Page 18 of After Care

“It’s only been forty-eight hours,” he reminded me, and I paused a moment, swiping at my hair.

“Fair enough,” I sighed. “I’ll sign something if it would make you feel better, because I would never share that story with others.” My shoulders fell, matching the heavy pit tumbling to my stomach. I still felt physically ill at the thought.

The weight of his stare forced me to face him. “The fact you just offered to sign something is good enough for me, darlin’.”

“Why?” I blurted, although warmth filled me with the return of his drawled endearment.

“There’s something about you that I trust.”

We let that statement sit between us a moment.

“Want to sit on my towel?” I offered, noting the deep tan of his body and the sand sticking to his arm and leg pressed into the white grains. He smiled slowly at me, eyes roaming over my body.

“My view’s good from here.”

I blushed as I looked back at the rolling waves. In the distance, white foam shot above the surface—the tell-tale sign a whale swam beneath the water. Suddenly, it breached, exploding above the ocean to expose half its glorious body before slamming back against the water line.

“Did you see that?” I squealed, clapping my hands and bringing them against my chest in my excitement. I turned to look at him, but his eyes were still on me. “That was amazing.” My voice rose like a kid on a Ferris wheel. Tommy shifted and scooted closer to me, resting his body on my towel after all. I looked at him over my shoulder. Lips to my sun-kissed shoulder were the only warning I received before his mouth found mine. Truthfully, his mouth seized mine, rolling over my lips like the reckless waves of the ocean. His tongue plunged forward, crossing the surface, as if catching a large breath, like the whale. His arm straightened to hold himself upright while his other hand cupped the side of my face, keeping me connected to him. He kissed me like the devil had a purpose and it included devouring me.

Whale breaching was possibly a mating message, but the messages I kept getting from Tommy confused me. One thing was evident: I’d mate with him again if he asked. The morning still lingered in my mind, and damp heat pooled between my thighs as his mouth continued to take mine. Tommy kissed like a master, like he practiced frequently. His crafty kissing brought my thoughts to the girls at the pool. Sensing something, he pulled back slowly, dragging my lower lip within his before releasing me. His eyes glowed a rich chocolate brown color, dappled with flecks of green and gold.

“Now that was amazing,” he said, and heat rushed over my skin, which had nothing to do with the sunlight beaming down on us. “Know what else?”

“What?” I asked, setting myself up as his lip twitched and curled at one corner.

“This morning. That was amazing.”

5

Party of three

Having dinner with adult children isn’t much different than younger children. They still wanted to be on their phones most of the meal, until I told them I’d confiscate them like when they were teenagers. Caleb chuckled, and Masie sent one final text before placing it in her purse.

Spending time with my children was still one of the greatest joys of my life. I stared at these two miracles across from me. They had grown so fast. When did Masie turn into a beautiful woman on the verge of going to college? When did this young man take over Caleb’s body, turning him into a budding minor league baseball player? I sipped my wine, marveling at the strangeness of life. I never imagined spending the next phase of my life alone, but that’s exactly where I was going to be when Masie went to school.

Letting the thought pass, we ordered. Duke’s Restaurant was a highlight along the boardwalk between resorts, and I couldn’t wait to dig into fresh-caught seafood. It was good to be with my kids. We had a pretty open relationship, maybe too open about a few things, but I did my best to be supportive and honest with my opinion. I worried about Caleb and his decision to play ball. I worried about Masie and her choice to become a nurse. She’d grown up too fast over the last two years.

“Okay, West said he’s at the Pink Flamingo,” Caleb announced after I paid the bill. “I’m going to meet the guys there.” Caleb hesitated a moment. “If that’s okay with you?” How could I tell a twenty-two-year old no? He was a man, even if he would always be my little boy. As he left the table, Masie stared after him. She wanted to join him, but being eighteen, she wouldn’t be admitted into the bar.

“So, West, huh?” I started, sipping the last of my wine. Masie’s head spun to me.

“Mom.” Her voiced whined in that way when she didn’t want to discuss something, or I’d embarrassed her, but the pink flush of her face proved she agreed. She’d noticed him.

“Well,” I replied, answering in the same elongated sound. He was a nice looking young man of twenty-two, even if he was too old for Masie. I didn’t want her to get hurt. “He’s a little old for you, though.” I spoke softly, knowing I tread in dangerous waters. With daughters, any slip of the tongue could lead to unintentional drowning.

“Mom,” she pealed again, before her shoulders sunk. “I know. And he’s a rock star, but he seems so different than I thought. I mean, he seems normal, like a guy I might meet at college.” The admission seemed to bother her.

“You’re going to meet lots of boys in college,” I said, reaching over and rubbing her arm. “You’re too beautiful for your own good,” I added. I was biased, but she was striking, and I was jealous, just a little. I never looked that good when I was her age.

“I know, it’s just…” Her shoulder shrugged, and I waited. “I don’t think I can talk about this with you.”

“Oh.” I sat up straighter. “Oh, okay.” Was I hurt? Maybe a little. But did I know what she wanted to say? I think she wanted to tell me a girl could have a little fun.

“I mean, I know I might never see him again. It’s not like I’d marry him,” she scoffed. “It’s just…he is a rock star.” Her face brightened, and she giggled a little, euphoric at the possibility of hanging out with someone famous. I could only hope it wasn’t more. As if she thought about it a moment, her face fell, and she added, “I mean, he’s more than a rock star, of course. He’s just…a really nice guy.”

She was the farthest thing from a shallow person, and I smiled to myself.

“Masie, we’re on vacation. I don’t mind you spending time with him. He seems like a nice guy, but I don’t think you should do anything more. I don’t want to see you set up for heartbreak.”