Appearances, copyright 2006, by Etienne. All rights reserved.

-7-

At the Beach

I started around the room, opening some of the patio doors so that the sea breeze could air things out, then I went to the phone on the counter and quickly dialed the office, punching in Rosemary's direct number.

When she picked up, I let her know that all was well at the beach, and determined that there were no messages from Richard. I wasn't particularly interested in any other items at the moment. Turning to Philip, who had walked over to stand beside me, I said.

"You probably just have time to call that Doctor, before he closes up shop for lunch."

"Right," he said, going to the telephone. He dialed the number, spoke to a nurse, told her he was out of town sans pills, and extracted a promise to have the prescription called to the pharmacy here in Fort Walton Beach.

The rest of the day somehow evaporated out from under us. I found a couple of pairs of Speedos, and we tried the gulf, which was rather cold for late May. Lance, true to his genes, was always at home in the water, and loved to play. Philip and I lay in the sun for a while, took a long, leisurely walk on the beach, then cleaned up and dressed in shorts, T-shirts, and deck shoes. The only problem was getting a long-haired dog clean after a romp in the sand and salt water. I checked the larder, made a shopping list, and we headed to a shopping center to stock up on supplies, stopping by the pharmacy on the way to pick up Philip's prescription. While he was at the prescription counter, I purchased a supply of Trojans and a tube of KY - after three years of abstinence, I was thinking ‘sex’ again.

We returned late in the afternoon, in time to grill some steaks on the deck and watch the sunset while we consumed them. Philip helped me clean up the kitchen afterward. It all seemed very cozy, domestic, and extremely comfortable. He shooed me back out to the deck while he finished in the kitchen, and appeared on deck a few minutes later himself with a drink in each hand. He handed me mine.

"You look lost in thought."

It wasn't really a question, but an answer seemed necessary. "I was just thinking that I have never brought anybody to this house before. Robert and I came here, and his sister Lydia frequently joined us, occasionally with a date in tow, but that is all. Richard has never even been here."

"That seems strange, considering how long you two have known each other."

I don't know why he never came here, I guess we never got around to issuing an invitation. Also, in the beginning, Richard was very uncomfortable around Robert and me. I suppose Robert and I thought of it as 'our' place, and were somewhat loath to share it. Lydia was a special case."

"Does she come here, still?"

"Oh yes. Robert left his half-interest to me, but I deeded it over to Lydia, and her and I have divided up the holidays. I get Memorial Day, she gets the Fourth of July, and we sometimes draw straws for Labor Day. Other times, my secretary keeps a calendar, and if I want to plan to come down here, I sign up for a time slot. When Lydia wants to come, she calls Rosemary and has her pencil in the dates. It has been a satisfactory arrangement, and we have never yet selected the same time. Even if we did, there is ample room here for several people without crowding."

"Are you sensing the presence of ghosts?"

"Not really." He was still standing beside the chaise lounge with a drink in his hand. I pulled him down to sit beside me. "Understand this, please. There are no ghosts, at least not any with which you will ever have to compete. There are lots of memories, all of them good ones. There have been times when I have had trouble dealing with them, but those times are coming less frequently. I expect that with a little help from you, I will be able to deal with anything." Having said that, I sat up beside him and kissed him thoroughly.

After I released him, he stifled a yawn. "Sorry," he said, "but I'm bushed."

"Me too. What say we lock up and climb the well worn stairs?"

"Sounds good to me."

I locked up and turned out the lights, leaving only a small night light in the kitchen. We went upstairs. "Do you think we need the A/C turned on?"

"Not unless you want it on. The sea breeze is great."

We made love again, and eventually fell asleep fitted together like two spoons.

Waking up Saturday morning turned out to be an instant replay of Friday morning, excepting only that it took place two hours or so later. This time I allowed myself to remember what it was like to wake up with someone, lay there and savored it, and let the tears flow quietly for a few minutes. Soon, Philip started to stir, and eventually woke up. He had been sleeping with his arms wrapped around me from behind. He stretched his head around from behind me and kissed my cheek. He must have noticed that it was damp, for he unwrapped one arm and touched my cheek with his fingers.

"What's this? Have you been crying?"

"I'm sorry. I woke up and starting thinking about how very long it had been since I woke up with someone. The same thing very nearly happened yesterday morning, but I got out of bed before it could start." He started to say something, but I put a finger to his lips. "Let me finish. It is very strange. At first I was sad, remembering, then I was happy because you are here to wake up with, now. That seemed to make me misty-eyed as well. You are bringing out all sorts of feelings in me, many of them ones that I never really expected to feel again." I turned over on my side to face him. "I really don't know what has gotten into me, - I NEVER lose my composure. I was brought up believing it simply was not done, at least not in front of anyone. It's only happened once before, since I was a child, and that was the day before Robert's funeral."

"Surely you must have to let go once in a while."

"Yes, but I have my own way of dealing with it."

"How?"

"I take a long shower, and shed whatever tears are necessary while the water runs over me. I've no idea what a Freudian would make of that. As for this morning, as I said, you are bringing things out in me that have been long suppressed."

"I'm sorry."

"Please don't be. I sense that you are very good for me, and look forward to more of the same."

"Well, I expect that you will tire of me eventually."