Chapter 21: Losing Faith

After dinner, they went for another stroll on the beach. Stars replaced the sun and darkness the daylight. The number of people had dwindled, leaving them almost alone. Most of the locals, as well as visitors, had gravitated to the two beach clubs that offered live music and dancing and two-for-one cocktails. Faith and Selby walked, fingers intertwined, while the Gulf of Mexico licked at the shore.

At one point, her mom called while they strolled the beach. "Your dad wants to have a cookout with the family tomorrow, so I'm calling you to ask if you'd like to join us." Faith rolled her eyes, but accepted. As much as she disagreed with her mom, Faith loved visiting her dad, and would never refuse a chance to see him.

"We drove by your house to invite you in person, but you weren't home," her mother said. "Sounds like you're at the beach. Why would you go to another beach when you live on one?"

Faith took a deep breath. Here it goes. "Because you can't see the sunset on our beach."

"The s