exactly what he liked. Tall, blond, big boobs—fake—and tan—also fake. She was definitely enough to match his tall swimmer physique. I bet she had fall en for that and the wavy hair. She stepped gingerly over the uneven paver stones of the patio and stopped in front of me.
    “You must be Anna. well, you are gorgeous. Remind me not to stand next to you for too long.” She looked over at Andy, waiting for him to introduce her.
    He abruptly clunked down his beer and walked over to us, stifling a burp. “Anna, this is Tamra.” I smiled politely and stuck out my hand. “Nice to meet you. So … you’re Andy’s new girlfriend?” Andy coughed. Tamra clutched her wine. My dad glanced over at me, and I knew I shouldn’t have said “new.” Andy was always in search of the love of his life, and he met them over and over. His string of girlfriends stretched long over the years that he had come to visit us. Every time, it was a new one. That was just how I thought of them.
    Andy regained his composure, wrapped his arm around Tamra’s shoulder, and grinned. “Yeah, sure. I thought you two ladies could get to know each other while we dive. Tamra has lived here in Newport Beach her whole life and went to Coast High. I thought she could fill you in on school and shopping and all