by Maggie Mundy
Today, they were going to go to the beach. Then tonight, the kids were going to look after Josh while he took Beth out to dinner. Tomorrow was another theme park, then Friday was a quiet day apart from the beachfront market at night. He would need a holiday when he got back home.
He sat with Beth and Josh while the kids played in the surf, thankful the surf wasn’t too rough and Beth kept an eye on everyone.
It suddenly occurred to him that unlike most couples who would have been together for a while, he didn’t know little things about her that hadn’t come up yet. “Can you swim, Beth? I know with Josh you haven’t had much chance to get in the water.”
“I can swim a bit, but not as well as the kids. I’m good at floating and with these huge buoyancy tanks filled with milk on my chest, I think I could stay afloat anywhere.”
“I really like those buoyancy tanks. I won’t have you say anything bad about them.”
“I’m not getting as much milk. It was the same with my last two: after about three months, it just fizzled away. I’ll miss it.”
Keri came back and threw herself down on the towel next to them. Making sure they got wet in the process.
“Hey, watch out,” Beth yelled.
“It’s only water. Hey, why don’t you two go in? Tyler and I can look after Josh,” Keri said, as she put up her arms to take her little brother.
Greg grabbed Beth’s hand as they ran down the beach. The water was cold and she shrieked at first. Always up for a challenge, he scooped up a handful of water and splashed. The reaction was instantaneous.
“Okay, Greg Barnes. The fight is on.”
She “gave as good as she got”, and they were both pulling each over in the water. He got the upper hand and grabbed her around the waist, about to throw her off into the waves again.
“Okay, okay. I give in,” Beth said, with hands held up in the air. He put her down so her feet could touch the sand. She turned and pushed hard against his chest so he would fall back into the waves. He grabbed and pulled her with him. They came up for air with his arms wrapped around her waist. She stood there before him, wet and smiling, and glorious.
“Beth, I…”
“Hey, Mum, look! I can do a handstand under water,” David yelled, as he went into the water and legs came up and then he toppled over. Two seconds later, he was back up to have another go.
“Whatever that thought was? Hold it. So, we can get this one onto the beach before he drowns himself. How about ice cream, David?”
“Yeah!”
Greg watched as she walked with her son back toward the beach as he followed on slowly behind. He had nearly let it all go then. He was going to tell her he loved her. He had no right. He couldn’t offer her something that wouldn’t last.
****
Greg sat on the balcony and sipped on a beer. He had relaxed and let Tyler have one but made sure they were low alcohol ones. It was probably stupid, as the guy had most likely drunk a lot worse. He just didn’t feel right giving it to him.
Beth was getting ready. He hoped she had remembered to bring that G-string with her. He decided it was better not to keep thinking about that, or he would be standing up with a hard-on in a minute. Tyler broke into his thought.
“Greg, I wanted to let you know something Keri told me yesterday: She said her mum’s really happy since you came along.” Tyler took another swig on his beer.
“Thanks, mate. That means a lot to me.”
“Are you going to stay with them? Like marry her? Keri was wondering. I don’t think she wants to see her mum hurt any more than she has been.”
Shit, he didn’t need questions like this from this young guy. Why couldn’t he just want to talk cricket or movies?
“I’ll stay as long as she’ll have me.”
Tyler smiled and appeared relieved he had done his task given him by his girlfriend. The answer would have to be enough. God knows it was all Greg could give. The door opened to the balcony, and Beth came out. She had a beautiful blue wrap dress on. She had caught the sun a bit and had freckles coming out on her face and arms, and he loved them. The shadows were gone under her eyes.
He stood up and kissed her on her cheek. “You look lovely.” She blushed and thumped him on the chest.
“That’s very nice of you, but I’m fully aware my body is not what it used to be.”
“That’s fine with me. I like it as it is.”
“I’m going inside. I can’t listen to oldies talking like this.” Tyler got up and headed off to watch TV with the others. After Beth had told them what to do for the tenth time, Greg dragged her out the door.
“They’ll be fine. The restaurant is only five minutes’ walk away, and they will text or call if anything is wrong.”
It was a little Italian restaurant that looked as if it was a family business. Chianti bottles hung from the ceiling, and Italian flags and pictures adorned the walls. Greg asked for a table on the far wall opposite the door. Some things never changed, and he still liked to see who came and went. Greg pulled out Beth’s chair for her and sat down opposite. Here was another first: They were going out for their first dinner together. His stomach did a flip with nerves. He ordered some red wine while they thought about what they wanted to eat.
“I thought about ordering pepperoni pizza for old time’s sake, but thought you might want something different.”
“Very funny, Greg. I’d like the Chicken Italiano. Sounds wonderful, and I don’t want to care about calories tonight.”
“I just thought of something. This is our first date,” Greg said, not knowing the waiter was behind them listening. Beth’s mobile rang before she could say anything.
“I bring you drink on the house,” the waiter said.
“It was Keri asking where the Infacol was. He has gas again. She said she’d call if it doesn’t work. He probably gulped down his food too fast, the greedy thing. He loves the jarred stuff.”
The waiter shook his head. “First date and you have children. That is fast work.”
They laughed and ordered the meal. The restaurant started to fill as they chatted about the kids and the house and what he would do. He wanted to give her a new kitchen, but she was saying he’d spent enough with the holiday. She didn’t get it. He could never give her enough. Whatever he did would not make up for what would occur when she found out.
When they finished the meal and left the restaurant, he grabbed her hand.
“Let’s walk down to the beach for a bit. Can’t say I want our date to end just yet.”
It was a balmy night and the breeze cooled their skin as they watched the waves roll in. People were strolling along chatting, and a group played volleyball on a lit-up pitch on the beach. Beth leaned against the railing, and he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He loved the feel of her as he pressed against her body. Her butt just felt so good against him. He was getting hard for her already and would be walking back to the resort with her purse in front of his privates. He pulled her hair back and kissed her neck, and she let out a little groan that sent him crazy.
“This is perfect. You are perfect. There is only one thing that could make it better, and we need to get back to the apartment for that. The kids had better go to sleep early tonight and not get up again,” Greg said.
She turned around and her lips were so close. He had no intention of not taking advantage. He brushed against them and she opened up to him. Her tongue slipped in and fought a battle with his. This was too much. The police would be arresting them for indecent exposure before long. He was acting like a kid.
“Come on, let’s go.”
The kids were still up watching movies when they got back, and Beth went and got Josh up for a feed. It was family time, alone time had to wait. It would be worth it. He played cards with Tyler. He had got used to playing while on the inside. He would teach Tyler some tricks that would have him beating his mates, hands down.
Eventually, the kids went off to bed, and he came in
and found Beth popping Josh down. He came and put his arms around her and stared down at their little boy.
“Do you think Tyler will stay in his room with David?”
“I don’t know, but this morning he was out there and said he was on his way back from the toilet. Not sure I believed him.”
“Oh well, I kind of guessed it was happening.”
“Let’s forget them for a bit. This is our time.”
He turned her around and pulled at the tie on her wrap. It fell open to reveal that sexy red bra he liked. He thought he had caught a glimpse of the red lace earlier and hoped she also wore the matching G-string. Turned out she did. He pushed the dress from her shoulders and let it slip to the floor. He then scooped her up and laid her on the bed. Beth let out a yelp and peeped over to the cot to make sure Josh was still asleep.
Greg undid his shirt and threw it on the floor, and his jeans and boxers went the same way. He reached over to the side of the bed and opened the drawer to bring out a surprise he had for her.
“Massage oil?” Beth said as she raised an eyebrow.
“Turn over for me. I want to spoil you. You deserve so much.” She didn’t argue for once and rolled onto her tummy. He unclipped her bra and pushed the straps from her shoulders. Pouring some of the oil onto his palm, he rubbed his hands together and started on her neck as he sat beside her. He pushed her hair aside as he found the knots in the muscles. He kneaded away, and she groaned in pain, not pleasure.
He made his way slowly down either side of her spine and across her side. Just above her G-string, he rubbed his thumbs in circles on her lower back.
“Oh my God, that is good. Why didn’t you tell me you had magic hands? I would have had you doing this every night.”
“I have to have a few surprises.” He pulled down her G-string over her legs. “Roll over.”
She complied and lay there in all her naked glory. He wanted to bury his face in her curls below the waist, but would wait. He took her right hand and massaged each finger and the palm, and then he went to her other hand. Then he moved down the bed so he sat with his back to her, and took her right foot in his hand. With more oil, he massaged her heel and then her instep that caused her to giggle. Then each toe and then he started on the other foot. Her breathing was becoming slow. He needed to stop before he relaxed her so much she fell asleep.
He looked back up the bed and she smiled and blew him a kiss. Easing her legs apart, he moved up the bed. He licked up her inner thigh and up to her belly button before he descended to her core. She opened to him as he flicked his tongue on her clit. She was so hot and wet for him already. As his tongue flicked and licked her, his fingers delved into her moistness. She moved against his hand, and he knew she wanted more and he wanted the same.
He moved away and slid up her body so his dick was pushing against her heat. He took her mouth as he pushed in. She pushed back against him. Their tongues fought as their bodies thrust with the passion. Each time he plunged into her, the sensations soared, building. He moved his hand down to touch her clit and could hear the tremor and break in her voice as she came. He was there with her as he thrust even deeper. They lay there not speaking as they throbbed about each other, sharing the experience.
As he lay there looking into her eyes, he knew he was lost. There would be no return.
“Beth, I want you to know that I care for you so very much. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She sniffed. He had made her cry. “You okay, darling?” he said, as he rolled off her.
“I’m fine, Greg. I just didn’t believe I’d be happy again, and I am so happy. You said earlier in the week you thought I was brave, and that I wouldn’t be scared of anything. I was so scared after Jeff died that I would be alone forever. Then you came along. It all seemed crazy at the time, but you’re the best thing that has happened to me, too.”
He held her as she drifted off to sleep. For some reason, he felt he’d just missed an opportunity.
****
Their last day was spent shopping for gifts for friends and lots of time in the pool. They were going to go to have tea out and then go to the beachfront market, if Keri ever decided what she would wear. The fact all her clothes were black should have made it easier, but it didn’t. Beth was corralling them as usual.
“Okay, kids, last night and last chance to buy any souvenirs. I still need to get something for Di at the shop. I assume your collection of stubby holders is for your ex-housemates, Greg?”
He smiled and followed them out the door. They stopped for tea at a Japanese restaurant. The guy was like a juggler, tossing salt cellars in the air and catching them in his chef’s hat. The food was chopped up and cooked teppanyaki-style as the jokes came. He even aimed chicken bits at all their mouths. David was the only one who caught it.
The market was fun and Beth found a beautiful green glass frog. Di liked to collect them. They were all stuffing their faces with chocolate as they left the market, when Greg heard a yell from behind him. He knew drunken male anger when he heard it. He had caused it enough times. Two young guys were hammering into each other on the sidewalk. Two scantily clad girls were off to the side, screaming.
They had probably been thrown out of the pub nearby. Two burly guys Greg assumed were bouncers walked over, and started to try and pull the guys apart. Others were gathering around to cheer on the fight.
“I think we should get the kids out of here before this gets nasty,” Greg said.
As they walked away, Greg could hear the police sirens. A cold feeling of dread wafted over him at the sound. He didn’t want to be here and have to give his name as a witness. Even interstate, they would check up on him.
“Aw, can’t we wait ’til the cops come? I could talk about it in school when we have to chat about our holiday,” David said.
Greg shook his head. “How about you tell them you did the Lethal Weapon ride too many times and chucked up instead?”
“Aww. You’re no fun, Greg,” David replied.
Beth ruffled her son’s hair. “You’ll learn when you’re older that’s not fun. Come on, let’s get back. We have an early start.”
****
Adelaide airport was busy as usual, and even though the holiday was over, the kids seemed glad to be back. He had booked a taxi bus before they left, so hopefully it would be here within half an hour. Greg suggested they sit and have a coffee while they wait.
“Greg.” He heard his name called. He thought at first it was the girl at the coffee shop who had called him to come and collect his order, but the voice had sounded male.
“Hey, Greg.” He turned to see a face he hadn’t seen for over two years, a face he last saw inside Yatala Prison. Sam had been in for car theft and drug selling. At six foot, and with a shaved head and tattoos on his neck, he stood out like a sore thumb. Greg saw the wide-eyed expression on Beth’s face as his old prison mate walked up. Greg grabbed Sam and wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close so he could whisper in his ear.
“They don’t know.” He hoped Sam would go along with the pretense as he turned back to Beth. “Beth, this is an old workmate of mine, Sam. We used to hang out a few years back.”
“Where are you all off to, then?” Sam asked.
“Just got back from the Gold Coast. You?” Greg said.
“Off to see the family in Melbourne. Got a mate over there said he might have some work for me. Plus, there’s a girl I want to look up.”
“Greg.” The girl from the coffee shop called out. He wandered over hoping Sam would follow, and he did.
“Looks like you got it made there, Greg. That your little kid?” Sam said, as he wistfully glanced back at Greg’s little family unit.
“Yeah. The little scamp’s mine, but not the others. Thanks for not saying anything,” Greg said, as he picked up the coffees and hot chocolates.
“We gotta stick together, mate. It’s tough enough being out here. I still think everyone’s watching me. Which in my case, wi
th the tats, is probably true.”
“How long have you been out?”
“Six months, mostly wandering from here to there. Got a few odd jobs and the old crew I used to work on the cars with keep hassling me. The local cops know me too well and give me shit all the time. It would be too easy here to get drawn back in again. Hope everything goes well when your family finds out. It’s shit, sometimes.”
“I thought about telling her a few times then stuff happened. Guess I’ll just have to deal with it when the time comes. Good luck in Melbourne.”
“Well, if it can turn out okay for a pain in the ass like you, then there’s hope for all of us.”
They walked back to the others and Sam said his good-byes. Had it turned out okay? This was still all a lie. A beautiful lie but a lie, all the same. The past week had been incredible and he would always have the memories. They would have to last him a long time. He thought the past would stay where it was, in the past. Now he knew after seeing Sam, you could never get away from it. Just when you look around and think everything is safe and normal, the rug is pulled out from beneath you.
Sooner or later, it was going to catch up with him. As two airport cops passed them he looked down and sipped on his coffee, not wanting to catch their eyes. He could feel himself shrinking back into his protective mode.
Dread washed over him like the dark clouds forming outside the airport. He had a feeling this was all going to come to an end. If it did and he lost them, he didn’t know if he wanted the existence he had lived before. Never seeing Josh and Beth would be unbearable. He had never considered himself a quitter, but he wasn’t sure life would be worth living.
As they drove away from the airport, he took Beth’s hand in his and squeezed. She looked up at him and smiled.
“You okay? You’ve gone all quiet,” she said looking at him.
“I’m good. Exhausted and need another holiday to get over this one, but it was the best. Just like you.” He brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. He made his lady blush once more––for now, it would have to be enough for him.