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car. Their insurance is paying for the restoration of the house, which I get when I turn eighteen in October. I’m sure they paid hefty premiums. I just have to keep up with the insurance payments, maintenance, and putting gas in it.” He looked at the steering wheel, as if he were embarrassed that he had benefited from a terrible loss. “My parents had a trust fund set up in my name. Monthly dividend payments are transferred to my account. I didn’t know anything about insurance policies or trust funds before it happened; but I thought it would be smart to pay as much attention as I could when the lawyers were explaining everything to me, my aunt, and uncle. I don’t have to worry about money.”
    There was nothing I could say to ease the pain he must have been feeling, so I stayed quiet.
    He continued talking as if he owed me an explanation about his financial status. “My dad was a research scientist. He discovered certain chemical combinations that help combat specific diseases. Some people paid big money for that research. My parents paid off the house, and the land it’s on, with the check from one of the formulas my father sold the patent for.” He alternated his eyes between the dashboard and me.
    Again, I didn’t know what to say, but I felt I should say something. “So you’ll move back into the house? “
    “I haven’t decided if I want to keep it or sell it, but because I’m still only seventeen, I don’t have to do anything, yet. I could live there forever, without worrying about paying for anything, or I can sell it and buy something that won’t remind me of what I lost. It’s a hard decision, but I’m trying not to think about that right now. I’m only staying with my aunt and uncle because I’m still a minor, and I have to make it through high school. Plus, parts of the house are uninhabitable right now. The construction company has been working on it for over two months.”
    “Oh.” That was a stupid response, but what could I say? So many questions ricocheted in my head, but I didn’t think it was my place to ask. Plus, I didn’t want to say the wrong thing and ruin such a perfect day. Straining my brain, I tried to come up with a more pleasant topic, but I could only think of how fascinating he was.
    “I’m sorry. You don’t need to hear about that,” he said, shifting the car into drive. As we pulled out of the parking lot, I caught a glimpse of Jimmy standing outside the concession. There was no hot girl with him. He was alone. It was odd. I wondered if he would tell my father. I turned my attention back to Rob.
    “ You don’t owe me any explanation. I didn’t want to pry.”
    He eyes locked with mine for a second. I forgot everything except him.
    “Where do you live?” he asked.
    He followed my directions, and within minutes, he pulled up to the curb in front of my house. It would have taken me an hour to walk from the beach. Instead, I was home in fifteen minutes.
    Rob came around to my side and offered his hand to help me out of the car. Then he pulled all of my things from the trunk and put them on my porch.
    “I’m sorry if there’s sand in your car.” I felt awful about the mess that must be in the trunk. “I could vacuum it if you’d like.” I was careful to brush myself off before getting in, and kept my towel around my waist so that I wouldn’t get any on the seat.
    “Don’t be silly. It would have sand in it anyway,” he said. “I’ll take care of it when I get home.” Again , he looked at me, and my worries melted away.
    “Thank you for the ride,” I said, not wanting to sound ungrateful.
    “I had a very nice day, Mandy.” He looked at me, and I was swimming in his gaze.
    “I did, too. I never thought I’d like the beach so much.” I stroked the seashell with my thumb.
    His smile morphed into a wince. “You got sunburned. That’s my fault.” Why didn’t he notice sooner?
    “That’s okay. I’ll put a little white vinegar and aloe vera