Page 40 of Words Unspoken

He looked at FedEx. She had stuck by him. She was not going to leave him. Even now she was by his side, looking up at him. He nodded again.

Elle reached out and gave him a hug. Michael swallowed against the thickness in his throat and hugged her back.

“I will leave you to your shower. Come downstairs afterward. FenLei is going to make chocolate chip pancakes.”

Michael had existed on coffee and not much else since the debacle at Ann is apartment. He supposed he should eat something even if he was not hungry. It would make Elle feel better.

∞

Ann had been seeing George Stapleton for a few weeks now. He was a little self-obsessed, but Ann had come to the conclusion that men generally were. He took her to all sorts of functions, and it was obvious he was pleased that she was on his arm. George felt that she made him look good.

Ann did her best to be the perfect girlfriend. She was gracious, she maintained a classy image, she deferred to his judgement.

In return he was a perfect gentleman, opening doors, introducing her to his set of friends, paying for their entertainments.

He was even a good kisser. Nothing earth shattering however, yet not repulsive either. He never pressed further than what she would allow for intimacy, something that she appreciated.

He just was not Michael.

They talked about his home in the city, a lovely historical three-bedroom apartment in a very sought after neighborhood. They discussed the vacation home he had just purchased in Vermont for the skiing. Ann was not really a cold weather sport person. She preferred being warm, but she allowed that she could give it a try. He had gotten her the golf membership at the country club. Her game was improving thanks to the practice she had playing with him.

It really shouldn’t have come as a surprise when after dessert during dinner at the club, he got down on one knee, producing a ring that was far too big for Ann’s liking. It was garish and large, exuding wealth like George did.

George wanted children. Little Stapleton heirs to the Stapleton empire that he was continuing to build.

At least they would have free dental care.

Ann felt like a fraud as she smiled and accepted the proposal. Everyone clapped and congratulated them.

She should be congratulated. She was getting what she wanted, right?

Chapter Eight

Michael wished he had not agreed to Thanksgiving. It was noisy. His family had invaded the beach house with good intentions and mountains of food, yet it felt hollow without Ann there. He knew they were trying to cheer him up. He desperately just wanted them to leave him alone.

He sighed. He was going to do his best today. He was tired of the moping he had been doing for the past few weeks. Michael might not smile and be happy, but he would participate. They would appreciate that. He grabbed utensils to help set the table, but Piaget and Elle shooed him out of the kitchen. They told him to join the guys watching television. Michael didn’t want to watch the game. He never watched football. He didn’t know the rules, the teams, who was the favorite.

Michael sighed again. He noticed that FedEx had abandoned her post at the kitchen, begging for scraps from the dinner preparation. Michael wandered over to the sliding door and saw FedEx barking and jumping in the sand. Silly dog. It was cold outside. The wind was biting at this time of year and FedEx had a short coat. Michael leaned to the left to get a better look at what the dog was barking at and took a choking breath as he saw Ethan walking on the mole. He felt like a brick had slammed into his chest.

The mole was a line of rocks that helped to protect the marina from the wicked winter waves. Spray was bouncing up as the waves crashed into the rocks, making the mole slippery and dangerous. During calm weather people fished off it. In weather such as this, everyone avoided it because a person could be swept away into the cold waters. It had happened in the past. People died that way.

Michael wrenched open the sliding door, ran across the deck and vaulted over the railing. He had a moment of panic over the height while he was in midair, but then he hit the sand, rolling. His ankle hurt yet he scrambled to his feet and ran as fast as he could through the sand, ignoring the pain, breath coming in gasps from the cold air. He was wearing only long shorts and a tee, his feet completely bare. It had been hot in the house with the kitchen cooking enough food to feed a small army. Outside he swore he could see his breath as he raced across the sand toward the mole, praying Ethan would not fall, desperately hoping he reached the toddler in time.

FedEx jumped beside him, running along, barking excitedly. Michael tried not to trip over the dog as he made the turn and without breaking stride started up the straight rocky shelf toward the toddler who was being sprayed by the water. For a moment, Michael panicked when he lost sight of the boy as a wave crashed over the mole, but Ethan reappeared on the other side of the water as it disbursed over the rocks, unharmed and still toddling over the uneven surface.

Making the last of the distance, gasping, lungs burning, Michael fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around the little boy. Ethan was soaked and chatted happily at Michael’s ear in toddler nonsense. A wave came up and Michael had to steady himself under the force of it as the water washed over both of them. If he had not gotten to Ethan, it was certain the boy would have been swept into the waters. He hugged his nephew, relieved, thanking God that he was safe.

A shout sounded behind him and Michael turned to see Noah and Max coming up the mole. He walked back to meet them part way, holding Ethan. The boy seemed to think it was one big adventure even though it was obvious that he was cold. Noah hurried up and took his son in his arms, grateful. He hugged him hard.

“We should get back to the beach. It is not safe here,” Max said, the wind was whipping at them all and the cold spray of the water soaking their clothes.

Michael looked around. He didn’t see FedEx. The dog had been running, jumping and barking right beside him the whole time but now she was nowhere to be seen. It was not right. She barely ever left his side.

“Michael?”

He shook his head at Max is query, not even looking at him. The dog was not on the beach or the mole. Which could only mean that she had been swept off when that wave had crashed over them. Panic curled in Michael’s stomach. This was his dog. He walked further up the mole scanning the water.

“Michael, what are you looking for?” Noah shouted, nearly at the beach, holding on to Ethan.