Raleigh loves the summer months, loves spending time with his friend and
inevitably he realizes (when he's older, a little more knowing, kissed his
fair share of girls to realize) that he loves said friend, too -- because
no one else has seen that raw, playful side of Raleigh.
But then his mother dies not long after that sweet summer kiss, she dies
and their father flees, leaving three kids helpless and not really knowing
what to do. Raleigh's older brother - who he'd mentioned frequently - takes
up the mantle of 'father' and takes care of them, ensures their health and
safety. Jaz and Raleigh are minors and Yancy's old enough to be appointed
guardian, so there's some luck in that, at least.
They don't know what to do, Jaz and Raleigh and Yancy and when Jaz hits
that age where she can do it, she drops out, makes her own way and moves
across the country, setting up in New York and leaving Alaska and her life
as a Becket behind.
Raleigh and Yancy join the military because what else do two boys with zero
parental guidance do? They join up, but wind up caught in the crossfire and
Yancy dies and Raleigh's unfit for duty, too banged up and hurt to be able
to properly function as an active duty Seal (ironic, isn't it).
It's years later when he revisits that beach, when he comes to stand on the
shore with his hands in his pockets, lines on his face from trauma and
sadness, staring out into the ocean blue.
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Raleigh loves the summer months, loves spending time with his friend and inevitably he realizes (when he's older, a little more knowing, kissed his fair share of girls to realize) that he loves said friend, too -- because no one else has seen that raw, playful side of Raleigh.
But then his mother dies not long after that sweet summer kiss, she dies and their father flees, leaving three kids helpless and not really knowing what to do. Raleigh's older brother - who he'd mentioned frequently - takes up the mantle of 'father' and takes care of them, ensures their health and safety. Jaz and Raleigh are minors and Yancy's old enough to be appointed guardian, so there's some luck in that, at least.
They don't know what to do, Jaz and Raleigh and Yancy and when Jaz hits that age where she can do it, she drops out, makes her own way and moves across the country, setting up in New York and leaving Alaska and her life as a Becket behind.
Raleigh and Yancy join the military because what else do two boys with zero parental guidance do? They join up, but wind up caught in the crossfire and Yancy dies and Raleigh's unfit for duty, too banged up and hurt to be able to properly function as an active duty Seal (ironic, isn't it).
It's years later when he revisits that beach, when he comes to stand on the shore with his hands in his pockets, lines on his face from trauma and sadness, staring out into the ocean blue.