A tray is placed beside me on the table. Uncovered for my approval, which I give readily. Another test. My default when pressed.
Um....a Monte Cristo and fries, skin on, sherry mayo on the side and a Jack Daniels and Lemonade, double, please. No ice. Thank you.
I just say that to see if he will do it and so far so good. It's been years now and it still works perfectly. The steward turns to leave, apologizing when he realizes Caleb is standing directly behind him.
Caleb looks at the tray and then smiles tightly. I'm surprised you don't order cotton candy or something.
This is not the place for that.
Definitely not. This is a far cry from the camper, isn't it?
Another universe. I say it quietly, redrawing the line.
Point taken. He says it softly, lifting up my glass and using the corner of his towel to wipe down the outside where the cool liquid has clashed with the warm evening. The boat is in dock in its new berth on the water directly below the house instead of over at the yacht club. It's more private so we don't have to take it out to be alone. I watch as the crew disembarks, their work finished and I tug at my wet bikini bottoms. They are too loose and sliding over my hip bones every time I breathe. He watches. It was too cold to swim but I lasted eleven minutes in the water anyway, to be stubborn.
I feel lucky, Bridget.
I let my head loll back against the headrest of the seat and gaze up at him. Do you? Why?
Yes. It could have gone either way and I'm surprised your feelings were as strong as they were.
As strong as they are.
Yes. Surprised and...humbled. Thankful.
Maybe I have a soft heart.
Do you?
No. Can I eat now? The sandwich is still warm but so is my drink now. He isn't touching his own food. I make him nervous. I love being in this position. He asked for a quick swim and dinner on the boat and then I am free to disappear and he and Henry have a boy-movie night planned on board. Henry wanted to rewatch the Dark Knight series. I think Caleb deferred on Batman in favor of Iron Man instead. Henry is fine with that. They'll be making popcorn and pulling down the super-screen which is pretty neat even though it's not quite as big as the theatre in the main house.
If I can keep talking while you eat?
Fill your boots.
Are you going to fill in the blanks on your blog?
Huh?
The events of the past week. Do you plan to write about them?
I don't know. Maybe.
Can I ask that you don't?
No one reads it, Caleb.
I just wish we had some secrets left, princess.
Oh, I think there are lots of those.
Not enough.
You're looking for ground again. Already. Jesus. We're an infinite loop.
Just like you and Lochlan.
I stand up, hiking up the ties on the sides of my bikini bottoms. I'm not really hungry. Save this plate for Henry. I pick up the glass and drink the bourbon in one gulp. It's a small glass, no worries. See you tomorrow. Have fun.
What are you up to tonight?
Ruth's at a friend's for a sleepover so I think a quiet night would be good.
With Ben and Loch?
Yes.
I see.
What? What do you see?
What? Nothing. See you tomorrow.
I call him on his evil and the mirth fades from his eyes. That makes me sad. We made up some ground but it buys such fleeting peace. Damn straight I will write about it, as soon as I sort out how.
