“Does that include kissing?” he asked, standing up and pacing back and forth.
“I don’t know. I’m thinking kissing can be a free pass as long as we keep it from going any further. However, I think they already have their own rules about this. We should ask them,” she said, placing the channel card down on the table.
“As for the kissing, I could live with that,” he said, making his way to the French doors. “What else? Are we okay with everything else if we’re together?”
“I don’t know that yet. I guess we need to keep talking. Right now, I want to spend more time with them and see where it takes us. Let’s make a pact that we talk about everything. Okay?” she said, watching him.
“Everything? Like specific details? ‘Honey, I got a hard-on when she kissed my neck?’ kind of thing?”
“Yes, that’s what I meant. All of it. That way the experience adds to our own intimacy and there are no secrets,” she said. She stood up and approached Jack, taking his hands in hers. “Well, what do you think?”
Jack thought about kissing Summer and wanted more of it. He ignored the thought of Jenna kissing Marc. “I think this is fucking out of control and, well, very exciting. Okay, no secrets and we’ll share everything—I think it’ll work.” Jack led Jenna to the bed and removed her pullover dress. “I love you so much. Let me show you,” he said, lowering her body onto the bed.
Jack reached for the lotion and began massaging Jenna’s shoulders, working his way down her back to her thighs and finally to her feet. “Turnover and I’ll work my way back up,” he said quietly. He continued to massage her feet to her moans and groans.
“Jack, come kiss me.”
“Anything you say,” he said as he lowered himself beside her, staring into her eyes.
“I want you to take me anyway you want,” she said.
“Anyway? Anyway I want? Seriously? This is going to be the best time ever.”
Jenna closed her eyes and Jack rolled her over onto her stomach.
“If that’s your thought, grab the almond oil will you?”
Jack jumped up and quickly retrieved the oil from Jenna’s bag. He approached the bed shaking with excitement.
Jenna clutched the sheets in her hands and buried her face in the nook of her arm.
“Slowly … easy. Oh nice. Oh my god, Jack. That feels so incredibly good.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The next day, the staff prepared the pool area for the guests interested in learning to scuba dive. The foursome signed on and reported fifteen minutes early to check out the area.
“Good morning,” they all said, sharing hugs in a crisscross. Their mutual excitement charged the air.
“What are we going to be doing?” Jenna asked, fingering the scuba equipment, shyly looking up at Marc.
“I’ve done this before,” Marc said, grinning at Jenna. “It’s pretty simple stuff. You put on the equipment and get in the pool. They’ll teach you how to breathe and clear your mask underwater. The basics so we can go diving out in the reefs.”
“Sounds cool,” Jack said. “Can’t wait.”
“I hope I can do this,” Summer said quietly. She paced nervously between Marc and the pool.
Marc captured her under his arm. “You’ll be fine and if not, we can always go snorkeling instead,” he said.
The guests gathered in a group at the end of the pool waiting for instructions.
“Good morning,” a muscular young man said. “My name is William.”
Summer leaned into Jenna and whispered, “He’s looking fine.”
“Killer body. And check out those eyes,” Jenna said, smiling.
“The most important element in diving is the ability to focus,” William said. He smiled at Summer. “It’s important not to panic when confronted with a situation that’s unfamiliar.” He picked up an air tank with one hand lifting it and carrying it over to her. “Slip your arms through these straps,” he said to Summer. “The tanks are heavy so it’s important to position them correctly. My crew will assist each of you to ensure that you get it right,” he said while adjusting Summer’s straps. “There, how does that feel?”
“This thing is heavy!”
“You won’t even notice it once you’re in the water,” he said, scanning the group.
The crew helped everyone on with his or her tank, flippers, and weight belt. They then assisted them into the shallow end. The sun had not yet scaled the east side of the hotel leaving the pool in the shade. The initial shock of the cold water caused a round of gasps and mumbling from the soon-to-be scuba divers.
“Place your masks on your face and adjust the strap so that it feels tight but doesn’t cut off circulation,” William said. “The pressure of the water will help secure the mask and prevent leaks.”
“Cute, nice look,” Jenna said to Marc.
“Yeah, the frogman face is big right now,” he said, toying with his mouthpiece.
“Now I want you to drop into the water and look at me,” William said. “When I come to you, I’ll show you a thumbs up. If you’re fine, you give a thumbs up—if not, a thumb sideways. If you are in trouble, a thumbs down. Does everyone understand? Let me hear you say, ‘Ya mon.’”
“Ya mon,” the group replied in unison.
“Irie then. Put your regulators in your mouth and breathe slowly as you go under.”
They randomly submerged. William waltzed along the bottom of the pool from right to left, stopping at each person with his thumb up. After having checked all participants, he pointed to the surface and pushed off the bottom.
William removed his mask and mouthpiece. “Any problems anyone?” he asked.
“My tank keeps pulling me backwards,” Jack said.
“Come over here.” William adjusted his straps. “That should do it. Okay, we’ll drop into the water and swim in a big circle in the deep end. Watch for others and try to swim at different levels like a school of banana fish. Okay? Everybody ready?” He tapped the first person on the shoulder who then immediately dropped and rolled forward.
“This tank still doesn’t feel right,” Jack said to Marc.
“It’ll be weightless in the water,” Marc said.
Summer stepped up for her turn and dropped below the surface followed by Jenna and then Jack. Marc eased forward into the water, almost running into Jack’s flippers. He held up a moment to allow him to kick forward but Jack instead moved to a vertical position, tumbling backwards. Marc watched as Jack appeared to panic, trying to right his position, blowing huge amounts of air bubbles, and shaking his mask. Instead of swimming to the surface, he became completely disoriented and headed straight for the deep end, striking his head on the bottom of the pool just as Marc reached him. Others in the group began to take notice of the situation unfolding. Marc attempted to raise Jack, joined by two crewmembers who lifted him toward the surface.
Jenna emerged panic stricken and pulled out the regulator. She screamed, “Jack’s in trouble!” Her voice echoed through the area drawing a crowd from all corners of the pool as well as the Calabash.
William immediately dropped below and swam toward the mass of bodies heading for the ladder. When they reach the side of the pool, two employees reached in and pulled Jack’s limp body out onto the deck. They stripped him of his gear, laying him on his back.
“Jesus, Jack, what happened?” Jenna cried, trying to get close to her husband.
“Hang on one second … give me room to work here. He’s going to be alright.” William knelt and began to administer mouth to mouth. Within a few moments Jack blew out water and coughed. The spectators clapped and several others audibly sighed out in relief. Another staff member freed Jenna from her tank and weight belt while Marc removed his own and then assisted Summer.
“You okay?” William asked Jack.
“I don’t remember much,” he said, rubbing his head. He withdrew his hand to find blood. “Oh that’s just fucking excellent,” he said. “How bad is it?”
William inspecte
d the cut and said, “It’s too small for stitches, but you’ll probably have a booming headache for an hour or two.”
“Let me take a quick look at that,” Marc said. “Yeah, it’s not too bad at all. The bump will feel huge for a while though.”
“You scared me to death down there,” Jenna said, sitting on her knees next to him.
“Can you stand?” William asked.
“Yeah, I think so,” he said as he slowly sat up. “Whoa, this is going to hurt.”
“Take your time.” Jenna helped him to his feet and pulled his arm over her shoulder.
“You should at least go to the infirmary and let the doctor take a look,” William said.
“Good advice,” said Marc. “I’ll walk with you.”
Summer reached out and touched Jack’s shoulder. “Let me know if I can do anything for you,” she said. She leaned over to kiss his cheek and handed him his towel.
Everyone began to disperse. The rest of the scuba group returned to the pool to continue their training. As they walked past, several people patted Jack on the back and wished him good luck.
“Jenna, why don’t you stay here with Summer? Really, I’m fine. Marc can walk over to the infirmary with me. You guys go to the Calabash and we’ll meet you there in a bit.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, really. I’m going to be fine.”
Marc and Jack trekked through the lobby.
“This is a little embarrassing,” Jack said.
“Why? It could’ve happened to anyone. What do you think caused it?”
“I don’t know. I felt like something was pulling me backwards.”
“Sounds to me like there was too much weight on your weight belt,” Marc said.
“Yeah, maybe.”
They passed the front desk in the lobby with its tiled floors and stepped onto the carpeted hallway leading to the familiar infirmary room. As Jack turned into the doorway, he heard the doctor’s voice.
“Jack, what have you done to yourself now?” the doctor asked in a fatherly fashion.
“Attempted drowning,” Jack said, chuckling. He turned to expose the cut on the back of his head.
“But I see you failed,” he said. “You won’t be trying that again, I assume.”
“No. I think once is enough for me. I can tell you this much, I’ll be taking showers from now on.”
“Ah, let me see.” He pushed Jack’s black hair to one side and said, “You won’t need a stitch, but I’m going to give you an antiseptic wash to use. Other than that, I can see you’re none the worse for wear. You’ll be fine. How’s the foot?”
“Doing great,” Jack said and then looked back at the doctor. “I guess my life was getting too quiet, not enough drama.” He chuckled.
“Well if you get bored again, I’ll be here to mend the broken parts.”
*****
Summer and Jenna walked hand in hand to the Calabash to wait for the men to return.
“Let’s sit over here. The breeze feels so nice,” Summer said.
“That’s fine. I don’t care.”
“Didn’t that scare the hell out of you?” Summer asked, scooting her chair around the table to be closer to Jenna.
“Oh my god, you have no idea. He pisses me off to no end sometimes and I want to kill him, but that’s my job, not his.” She placed her face in her hands. “I panicked when I saw him upside down on the bottom of the pool. At that moment, I realized I could never live without him. Then when I was trying to pull myself out of the water with the weight belt and tank—Oh my god—I never want to be that scared again.”
“I would be comatose for the rest of my life if something happened to Marc,” Summer said. She looked back to Jenna. “This kind of situation helps you put things into perspective and get your priorities in order, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, I’m a little freaked out still.”
“Here they come,” Summer called out and jumped up to meet Marc. She went straight to him and threw her arms around his neck just as Jenna rushed up to Jack.
“What’d the doc say?” Jenna asked, putting her arms around his waist.
“He said there may be a slight concussion and that it’ll be very important for you to nurse me for the next twenty-four hours. Hey, not my idea,” he said, feigning innocence. “I tried to tell him, but … you know how doctors can be. Don’t kill the messenger.”
“What did he really say?”
“I’m fine,” he said with a chuckle.
“You’d better be. You scared—” she said.
“Sorry about that, baby. Do you still love me?” he asked, gazing down into her eyes.
“Never stopped,” she said.
Jack pulled her to him and they shared a kiss that brought a big smile to her face.
“Nice,” Jenna said. “Let’s have some breakfast, shall we?”
“I’d like to have you for breakfast,” he whispered.
“How about an afternoon delight instead?”
“Name the place.”
They joined Summer and Marc at the table and ordered their beverages. The four joined the line and shuffled through the long buffet.
“Jack, jerk again?” Jenna asked.
“Hey, when am I going to get authentic, honest to goodness jerk chicken again?” he said as he piled a leg and thigh on his plate with a huge helping of island grits swimming in butter.
“We should make a commitment to get together once in a while back in the states for an island feast,” Summer said enthusiastically.
“That would be really cool,” Jack said.
“That sounds like a lot of fun. There’s nothing like a good feast to arouse the baser nature in a human being,” Marc said with a wink.
“I could get into that,” Jenna added.
“It’s a date then?” Marc asked.
“A date? Maybe you and Jenna. Frankly, and no offense intended, but you, sir, are definitely not my type,” Jack said, laughing.
“I’ll ask Jack out,” Summer said.
“Then I’ll ask Jenna,” Marc said. “If that’s okay with you, Jenna?”
“Are we talking about here or when we get back to the states?”
“Marc, why don’t you take her to the French restaurant tonight? Jack and I can find something to do to entertain ourselves. I wouldn’t mind going back to the Bayside or trying the Verandah.”
“Jack?” Jenna asked.
“Fine by me,” Jack said, pulling out her chair and looking across the table at Summer.
“Then it’s a date?” Marc asked Jenna.
“It’s a date,” she said. She peered up into Marc’s eyes and felt her heart race and her face flush. She placed her right hand on her upper chest around her neck.
“Look at you, all blushing and everything,” Jack razzed.
“Why are you saying that?” Jenna asked.
“Look where your hand is,” Jack said with a teasing smile.
“Oh … uh,” she said, quickly removing her hand.
“That’s her nervous indicator,” he said. “I can always tell when she’s nervous or excited … that’s the first place her hand goes.”
“Thanks for giving away my secrets,” she said sarcastically.
“I think it’s cute,” Summer said. “It fits you—sort of shy, but strong at the same time.”
Jack smiled and placed his hand on the back of Jenna’s neck. “I totally agree,” he said.
“Jack, you’re embarrassing me,” she said. She placed her hands in her lap and looked away from the table.
“I don’t mean to embarrass you,” he said, looking at her warmly. “It reminds me of all the reasons I fell in love with you in the first place. And she’s a great date,” Jack said, glancing over at Marc.
“Cheers,” Cliff said as he approached the foursome.
He struck up a conversation with the men and Becky squatted between the chairs of the women.
“If you don’t mind saying, what’re the plans for today?”
Becky asked.
“We were going scuba diving but Jack had a little accident in the pool,” Jenna said quietly.
“I’m sorry, an accident? Perhaps you could clarify what you mean?”
“Oh, no,” Jenna said, laughing. “Not that kind of accident. He bumped his head on the bottom of the pool, cutting it.”
“Oh, I see,” Becky said, her hand covering her mouth. “Well now, that makes much more sense than what I was thinking,”
“What are you guys up to?” Jenna asked.
“We’re taking the plantation horseback ride,” Becky said excitedly. “I can’t wait. It should be lovely.”
“I think we’re going snorkeling,” Summer said.
“I’m not so sure Jack’s going to want to after this morning,” Jenna said and reached across the table for Jack’s hand. “Honey, would you be up for snorkeling?”
“Absolutely. You guys can tie a tethered buoy around my waist to keep me from swimming to the bottom of the ocean,” he said, laughing.
“What’s this?” Cliff asked.
“Thanks,” Jack said to the waiter when he refilled his coffee. He raised his hand to Cliff and shook his head no. “Long story.”
“Okay then, we’ll be off. Never been on a horse and thought it was time to give it a go,” Cliff said, patting Jack on the back. “Feeling a bit John Wayne today, I suppose. Wella guess I’ma gonna go horse ridin’ taday.”
“John Wayne never sounded so awful!” Becky exclaimed.
“Tried to get Becky to let me practice riding last night—she’d have nothin’ to do with it,” Cliff said.
Becky slapped Cliff on his rump and said, “Giddy up then.” She looked back at the group and everyone laughed.
“Shall we?” Summer asked.
“We’re going to run upstairs for a minute and then we’ll meet you guys down at the dock,” Marc said.
“Cool.” Jack took Jenna’s hand and said, “See you in a few.”
*****
The group gathered on the dock to board the boat that would take them offshore to a small reef suitable for snorkeling. The thirty-foot vessel converted to a glass bottom boat allowed guests to observe the reef from the comfort of their seats if they chose. Jack found out that if you go snorkeling, you can’t drink Red Stripe until the ride back to the dock. He felt sure that actually being in the water held no advantage over drinking Red Stripe and watching the reef from inside the boat. The others disagreed and dove in. Jenna managed to swim underneath the boat at about ten feet below the surface, surprised Jack by pulling her bathing suit bottoms about half way down to moon him, and then casually swam away.
The Demarcation of Jack Page 16