“I was right there,” Angus said, his voice raised andtrembling. “I was there on the water with you. Watching you paddle away. And you said—”
“I didn’t mean it,” Mr. Banks interrupted.
“You said there wasnothingwaiting for you back on shore.”
“I forget things,” Mr. Banks replied. “I forget what year it is. I forget where I am. It’s not a personal attack.”
“You’re not supposed to forgetme!” Angus’s voice cracked. “I’ve always been there. For years. I’m the one who’s always back on shore. Foryou. I’m your best friend.”
“If you’re my best friend, why aren’t you happy that I’ve finally found love?” Mr. Banks asked point blank.
Suddenly Rashida stepped in. “Boys, boys, boys. Why don’t we take a minute to breathe.”
“I’m not interested in breathing,” Mr. Banks snapped. “I’m interested in knowing why my so-called best friend can’t be happy for me.” He leveled his gaze at Angus and added, “If you can’t let me live my life, you’re no best friend at all.”
Angus shook his head, hurt flashing bright across his face. “And maybe neither are you.”
And with that, Angus stormed toward the nearest hammock and threw himself into it like a man staging a protest nap.
Mr. Banks turned to head for a hammock in the opposite direction. “Good! Maybe now I’ll finally get some peace.”
He took two steps.
Stopped.
And wavered where he stood for a moment too long.
“Mr. Banks?” I asked, fear suddenly gripping my voice.
He didn’t answer.
He simply took two more unsteady steps to the left…
Then collapsed to the ground.
Leilani was the first to sprint toward him.
She was on her knees beside him, already checking his pulse, before the rest of us could even register what was happening.
“Call an ambulance,” she said, loud and clear. “Now! He’s not breathing!”
Cal’s phone was out before she could finish the sentence.
Rashida and I raced to help Leilani.
Tilly stood still, hand over her mouth in shock.
And Angus—oh God, Angus—was frozen in the hammock, eyes wide, breath caught between anger and terror.
Leilani started compressions.
“One, two, three, four…”
Her voice was firm. Her hands steady.
“What can we do? What do we do?” I asked, my voice shaking, a tear streaking down my face.
“I’ll need you to take over in a minute,” Leilani said, calm and in control. “Just let me focus. Count with me.”
