Seaglass

by Bridges, Chris

  “Oh. Of course.” She pointed to the kitchen and watched as Kayla practically skipped forward, leading the group.

  Knox stepped forward, irritated with his sister. He wasn’t exactly the best person to “look” at a kitchen. He wondered if she actually forgot about his eyesight from time to time. He moved forward and saw the shine of the countertop and put his hand out. Marble. Very nice. He touched the drawer handles and pulled them out slightly.

  “Soft close. Nice touch.”

  “Hmm?” Kayla asked.

  “They don’t slam. Good for little fingers.” He offered.

  “Oh, I’m adding that to the spec sheet!” Kayla quickly grabbed her phone and began typing.

  Madeline stayed back and watched the siblings go over the finishes. Knox moved toward the upscale range hood and then reverently ran his hand over the detailed tile work on the backsplash.

  “Jerry did this?”

  “No. Actually, I did it.”

  The bright light from the windows bouncing off the glass subway tiles gave him a little more visual clarity than normal. He ran his hands along their cool surface and felt the evenness of their set in the mortar.

  “Impressive. Glass tiles aren’t easy to install.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled, a little embarrassed by the compliment.

  Knox turned away from the backsplash and leaned against the counter. The light was amazing in this kitchen and he wished he could take it with him. He caught movement in the corner of his right eye and turned as Madeline moved forward toward the fridge.

  He hadn’t really taken a good look at her since he’d entered, but now he was able to study her unabashedly. Her legs were the first thing that caught his attention. Long and slender; the color of cream. He let his gaze travel upward and saw the rest of her matched the legs. The arms were long too, and toned. She wore some sort of dark tank top over denim shorts. She was tall, 5’ 8” at least. When she pulled open the refrigerator door, her auburn hair swung backward and he swore he saw brilliant red highlights mixed in.

  “Can I get you a bottle of water?” She asked politely.

  “I’d love one.” Kayla stepped forward and pulled two bottles out of her hands. “Here, Knox.”

  Madeline watched the strange way she took the bottle and tapped it against his forearm, which was currently braced against the countertop. He opened his hand and let his sister put the bottle into his palm and then quickly unscrewed the cap and drank deeply.

  “Thanks. It’s a sauna out there.” He smiled.

  “And it’s only May!” Kayla giggled. “Okay, back to the grindstone.” She turned and tugged her brother back through the dining room, calling out last minute details that she’d need to discuss with Madeline before the house was officially on the market.

  Madeline stood in the doorway and waved to the unlikely brother and sister duo. It seemed like the only thing they had in common was their bright blonde hair. She was so bubbly and effervescent and he was so quiet and brooding. She shoved her hands deep in her pockets and tried to refocus on the task at hand. What had she been working on before they arrived? He was probably married anyway. He wasn’t wearing a ring, though. Was he? No. He definitely wasn’t. He’d been looking at her. She caught it when she’d gone to the fridge. But would someone like him actually be looking at someone like her?

  She looked down at her black tank top and paint splattered denim shorts. No. It wasn’t possible. Guys like that had beautiful girlfriends that got their hair and nails done weekly. They took spinning class at the gym and never actually sweated. Madeline turned to face the little mirror that hung in the foyer. Her long, wavy hair framed her sharply angled face. She gathered her thick hair into an elastic band and quickly pulled it into a ponytail. Now, she saw several paint splatters on the side of her neck from when she was touching up the master bedroom ceiling. No, she’d never be one of those girls.

  xXx

  “Well, I hate to tell you this, bro…she’s hot for you.”

  He laughed. “Shut up.”

  “I’m serious!” Kayla said as she sped away from Madeline’s and back to Knox’s house.

  “What…I couldn’t…” he stumbled. “How’d you know?”

  Kayla sensed he was trying to inconspicuously ask about Madeline’s looks, but couldn’t bring himself to say the words. She’d spare him that—for now. Soon, though, he’d need to get past this. They all would. He couldn’t see that well. That’s all it was. No biggie, she told herself as she steadied her shaking hands on the steering wheel.

  “She was watching you.”

  “So?”

  “Duh. She was watching you the way a woman watches a man.” She paused. “And you were watching her too.”

  “I was looking in her direction.” He answered with as much disinterest as he could manage to inject into his voice.

  “Why are you playing with me?” She teased.

  “Fine. Tell me.”

  “She’s really pretty. She’s a different sort of bird, though.”

  “Yeah, I got that.”

  Kayla raised her eyebrow, but continued. “She’s got legs that go on for miles. I couldn’t be more jealous. She’s so natural in her own skin, too. I get the feeling she doesn’t spend an hour doing her make-up every morning.” Kayla huffed out a breath, clearly envious.

  “You don’t need to do that either, sis. You’re adorable.”

  Knox received a quick jab to the ribs for that comment. “Do not call me adorable.”

  “Okay, okay!” He held up his hands in defeat.

  “We’re here, anyway.” She pulled the car to a stop along his driveway. “I’m parked perpendicular to the driveway.”

  Knox nodded and exited the vehicle but leaned back in the open window. He needed to know something and the only way he’d find out is if he asked. “Kay?”

  “Yeah?”

  “The eyes? What color?”

  “Blue. Not dark, but not too light either. Reminds me of…” she paused, contemplating. “Seaglass.”

  She watched him smile as he turned and walked back to the house. She drove away shaking her head. He could deny it all he wanted, but it seemed someone besides Madeline was smitten too.

  xXx

  Knox stalked directly to his workshop and began donning protective gear to strip the old paint and stain off of an antique Chippendale desk that had been sent to him by a collector in New York. As he pulled on goggles and grabbed a rag and soft wire brush, he consciously tried not to think of seaglass.

  He didn’t need the complication of a woman in his life. Hell, he’d had enough of women to last him a lifetime. Well, not all women. One woman—Hannah. She’d ripped his guts out when she told him she couldn’t hang in there while he finished his third tour. Thankfully, he’d been injured after she’d dumped him. He didn’t think he could’ve handled her dumping him because now he was...no, he wasn’t gonna say it; not even in his own head.

  Instead, he cranked up his music and turned on the work light that provided him enough illumination to get the job done, even if the price was a migraine that lasted all night. Right now, he didn’t care. The exquisite craftsmanship of the desk allowed his mind to wander into another zone and another time. A time when woodworkers were artisans and masters. He wondered who’d toiled over this delicate piece of furniture and then who’d been the intended recipient. Was it royalty? Clergy? Maybe a prosperous family? Now it belonged to him, but only temporarily. He loved the restoration, but not the possession of these fine pieces. He was happy to see them continue on their journey to someone new.

  He pulled down his goggles and sat back. He realized he and Madeline were alike in that way. Both restorers; preservers of history. Right now her medium was condos, but according to his sister, she soon hoped she’d have enough capital to start investing in older homes with character and charm. Interesting, he thought. He pulled off his la
tex gloves and felt the delicate grooves and delineations in the soft wood. He could still see them, but his gut clenched tight when he wondered for how long.

  The knowledge that he might someday lose more of his pathetic vision was a terrifying thing, but sometimes he wondered if he’d be better off if it just happened already. This wondering and waiting was torture. Every consult, every doctor’s appointment was full of dread and anticipation of the news that his vision had worsened. Even now, despite things being stable for the last year, he felt the sickness in his belly begin to creep up his throat.

  No, there was definitely no time for women. He had too much to worry about just making it through each day. No, definitely no women. Or woman. Especially not a woman with legs that went on for miles and eyes like blue seaglass.

  xXx

  As luck, or fate, would have it, Jerry needed his help. Jerry Oppenheimer, an old friend of his father’s had let Knox be his apprentice when he was just a teenager. Jerry had taught him well and then he’d surpassed his old teacher.

  Of course Jerry knew about his eyes, but unlike most everyone else in town, he took it in stride. Maybe that had something to do with his brothers. The three Oppenheimer boys had gone off to fight in Vietnam. One came home in a body bag, one came home in a wheelchair and one came home healthy. Jerry had felt guilt for being the healthy one ever since. When his brother Jeff committed suicide ten years after the war ended, his guilt doubled.

  Now, he let Knox into the condo and together, they began the process of reframing the archway.

  “Can’t say I see the fuss with this thing.” Jerry commented as they scribed the template onto the boards that were to be the new arch.

  “It’s modern, old man.” Knox laughed.

  “I guess.” He muttered as he tapped the forms into place. “Too much math for me. I like things simple. “She’s particular. But she knows her mind. I’ll give her that. No wishy-washy, mind-changing on that girl.”

  “Madeline?”

  “Yeah, Madeline.”

  “Where is the mistress of the castle, anyway?”

  Jerry let out a long laugh. “Gone to pick up some kind of fancy heated towel rack.”

  “Oh.”

  Jerry stopped what he was doing and looked over at the man that had once followed him around like a lost puppy. “She’s single, you know.”

  “Subtle, Jerry.”

  “What’s so difficult? She’s single. You’re single. She’s attractive. You’re not as good lookin’ as me, but you’ll do.”

  Now Knox laughed. “Nobody slays the ladies like you.”

  Jerry smiled and got back to work. “I’m just sayin’, she’s got something.”

  Knox didn’t respond, but he agreed with Jerry. As much as he tried to not think about Madeline, his mind continued to wander back. He wondered about the long-legged ‘odd bird’, as his sister had dubbed her.

  Another hour later, the drywall was up and the edges were being trimmed as Madeline came bursting through the door.

  “Oh wow.” She stopped and dumped her packages. “It’s absolutely perfect.”

  Knox felt ridiculously happy to hear the pleasure in her voice.

  “Not bad if I say so myself.” Jerry answered, proudly snapping his suspender straps. “It’s very modern.”

  Knox rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Jerry’s got a real eye for the modern details.” He mumbled under his breath and received a good-natured slap to the back of the head.

  Madeline watched the two men interact with interest. Knox had mentioned that he’d worked with Jerry before, and clearly there was respect and camaraderie between the two men.

  “Can I offer anyone a drink? I have water, or soda?”

  “I’d love water and the boy here is addicted to soda. You don’t happen to have Dr. Pepper?”

  Madeline laughed as she made her way to the fridge. “No Dr. Pepper, but I have Cherry Coke. Will that work?” She called out.

  “Yeah. Perfect.” Knox laughed.

  She came back in and handed Knox his drink. She watched as his large hands with their slender fingers easily popped the top. She turned to hand Jerry his water.

  “Wow. What happened?” Jerry blurted as his eyes landed on her scar.

  Madeline immediately felt the urge to put her arm behind her back. “Oh, it was an accident a few years ago.” She mumbled.

  “I’m sorry—that was impolite. I didn’t mean—“Jerry stuttered.

  “It’s fine. Really.” Madeline answered shyly. She knew she should have a better answer ready, but she didn’t want to lie either. She cast her eyes downward, unwilling to look up and see revulsion in Knox’s face.

  After an awkward moment of silence, Knox finally broke the tension. “We’re mudding next and then it’ll be ready for sanding and paint in twenty-four hours.”

  “Great. I can handle the paint, myself.”

  “I figured you’d say that.” Jerry laughed. “I never met a gal like you before. No offense.” He quickly added. “She can wire a house like a pro.” Jerry told Knox.

  “Is that so?” He asked as he drank deeply.

  “I’m no pro, but I can handle the basics.”

  “She did all the plumbing too.”

  Madeline didn’t know why Jerry was suddenly her personal resume supplier, but she was getting embarrassed.

  “You’ve got a background in home repair?”

  “A little.” She moved away from the men and back toward the packages she’d dumped by the door. “I’ve got a bunch of odds and ends for the bathrooms, so I’d better get everything prepped. Kayla will be by with the photographer on Friday and I want to be ready.”

  “Okay, then. I’ll let myself out when I’m done mudding. I’ll be over to sand tomorrow morning.” Jerry said.

  “Great. Oh, and Knox? Can you send me a bill for your work today?”

  “No charge.”

  “But—“

  “Really. It’s just a friend helping out.”

  Madeline nodded and moved quickly up the stairs. She could feel the moisture gathering and the absolute last thing she wanted was to start crying in front of the two men. She didn’t know why her emotions seemed so close to the surface lately, but she needed to lock them down. After her self-imposed “year of solitude”, she thought she’d be ready to move on with life. It seemed the exact opposite was happening. Every new connection seemed to conjure up sad memories.

  Downstairs, Knox and Jerry finished up the taping and began mudding the seams of the newly installed arch.

  “I feel terrible I blurted that out. I didn’t mean to—“

  Knox grunted his reply as he reloaded his trowel.

  “I think she got a little emotional. I hope I didn’t cause it.”

  “Maybe it was the new towel bars.” Knox deadpanned.

  Jerry laughed a little. “You could be a comedian. You know that?”

  “Well, I sure as hell can’t be a contractor.”

  Now it was Jerry’s turn to be silent. Only the sound of their trowels scraping along the sheetrock interrupted the silence. Finally, Jerry couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Don’t talk like that, Knox. You hear me? You don’t let this get you down.”

  Knox swallowed hard and remembered the pain and loss his mentor and friend had suffered. It was a full minute before he could trust himself to speak. “I’m okay, Jer.”

  “Well, you’re not okay yet. But you will be.”

  xXx

  Madeline did a little spin around the living room. Today, she didn’t look like a construction worker. Today she wore her best summer outfit. It wasn’t a flowing summer dress like Kayla, but still, it was pretty girly for her. A short floral skirt in blue and white and a white tank top with a thin white cardigan sweater over it. Her long hair was tucked up into a ponytail that she’d straightened with a flat iron.

  Now, it was s
how time. Or, as Kayla put it, “time to get the hell out of here and let me do my job.”

  Now that it was almost time, she didn’t know why she’d gotten so dressed up. Well, she’d assumed she’d be needed to help Kaya run the open house, but apparently a homeowner on the premises was a big no-no.

  She grabbed her keys and walked back into the kitchen in time to see Kayla setting up an artfully decorated bowl of granny smith apples.

  “It accents the tiles of the backsplash.” She said without looking up.

  “Oh. If you say so.”

  “Maddie, you’ve handled just about every detail. Let me take it from here.”

  Madeline smiled at the casual use of her nickname. For whatever arbitrary reason, her father had been insistent that no one ever shorten her name. Whenever someone had called her ‘Maddie’, she’d have to correct them. Now, she decided she liked it and she especially liked hearing it come from Kayla. Maybe she’d use Kayla’s services again on her next flip after all.

  Currently, the tiny blonde dynamo had now moved onto to setting out placemats and dishes on the breakfast bar. She did something amazingly complicated with the cloth napkins that had them standing up straight.

  “Okay. I’m leaving.”

  “Wow. You look great.”

  Madeline stopped and turned to see that Kayla was staring at her. “Oh. Thanks.”

  “I mean, you always look great, but it’s nice to see you dressed up.” Kayla added as she went back to designing the table setting.

  Madeline didn’t know what to say. Was Kayla being serious? “Um, I guess I’d better go.”

  Kayla laughed. “Yep. Time to scoot. Hopefully I’ll have good news for you afterwards.”

  Madeline smiled and let herself out of the condo. She had her keys in her hand, but decided to walk instead. Maybe she’d stroll through the town and stop in the little café for a bite to eat. She’d spent most of her time in Touchstone holed up in her little project house, and that had been just fine with her. Now, though, the longing for more human interaction was stirring. She’d met Kayla and the woman had burst into her life like a comet. And there was Knox too. She couldn’t lie to herself. She’d let her mind wander back and revisit that lanky frame and sharp jawline. It didn’t matter, really. It was just nice to think about.