I gave Caleb a gift today, landing in his lap on my way past him to find a towel. I'm soaked to the skin, fresh out of the pool, in a black bikini with fat string ties. It looks very wet-ro, he said, complimenting my vintage suit in an Elmer Fudd sort of lazy-voice. He's relaxed. He put his arms around me, ruining the crisp ironing lines of his shirt and smiled and I gave him a big fat kiss.
You should come in the pool with me.
I'm tired, Neamhchiontach.
I frown and he says he'll watch, that he'll stay here as long as I want to stay in. I remind him I only get an hour or less as it is and he vows to look into alternatives to the chlorine. I point behind us to the sea and he asks if I'd ever stay in it for an hour.
Sure, I remind him. Anytime.
What about whales?
My face falls. Whales are freaking scary. Anything is, underneath you in the depths. They don't come in this close to shore.
True.
I need to go change.
You feel good right here.
Can I come back when I'm done?
I'm heading inside. Come to the house.
I look over at the last chair. Lochlan's book and his glasses are there but he has vanished.
Maybe for a nightcap.
For the night.
No, Cale.
Let's wait and see. Bring your joker.
Where is he?
Schuyler needed something. Come at eight? Both of you.
Okay. I trace his mouth as he smiles slightly. I can alone-
If you bring him you could stay.
Probably not.
Wait and see.
I nod and climb off his lap. There's a Bridget impression in wet fabric all over him. It looks cool. Sorry about your outfit.
I wasn't going anywhere.
Still..
See you at eight.
I nod again. Eight.
