Read Online The Winner's Game by Kevin Alan Milne - Free Book Online Page B

watch as Dad takes a pen from his pocket and sets it down on the tile near his feet. “I wonder,” he says softly. When he lets go of the pen, it begins rolling, slowly but surely toward the other side of the kitchen. “Wow, the house is off-kilter.”
    â€œYou’re kidding,” says Mom.
    â€œGravity doesn’t lie, but I’m surprised I’ve never noticed it before. It’s probably just the sandy foundation, settled a bit over time. This is why the wise man built his house upon a rock.” He stops to think. “That might reduce its value some. We’ll have to get it looked at before we sell.”
    â€œWell, I don’t care,” Mom says, undeterred. “It’s still perfect. A perfect place for us to create perfect memories with our perfect children this summer.”
    â€œAnd with Cade,” I say pointedly.
    Mom grins and drapes an arm around Cade’s shoulder. “Yes, Breezy,” she says with a laugh, “and with Cade.”
    After we unpack our suitcases, Mom takes a drive to the local market while Dad takes the rest of us for a short walk on the beach. The sun has already dropped to just above the waterline, leaving the entire horizon bathed in a fiery brew of orange and purple.
    I can’t help but notice that Ann keeps filling her lungs with long, deep breaths as we pace through the sand. After one particularly long breath, she twirls around, lifting her hands high above her head, and exclaims, “I could die today and be perfectly happy.”
    â€œWell, don’t,” I tell her, “because I don’t want to have to live alone with you-know-who.” With my head, I motion to Cade.
    â€œI was joking. Chill.”
    â€œI wasn’t,” I mutter.
    Ann takes another huge breath, letting it out slowly, savoring it. “Don’t you feel it? The crash of the waves, the roar, the spray—it just makes me feel so alive.”
    â€œThat’s what we want,” my father says as he bends over to draw in the sand with his finger. He makes a heart. “Being here is all about feeling alive.” For a second or two he and Ann share a peaceful daddy-daughter stare. “It’s about you living, Ann, and getting a new one of these.” He stands up and brushes the sand from his finger.
    â€œThen it’s also about dying,” Cade blurts out. “Because if you’re getting a new heart, then someone out there is going to have to have a very bad summer.”
    Ann’s face sinks like an anchor. “Thank you so very much for reminding me of that,” she says, her eyes turning suddenly red and welling up with tears. “Way to ruin the moment.” She turns immediately and marches back to the house.
    â€œNice job, Dimwit,” I say.
    Dad shakes his head. “You’ve got to learn to keep some thoughts to yourself, Cade.”
    â€œBut it’s true, Dad. I don’t want Ann to die, but I don’t want anyone to die.”
    He smiles half-heartedly and ruffles Cade’s hair. “I know you don’t. But can I tell you something? As a parent, I’m selfish. I want Ann to live a long, long time. So if someone has to die this summer—and I wish they didn’t—but if that’s God’s plan, then I pray to God that it isn’t your sister.” Dad reaches out and gives Cade a little squeeze on the shoulder. “C’mon, son.” He turns back to me and motions for me to follow them.
    I don’t move. “Can I just stay here a little longer?” The words come quietly from my mouth, but are carried to his ears on the steady breeze. “Just until the sun sets?”
    At first I’m sure he’ll say no, that a teenage girl shouldn’t be alone on the beach. But then maybe he sees something in my expression, because he relaxes. “Don’t wander off,” he cautions. “And the tide is coming in, so don’t get too