Ocean Breeze

by Laura Conway

  Payton was attractive in an effortless sort of way. She hadn’t been wearing makeup that day when she’d been meditating in her room. Her wavy blond hair, shiny and vibrant in the sunlight, was swept to the side.

  Abbey probably wouldn’t approach her if she saw her at a gay bar. She was young, a bit of a hipster, and Abbey’s type was more of a professional, thirties or forties, someone who understood her lifestyle.

  It didn’t matter anyway. Getting involved with someone was the last thing on Abbey’s mind. She needed to focus on relaxing, unwinding, and maybe taking up a new hobby. Dating wasn’t what she was here for and she definitely wasn’t going to date her housemate. That would be a complete disaster.

  Chapter Nine

  February 6th

  After a week in Florida, Abbey was starting to get familiar with Payton’s house and the area. She’d been down to the beach each morning. They were just leisurely walks so far but from next week she was going to start running in the mornings.

  The weather was pleasant with temperatures in the low seventies and just a gentle breeze. She couldn’t wait to get out there and do something active. At home, they were weathering another storm so she might as well take advantage of the mild, sunny days here.

  She’d gotten a bus into Tampa to meet Eve who she hadn’t seen since her wedding twelve years ago. Her wife, Tara, was a high school English teacher and Eve was a realtor.

  Abbey strolled into the coffee shop where they’d agreed to meet. She’d added Eve on Facebook a few days ago so she knew that Eve hadn’t changed much over the years.

  Abbey waved when she saw her, already sitting on a couch by the windows. Eve stood up when Abbey reached her and wrapped her arms around her.

  “Abbey,” she said with a warm smile. “What exactly is your secret? You don’t look a day over thirty.”

  “Eve,” Abbey said, returning her smile as she pulled away. “Thank you… You’re looking good too. Married life must be treating you well?”

  “Yes and running around after an eleven year old keeps me fit… Come on. Let’s get our drinks and then we can catch up.”

  Abbey got in line behind Eve, her black hair as luxurious as ever. It always looked so full and glossy, like she’d just stepped out of a shampoo commercial.

  She must be working today, Abbey thought, noticing her black pencil skirt and white blouse that looked very professional.

  They got their drinks and returned to the couch where Eve had been sitting.

  “So, I always wondered when you’d make it down here,” Eve said as she crossed her legs. “Have you been to Florida since our wedding?”

  “No… And this isn’t how I expected it to happen either. I’m on a bit of a break, for a year. I’m trying to take a step back and relax, unwind, not think about work.”

  “Was work getting to you?”

  “No. Do you remember Melissa?”

  “Sure.”

  “Well, we’ve been working together for the last twelve years. Just after you got married actually… And she thinks I’m very close to having some sort of break down or burn out so I’m taking her advice and getting away from the city and away from work for a while.”

  “Wow,” Eve said with a smile. “That’s gutsy.”

  Abbey nodded. “It sounded insane to me when Melissa first mentioned it but I started thinking… What’s the worst that could happen? Our firm will still be standing when I get back. My clients are in good hands.”

  “So, what are you going to do while you’re here? You were always a bit of a workaholic.”

  “I don’t know… I’m not one for just sitting around. I’ve been walking the beach right by the house where I’m staying… Indian Rocks Beach. It’s beautiful. But I need something else to do with my time.”

  “Come salsa dancing with me,” Eve said. “I haven’t done it in a few years. I could use a refresher and you’re a quick study.”

  “Yeah,” Abbey said as she took a sip of her coffee. “Why not? I’ve never tried it but I like the music… Let me know when and where to be.”

  “I think there’s a beginner’s class starting in a week or two in one of the bars close to here. I’ll send you the details.”

  “Thanks.”

  “So, how’s your son?”

  “Luke is amazing. He’s still innocent. I think we only have another year or two before he’ll want to disown us… Do you want kids?”

  Abbey leaned back into the cushions. “I don’t think so… I never had that desire. It’s getting a little late in the day for it anyway. I’m thirty-eight.”

  “There’s still time.”

  “It’s not for me I think… I mean, I don’t mind kids. I love my nieces and nephews… I just don’t think I’d like the responsibility of having my own.”

  “Well, if you ever feel like babysitting Luke, don’t be shy,” Eve said with a laugh.

  “I would love to. Let me know though… If you ever need someone on short notice or anything… I have nothing going on.”

  “Thanks, Abbey,” Eve said as she finished her coffee. “I have to get back to work,” she said with a sigh as she stood up. “It was so nice to see you again.”

  “You too,” Abbey said as she stood up to give her a hug.

  “You’re going to love it here. Most people don’t end up leaving you know.”

  “I think it’s pretty safe to say that I’ll be going back to New York but I might have found my new vacation spot.”

  “Stay in touch,” Eve said with a wave as she left the coffee shop.

  Abbey sat down again and brought her mug to her lips. Salsa dancing. That was exactly what this year was supposed to be about. She would never have taken classes in New York. She was too busy. Here, she had all the time in the world.

  Chapter Ten

  February 8th

  Abbey almost burnt herself as she poured the pot of noodles into a strainer in the sink and stood back as the steam wafted into her face.

  The kitchen in Payton’s house wasn’t huge but they were getting used to cooking together. After a few days, they agreed to split the cooking duties as best as they could. It didn’t make sense for them to take turns making dinner. They either cooked together or if one of them was cooking alone, they made enough for both of them.

  Abbey thought she’d never be able to stick Payton’s vegetarian diet but so far it was going okay. She’d had new dishes she’d never had before and she was happy having salads for dinner some nights, something she never would have done in New York.

  The weather made it easier to be healthy Abbey thought. She was definitely eating lighter, not craving those Moorish winter foods like stew or curries to keep her warm on a snowy night.

  Abbey brought the strained noodles over to Payton who was stirring up some vegetables in a wok.

  “Can I throw them in?” Abbey asked, standing beside her.

  “Go ahead. This is pretty much ready. Will you grab two plates?”

  For the first time since she’d moved in, Abbey actually went to the right cabinet. She stood on her toes to reach the top of the stack of gray plates and lifted two down.

  She left them beside the wok and Payton dished out two portions. They sat across from each other at the dining room table, the windows open and the faint sound of the ocean in the distance.

  “Hmmm. This is delicious,” Abbey said. “I have to admit, when you told me you were a vegetarian… I was already thinking of ways to get out of this arrangement.”

  Payton smiled. “It’s the usual reaction from meat lovers… Are you going to ask me how I get my protein or if I miss chicken?”

  “No… Although I don’t know if I could give up chicken.”

  “I don’t think I ever said it out loud but feel free to do your own thing some nights… I wouldn’t expect you to convert to vegetarianism for me,” Payton said as she twirled some noodles onto her fork.

  “This year is all about getting out of my old workaholic, controlling habits. This cou
ld be good for me,” Abbey said with a shrug. “Not to mention healthier.”

  “Well, don’t ever feel pressured. I won’t freak out if there’s a dead chicken in my refrigerator.”

  “Ah… Payton, I didn’t need that imagery.”

  “Well, that’s what it is,” she said with a laugh.

  They finished their meals and brought their plates over to the sink where Abbey offered to wash them and Payton dried.

  “So you might be slowly converting me to vegetarianism,” Abbey said as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of Chardonnay. “But I think I might be converting you to alcoholism.”

  “That’s not really a fair trade.”

  “I noticed you don’t have a liquor cabinet or wine or beer in the fridge.”

  “No… I’m not against it. I just don’t really drink at home, I guess. I save it all for the bars, you know… boost the local economy.”

  Abbey smiled as she reached up to get two wine glasses. “Well, don’t feel pressured but here’s a glass of one of my favorite whites,” Abbey said as she poured Payton a glass and handed it to her.

  “Thanks.”

  Abbey watched Payton take a sip and nod in approval.

  “Nice, right?”

  “Yeah,” Payton said as they brought their glasses over to the couch in the living room. “I usually stick to beer but this is good.”

  “So, are there any good gay bars nearby?”

  Abbey noticed Payton’s eyebrows rise slightly.

  “What?” Abbey asked as she took a drink. “I didn’t ping your gaydar?”

  “No… There’s a few in Tampa, about a half hour away. We can head in on Friday if you want?”

  “Yeah. If you don’t mind showing me around… I’ve never really had gay friends. I know that probably sounds weird… I’ve just been-”

  “Working and… also, working,” Payton said with a grin.

  “Exactly."

  “Well, there’s a bar that I usually go to. It’s quiet during the week but they have a pool table and it’s good on a Friday night.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  Abbey took a sip of wine, glad that she’d asked Payton about that. Since she met Eve two days ago, Abbey had this uneasy feeling, almost a loneliness, come over her.

  She’d never felt like she was missing out by being single but now that she was away from work… What else did she have?

  I don’t want to fall for anyone while I’m here. That is absolutely the last thing I want but that doesn’t mean I can’t go out and enjoy myself.

  Do I even remember how to flirt?

  Abbey glanced over at Payton who’d turned on the television and was browsing through Netflix for something to watch. For someone so much younger than her, she seemed to have it all figured out.

  Payton was good at her work yet it didn’t take over her life, at least not in a stressful way.

  Over the last few days, Abbey had taken a look at all the photographs scattered throughout the house and they were all so creative and beautifully shot. Payton was talented.

  She was also confident and comfortable with herself. Abbey could tell from the way she carried herself, from the tattoos that peaked out from underneath t shirts or shorts and the few that Payton had shown and explained to her.

  Abbey wished she had that. She was confident. It was a requirement for her life as a lawyer but that was different. When Abbey stepped away from work, and left New York, she felt like she’d lost some of that. Maybe, it was just being thrown into something new, living in a different state, or maybe, work was a cover for Abbey.

  What am I without my job?

  That was the question that scared Abbey the most. She knew exactly who she was when she was sitting in her office, her name on the door, on the building, but away from that world… Who was she?

  Abbey’s life was always work so she didn’t know.

  That’s what I’m here to find out.

  Chapter Eleven

  February 10th

  Abbey’s hazel eyes watched the triangle of solid and striped balls scatter in all directions when Payton launched the cue ball at the pack. She potted a striped ball and bent down to eye up her next shot.

  Abbey leaned against the wall as she reached for her beer and took a swig. This was their third game and so far, they’d both won one each.

  Payton potted two more before missing her next shot. “All yours,” she said as she moved away from the table.

  “Are you tipsy?” Abbey asked as she searched the table for the best shot.

  “Yes. I thought it was just me.”

  “Nope.”

  Abbey found a shot on a solid ball but it wasn’t easy. She lined up her cue stick and hit the white ball with some strength, hoping to split up some of the balls at the far side of the table, but she missed her shot.

  “So, what’s your type?” Payton asked as she made her shot.

  “I don’t know… I haven’t dated in a while. I don’t really want to meet someone while I’m here anyway so...”

  Payton lined up her next shot and sunk that one too.

  “What about you?” Abbey asked while she twirled the chalk square around the tip of her cue stick. “You’re single, right?”

  “Yeah… But I don’t like to limit myself to a type.”

  “Okay, but if you looked back at who you’ve dated, who you’ve been interested in… What do they all have in common?”

  Payton bent down to take her next shot but missed it, leaving the white ball in a nice position for Abbey’s next shot.

  Abbey walked around the table, making sure she got the angles right and bent down to line up her shot.

  “I guess they were all older than me,” Payton said with a slight sigh. “Dark hair… Ideally they would like to travel.”

  Abbey couldn’t concentrate on her shot and sent the cue ball straight in the pocket after her solid ball, giving Payton two shots.

  I’m older than her. I have dark hair… I would like to travel. I always wanted to but I put work first.

  When Abbey returned her attention back to the game, Payton was already on the eight ball. She took her time with the shot and sunk it in one of the center pockets.

  “Good game,” Payton said with a smile as she reached out to shake Abbey’s hand.

  “You too… That was a land side.”

  “Some people get better with alcohol… I don’t think that’s you.”

  “No. It doesn’t look like it.”

  “One more before we go?” Payton asked.

  “Sure. It’s my turn though. Same again?”

  “Please.”

  Abbey made her way to the bar, resting her arms on the counter while she waited her turn. It was crowded but not in a claustrophobic way. It was still comfortable. There was music but it wasn’t overbearing. People could still talk.

  Wow. I’m old. These are my priorities… A bar that’s not too crowded, music that’s not too loud.

  Abbey ordered two beers and smiled to herself. When she was with Melissa, she would have thought of those requirements as normal when they were looking for a place to go out and have a few drinks. Now that she was here with Payton, they made her feel old.

  This is where Payton usually goes though so maybe I’m being a little too hard on myself.

  “Is that your girlfriend?” the woman standing beside her at the bar asked.

  Abbey followed her eyes to Payton who was playing someone else now.

  “No. That’s a friend of mine,” Abbey said with a polite smile.

  “What’s your name? I don’t recognize you,” the woman said with a charming smile.

  “Abbey.”

  “Claire,” the woman said, tucking a lock of blond hair behind her ear. “Are you from around here?”

  “No. New York. I’m just here on vacation.”

  The bartender returned with her two bottles of beer and Abbey paid her.

  “What do you think of Tampa so far?”


  “It’s beautiful… The weather doesn’t hurt either,” Abbey said with a smile. “I better go back with these drinks. Nice to meet you, Claire.”

  “You too, Abbey.”

  By the time she got back to the pool table, Payton had one another game.

  “Here you go,” Abbey said, handing Payton her bottle of beer.

  “Thanks. I see you caught Claire’s eye.”

  “She was just being friendly, I guess. We were standing next to each other at the bar.”

  Payton’s eyebrows rose. “Is that what you really think?”

  “Yeah,” Abbey said with a shrug.

  “She got up from her group of friends when she saw you standing at the bar by yourself. The bar was quieter where she was sitting but she went over to you…”

  “That doesn’t mean anything.”

  “I don’t know what it’s like in New York, but here… You’re going to get a lot of attention,” Payton said with a half-smile.

  Abbey could feel her cheeks darkening as she brought her bottle of beer to her lips and took a long drink.

  “One more game?” Payton asked.

  “Yes. I need to redeem myself,” Abbey said as she reached for the triangle and racked up.

  Chapter Twelve

  February 15th

  “So, when did you know that you wanted to be a photographer?” Abbey asked while Payton was packing her camera bag.

  “I got a camera for my sixth birthday. It was my father’s old polaroid but I loved it. I took it everywhere with me and took pictures of absolutely anything. I saved up for a real camera for my fifteenth birthday and I that was it really. Nothing else ever held my attention like taking photos did… You can have this one,” Payton said, handing her a camera while she found the right lens to go with it.

  When Payton suggested taking a drive to Caladesi Island State Park, Abbey didn’t think she’d be taking any photos.

  “Thanks,” Abbey said, holding the camera with two hands in case she dropped it. She glanced down at the dial by the trigger and wondered what to do with all those settings.