A Sea Change (7 page)

Maddy nodded, still giggling, and said, “Would you like to come in?”

“Sure, for a couple of minutes.”

He stepped into the entry. As she moved past him to shut the door he caught a whiff of something spicy and clean; something he wouldn’t mind exploring at closer range. She walked ahead of him, toward the lighted room, and he could already sense what her body would feel like against his.

“It’s Maddy, right?” he said, to break the spell his thoughts had put him under.

“Right. Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’ll take a beer, if you’ve got one.”

“I do.” The kitchen was an extension of the living area, and as she disappeared behind the refrigerator door she added, “Have a seat.”

Nick looked around, but every surface was covered with boxes, papers, and photographs.

“Oops, sorry.” She handed him a bottle of Heineken and scooped up an armful of packing paper from an easy chair. “Hope that’s okay.”

“Yeah, this is fine.” He sank into the cushions. She smiled, and he noticed a dimple in her left cheek.

“I meant the beer,” she said.

“That, too.”

As Maddy pushed aside a box on the couch to make room for herself, Chloe’s head popped out. The cat suspiciously eyed Nick and then jumped onto her lap.

“I guess I have something to thank you for, too,” she said.

“Looks like you were made for each other.” He watched as Maddy lovingly looked down at the cat, running a hand over its fur. “How’d you come up with Chloe?”

“I’m not sure. It was the first name that came into my head.” Her eyes met his. “Why?”

He shrugged. “Just an interesting choice.”

“Word gets around fast,” she said.

“The beach is pretty tight.”

“Some people would call it gossip.”

“I wouldn’t. Everyone respects everyone else’s privacy. Anyone new has to sort of pass muster.” He couldn’t take his eyes off hers. Warm amber irises and a thick fringe of black lashes held him, and Nick suddenly knew the attraction was mutual.

“How long will it take?” she asked.

“What?”

“Before I’m accepted.”

He tipped back the bottle and drank. His mouth had gone dry and he needed to break the contact. When he looked at her again she’d turned her attention back to the cat. “Not long, in your case. Some of the more influential people on the beach already think you’re pretty special.”

Maddy raised her head and grinned. “Guess my little ploy worked, then.” She winked.

 “Oh, yeah. You’ve got ‘em all fooled.” Nick searched the glass-topped coffee table, then set the bottle down on a small, empty spot she’d missed. Among the piles of papers were stacks of photographs. Some were scenic. Others looked to be family pictures. “You take these?”

“Most of them.”

He picked up an old black-and-white shot of a young girl and boy standing hand-in-hand on a rocky shoreline. The girl proudly held up a string with a good-sized fish attached.

Nick, certain he already knew the answer, asked, “Who’s this?”

Her reply was quick. “My cousins.”

“Huh.” He let the photo drop. “I would’ve sworn it was you.”

“Strong gene pool,” she said, dismissing the subject. “What’s the story on the cable service down here?”

“It’s a fairy tale. Better get used to it. The only local channel that comes in is thirteen.”

“Which means Mariner’s games only once or twice a week.”

“You a fan?”

“A fairly recent one. You?”

“Somewhat,” he replied.

Nick wondered how recent, but didn’t ask. The question might require an explanation.

They were both silent for a moment, then Nick said, “We should get together and watch a game some night.”

“Sounds like a plan, as long as Rita doesn’t mind.”

“Rita?”

“Isn’t that your girlfriend’s name?”

“My girlfriend?” The corners of his mouth turned up.

“I said something funny?”

“Well, she’s a girl. And she’s my friend. But we’re not involved.”

“She made it sound like you were.” Maddy narrowed her eyes. “Why are you laughing at me?”

“I’m not. I’m sorry. It’s just, I’m not her type.”

Maddy stared at him, not getting the joke.

Nick pursed his lips, then finally said, “Let me put it this way: you’re definitely Rita’s type. And please, tell me she’s not yours.”

Maddy lifted an eyebrow. “What would you say if I said I was?”

“I’d have to say, she’s taken.” He stood to leave. “She and Susan got married last summer.”

“That’s all?” She looked up at him. “Nothing else?”

“Well, that, and life can be really unfair.”

Maddy removed Chloe from her lap and got off the couch. “I wouldn’t worry, Nick.” She passed behind him so closely he could feel her body heat. “It’s never that unfair.”

As he stood in the open doorway, Nick thanked her for the beer. She smiled, about to say something, when Chloe thundered down the hallway. Nick grabbed her before she could escape, and handed the spitting cat to Maddy. He watched her face as his hand deliberately brushed hers during the exchange. The look she gave him was one of tacit understanding, as he said, “If there’s anything you need, you know where I am.”

Nick lay in his bed sure of only one thing. He’d never felt this kind of attraction before.

He knew nothing about her. He was pretty sure she’d lied about the photo. But he wanted her. The evidence was irrefutable. Not even Jaed’s tea was going to put him to sleep tonight.

If he wasn’t careful, Maddy Phillips could rock his world so hard he’d never be able to regain his balance.

Journal Entr
y

April 10

It’s about one a.m. I thought I’d be able to sleep tonight, what with Jaed’s pre-dawn phone call, and taking care of Chloe, and all the work I did. But I didn’t count on the effect a one-on-one meeting with this Nick guy would have on me.

I was in the middle of sorting through photos…Jaed wants some new shots for the brochures and I’m pretty sure I have some really nice ones, but they’ve been packed away such a long time, I haven’t got a clue which box marked “photos” they’re in.

No matter. I don’t want to talk about that right now.

I’d come across some family stuff, and I thought most of the photos were later. Meaning, after Danny had gone. But stuck in between a stack from the mid-80’s was this old one of me and Danny taken up in the San Juans. I don’t know how it got mixed in with all the others. Mom and Dad pretty much erased any memory of him after he ran off. I remember coming home from college that summer and there was nothing of his left in the house. It was very weird. Like a part of our lives had never existed.

I don’t know. Maybe I’d saved the photo as a kid. I don’t have any memory of doing that, though. But that family vacation came rushing back to me.

Danny didn’t like fishing, but Dad made him go out on the boat with us anyway. The whole time we were on the water, Dad didn’t let up. Calling him a baby, and “the littlest girl in the family.” Nice, huh? I felt so bad for him. He stood at the rear of the big chartered boat with the pole in his hands, crying. Dad was up front with the owner. The plan I came up with seemed like a really good idea. I joined Danny, and as soon as I caught my first fish I told him to trade poles with me. But he wouldn’t do it.

I just wanted everyone to be happy.

Anyway, I ended up catching a ten-pound salmon. Dad made a huge fuss over it, and even while he was praising me, he was still taking potshots at Danny. He actually said he didn’t want him in the photo, but I wouldn’t let go of his hand. I told Dad that Danny had helped me pull it in (a small white lie), and he deserved to be included in the picture. He was only six. I loved him very much. And no matter what stupid, weird thing Danny said or did over the years, I know he loved me too.

I’ve really tried not to think about him for a very long time, because it makes me angry and sad and hurt all at once, and at everyone. I get so mad: at Danny for never trying to contact me, at Dad for letting him go away, at Mom and Dad for acting like it didn’t matter, and at myself for not doing anything to stop it all. The ‘sad and hurt’ is easier to justify in some respects. I have a tough time with the anger at Danny, though. It always makes me feel guilty because I know he’s out in the world somewhere, cut off from the family.

But he’s been on my mind more and more lately, and it almost seems as if the photo is some kind of sign. Of what, I don’t know. But while I was looking at the picture, I started crying. And five minutes later, I’m opening the door for this Nick person, and he makes me laugh.

His hands are what really got me. They’re square and strong, with prominent veins, and this dusting of blond hair. His knuckles are swollen, and I noticed the pinky on his right hand is crooked. Probably broken. My temperature went up just thinking about how they’d feel on my body. When he handed me the cat, and his fingers touched mine, it was like they’d found a direct route to every erogenous zone I’ve got. I don’t know how I kept my knees from buckling. Right after he left I had to learn how to breathe all over again.

Physically, he’s the day to Ted’s night. Sandy hair and China-blue eyes. His smile is so real that it reaches every part of his face. Seeing the corners of his eyes crinkle like that makes it impossible not to smile back. Ted was always perfectly groomed and lived in Italian suits and Ralph Lauren casual wear, even though he couldn’t pull them off. He was soft and pampered. But Nick’s body has been worked hard.

I’ve just got to say this outright: I’ve never been this attracted to anyone in my life. If this is what rebound feels like, so be it. I don’t know anything about him, not even his last name, but if he’d said, “Where’s the bedroom?” we’d still be in it. He looks like he knows where everything goes, and what to do with it once it’s there. Maybe there
is
such a thing as great sex. And with Nick, I think I’m willing to test the theory.

God, is this really me writing this? I haven’t felt anything remotely resembling a sexual urge in years.

Maybe he can smell a sure thing and just wants to get laid. Or maybe I’m just really handy.

What difference does it make, though? He’d fill up the nights. And if the sex turns out to be only so-so, at least I won’t be alone.

Chapter S
even

“Five days, Nick? What is the point of Becky coming all the way down here for just five days?”

“Hey, don’t yell at me, Kay. She didn’t want to let her come at all.” Nick walked out onto his small deck with the phone. “I started negotiations at two weeks. And you
know
what a treat it is talking to her.”

“What is wrong with that woman?”

He pulled a chair into the sun and sat. “Where would you like me to start?”

“So, how bad was it this time? Was the husband there?”

“The team’s out of town.” Nick propped his feet on the railing and reached for the can of soda there.

“Well, at least you didn’t have to deal with that, too.”

“Get real. Janet managed to work his name into the conversation every five minutes. ‘Jim says it’ll have to be a direct flight. Jim’ll pay for a First Class ticket.’” Nick’s imitation of his ex-wife’s Tennessean twang was flawless. “And you’re gonna love this. ‘Jim and I feel Kay is too lenient with Tommy and Patty.’” His sister shrieked. Nick winced and pulled the phone away from his ear.

“I hope you let her have it,” Kay fumed.

“I couldn’t say a word. Becky was standing right there.”

“Where
is
my niece? I wanna say ‘hi.’”

“She’s down at Mary’s place. We went to the zoo yesterday. Then we did dinner at Red Robin and took in the new Disney movie.”

“So, talk to me, Nick.”

“What about?”

“Your life.”

“What life?”

“Exactly,” Kay said. “Are you gonna stay holed up on Salmon Beach for the rest of it?”

“Lay off, Kay. I like it here.”

“Do you really want to take care of that nutty bunch of people for the rest of your days? It’s not like you really need the money.”

“They’re not nutty. I like these people. I think you know I don’t do it for the money. And what else
can
I do, Kay?” he retorted. “I can’t play ball anymore. I miss it like hell.”

Her voice softened. “I know you do, Nicky. You were terrific. Surely there’s something you can do besides play. What about coaching?”

“I don’t want to talk about it right now, okay? So, let’s change the subject.”

“Okay. So, are you seeing anyone?”

“Kay?...” His voice held a warning.

“You said to change the subject.” She paused. “I’m worried about you, Nick.”

“I’m all right, thanks.” Nick looked across the beach but didn’t see any sign of Maddy. “And, just so you won’t ask again, no, I’m not seeing anyone.” He put his head back against the chair and closed his eyes. “God, I hate Sundays.”

“No you don’t. You just hate the days you have to give Becky back to Janet.”

The front door slammed, and his daughter raced through the house. She burst onto the deck and wrapped her arms around Nick’s neck.

“Wait’ll you see what I made at Mary’s, Daddy!”

He smiled and handed her the phone. “First say hi to your Aunt Kay.”

They barbecued hotdogs on the grill; an early dinner. Then he walked his daughter up the stairs to wait for Janet. The hour drive back up to Bellevue, coupled with the fact it was a school night, meant Becky had to leave by mid-afternoon. He never had enough time with her.

Nick’s bi-monthly depression hit him especially hard this Sunday afternoon. He sat on the deck, holding the small, clay polar bear Becky made for him, remembering yesterday’s trip to Point Defiance Zoo. Nick had delighted in Becky’s antics. She’d raced from exhibit to exhibit with unflagging energy that could only come from being eight years old. When she came face-to-face with the polar bear for the first time, though, she reined herself in for a complete stop. It had been love at first sight, and Nick leaned against the concrete wall watching her carry on a deep, meaningful conversation with the huge creature. It was the first time he’d really thought of his daughter as the only good thing to come of his marriage. Up till then he’d always tried to rationalize the years he’d spent with Janet. Surely there’d been something right about them.