by Ford, Julie
Josie wasn’t in the mood to talk any more about the places she and Brian had been together. “Oh, different places…” she said. Looking around absently, she spied some Sea-Doos next to the dock. “Lanny, can we ride those?” Josie set her plate down and pointed toward them.
Lanny shrugged. “Sure, knock yourself out. Whatever you want.”
Sliding her sunglasses back onto her nose, Josie made her way down to the water. “Wait for me.” Andy was right on her heels. Slipping one arm into a yellow life vest, she tossed another one to Andy, while the others tentatively made their way down from the lunch buffet, still chewing. Vests donned, Josie and Andy each straddled a Sea-Doo, secured the Velcro strap connected to the key around their wrists, and started them up, revving the engines in preparation for take-off.
John emerged onto the dock. “Um, Jocelyn. Do you know how to drive one of those things?”
“I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”
Josie hit the gas, causing the front of the sea craft to pop up. Then, she eased off, allowing the Sea-Doo to settle again before speeding off.
With a “Woo-hoo!” Andy took off right behind.
Swerving through the water, Josie took it slow at first while she got a feel for the accelerator and steering. Then, she and Andy took turns leading as the wind and spray whipped their faces and bodies. After getting the hang of how to maneuver, they both slowed down, pulling alongside of each other.
Andy looked like a little boy with a new motorbike. “Let’s race!”
“What did you have in mind?”
After looking around they plotted a course, deciding to start further back, slalom the next two buoys, round the third, and then back to the dock.
They lined up and Andy said, “On the count of three.” Josie nodded in agreement. “One…two—” Josie gunned it early, on two, and Andy took off after her, swearing as he went.
Laughing and talking trash, Josie and Andy maneuvered the buoys easily, but almost collided when Josie slowed to make the u-turn and Andy sped up. When Andy swerved to miss her, he inadvertently allowed her to achieve a considerable lead.
With her sights on the finish line, Josie turned the Sea-Doo sharp to the left, kicking up water as she skimmed to a stop along side the dock. Andy stopped in a similar fashion and was already whining that Josie cheated before he’d even cut his engine.
“I want a rematch,” he said in a huff.
“Have ya’ll lost your ever-lovin’ minds?” John’s face was red and the vein at his temple was bulging. “You almost collided out there! I’d expect that two adults would act a little more responsibly.”
Josie and Andy looked at each other—Josie really hadn’t considered the danger—before breaking out in laughter, further infuriating John.
Andy said, “Naw, it was fine. Come on, I want to go again. Jocelyn cheated.” Then looking from his brother to his wife and then back again, he got an idea. “Come on Lydia, John. Let’s couples race.”
Lydia crossed her arms. “No way. I am not getting on one of those with the likes of you.”
“Lydia, don’t be ridiculous, get your country butt down here. Now!” Andy gave his wife a discussion-over look. “Come on now, don’t make me come up there after you,” he bullied.
Reluctantly, she picked up a life vest.
“I don’t know,” John said, eyeballing his wife and brother apprehensively.
Pushing up her sunglasses, Josie said, “What’s the matter, you scared?”
John considered her for a moment before Josie assumed he let his pride get the best of him. Without a word, he snapped on a life vest and climbed on behind her.
Reaching around, he grabbed the handlebars. “I’m driving,” he said.
Josie thought about protesting, but decided to let John race his brother. If she didn’t, he’d probably spend the whole ride telling her how to drive anyway.
He revved the engine and gave Josie a dangerous look as he slid on his sunglasses. “Hold on tight.” Suddenly feeling like she just made a huge mistake, Josie braced herself by gripping his thighs as he accelerated. They sped off behind Lydia and Andy on the other Sea Doo.
As John accelerated quickly, Andy racing to keep up, Josie started to wonder if getting in the middle of a brotherly competition was a good idea. Driving like maniacs, John and Andy cut each other off, and actually bumped Sea-Doos a few times, jockeying for the lead position.
“You said I was acting irresponsibly,” Josie yelled through the wind and the spray. “John, slow the hell down!”
“What’s the matter, you don’t trust me?” John said, laughing as he swerved dangerously close to Andy again.
Josie closed her eyes, afraid to see what he was going to do next. Lord, have mercy on my soul, she prayed. And if I die, tell my children I love them. Tell Brian that I’m sorry. And, if John even thinks about marrying Trisha, I’ll haunt him for the rest of his miserable life! Then she leaned back against John’s chest, continuing to pray that the ride would be over soon. But as John’s cheek bounced next to hers, she breathed in his scent and closed her eyes. For reasons she couldn’t explain, somehow, sitting in front of him with his arms encasing her, she felt safe.
Moments later, Andy and Lydia came to a victorious stop, spraying the spectators on the dock with water, John and Josie not far behind. As they exited the Sea-Doos, Lydia was visibly shaking, her perfectly styled and highlighted hair dripping, her mascara smeared.
Josie turned back to John, and pointing an accusing finger at her husband, she said, “You’re the one who’s insane!”
John wore a grin from ear to ear as he removed his vest. “Oh, come on, it wasn’t that bad,” he said, shooting Andy a devious glance while removing his shirt as well.
“I think it’s time we get all the way wet,” John said, with a nod of his head to Andy. Before Josie knew what was happening, he’d scooped her up in his arms, and then running the length of the dock, cannon-balled both of them off and into the water—Andy with Lydia slung over his shoulder, screaming, right behind them.
* * * *
With Josie in his arms, John felt like a teenager again as he plunged them both into the warm, clear water. Looking down, he could see ripples in the sand below. As they rose to the surface, John turned his head when Josie splashed him playfully.
Choking, she teased, “A little warning next time.”
Lydia surfaced and went into a tirade about her hair and makeup. John looked back at Josie, wondering momentarily why she too wasn’t irritated.
Treading water, Josie said, “My hair’s in a perpetual state of disarray. And I never wear makeup to the beach.” A smile tugged at his face as he took in the hazel of her eyes, now turning the same deep blue of the ocean under long lashes, the light freckles that dotted her tanned nose, and the soft line of her pouty lips. His wife truly was a unique woman.
“That’s my girl,” he said, reaching out to Josie and pulling her close. Her body had always fit perfectly against his. With Josie in his arms at last, there was something he’d been itching to do again since yesterday at the golf course. As he moved his lips to hers, he watched as apprehension replaced the smile on her face. She didn’t try to pull away. His lips had barely touched hers when the whoops and calls of the others caused him to turn his attention back to the dock.
Everyone was jumping in. All except Lanny and Barbara. Shaking their heads and making no effort to join the rest of their crowd in the water, they turned instead back to the tent and what was left of the buffet. On the corner of the dock, Trisha waited until all eyes were on her before removing her sheer cover-up, pulling it slowly up and over her head. As the material gradually peeled away, she stood with one knee slightly bent, back arched, breasts heaving in probably the tiniest, black bikini John had ever seen.
She dropped her cover-up to the dock, and rising up on her toes, arms out-stretched, executed a perfect swan dive. Treading water in silent awe, the group watched, captivated, as she softly splashed, disappea
ring into the clear blue ocean. As Trisha’s elegant body slipped beneath the water, John felt his desire stir within. Without forethought, he relaxed his grip on Josie.
* * * *
Swimming in the Caribbean was like soaking in a soft, warm salt-water bath. Josie lay back, floating on top of the water. With her eyes closed, she tried to visualize the humiliation she’d felt when John cast her aside after Trisha’s little diving performance, riding away in the current. As the pain subsided, she enjoyed the gentle rocking motion of the water, wondering how long she could stay like this. Days? Weeks? Years!
Minutes. A snorkel and mask landed next to her, splashing water on her face. Josie looked up to see John standing on the shore. “Do you want these?” He held up a pair of fins.
Paradise interrupted—it was time to get moving.
The group spent the rest of the afternoon lounging on the beach and snorkeling on a nearby reef. When the sun started to descend, Lanny and Barbara decided to head back to the resort. Opting to stay at the beach until sundown, the group set up their chairs, awaiting the beauty of nature’s splendor, eyes trained on the western sky.
Chilled from the water, Josie zipped up her hoodie and moved her beach chair a little closer to the fire. It was almost dark now. Denton and Patrick had made a run earlier to a small market down the road for hotdogs and marshmallows, while John and Andy built the fire, arguing the whole time about how best to do it.
Josie smiled, watching as John concentrated on stoking the fire, lining up the pieces of wood and tinder needed to keep it going.
He never did anything halfway.
Another chill ran down her spine as she remembered how it felt to be in John’s arms today on the Sea-Doo, and then in the water. Wrapping her arms tight around her shoulders, she wished she could move over to him and feel his arms around her again. But she didn’t. His actions toward her on the trip thus far had been ambiguous at best.
A man who wasn’t sure what, or who he wanted.
Throughout the rest of the evening, they ate burnt marshmallows and hotdogs, laughing and telling stories for what seemed like hours. The beach was dark and somewhat eerie, with only the flickering firelight and the quiet crashing of the waves in the background. Josie tried to look interested while Amy told her about her work as a financial planner—talking about the market, yields, high and low-risk investments, and IRA’s. Josie watched as Amy’s lips moved. She appeared to be speaking English, but Josie couldn’t understand a word she was saying. Honestly, who can comprehend how the market works?
Amy smiled apologetically at Josie. “I’m boring you, aren’t I?”
“No, of course not. I mean I really should try to understand all this stuff.” Josie felt bad that it was so obvious to Amy she wasn’t listening.
“Well, thanks for being so kind, Jocelyn,” Amy said, and then lowered her voice. “I don’t care what they say ’bout you—you are one of the nicest, most interesting people I know.”
Flattered, Josie smiled. “Actually, my friends call me ‘Josie.’”
“Josie, it is then,” Amy said.
After thinking for a moment, Josie asked, “So, now that we’re friends and all, what is it exactly that they say about me?”
“Oh, um…” Amy tried to backtrack, but was let off the hook when Patrick crossed over to them with two gooey s’mores.
“One for my lovely wife,” he said, handing one to Amy. “And one for the lovely and talented Jocelyn.” When he handed the other s’more to Josie, Patrick hesitated for a second as their hands touched. Then pushing up his glasses nervously, he excused himself. “Well, let me just make a few more of those.”
Okay, that was weird. Patrick had been acting strange around Josie since they first boarded the plane to come down here. Complimenting Josie at times, hanging on her every word and just now… What was that? Should I say something to Amy? I mean, now that we’re friends and all.
“Amy, there’s something I… I mean does Patrick… Are ya’ll…” Josie thought maybe she should have taken more time to think this through before speaking up.
“You mean the little crush Patrick has on you?” Amy smiled cautiously. “I know. He does that every now and then, has a crush, but it’s harmless. He would never do anything about it.”
“Oh, of course not,” Josie said with a little too much veracity.
“Actually I think that it’s kinda cute.” Amy gazed lovingly over at Patrick, who was pushing more marshmallows onto a stick. “The fact that he doesn’t try to hide it lets me know that I don’t have anything to worry about.”
“It must be nice to have such a trusting and—” Josie stopped, noticing empty chairs around the fire. Where was John? Surveying all the faces shining in the firelight, Josie realized that she couldn’t remember when she’d noticed him here last.
Over by the Jeeps, talking on his cell, Josie spied Denton. But where’s Trisha?
With confusion evident on her face, Josie looked back to Amy who, when their stares met, swallowed hard while an awkward smile crossed her face.
Josie’s pulse quickened when she looked around the fire again and saw that everyone, including Andy, was regarding her with the same amount of discomfort.
Oh my God they’re together. But where and for how long… He wouldn’t… Not here with everyone, including me. This isn’t happening. Josie wanted to disappear.
“Who’s ready for another?” Patrick broke the silence, holding up a fresh s’more.
“I’ll take that one.” Trisha materialized from the darkness and snatched the gooey treat from Patrick, wearing a self-satisfied expression on her face.
Josie felt like someone had knocked the wind out of her lungs watching Trisha take a seat while sending a victorious smirk in her direction. Then, she saw that John had reappeared as well. His shirt was re-buttoned unevenly, his face contrite. When John turned his sullen gaze in Josie’s direction, she quickly looked away, focusing back on the fire while trying not to completely fall apart. With humiliation welling up inside, Josie felt a tear escape from the corner of her eye when Amy wrapped a supportive arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.
It’s finally happened. Probably only yards from where Josie sat, John was with another woman, and what was worse—everyone knew. Faced with the reality of John’s affair at last, Josie finally allowed herself to wonder, how long has this been going on?
* * * *
Literally looking guilty as sin, John avoided conversation and eye contact with the other occupants of the jeep. Josie’s shock and dismay was slowly morphing into fury as she watched him navigate the jeep along the winding coastal road back to the resort. Her imagination ran wild, envisioning John working late in his office at the firm, or campaign headquarters. Dark, except for the dim light of his desk lamp, he sat alone, working until something caught his eye. Walking with one foot directly in front of the other, Trisha slinked in, slowly untying the belt of her trench coat, revealing red lacy underwear and fishnet stockings held up by garters, while “Tempted,” by Squeeze, played seductively in the background. Without a thought about his wife or children at home, he…
Josie felt tears burning the corners of her eyes. Not tears of sadness, but of the rage that was slowly building with every moment that passed without confronting him.
How could he? Right in front of me? Why has he even tried to hide it all this time?
Josie’s hands curled into fists as she resisted the urge to reach over and grab him around the throat, choking him until he confessed everything, before she broke his neck, finishing him off, never to be humiliated by him again.
In front of them an old bus, once painted aqua blue, but now chipped, dented, and scraped, swerved slightly.
John slowed, putting some distance between them.
First Denton, and now John. Is everyone sleeping with someone else? Andy and Lanny were probably serious when they joked about mistresses and extra rooms yesterday at the golf course. Rooms. Josie’s mind spun—some
thing was trying to surface. The key card from the first night that didn’t open their room? Why did John have it if it wasn’t theirs? The clerk who acted so strange, what did he know? A key to a room, but not to our room. Of course. How could I be so blind?
A loud pop like a shotgun blast broke Josie’s concentration. In front of them the bus was swerving to and fro, the back tire spewing smoke. John slammed on the brakes, and Josie could hear the squealing tires of the jeep behind them doing the same.
Completely out of control now the bus swerved erratically. Crossing into the other lane, it slammed into the sand embankment, sending it flying up into the air, flipping over completely, and sliding on its roof before coming to a stop out in the rough.
Josie held her breath as she watched the bus, seemingly in slow motion, fly through the air. Another pop caused her to startle as flames begin flickering up from the engine in the front.
She felt her mind go blank for a moment before reality took over—there are probably people inside that bus.
John and Andy brought the jeeps to a screeching halt at the side of the road, everyone gaping, horrified, at the now-burning bus.
Denton had his phone out. “I’ll call 911,” he announced, jumping from the jeep and pacing anxiously while he dialed.
Josie quickly exited the jeep, headed to the back, and began tossing beach chairs and towels to the ground as she rifled through the contents of the rear compartment.
“Jocelyn, what are you doing?” John was at her side, leaning over to pick up a beach chair.
Josie didn’t look at him. “Looking for a first-aid kit.” Pulling out a red box, she strapped it around her neck and under her left arm.
“And just what do you think you’re going to do with that?” John asked, following Josie as she set off across the sand.
“Where the hell does she think she’s going?” Andy asked, jumping out of his jeep.
Denton finished calling for help, and made eye contact with Josie as she passed, heading for the bus. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He shook his head.
About fifteen yards off the side of the road, smoke was spewing out of the open windows, the tires still spinning. Barely visible in the rough terrain, the bus was illuminated only by the jeep lights and the flames lapping up from the engine. The door at the back of the upturned bus opened and two passengers staggered out, dropping to the ground and coughing.