A traditional week at the beach for old friends takes a new turn when passions affect the life-long barriers among the couples. This chapter completes the story of Bryan, a widower, Jeff and Linda, Mark and Sasha, and Bob and Carol. All are in their late forties to mid-fifties. You might enjoy this chapter more if you read Chapters 1 & 2.
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Bryan was up and out for his morning run before the fog burned away. The hollows lay hold to the thick mist and teased him with its soft caress. Even sounds were muted as his steps hit the pavement. Climbing out on a rise, the sun welcomed him and presented a glistening horizon looking out to the bay.
Back at the house, he took a solo shower and was dressed before much life began to stir.
As people appeared they took a cup of the coffee Bryan had prepared and joined him on the deck. He had wiped the dew from the chairs and benches. They made little chatter; each content to let the hot liquid perform its role. He wondered if the spanking incident from last night also contributed to the reserved atmosphere this morning.
When Carol made an appearance, Linda asked if she could sit.
Smiling, Carol pulled down her pj bottoms to show a pair of red and slightly bruised cheeks.
"Think I'll stand for now."
"Oh, Carol, I'm sorry," Bryan said.
"Hell, don't think about it. I thought it was a hoot."
Bob looked at Bryan and winked.
"Sorta stoked the fire, too," he said.
"So that wasn't raccoons rooting around in the trash we heard last night?" said Linda.
"Well, rooting was involved," admitted Carol, "but no raccoons made an appearance."
They all shared a laugh. Bryan felt any tension had dissipated along with the lingering fog.
Bob took charge.
"The morning ferry to Martha's Vineyard leaves at 10:30 from Hyannis, so we need to move along. I have reservations on the last ferry coming back tomorrow night at 9:10. We can also stay one more night and come back the following morning at 9:20 and arrive at 10:15. We don't have to decide now. I'll let you know Bryan."
"I can manage, so enjoy the excursion."
"I'll be staying, too, Bob," said Linda.
"Staying here?"
"Yeah. Ferry boats kinda freak me out."
"Hey, we don't have to go. I just thought it'd be fun and my friend has a great place with spectacular views of the ocean."
"No, go, go," insisted Linda. "Jeff and I discussed it and we're cool. Besides, someone has to look after Bryan. He might forget to eat for the whole time."
"I'm not that bad," he protested.
"Maybe, but once you get your head into writing, the rest of the world could explode and disappear and you wouldn't notice."
"I might notice the explosion part," he retorted.
"Ok," said Bob, "The rest of us better get packing. Remember to bring a sweater or jacket, the nights could be cool."
Bryan said his good-byes and the group began to break up. He gathered his laptop and backpack. As he was walking to his car, Linda followed.
"So, what's your schedule?"
"Don't have one," he said.
"Well, the tides work out for this afternoon to be the best time on the beach. I thought if you were back we could go around 2 and spend a couple hours there."
Normally, Bryan didn't like to be tied to someone else's schedule when he was working on a book or research. He did think that some beach time sounded good, though.
"Ok, let me see how it's going. If I'm running late, I'll call."
"Great."
"So, what will you be doing in the meantime. I hate for you to wait around all day."
"I'm going to run into Wellfleet and do some shopping. I also have a book to catch up on and, oh yeah, I think I'll sunbathe topless while no one's around."
"Come to think of it, maybe I could come back early," he said grinning.
"I'll hear the car on the shells."
He took a long look at her chest.
"I can be quiet when I need to."
Linda laughed and kissed his cheek. "Get going."
Twenty-five minutes later Bryan was settled in a corner of the historical society with a stack of books piled in front of him. His new friend, Susan, was working. She helped him find material and he made great progress. He had a protein bar around noon and took a couple bathroom breaks. Otherwise he plowed through the books and made pages and pages of notes. The background of his characters was taking shape and the plot began to emerge from the stories of shipwrecks and how the locals cared for survivors.
It was nearly 1:30 when he checked his phone. Mentally he was at the end of his useful time and packed up.
He pulled into the driveway a little after two. He walked into the kitchen and looked out on the deck. Linda was standing with her back to him. She was wearing her green bikini bottoms and nothing else. Her back was golden with a faint line where her bikini tied in back. He could clearly see her definition and admired the muscle tone.
She stretched and reached for her tee shirt. After pulling it on, she picked up a book and a water bottle and turned to come inside.
"Oh, you're here! I didn't hear you. See anything worthwhile?"
Her breasts pushed against the thin fabric of the old shirt, letting her nipples stretch out the fabric.
"Just my luck," he said. "Got here a minute too late. You were just pulling on your top."
"Better luck next time," Linda said. "Get changed and let's head out."
Ten minutes later they were driving toward Ballston Beach. The parking lot had open slots and soon they were down on the sand and walking south until there were at least twenty yards away from other bathers.
He suggested going in right away and Linda agreed.
