Crashing Tides Duet: Anchored and Adrift

by Ruby Rowe

  Aside from Jake’s sister, there are only men sitting in the family room. I recognize Marcy from photos I saw the times I was here before, so I step inside to meet her, along with an older man I’m guessing is Jake’s grandfather.

  “Merry Christmas,” I exclaim as my eyes glance around the room. I wave at Jake’s dad and also Brad, Marcy’s husband. Getting up from the couch, Jake’s sister walks over and smiles with hesitation.

  “I’m Marcy. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Hi, I’m Sailor.”

  “I’ve heard all about you, especially from those two over there.” She points to Jake and Maddie who are at the tree, removing presents from the bag we brought. “They’re over-the-moon about you.”

  “Well, thank you. I’m fond of them, as well.”

  Her smile changes to a frown. “I know you can’t say you’ve heard great things about me, but that’s a topic for another day. I’m just grateful to be home with my family.”

  “They love you so much. Jake’s been super excited for me to meet you, and I know everyone was eager to have you home, especially Maddie.”

  “Yeah, it was hard being away from my baby girl.”

  “Mommy, Jake and Sailor brought presents,” Maddie exclaims. Jake looks over his shoulder at me and grins, and it warms my heart to know how happy he is to have me accompany him. He walks over and eyes the dish in my hand.

  “Marcy, will you take this dessert to the kitchen so I can introduce Sailor to Grandpop?”

  “Sure.”

  “Let’s get your coat off, too.” Jake helps me remove it before he grasps my hand.

  “So, you have Grandpop on your dad’s side and Gramps on your mom’s?” I ask.

  “Yes, and my mom’s mom is Grandma and my dad’s mom is Nana. You’ll meet her shortly.”

  “I’ll try to keep it straight.”

  “Grandpop, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Sailor.”

  He pushes off the couch to stand, and I’d guess he’s in his early seventies. His hair is white as snow, but he sure has a lot of it like his son and grandson do.

  “Hi, there, young lady. Boy, Jakey, she’s a looker.”

  “Yep, I did good. She’s gorgeous.”

  “Thank you, and it’s nice to meet you,” I reply. I take a glimpse of Jake, and he winks. The adoration is still present in his brilliant green eyes that are even bolder than my silk blouse.

  “I better go introduce her to Nana and Aunt Bet.”

  Grandpop chuckles, and I’m not sure why. Maybe he finds Jake’s giddiness humorous.

  “You do that.” He sits back down, but not before giving me a wink, too. What a family of charming men.

  “It’s good to see you again, Sailor,” Carson says to me in his Brooklyn accent from his flipped-back recliner. Brad smiles, as well.

  “Thank you for having me.”

  I follow Jake down the hallway and into a bedroom. He shuts the door, and after tossing our coats on the bed, he hugs me.

  “Damn, I’m a happy man today. If anyone had told me a year ago that I’d be bringing a woman to my parents’ home for Christmas, I would’ve laughed my ass off, and I never dreamed I’d be this excited while doing it.”

  “Jake…” I lean my cheek against his chest. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too, and I want to thank you.”

  Lifting my head, I give him a puzzled look.

  “For what?”

  “For coming here when you felt like you should stay with Elliott.”

  “Jake, don’t. I want to be here with you. Yeah, I felt a little torn, but it was only because I was concerned for Elliott’s safety. I swear I want to spend this day with you and your family more than anything.”

  Grabbing my face, he presses kisses all over it.

  “God, I still got it bad for you, Teach. You’re making this the merriest Christmas to date.” He kisses me, the passion igniting in seconds, and I feel him getting hard against me.

  “We better leave this bedroom before we make the day even merrier,” I say with a giggle. He flashes me an intoxicating grin like the many that won me over months ago.

  “Yeah, I guess we better.” After readjusting his package in his jeans, he takes my hand, and we head to the kitchen where several women are moving around the room.

  Seeing Jake, they all stop to have a look at us.

  “Merry Christmas,” he says to them.

  “Merry Christmas,” they reply in unison. Marcy pours gravy into a bowl while her mom and grandmother wipe their hands on their holiday aprons. A pretty woman in a flamboyant Christmas sweater strolls over.

  “Jake, it’s so good to see you again.”

  “Hi, Aunt Bet. I want you to meet my girlfriend, Sailor. Sailor, this is my funny, smart and fascinating Aunt Betty.”

  “And I see you’re still my charming nephew.” She pats his cheek before turning her attention to me. “I don’t know why he sucks up to me after all these years. It’s not like he gets the fun gifts anymore.”

  “Oh, I think he meant what he said,” I reply. “He’s only had positive things to say about you.”

  “Well, that’s a bummer.” She looks over her shoulder at Jeanine. “You need to share more of my wild stories with your son.”

  Her sister-in-law rolls her eyes. “No, he doesn’t need to hear about your nudist camp adventures or the twenty-year younger woman you’ve been seeing when we thought you were straight all these years.”

  “I’m bisexual. We’ve been over this.”

  Jake covers his ears. “Yeah, let’s not talk about those things.” Everyone laughs, including me, but the air is pushed right out of my lungs when Jake’s grandmother approaches and pulls me in for a tight hug.

  “It’s so nice to meet you. Call me Nana, and don’t listen to my free-spirited daughter. I don’t want her running off the first nice girl Jake brings home.”

  “You mean the only girl he’s brought home,” Marcy says before she flips her long auburn hair over her shoulder and passes by me with a knowing smile. She has a gravy boat in her hand, which I imagine she’s taking to the dining room.

  Examining the kitchen, I notice the spattering of red in the décor. It’s vibrant against the bright white walls, and the old-timey appliances. Like the scarlet toaster, the color gives the room a fifties feel. I love how cool his mom is, and I imagine she was behind the look of this room.

  “What can I help you with?” I ask.

  “Nothing, dear,” Jeanine says. “You’re our special guest today.”

  “Jake, where’s that hunky roommate of yours? The one that comes every year,” Aunt Bet asks.

  “Elliott’s home sick.”

  “What a shame.” Her hazel eyes dance back and forth between Jake and me before her lips spread to a wide grin. “You’re handsome, Jakey, but you better keep Elliott away from your girlfriend. He’s one hot piece of meat.”

  “Betty!” Jeanine snaps as she blasts her with a dirty look.

  “What? He’s an attractive, young man.”

  “You said the right word–young. He’s too young for you, and Elliott would never try to steal Jake’s girlfriend. Best friends don’t hurt each other that way. Now, come over here and help us get dinner ready to serve.”

  I look up at Jake and notice his irritated expression.

  “We’ll be in the family room if you need us,” he says, his voice vacant of merriment. I follow him, and the sounds of his grandmother and mom scolding his aunt fade with each step. Once we’re in the family room, we sit on the loveseat, and I entwine my hand with his.

  “Please don’t let Bet’s comment get to you.”

  “It’s not what she said that’s bugging me. It’s what my mom said in return.”

  “You’re worried she won’t approve of our arrangement, right?”

  He sighs. “Look, this isn’t the time or place to talk about it.”

  “OK, then I’m going to have to do a quick exorcism to get Scrooge out of your bod
y.”

  “I’m not possessed by Ebenezer Scrooge.”

  “Look at me.” I press my lips against his. “There. My kiss was the ritual to ensure it. Did it work?”

  “I don’t know. It might take one more.” Sliding his hand in my hair, he brings my mouth to his.

  “Oooh, gross. You can’t kiss Ms. Lockwood,” Maddie spouts.

  “Uh, huh. She’s my girlfriend, so I can kiss her whenever I want,” Jake replies.

  She grasps her hips, but she has to reach back up to push her auburn hair out of her face.

  “She was my teacher first.”

  “She can still be your teacher … when she’s not kissing me.”

  Scrunching her nose, Maddie groans and slouches, and I’m surprised by Jake’s antagonizing remarks. I guess he needs to take his aggravation out on someone. So, why not a five-year-old?

  Thinking of Elliott, I pull my cell phone from my pocket to be sure he hasn’t messaged me.

  “He’d let himself die before he’d ask you for help. You should know this,” Jake says.

  “That doesn’t make me feel any better.”

  He squeezes my hand. “Babe, he only had a headache and cough, so I’m sure he’s fine.”

  “You’re right. His symptoms aren’t serious, but he was pale and tired.”

  “He’s doing his residency. He’s always going to look exhausted.”

  “You’ve had a short fuse lately. It’s worrying me.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better.”

  “Dinner’s ready,” Jeanine says after poking her head in the room. “That means you men can get off your lazy butts and join us in the dining room. You know, to fill your bellies so you’ll have the energy to do the dishes afterward.”

  “Yep, that’s the deal,” Carson says. “You sure don’t want it the other way around.” He chuckles.

  “Oh, I’m sure you could handle it,” Jeanine replies.

  “What are we having?” I ask Jake as we stand.

  “For Christmas, we have beef roast. It was Nana’s specialty, and now Mom makes it. We have ham, too, but the roast is what we look forward to the most. Of course, we have a spread of side dishes, as well.”

  “You look happy again. I’m glad to see it.”

  “I am, and I’m also glad you’re here to share this day with me.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Jake

  Like every holiday my parents host, dinner is delicious, and I feel sick from eating so much. Besides myself, everyone’s having dessert, whereas my dessert was triple helpings of beef.

  “Your parents have so many angels,” Sailor whispers at the table. She’s referring to the angel figurines in the two large cabinets in the room.

  “Yeah, my mom’s been collecting them for years. I should take you by the pottery shop. She makes these cool angel wings to sell around the holidays. There’s one inside that cabinet.” I point to the curio in the right corner.

  “Sailor, Jake told us about your family. Your father has built quite an empire with his company,” Dad says.

  “Yes, he’s a successful businessman.”

  “You must be proud.”

  Shit, I should’ve told my dad not to bring up Sailor’s family.

  “It’s an impressive accomplishment, but I think how we treat our family, friends and community is far more important than the success we acquire through our careers.”

  “I like this girl,” Grandpop says.

  “Do you have any siblings?” Aunt Bet asks.

  Shit. I told my mom about Rebecca and how not to bring her up. I thought my family gossiped amongst each other, but they’re failing me today.

  “I had an older sister, but she died about ten and a half years ago in a car accident.”

  Bet and Nana cover their chests.

  “I’m so sorry,” my aunt mumbles.

  “Thank you.”

  “This is why we all need to be nicer to one another,” Nana says, glancing around the table. “Life can change in the blink of an eye.”

  Pulling her cell phone out of her pocket, Sailor looks down at her lap to view the screen. I’m so clueless sometimes. Of course, she’s going to worry about Elliott. She already lost her sister and a baby. She couldn’t take losing him, too. I know she’d worry the same about me if I were sick.

  I feel bad for even the minutes I’ve been an ass today, but what Sailor doesn’t know is that I’m ill over having to tell my parents about the unconventional relationship we’ve chosen for ourselves. They’re not going to understand. I’m sure of it.

  Also, I’m struggling to share Sailor, and that’s definitely not something I can tell her. It would only stress her out and possibly cause problems. The worst one being that I could lose her.

  Every time I’m feeling like she’s only mine, which is what I need to believe at times, something happens to remind me she’s not, like the comments my aunt and mom made about Elliott earlier in the kitchen.

  I thought I could handle this, and I feel like I have to, especially when it was my idea, but it’s proved more difficult than I expected.

  “Sailor, what do you think about your Christmas present from Jake?” Mom asks.

  Fucking Christ.

  “Oh, um…” Sailor murmurs.

  “He told us how much you enjoy meditation and yoga, so I thought it was so sweet of him to rent the apartment for you to do all the activities you love in peace and quiet. I imagine you need an occasional respite when you’re living with two men.”

  While pinching my thigh hard under the table, Sailor clears her throat. Ouch.

  “It really was thoughtful of him. Jake’s selfless that way, only thinking about others. It’ll be great to spend time there alone.”

  Damn, I’m in hot water, but what did she expect me to tell my mom?

  I need to rent the apartment so Sailor and I can have time away from her other boyfriend.

  “I think Maddie’s dying to open presents, right, Mads the Spaz?” I ask, needing to change the subject.

  Shrilling, Maddie hops from her chair.

  “Yes! Pleeease, can I open my presents?” She’s giving a pleading, pitiful gaze to everyone else at the table.

  “Sure, sweetheart,” Mom says. “Let’s move this party to the family room.”

  Once we’ve chosen our new seats, Sailor leans over.

  “I love you.”

  “You’re not mad?”

  “I was for a second, but then I got over it since I know this situation isn’t easy for you; however, I need you to tell them soon. I see my parents a few times a year, but you talk to yours daily. They don’t live far from us and could easily spot Elliott out with me. We can’t put it off.”

  “I know. I’ll tell them this week while you’re gone.”

  “Thank you.”

  “This is for you,” Maddie says as she hands Sailor a small box she clearly wrapped herself. Green construction paper is haphazardly taped around it, held together mostly by red yarn and a giant gold bow.

  “Thank you, Madeline. I’m sure I’ll love whatever it is.”

  My niece lifts her little eyebrows. “Oh, you will love it. It’s exactly what you need.”

  Sailor snickers, and I do, too, since I know what’s inside the box.

  Maddie, being the only kid in the family, is the center of attention as she opens her gifts first. We adults drew names for the gift exchange, and Sailor drew Marcy’s.

  I felt bad since she’d never met her, so I offered to trade her my mom’s name, but she said she had it covered. I imagine she had Maddie make something for my sister.

  I thought Sailor would insist on buying Maddie an expensive toy, but she surprised me when she suggested we take her on outings instead.

  Yeah, it will still be expensive, but she wanted to share experiences with her, and that left me in awe, but Sailor never ceases to impress me.

  “Do you think Madeline will like our gift?” she asks as my niece picks up the box and shakes it.
>
  “Once she understands what it means, she’ll love it.”

  “This looks like a clothes box,” Mads says with disappointment.

  “I promise there are not clothes inside,” Sailor replies.

  Maddie opens the box and sorts through the envelopes.

  “What are these? Bills?” she asks in disgust.

  Everyone has a good chuckle at her expense.

  “Open them, goofball,” I say. She begins removing the papers from the envelopes. Sailor printed them off websites for various events and locations around the city. “Sailor and I are going to take you on field trips. Just the three of us.”

  “Really?” Her face lights up like New Year’s Eve at Times Square. “Where are we going?” Wide-eyed, she studies one of the papers. “To see Frozen?” she asks.

  “Yep. Uncle Jake and I are going to take you to see the Broadway show Frozen. There are other cool places we’ll go, too, like the Children’s Museum and the SeaGlass Carousel.”

  “There are twelve places,” I add.

  “Thanks, Uncle Jake and Sailor. Field trips are fun.” She runs over and hugs us, and Sailor beams with happiness.

  We all begin opening our presents. The sounds of paper shredding wash out the Christmas tunes playing from the stereo.

  Voices become louder next as we talk about our gifts and thank one another. Unexpectedly, my sister bursts into a sob. My eyes dart to her, and she covers her mouth.

  “Mommy, what’s wrong?” Maddie asks as she runs over to her and clutches her mom’s knees.

  “Oh, no. It’s my gift,” Sailor murmurs. “Marcy, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  As she tries to regain her composure, she shakes her head.

  “No, it’s perfect.” My sister points to the inside of what looks like a photo album. “Mads, look what Sailor made for me. It’s photos she took of you at school while I was away.”

  “That’s my friend Emma and me feeding the fish,” Maddie says excitedly. I battle the tears, too, as my sister turns the pages and soaks in every word from my niece. Fuck, my girl is amazing. Not only did she give Marcy the best damn present ever, she gave me the means to forgive my sister.

  Marcy screwed up big time, but she never meant to hurt Maddie, and I needed to see this moment to believe it. Wiping her eyes, she clears her throat and stares at Sailor.