by Sarah Gay
Annie placed her hand behind his neck. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. I really owe you a debt of gratitude. I’ve bought a fishing license every year since their passing, but haven’t been able to bring myself to fish again, until today. I just walk the river and regret that one decision, where I valued fishing more than my family. Nothing will ever come between me, and those I love ever again. You were my strength today. Thank you.”
Annie smiled softly. Maybe he wouldn’t break her? Paxton was starting to make his way past her thick brick wall, and into her heart. Her anxiety started to rise. Could she say goodbye to him today, if she chose to?
“I can’t even imagine what that felt like to lose your entire family in one moment.”
“I couldn’t breathe. It was like being punched in the solar plexus all day, for six months. I started to slowly breathe again, but then felt guilty that I didn’t have that same pain.”
Annie had never been punched anywhere, let alone in the solar plexus. In fact, she had no idea where the solar plexus were/was, in your body.
“I have an entire batch of caramels at home with your name on them.”
“I don’t know. It’s almost dinner time,” he said, as they drove down her street. “And I think I owe you some fish tacos.”
Annie suddenly remembered that she had invited the Johnsons to dinner, to distract Kai.
“Dinner time, oh no! I have guests coming. Let me rephrase that. I have guests.” she said, looking to the car on the street in front of her house. “I had planned on going to the store, but didn’t. And now I have guests for dinner. And no food.”
“Fish tacos,” he smiled.
“You’re going to cook dinner for my friends?”
“Yep.”
“You promise to leave the moment we’re finished eating?”
“Well, I could also mow your lawn, and then clean your bathrooms.”
“I’m sorry. It’s not like that. You’re trouble. Remember?”
“With a capital T and H.”
Annie opened her car door. “The H is a definite possibility.”
The evening lights on Annie’s brick home had just turned on, as dusk approached.
Her round bellied friend stood on the sidewalk.
“How is my favorite enceinte friend?”
“I prefer the term ‘with child.’ I want to pull out all my hair, but you probably don’t want to talk about that. Anyone who says pregnancy is a joy, has never been three days overdue.”
“Speaking of late, I am so sorry I’m late.”
“No problem. This must be Kai.”
Annie shook her head, attempting to stop her friend from creating an embarrassing situation.
Melanie was not known for her couth. She would have been the perfect distraction for Kai. Annie was on a time crunch with the research for her manuscript. Perhaps she could train Paxton tonight, instead of Kai. He could be a stand in, just this once. Then she would say goodbye, before the hook took hold.
Right now, she felt as if she could still crush the roe, and spit it out.
Melanie ran around the truck to meet Paxton. Her thick head of wavy brown hair bounced around like a bobble head as she waddled. “I heard, that ever since that delicious fondue meal, you and Annie have been inseparable.”
Annie caught Paxton’s questioning look, and scrunched forehead. But, his face quickly wound into a devious smile. What did he know? What was he doing?
He leaned down close to Melanie’s ear. “I guess you could say we’re inseparable. But I’ve also been called trouble, and shh,” he said with a wink, “heartbreak.”
Melanie fanned her face with her hand. “That Annie’s a lucky girl,” she said, slapping Paxton on the arm.
“Melanie, dear?” said Greg, Melanie’s husband. “Are you feeling okay with that fishy smell?”
“What fishy smell?” she shouted, as Paxton pulled the steelhead out of the cooler.
“Oh no, I’m going to be sick.” She hobbled toward the house.”
“Should we forego the fish tacos?” Paxton questioned.
“I’m Greg.” Melanie’s husband extended his hand to Paxton. “She actually loves fish, just needs to be away from the kitchen until it’s cooked. Fish tacos sound great.”
Annie set the table as Paxton fried the last of the fish. Greg worked at his side, as his dedicated assistant, while Melanie followed Annie around the table, like a pixie spreading fairy dust, scattering spoons and forks. Annie tried to explain to Melanie that tacos didn’t require utensils, but Melanie was too preoccupied with Annie’s new beau to listen.
“So, this isn’t your boyfriend?” Melanie questioned, setting down her last fork.
“That’s a difficult question to answer.”
“It shouldn’t be.”
“Kai, who will be the prefect man for me someday, has been responding phenomenally to a, well, a compatibility study we’ve been involved in. But we haven’t kissed yet. Paxton and I have kissed twice, and they were transport you to the moon kisses. But I’m really thinking that this is where it ends.”
“Have you heard of a condition called multiple personalities?”
Annie raised an eyebrow, and smiled mischievously. “You know me well.”
“Don’t you think you should at least kiss this Kai guy, before you kick Paxton to the street? He really seems like a great guy.”
“Or so it would seem, until I’m dumped like yesterday’s rotten bananas.”
Paxton and Greg entered the dining room.
“Dinner is served, my fair one,” Paxton said, with a bow, and a slow wink.
Annie attempted to hide her amusement. “Then eat, we shall.”
“Annie, when are you going to put us into one of your books?” Melanie questioned. “And, of course, we would have to kiss. Because isn’t it kissing books you write?”
Annie rolled her eyes.
Melanie continued, “It would be absurd for two people who are dating not to kiss. That would be like mixing yourself a cup of hot cocoa on a wintry day, and then not drinking it.”
“Hot cocoa? Stop.” Annie widened her eyes in warning.
“A kiss is so telling, right from the beginning.” Melanie turned to Greg. “Don’t you agree, Dear?”
“Yes, my love. My kisses are what kept you wanting more. Wouldn’t you say?”
Paxton added, “I’ve heard that kissing can be linked to monumental inspiration.”
The heat rose in Annie’s face. Was he talking about their kiss earlier today? She needed to stop this conversation.
“So, you want to be a character in one of my books, Greg?”
Greg began shaking with excitement. “You would do that?”
“What should be your new names and personality traits?”
“You’re going to change us?” Melanie chimed in.
“I think you’re absolutely perfect. Greg, you’re a brilliant and skilled anesthesiologist. And Melanie, you’re an amazing nurse and friend,” she said, reaching over to touch Melanie’s arm. “Both of you are amazing, but we are now going to romanticize you, in the best of terms. First for the physical characteristics, what should we do with your balding head and grandpa glasses?”
“I’m assuming, I’ll have a full head of hair, and perfect vision?” Greg said with disappointment.
Annie shook her head as she waved her hands. “Don’t sound so dreary. This should be fun.”
Melanie sat tall in her seat. “I know. Give him flowing, chestnut locks, almost to his shoulders. And he should be taller, about six foot two. And he’ll play ten instruments proficiently, and oh, and be a professional photographer.”
Annie waved her hands. “Slow down, Shakespeare. He needs to have some unique qualities. An accent—”
“New Zealand!” Melanie shouted.
“Nice, but I was thinking closer to England or Ireland. That way we can give him slightly crooked teeth, endearing.”
“Irish accent could work for me.”
“Work for you?” Greg questioned with annoyance.
Annie changed the conversation slightly. “New names. They need to sing, be sui generis. Let us be distinctive, and give you a name that, in Ireland, is given to either a male or female. But in the States, is unique to females.”
“I don’t like that,” Greg protested.
“Even better, two female names: Kim Carroll. What do you think, Melanie?”
“Love it.” Melanie clapped her hands.
“We’re set then. Melanie, for your character, I’ll make you a strong, educated, vibrant consultant.”
Greg raised his hand high, as if he were back in the first grade, petitioning his teacher with alacrity.
“Yes, Greg?” Annie couldn’t help but convert to teacher mode.
“Long, silky brown hair, with a face and body that would derail a train,” Greg said.
“Derail a train?” Annie suppressed a chuckle.
Greg popped a batonnet cut, jicama garnish into his mouth, crunched loudly, and said, “You know, the train engineer sees her and just loses it.”
“I like your thinking, Greg,” Annie said. “We could use that. Maybe a love triangle with the engineer.”
“But we’re married,” Greg contested.
“My hero and heroine are never married. Too many complexities in marriage.”
Greg took in a deep breath, “Complexities of mar—” but stopped with a cough.
Annie suddenly remembered that she had completely disregarded the training session. “Paxton, could you please refill Greg’s glass of water?” She reached over and handed Paxton, Greg’s empty glass.
Paxton stood immediately, and walked to the kitchen.
Perfect.
“Are you okay, Greg?” Annie questioned, noticing Greg seemed to have difficulty breathing.
“Oh, he’s fine,” responded Melanie causally. “He has this medical condition where he constantly coughs. Remember? He’ll be better after he sneezes.”
“I forgot,” Annie said, suddenly remembering that every time they’d gotten together, he had at least one episode of coughs. “Now, Melanie, what do you think of your characters so far?”
Before Melanie could answer, Greg had grabbed her by the arm, feverishly grasping his neck.
“Are you choking?” Melanie jumped to her feet.
She positioned herself behind her husband, attempting to wrap her arms around Greg’s chest to perform the Heimlich maneuver. She grew frustrated, realizing that her extended belly prevented her from reaching her hands completely around his chest to perform the abdominal thrust.
Greg pointed at his abdomen, to the exact spot where she needed to apply pressure.
“Let me do it,” Annie said, pulling Melanie aside.
Greg shook his head as he sprinted toward the kitchen, with his frantic wife following close behind. Greg propelled himself into the corner of the bar. The impact proved effective. The menacing jicama shot out of his mouth, hitting the opposite wall, then tumbled to the ground. The patter of little feet echoed against the kitchen walls. Mr. Famous was there before Annie could restrain him.
“No!” shouted Annie, but Mr. Famous was already enjoying his treat.
Greg rested his forehead against the counter, and took in several deep, slow breaths.
“I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” Melanie rubbed his back.
His shoulders responded by undulating.
“Is he crying?” Annie questioned with concern.
Greg raised his head. Tears streamed down his face. “I was thinking in my mind, I’m going to die. I’m laughing inside. I can’t even realize my laughter, because I’m chocking. And I’m going to die,” he said, slapping his hand against the countertop, while continuing to shed tears of laughter.
Paxton handed Greg a cup of water. “What happened?”
Annie motioned to Greg. “He started chocking, so—”
“Melanie,” Greg interrupted, “bumped into my back with that belly.” He shook his head to prevent himself from laughing, “And, with those T-Rex arms,” he said, imitating a T-Rex dinosaur by raising his hands that were bent forward by the wrists, and into his breasts. “She couldn’t reach my lower diaphragm to exert sufficient pressure to dislodge the foreign body from my trachea.” He bent over, continuing to laugh hysterically.
Relief washed over Melanie’s face, followed by intense laughter.
“Melanie, stop laughing or you’ll pee your pants,” Annie said through her own tears of laughter.
“Too late. Gotta love pregnancy. Time to go, my Irishman,” Melanie teased.
“That’s my cue. I’ll do the dishes.” Paxton said.
“Thanks for dinner tonight, Paxton,” Annie said with the soft blink of her eyelashes as she led her friends to the front door.
Melanie and Greg exchanged a look of understanding.
Greg strained his head back as his wife pushed him out the door. “Yes. It was delicious. Great idea, fish tacos. I’ll pass on the jicama next time.”
“Kiss him,” Melanie trilled, walking to her car. She turned and whispered to Annie, “before you dump this guy. He seems like the real deal.”
“I’ll think about it,” Annie responded, closing the door behind her entertaining friends.
Annie went to her room to take Mr. Famous out back to do his business. She found Charlie curled up on her rug, with Mr. Famous stretched out on Charlie’s spine, taking a snooze. Mr. Famous’ tummy was exposed, demonstrating a complete state of relaxation.
Paxton approached from behind. “I’m glad your friend didn’t choke to death because of his wife’s T-Rex arms,” he said, mimicking Greg’s impersonation of his wife’s life-saving attempt. “In all seriousness, they’re great people.”
“Thanks. I agree. I’m lucky to be surrounded with such amazing friends.”
“I don’t think that luck is involved. Positive, successful people attract positive, successful people. And, Melanie seems to offer good advice,” he said, leaning down to kiss her.
“Don’t forget your dog,” Annie said, taking a step back, causing Paxton to stumble forward.
Paxton gave a short whistle. Within three seconds, Charlie was at his side.
Annie had the front door open before Paxton could try for another kiss.
“Did you really need to change everything about your friends to satisfy your romance story?”
“Trust me, tonight they’ll have the best night they’ve had in months. Call me the love doctor.”
“Okay, love doctor, I have a medical issue.”
“I’m afraid to talk about your issues.”
“Talking isn’t the issue,” he said, pulling Annie in to him.
Before she had time to protest, she was already standing on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
The rush of the Wailua Falls deafens all sound. Standing waist deep in the emerald pool, she feels the fish nibbling at her ankles. The mist from the double falls swirls around her body, finally settling onto her chest, where it trickles down the front of her swimsuit.
A familiar bark shook Annie from her reverie. She looked down to find Mr. Famous licking her leg. She noticed that the front of her shirt was soaked with perspiration. How long had she been passionately kissing Paxton?
“Oh, you’re still here? I really need to get to bed. Thanks again for dinner,” she said, pushing him out onto the front step.
“Still here? I don’t understand. We were just kissing. You seemed like an equal and willing participant.”
“Sorry. That must’ve been awful. I won’t try anything like that again. Good night,” she said, closing the door. She leaned her head against its rippled surface. “Don’t fall for him,” she said aloud, gently knocking her head against the hard wood. “Stay on task. He’ll crush you. Stay focused.”
“You okay in there?” Paxton’s voice echoed through the closed door.
“Did you just hear that?”
“Not…if you didn’t want me to.”
/> “How embarrassing. I’m going to bed now.”
“Annie.”
“Yes.”
“I am not that kind of guy.”
“If I had a nickel for every time a guy has said that to me.”
“Let me prove it to you. Can I see you tomorrow?”
“Not a good idea, and I have plans.”
“What if your plans change?”
“Good night, Paxton.”
“Um, Annie?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I have my dog?”
Annie looked down to see Charlie and Mr. Famous snuggled together at her feet. Charlie rose when she opened the door, then stretched his back and fore legs in a perfect downward dog yoga pose. Impressive, thought Annie, he would be a good yoga partner. Charlie ran to Paxton’s side at the end of her walkway.
“Why didn’t he leave with you?”
“I told him to stay. We weren’t finished talking. Give me a chance, Annie.”
“My heart can’t take another break. I’ve found a way to have the perfect soulmate. I wish you all the happiness in the world, but that happiness is not with me.” She closed the door with a sigh.
Annie regretted her words. Maybe he wasn’t a heartbreaker, but he had the potential. Another failed engagement would set her up to be a spinster for sure. It was better not to even entertain the idea. She needed a diversion.
Annie pulled her tattered copy of The Old Man and the Sea out from under her pillow.
“Time to read you again. Now, from the eyes of a fisherman.”
Chapter 11
Annie placed the wilted book on her nightstand. She touched her phone. 10:30p.m. That was a record read. It didn’t hurt that this was her tenth read through of The Old Man and the Sea. Not to mention the countless other occasions when she had skimmed passages. The male camaraderie was endearing. The perseverance was phenomenal and the battle against personal failure, masterful.
“Ernest, I need some inspiration.” Annie fluffed her feather pillow, and placed it behind her lower back for lumbar support. Her fingers sat on the square black keys. Nothing. Then, she felt his kiss.