AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Carry on,” Lisa said. “We’ll be on the sun porch.”
Out on the porch, the vista of the dark ocean stretched before them, a lighted cruise ship on the horizon.
“Wow, look at that! I love the ocean,” Zach said.
“Probably headed to New York from Canada. Have a seat.” Lisa pointed to the daybed that was made up like a sofa. She sat across from him in a rocker. “So! How was your day?”
“Typical Friday.” He slouched with his back against the pillows, long legs stretched out in front of him. “I’m not sure why Friday is so big on unexpected home births.”
Lisa barked out a laugh. “Maybe she thought she’d make it through the weekend?”
“Maybe. Also, it’s a week before Thanksgiving, and we had a barbecue fire today. Someone doing a test of deep frying their turkey. It never fails. If they have the fryer too close to the house, well, you can imagine.”
“Okay, we’ll move the grill away from the cottage.”
“Good idea! So, how was your day?”
“It was good. I realized how happy I am despite the current upheaval. I had a pleasant run with my daughter, too. She’s growing up too fast, in every sense of the word.” She mouthedMenses.
“It’s all the food additives,” he said. “I’m no expert, but there are hormones in just about everything we eat. It’s got to have an effect.”
“Ugh, don’t tell me that. I’ve been feeding my kids chicken nuggets since they could walk.”
“Yeah, I like them, too.”
“Are you hungry? I ordered pizza, and there’s plenty.”
“I’d love pizza. Thank you.”
She got up and waved at him to follow her. “You can choose from supreme, cheese lover’s, or all veggie.”
“Can I have one of each?”
“Yes!” She handed him a plate and opened the boxes. “Help yourself.”
Zach pointed to a carton of Coke. “Can I have one of those?”
“Sure.” She opened a can and then fixed a glass with ice. “This feels like we’ve done it before.”
“We did this when we were kids every weekend,” Zach said. “Your mom drove a group of us to Shore Pizza to get takeout. It’s a nice way to spend a Friday night. I hope we can make it our routine.”
“I’d love that, if you don’t get scared away again.”
He grinned sheepishly. “I’m sorry, again.”
“I probably won’t let you forget, just an FYI.” But she laughed, leading the way back to the sun porch. “So, why aren’t you in a relationship?”
He took a bite of pizza and washed it down with soda. “I don’t think women want to be with a dud. I work, go home, watch TV, and go to sleep. I’m not big on activities, don’t really have any hobbies. I like to refinish furniture, so if I see a piece dumped at the side of the road, I’ll stop to pick it up.”
“You’re not a hoarder, are you?”
“No, but my house is pretty full. I like big old pre-war walnut furniture.”
“I know just the style. It’s not my favorite.”
“It’s too dark and heavy for a beach cottage, but a 1940 bungalow is perfect for it, and that’s what I have.”
“Cool!” Lisa said. “As you can see, my place is too small to bring one more piece of furniture into it.”
