September/October 2023

A trip to Hyacinth Cove brings the cousins closer By Emily This is the final installment of Emily Chang’s novella, which received honorable mention in our 2022 Book Contest. If you are a new subscriber, you can read the first two installments online in the May/ June and July/August issues.   Chapter 11: Why Laila Ran Away Just for Ice Cream The car windows were open, and a breeze from the lake was blowing in as we parked by the beach. The drive to the Hyacinth Cove lake had taken over half an hour. By the time we got there, I was tired already, and not just of Julien’s endless ukulele strumming. I stumbled out of the car and into the sunny parking lot, leaving the blue journal on the seat. My right leg had fallen asleep, and I shook it to get the feeling back in. Uncle Pierre opened the trunk, and we each took some beach chairs to bring to the lakeside. We’d parked a little distance away from the little cousins, and I could see them waving at us through their car’s back window. “We have to get the kayaks from their car since they have a roof rack and we don’t,” Julien explained as we walked across the crowded parking lot toward them. “I got the kayaks for my birthday.” “You mean, I bought them for your birthday, good sir,” Adrian said, stopping to give an elaborate bow. “Yeah, what you said.” Julien shifted the beach chairs he was holding and the ukulele he still had on his back. “Do you seriously need to bring the uke? We’ve heard enough of it today,” Adrian said, and received a kick on the heel from Julien in return. “Anyway, like I was saying,” Julien continued, “there are two seats in both boats. So Nicky, Aunt Illy, do you want to come and try them out with us?” I shrugged. “Maybe.” Kayaking might be a nice distraction, but I didn’t feel like a nice distraction. “Aunt Illy?” “I would like to,” she said. “The last time I went kayaking was a few years ago. And—oh, but actually, I’m not sure you’d want to risk having me in the boat with you.” “Why? What happened?” Adrian and Julien were both interested. “Well, I’m not the most graceful with a paddle,” Aunt Illy said. “I went with a friend, but let’s just say his right ear will never be quite the same again.” “You hit him in the ear with a paddle?” Adrian was incredulous. “Wow, not even Julien’s that clumsy.” “You’re one to talk, Mister Man Overboard,” Julien said. “Did I say I hit him with a paddle? Did I?” Aunt Illy’s expression was so comical that I did feel the urge to smile, even through my worry. “Adrian, you jump to conclusions. Though unfortunately, yes,” she sighed, “that was the right conclusion. But what about Laila? Are you two forgetting her?” “I don’t need to go,” Laila mumbled, and it seemed like the first time she’d spoken since the sapphire blue ordeal, since she’d been silent the whole car ride here. “I’ve been kayaking with you guys. Anyway, Adrian, you have . . . accidents.” Julien laughed loudly at that. “Exactly,” he said. “Your clumsiness rivals hitting anyone in the ear with a paddle, Mister Man Overboard. Maybe I shouldn’t trust you with my new kayaks.” “You mean the ones I bought for you, good sir,” Adrian said back. “Of course you will.” We got to where Tilly and Alex were waiting for us, next to their parents (who were maneuvering the folded tent out of the car) and my mom (who was holding the cooler with our lunches, and Rose’s removable car seat where she was sleeping). Julien and Adrian took the kayaks off the roof rack. “How old are you, Julien? I forgot,” Alex said, swinging a bucket full of sand toys around. “I’m seventeen,” Julien told him. “Oh.” Alex nodded. “Are you in college?” “Not yet. I’m still in high school right now.” “Did you already go to college?” “No, college is after high school. I haven’t been there yet,” Julien explained patiently. “Knock, knock.” “Who’s there?” “Tank.” “Tank who?” “You’re welcome!” Alex sang, swinging the bucket in circles again and accidentally hitting Tilly in the stomach. “Ow!” She stumbled backwards. “Alex, you are not under control,” Tilly said sternly, trying to grab the bucket from him. A small scuffle ensued, which Aunt Illy broke up yet again. Rose had just woken up and started to wail. My mom put down the car seat and the cooler to hold her instead. Then there was a thump and the sound of metal scratching pavement. I turned around to see the tent finally out of the minivan’s trunk, and Uncle Benjamin carrying it awkwardly. Aunt Carissa shut the trunk and picked up the car seat and cooler that were on the ground. “All right, crew!” Aunt Illy said. “We’re ready now. Onward!” All of us, carrying something, made our way to the lake beach. Lots of people had taken advantage of the weather today, and the beach was full of tents and towels and people. We walked a long distance to try and find a less crowded area to set up. We put down the beach chairs. Alex and Tilly immediately sat down in the sand and started digging together. Apparently, they’d been planning a grand sandcastle for a few days, though they were still discussing and debating heatedly. Laila came over, and Tilly made room for her on the ground while Alex started giving her orders. “Attention, large people in this family!” I heard Aunt Illy call. “Please assist the valiant in a wrestling match against the tent!” I was the fourth-shortest person in this family, but I figured they might need my help anyway. Adrian and Julien, who were about to launch their kayaks, turned and came back too. Uncle Benjamin was shouting instructions, and