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Pulling into the driveway and arriving at the family cabin, Suzie’s anxiety rose. All this place reminded her of was Jeff. They maybe should have gone somewhere else. Somewhere where she and Jared could start over. This was the beginning of her betrayal and she was torn. Fortunately Helen, Jared’s mom, was reading quietly when they got there. His dad had already gone to bed. Suzie smiled and talked for a few moments and then excused herself for the night. The huge, soft bed was calling to her and she needed to close her eyes and not worry about which Tiefson brother she was talking to.
Falling quickly into the folds of the bed, Suzie fell fast asleep. When she awoke, she was alone and debated staying in bed for the day. Instead she forced herself up, she was tired of moping and wanted to get out into the beautiful forest, find Jared, wherever he was and go for a walk. Separating herself from the down duvet she stretched and got dressed. Upstairs there was coffee brewing but no one was around.
Suzie filled her mug and went outside to sit on the deck. Enjoying the early morning sounds, Suzie sat in solitude. After a time, she saw Helen coming up the lawn from her painting studio. She was smiling and had red paint on her cheek. Suzie watched her glance back towards the studio and stand there wistfully. When she turned back towards the house, Helen saw Suzie and straightened, quickening her pace.
“Good morning,” they said in unison and laughed. Helen got herself some coffee and sat with Suzie. She told her that Jared had gone for a walk with his dad and she was painting a lot these days.
“If I had been up earlier I would have joined you,” Suzie said.
“Oh well, that’s alright, maybe after lunch instead,” Helen said and then got up abruptly. “I just remembered I forgot something in the studio.”
“Do you want me to keep you company?” Suzie asked.
“No!” Helen said quickly. “You stay here I will only be a second.”
Suzie stretched out and felt the sun beginning to peak over the trees. It would be warm today. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply reminding herself to care for herself. It was so peaceful here she could see why Jared’s parents had moved out here. It was paradise. Finally Suzie started to unwind. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Jared back with his dad. They joined her with coffee in hands and a rosy glow on their cheeks.
“These are for you.” Jared handed her a bouquet of wildflowers.
“Thank you.” Suzie smiled and held them close.
“That was quite the jog,” Jared’s dad said to him.
“Nah, you are just getting old,” Jared teased.
Suzie rested her head on Jared’s shoulder as he bantered with his dad. A little while later Helen returned from the studio. She looked perplexed and walked into the cabin without a word. Jared’s dad followed her in leaving Jared and Suzie alone on the deck. He put his arm around her and she rested on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat and she closed her eyes breathing in his smell. He still smelled like cologne even here and she laughed. He pressed his lips to the top of her head and she looked around the yard. She had a brief feeling of uneasiness or a sort of déjà vu and got up.
“Let’s go for a walk,” she said, pulling Jared to his feet. He wound his arms around her, kissing her neck.
“Why don’t I take you back to bed instead?” he whispered into her ear.
Twisting away from him she ran towards the paint studio. “You have to catch me first,” she teased. As she reached the studio she stopped to make sure he was following. Her mind begged to see Jeff’s painting but she could not now so she ran.
Chasing her and protesting, Jared followed her into the forest. She twisted and turned down paths to evade his grasp until she was breathless with anticipation and exhaustion. She slowed to a walk and listened for Jared. She thought he missed the last turn so she made no sound. Creeping forward she came to a bench nestled into the side of a hill. It had a beautiful view and she sat still. Jared came and sat down beside her.
“Can we talk for a minute?” he said after a long moment of silence.
“We always talk,” Suzie said.
“You’ve changed,” Jared said abruptly, like he had to push it out.
“What do you mean?” Suzie asked, worried. Wondering if she should tell him the whole story now. Still, unable to handle the crushed look she knew she would see on his face.
“You’re distracted or something and I want to know if there is something you are not telling me,” he spoke in a quiet voice.
Suzie remained silent for a moment, looking at the ground. In her mind, her silence proved her guilt. He waited. Finally she began with uncertainty, “If I was keeping something from you it would only be because I love you.” It was the first time she had said it from her heart and in the moment she meant it. She did love him and could not stand hurting him. He could hear in her voice she meant it and he moved in beside her supporting her slumped body.
“If you love me, you will talk to me about it so we do not have this distance between us. Okay?” Jared said gently and he kissed her cheek.
Tears welled in Suzie’s eyes as she knew he was right. She blinked them away and kissed his lips. “Ok, Jared. I know. Can we talk about it on the way home though? I just want to enjoy our time here.” And she meant it. He might hate her for it later but she needed some time to think. She had promised herself she would lie about it so what would she tell Jared? How could she turn this situation into a happy ending?
Jared hugged her again. “Okay, he said. Besides, we’re missing lunch and then you are going painting with Mom.”
“Yeah,” Suzie said. Then continued with trepidation, “Unless you want to do something together, you could paint too.”
“Nah, that’s not my thing. Dad and I are going to go out on the lake, maybe the last time before it freezes. Give you some time to get creative. We will have our time tonight,” Jared said as they walked hand in hand back to the cabin. But there was an uncertainty between them.
Lunch was, fortunately for Suzie, brief and they all went their separate ways. Suzie sat quietly on the deck swing for a while before mak
