The Reservoir Read Online Free PDF

this.  Even though the person with mental illness didn’t sign up for it, and his family certainly didn’t sign up for it, like the alcoholic who causes damage to the people around him, the family of the mentally ill is … affected by it.”  He reached out and squeezed Daniel’s shoulder.  “Daniel has been affected by it.  The fact that it’s not his dad’s fault is a moot point.  Daniel and his family—they’re tired.  Beaten down.  Exhausted.  And Daniel is always worried that…”
    “Oh, Daniel!” Kendall cried, understanding dawning.  “You think you’re going to get it.  You thought today…”
    He nodded.  “Schizophrenia usually strikes a person in their late teens, early twenties.”  He laughed without humor.  “Every time I do something odd, and I can be odd,” he acknowledged, “I’m afraid my number’s up, you know.”
    “Daniel, you’re fine.  You’re not crazy.  Well, at least not that kind of crazy,” she assured him. 
    He mustered a smile.  “Thank you, Kendall.”

Chapter Four
     
    “Are you sure you’re up for this, Danny Boy?” Zack asked his friend.  “You don’t have to do this, you know.”
    He nodded and Zack tossed the tube into the water.  “I could use an adrenaline rush,” he admitted.  “Today’s been kind of a downer so far.”
    Zack laughed.  “Really?  I hadn’t noticed.”
    “Why does he get to go first?” Kendall asked, but the twinkle in her eyes belied her anger.  She was as happy as her friends to see Daniel feeling better.
    Holly helped Zack tie the line to the tube, situated the line behind the boat to assure it didn’t tangle with the propeller, and then pulled the tube against the side of the boat so Daniel could climb on.  She glanced back at Daniel.
    “Check your vest.”
    “Oh, right.”  He tightened all the straps, and then gave them a final tug to assure the fit was right.  He glanced around.  “How much light do we have left?” he asked nonchalantly.
    Zack gave him an encouraging smile.  “Plenty of time.  Question is, how fast do you want to go?  Are you looking for a thrill, or would you like a scenic float along the reservoir?”
    He considered the question, stroking his chin thoughtfully.  “Start out slow, and we’ll go from there.”
    “I’ve never known you to do anything slow,” Holly commented with a smile.  “I predict you and that tube will be airborne in a matter of seconds.” 
    “We’ll see,” he said with a laugh.
    “Why is it again he gets to go first?” Kendall asked.
    “Kendall,” Zack said, keeping his tone reasonable, “you have to be the most contrary girl I’ve ever met.”
    She laughed.  “I consider that a compliment.”
    “Well, you might,” he said, “but you might be wrong.”
    “I don’t care,” she said, lifting her chin haughtily.  “Besides, you guys love my contrary ways.  I keep you on your toes.”
    “True,” Niqui acknowledged.  “Okay, I get to go after Daniel.”
    “Uh!  Over here!  Did you not just hear me call seconds,” Kendall reminded her.
    Holly chuckled.  It was good to see her friends behaving like their old selves.  Daniel had given them a scare.  She sincerely hoped the rest of their trip would be absent any further drama.
    She felt the slight rise and fall of the boat on the lightly rippling water as she stood, hands on the tube, holding it in place for Daniel.  She was grateful she’d never experienced any kind of motion sickness.  She loved being on the water so much.  “Okay, climb on,” she told him. 
    He moved closer to her, and then lifted a leg over the side of the boat, landing one foot onto the tube.  He sent the next leg over and then sprung forward, somehow managing to land on his stomach.  He gripped the handles on the towable and then nodded at her.
    “I’m good to go.”
    “Okay, hang tight.  Zack’s going to make sure the rope is taut, and then we’ll take off.  If you’re too far