This story and the chapters to follow are fiction. None of the characters exist and their names are all fictitious as well. Any names that match individuals in real life are purely a coincidence. But then... one never knows. Please read the previous story parts.
A word about "Their Beach." It's NOT anyplace near Savannah, Ga. So, please no comments about accuracy and all that. It's an amalgamation of three different beaches I have visited. One with a boardwalk. Another with a hotel I loved to go back to because of the bar dance floor downstairs and one with a penthouse that I will describe in a future episode. Hey, it's my story. Cut me some slack. Just imagine a romantic place that you would want Andrea and Jay to have. Or even a special place of your own.
So... sit back and enjoy the adventures of Andrea and Jay. (And some other people in their lives.)
*****
Mid-June 2006 Savannah Georgia, Graduation
Andrea tried calling her daughter Leslie again. No answer.
By noon when they had to leave... still nothing from her daughter. It looked like Andrea would be the only family at his graduation. Her brother and family were too far away so Andrea had hoped Leslie would come. But as it became apparent that Leslie wasn't coming, Andrea made plans for just her and Jay. It was his day after all.
Around noon, they attended the graduation and went through the customary pictures with friends and family. Jay noticed that Rick and some other "friends" along with their parents, avoided him and his mother. He knew why. It was about Leslie. They made the best of it and accepted the good will of those who were still willing to give it. Savannah was a military town after all. People were not happy that the daughter of a fallen hero had trashed the military on national TV. Jay and Andrea took it in stride.
Jane had her picture taken with Jay and Andrea and promised to be in touch. They would not see her for some time. Jay wished her well and she faded into the crowd as if the morning at their house had never happened.
Eventually, they ran out of people to greet and congratulate. Jay leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"I so want to move on and forget this place. Can we leave?"
Andrea looked at him realizing how serious he was and nodded. She had expected a few cold shoulders, but not as many as she had seen.
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Mid-June 2006 Their Beach, Georgia
She treated him to dinner after the ceremony at a restaurant away from town; one by their "beach". The one they visited on their first day together. She had offered to have a party for him, but he had declined. So, they drove to the beach restaurant where she made reservations.
Seated outside they could see and smell the beach. Jay had held her chair for her before she sat. Not a common thing these days, Jay's politeness and manners were noticed by many women and some men around them. Andrea saw their smiles or admiring looks and was so proud of him. Manners were still valued in the south and middle America.
The handsome well-dressed young man acting like a gentleman was her son. Her man. He was her pride and joy. Andrea could not have been any prouder of him.
After dinner was over, they had coffee and talked. They stayed away from the Leslie topic so as not to ruin the day.
"So mother, whatever happened to your friend Heather?"
Andrea noticed there was no snide looks or comments. Just a question.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, I'm thinking she was important to you at a point in time. Did you stay in touch?"
Since he asked, Andrea went over some things with him again.
"Heather and I had discussed our situation when we used to see each other. We were both married, and both loved our husbands. Once they came home, out sexy time would be over. Plus, neither one of us had told our men about our bi proclivities. While men say they like their woman to be bi Jay, the fantasy and reality are not the same. The men would have to be introduced and both approve.
"That would have been tough. Your father was an officer. Her husband a sergeant. Officers and enlisted are not supposed to and don't fraternize in the services Jay. You and the kids of enlisted people are different. Adults... well it's how it is.
"The notion that the colonel's lady and the sergeant's wife were having a "thing" was not going to go down well with our men or anyone else. So, we got together one last time the day before her husband came home as your father had a week to go for return. So that was it. No contact since then."
She wanted to tell him about how she still felt about Heather. But now was not the time.
"Kind of sad." Jay said. "No contact at all?"
"Not physically. But we talk on the phone occasionally and there's e-mail and texts. I like her. But Heather and her husband have had their issues. Her husband has PTSD. Just like your father did." She stopped to get herself together. "Shame he wasn't here today. He deserved to see his son graduate."
No matter what had transpired between her and her dead husband, he had once been the love of her life and father of her children.
"I know." Jay nodded. "I was thinking of dad when I was walking up to get my diploma. But he can see me from above."
She nodded. Talk of Robert bothered her these days. Another phase for her. She didn't hate Robert, but she wanted to move past him.
"So, Jay," she changed the subject, "back to Heather."
"What about her?"
"She called about a week ago. She is having problems with her husband. They may get a divorce."
"A lot of that going around since the war started mom. Many kids have had that happen. You know that."
"Yeah, I just feel sorry for her. She is not just anyone to me. We were close... and in a way still are. Hard to explain." She looked out toward the sea.
"It's not something I have experience with" he said. "But if a girlfriend of mine had issues and talked about it to me I would care and want them to be ok. Its natural isn't it? "
"Like you and Jane?"
"You can say that Jane and I were something like you and Heather. I can't deny I like her. I even feel something for her. But its not love. Its more like she is a sister of sorts."
He shook his head and she thought he was done, but he continued.
"I knew all along Jane had other guys she screwed around with. I hooked up with her because I wanted to be with a girl and get experience. I told her from the start that was all I wanted. She laughed and was happy because all she was running in to was guys falling in love after sex. It was a relief for us both sexually. But after you and I got together, it stopped. The last time was the night I had to pick you up at the bar."
"Nothing since?"
"No. I told you. Today was as close as we came, and I couldn't in the end. I just didn't want to. There was no point to it. Then we saw her today at graduation. Not much conversation. Our thing was never about love... well, neither was yours, right?"
He saw her look down and bite her lip. That was a tell.
"Mom... " he leaned down and looked at her. "Is there? There's more to this isn't there?"
"Not love as some would describe it. Attachment maybe... but more on her part than mine."
"But not entirely just on her part?" he asked.
