The Battered Heiress Blues - By Laurie Van Dermark Page 0,36
best. What are you doing today?”
“We’re taking the boat out. Do you want to join us?”
“I’d have to say definitely no. You have that freshly shagged glow about you and a lot of time to make up for. Have your fun. Gabe and I are taking Mattie to the beach.”
“You should pack a basket of food.”
“I suggested that but Gabe pointed out that kids don’t eat caviar. We really need some normal food around here.”
“We’ll get groceries on our way home from the marina. Hurry, he’s walking up.”
“Have fun.”
Kate flew up the stairs just as Henry opened the door.
“Was that Kate?”
“Yes. She got up early and went for a walk.”
“Oh.”
He unloaded his bag and cardboard drink holder.
“I made you coffee.”
“That’s why I bought this.”
“Not nice,” I scolded.
“Hello again.” He held me, kissing my lips.
“I thought we could go down to the marina and take the boat out,” I suggested.
“That’ll be fun. I just need to get my togs.”
“I already packed them and some food. We’re ready to go.”
“What about breakfast?”
“I’ll eat on the way.”
“Are we rushing for a reason? Why don’t we change into our suits?”
“I already packed them, silly. I want to beat the Sunday cruising crowd. The crew is expecting us. We can change on the boat.”
“Okay. Let’s hurry, Jewels. I’m tired of waiting on you. Go, go, go.”
Henry shooed me out the door making fun of my haste. Half way to the marina, he realized that he didn’t have his phone. He inquired whether I brought mine, but I alleviated his concern by mentioning that the ship had a radio in case we needed to communicate with the outside world.
The day was spent on my father’s yacht. With only the captain and a crew of two, we felt very alone. We laid on the deck, side by side, enjoying the sun and making plans for our future. The water was barely warm when we anchored for a swim. Henry talked me in to riding the Jet Ski which was an adventure. I felt a little sea sick after enduring the bumpiness of the waves created by his hairpin turns. Three hours had come and gone when the captain asked us about returning. Henry tried to talk me into anchoring and sleeping on the boat, but I felt the need to go home. Connor was there, without me.
We stopped briefly for groceries. Kate would be happy. I bought some beautiful hydrangea blossoms from a roadside market to put on Connor’s grave. We rode in comfortable silence listening to music and taking in the scenery.
Kate was waiting for us in the kitchen when we returned. She looked perplexed, but Henry didn’t notice. He just announced that he was going to take a shower and went upstairs.
“What’s the matter?”
She handed me a note pad full of scribbled writing- messages for Henry from the office.
“This is just the first page. Why isn’t he answering his phone? That’s not like him.”
“I removed the battery.”
“You did what?”
“He promised me no business. I’m helping him keep his promise.”
“He’s not going to see it that way, Jewels.”
I took the pages from her hand and crumpled them before tossing them in the trash bin.
“We’ll see. Don’t worry. I’m going to take these flowers to Connor. Do you want to come?”
She hesitated, still worried, but finally shook her head in agreement. I opened the kitchen door and she followed me out. Our walk to the cemetery was filled with sailor talk about her night with Gabe. I took the opportunity to tease her about her heart being stolen, as I had predicted earlier. She brushed off the observation, but I could tell that she was head over heels in love- or lust, at least. Love would follow. Gabe seemed like an awfully good man. They were in short supply these days.
Kate left me to walk over to the cottage. Gabe was making hamburgers with Kraft macaroni and cheese for her and Mattie- his favorite. She mentioned that she might stay over again under the guise of giving us our privacy. I sat awhile longer, listening to the birds chirp and the calming sounds coming from the fountain. The sod Henry bought for the grave was a magnificent green. The blooms on the crepe myrtles were snow white. I touched my belly, remembering a time when he was thriving and kicking inside me.
I figured Henry would come looking for me, but he never did. After an hour, I made my way back to the house. His car trunk