“Like I said,” he started quietly. “I couldn’t let you do it.”
She nodded. “Yes, but that doesn’t explain how.”
Evan glanced around, perhaps insuring they had some privacy. Finally, his eyes met hers again. “I caught you.” He watched her for a reaction.
She stared back at him, looking for any sign that he wasn’t telling the truth. “There was only the ocean and the rocks along the fall of the cliff, and if you were watching me from behind...”
“I jumped after you,” he interrupted, the words coming out forced and stiff. “I saw you take a running leap off the edge and I went after you. That’s how I caught you.”
She tried to picture his version of the events, imagining him running after her, jumping from the edge and catching her in his arms as they descended through the air. There was no indication that there was anything but truth in his words.
“How did you manage to defy the laws of physics? How are we both not dead?”
He expelled a held breath. “Believe it or not that is a bit more difficult to explain.”
“Well, I’d really like to hear it.” She needed to know. It would have been certain death for him to follow her off the cliff and yet he did so with no consequence. There was more to Evan than what met the eye. She had all the time in the world to listen to his explanation. If this was her afterlife she had every right to hear the truth, no matter how preternatural it sounded.
The endless horizon of water was gone, replaced with Ventura growing larger as they inched towards the harbor. All around them people were shuffling belongings and chatting, excited to be back on familiar land. It couldn’t be over for Evan and her, not yet. The sum of their relationship had been defined by that island in the Pacific, and back at home there was no familiarity to keep them tethered to each other. Except for the fact that he jumped off a cliff to save my life.
He watched those around them, perhaps also wondering what would come next. She recalled something he had earlier disclosed about his plans, about leaving the area that evening. The conversation seemed like another lifetime. It was, she thought.
“I have more questions to ask you. If you don’t mind,” she added. The boat was coasting through the harbor. Their ride would soon be over. He looked at her for a moment and then nodded. “You mentioned earlier going to Santa Barbara?” she asked.
“I’d planned to drive up there tonight.” His eyebrows dug deep into his face again. He looked unsure of himself.
“I live there.” The words sounded strange as they came out of her mouth. Of course, she hadn’t expected to return home. She imagined the house was likely in the same condition she left it in. All she’d have to do is unlock the front door, turn on the utility box and resume her life there.
The thought then occurred to her that she didn’t have to. She didn’t have to do anything at all. She was still in the life she’d chosen to leave behind. She still could. It didn’t matter that her plan hadn’t gone as expected. She could take her life anywhere, any way she chose. And yet… There were questions her mind could not make sense of and it was Evan who had the answers. It wouldn’t matter in the long run. She could listen to him, hear what fantastical explanation he could offer for catching her in midair, and then go about with her intention. It wasn’t a stone left unturned but the questions bothered her just the same. She would find the answers to those questions and then continue on. He would go his way, resume his vacation and would be none the wiser.
An unsettling growl from her stomach brought her back into the moment. The boat docked and everyone seemed eager to disembark. Santa Cruz Island was just a piece of land in a chain of islands barely visible off the coast. Now started the part of her life she hadn’t intended to be a part of. She was confused, thirsty, and hungry.
“There’s a great restaurant a few miles north on the freeway. We can sit outside and eat, talk...” She could formally ask him to join her, but it seemed contrived and frankly stupid.
A faint smile curled his lips as he nodded his head. “It would be my pleasure, Anne.”
She’d forgotten the lie about her name. It made no difference now. In a few hours she would have her answers and he would be out of her life for good. She retrieved some paper and a pen from her backpack and scribbled directions to the restaurant. Minutes later they were off the boat, her feet back on familiar ground. After a brief exchange they parted ways, both heading in the direction of the parking lot. As she walked to her car Zoe made it a point to watch Evan maneuver through the parking lot. Why hadn’t she seen him at all that morning before loading the boat? Where had he come from? More questions flooded her mind, questions that only he had answers to. Answers she would have sooner rather than later.