by Barrett
Kirin glanced up at the clock over Silke’s workbench. Nearly four-thirty. She couldn’t believe twenty-four hours had flown by. She put the broom back and leaned against the workbench. It was probably a good thing that Phillip was willing to handle the house. Silke seemed overjoyed to let Phillip redecorate and rent it. It was like she divorced the house along with Rachel. Maybe the memories were too painful.
Kirin couldn’t help worrying, a nagging concern about Silke’s future grated like an un-oiled hinge. It wasn’t her business. But the way Silke acted, it was as though she just wanted to run off to Belize. Period. What about her job? Sure, her commission project paid well, but it wouldn’t last forever—even in Belize. Mind your own business, Foster.
“I think they’ll be safer if we move these boxes up to the loft, if would you help me?” Silke shouldered a large cardboard carton and started up the stairs.
Kirin’s breath caught, afraid Silke might fall. “I can do that . . .”
“It’s okay, I’ve got it.” Silke climbed to the top and leaned over the railing. “Since my family is coming down tomorrow evening for the unveiling, would you want to go see your mom and dad tonight or tomorrow? Your contract news will be better in person. Your mom is going to be thrilled.”
“Hmm, I’m not sure,” Kirin said.
Silke trotted back down the ladder.
Kirin continued taping up a box while Silke stood behind her stroking her back and sides, causing goose bumps.
“I was thinking about driving out tonight . . . but you’re changing my mind.” Kirin sat on the closed carton and pulled Silke onto her lap. Her loose tee shirt invited her exploration.
“I can easily be persuaded either way.” Silke slipped the tee shirt over her head, leaving her exposed from the waist up. “Assuming you want me to go with you.”
“Damn.” Kirin’s ache worsened, and Silke’s scorching kisses didn’t help. “Okay, tomorrow . . .”
“You know, my sweet, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who is as easy to arouse as you are. Who should we thank?” Silke ran her hands through Kirin’s hair.
A flush of embarrassment enhanced the heat wave already consuming her. “I will concede that I was well trained. My sexual obedience training with Melissa bred spontaneity. Anytime anywhere was her motto. So, I guess, I’m sort of like Pavlov’s dog—ring a bell and I’m ready.”
Silke laughed and hugged her. “I’m glad, because I can’t tell you how much happier I am to be with someone I truly love who gives me the freedom I crave.”
“Why don’t we finish . . . putting stuff away,” Kirin managed between deep, slow wet kisses. “Ahhh . . . and take this . . . Oh yes . . . into the house.” Deep breath. “I’d really like to take you out to dinner, after . . .”
THE COMMUNAL SHOWER was more fun than routine, Silke conceded as she wiped off the shower doors, floor, and vanity counter. Kirin returned from the kitchen with two tall glasses of iced tea.
“That looks wonderful.” Silke took the glass and stretched out on the newly made bed. She fluffed the pillows behind her and patted the bed next to her. “Come snuggle with me.”
Kirin set her glass on the bedside table and sat down.
“No. You can’t snuggle with clothes on.” Silke smiled.
“Since when is that a rule? I believe snuggling can be done in any attire.” Kirin stood with her hands on her hips.
Silke shook her head. “I guess I forgot to tell you, because it’s kind of a new rule. Privacy and weather notwithstanding, lovers should spend as much time as possible in a perpetual state of nakedness.”
Kirin burst into hysterical laughter. “That’s outrageous. Who makes rules like that?”
Silke crossed her arms. “The woman who adores your nekkid self and is devoting her life to providing pleasure, that’s who.”
Kirin dropped the terry cloth robe and stretched out on the bed. “I love you, Silke, and as uncomfortable and self-conscious as I am, I won’t deny you that.”
“I’m so surprised you’d say that. You’re so attractive and confident. I can’t imagine you being self-conscious about your body.” Silke moved closer and put her arm around Kirin’s waist.
Kirin sighed. “You know, the usual. I was the fat kid in grammar school. I had an overbite and grossly curly hair. I was teased a lot, not only by my brother, but by kids at school. My sister, you know, she-who-must-not-be-named, made my life hell during grammar school. I pretty much withdrew into my books. So, in high school, I studied hard and in my free time worked on the school paper. No football games, no prom.”
“I don’t believe you. I bet you were outrageously popular.” Silke put her hands behind her head.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Kirin said. “I enjoyed my life, and I have no complaints. In fact, at this moment I can tell you I’ve never been happier.”
Silke melted into Kirin’s kiss. They snuggled closely and nakedly.
Silke stroked her cheek. “I wish I could bottle this moment. I want you to always be this happy.” She pulled back and angled her head to get a better look at Kirin’s brown eyes. “Wait, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Silke sat up. “I forgot another rule. Truth, always tell me the truth. Promise?”
Kirin nodded. “Okay.”
Silke kissed her cheek and snuggled in again. “Will you tell me what that worried expression is about?”
“This has been a little surreal for me. I was so attracted to you but knew I didn’t have a chance because you were in a relationship, and then we finally get together and . . .”
“And what?”
Kirin sighed. “You’re leaving for Belize, and I not only don’t know what I’m supposed to do about this book, I don’t know when you’ll be back or where we go from here.”
“I know. It’s been a whirlwind around here with Rachel moving and Phillip taking over. Roger’s plans changed, so he’s staying. Then, of course, the project. I’m so sorry.” Silke kissed Kirin. “It’s been crazy. I never meant to lose sight of you—and I haven’t. I guess I was waiting to hear what your plans were because I always wanted you to go with me. I just didn’t know if you’d be able to go or when.”
Kirin gave out a wry laugh. “You’re right. We do need to work on being more honest and up front. I was hoping you’d ask me. I guess I just didn’t feel like I should ask. I know that time is important to you to re-create and to spend time with your friends.” Silke stroked Kirin’s cheek. “I don’t want to interfere, but I need to go back to Belize some time to write the book—at least to do the research. I fantasized about it being a kind of honeymoon. Just you and me and that big yellow moon over the surf.”
Silke leaned up on her elbow. “That’s exactly what I want for us. Really. I looked forward to going back, mostly to get away from this town and this house. And I desperately wanted it to be with you—but that was before you got the book deal. I truly didn’t think it was possible. Of course, I didn’t think we were possible. And now I can’t imagine not being with you.”
Kirin cupped her face and kissed her. “I guess we have some more things to figure out. Let’s go have a nice dinner, wherever you want, and celebrate. Tomorrow we’ll go tell my parents and tomorrow night, your family.”
“That sounds perfect. By the end of the week, I hope we will have plane reservations in hand.” Silke pulled Kirin’s body tightly against hers and kissed her with what she hoped was full consent and a promise.
Chapter Fifty-five
“MOM, YOU REALLY don’t need to feed us,” Kirin said.
In typical mom fashion Kirin’s mom made a tsking sound, meant to defer objections. “I don’t think ham sandwiches and deviled eggs are too much of a stretch when you drive all the way out here to see us. Now go outside and sit with your father, and I’ll bring this out.”
The backyard was her father’s pride and joy, alive with birds and bursting with Technicolor flower beds. He must have mowed earlier because the sweet smell o
f fresh-cut grass lingered. Kirin put a hand on Silke’s back as they walked to the patio.
“You picked a perfect day to stop by. Ms. Dyson, it’s nice to see you again.” He stood and motioned to a chair.
“The yard looks great, Dad. I’m afraid we can’t stay too long because Silke has a big opening tonight for the unveiling of her sculpture, but I have some news of my own and I wanted to tell you in person.” Kirin sat in the chair on the side of his good ear.
Her mom walked out of the house with a tray laden with small sandwiches, deviled eggs, fresh strawberries, and lemonade.
Her mom sat and looked at Kirin. “I overheard you say you had a big announcement. Is everything all right?”
Kirin took Silke’s hand. “Everything is better than all right. First off, my meeting in New York went far better than I had expected.” She sucked a deep breath. “Nathan couldn’t have been more generous or helpful. He even provided a lawyer for advice. Bottom line is this: he plans to merge his company with a young associate who’s just starting out. The new magazine will not only publish my article in the next issue, but . . . the publisher offered me a huge advance along with expenses to write a book.” She exhaled.
Her parents beamed with pride.
“That’s wonderful news,” her dad said. “Your mom and I are happy for you. I’m a little curious about why you needed a lawyer, though.”
“There wasn’t a problem. I’ve just never had a book contract, and Nathan knew I was a little leery about a new publisher, so he asked one of his legal team to look over the contract for me. He was nice enough to do so and made sure I didn’t have any questions.” Kirin grabbed an egg.
“I think that was very nice of him. So they wanted a book because of the article you wrote?” Her mom passed the plate to Silke.
“Yes, they’re interested in the smaller countries that don’t get much attention,” Kirin said with a mouthful.
“Isn’t Belize where you and Silke met?” Her dad took the plate and snagged several sandwiches.
Kirin felt the fluttering in her chest. “As a matter of fact it is, and it’s also the rest of the news.” She smiled at Silke and nodded. “Since Silke planned to spend several months down there working on a new project, this comes at a perfect time for both of us. Her friends Diane and Mark refurbished a house she could use and . . . well . . . there would be plenty of room for me to work on the book.”
Her father nodded with a knowing smile. “Does that mean you listened to my advice?”
She nodded and grinned at Silke. “We’ve done a lot of talking, and we’re both committed to building a relationship together. The extended time in Belize without other distractions could be exactly what we need.”
“I think that sounds . . . very mature,” her mom said after a short silence. “Silke, is this something you want?” She put her hand on Silke’s wrist.
Silke’s eyes misted over, and she squeezed Kirin’s hand. “Very much. I can’t even describe how much Kirin’s friendship has meant to me over the last few months. I’m not sure I could have made it without her. She means the world to me—the whole world.”
SILKE LEANED BACK and closed her eyes as Kirin steered the car onto Capital Drive. “Can I just tell you how much I love your parents? They have been so wonderful to me. Your mom even gave me her recipe for deviled eggs.” She giggled. “She said they were your favorite. Now, how many women would do that?”
“They both like you, and they’re so happy to see me with someone sane. Don’t get me wrong, they liked Melissa.” Kirin laughed. “But I think it was because she was entertaining. The whole time we were together, they would continually ask me if I was still dating her.”
Silke stroked Kirin’s wrist. “I suppose there’s some truth to the theory that we meet people in our lives for a reason. You know, some lesson to learn.” Suddenly that idea amused her, and she laughed. “I can certainly say I learned my lesson.”
Kirin laughed. “Not that your reason was funny, but the way you said it is. I don’t know if this is the right time, but before you hear the rumors, I wanted to tell you what I heard from Melissa when I got home. Unless you’d rather I didn’t.”
All of the moisture evaporated from Silke’s throat and her heart pounded. She had no idea what Kirin would say, but her tone was ominous. “I guess I’d rather hear from you.”
“I don’t think it will surprise you, but according to Melissa, Rachel got thrown out of Lissa’s house, reportedly, for cheating on her. As you can imagine, the news ricocheted through our small community. Everyone took sides—mostly with Lissa. Riz was livid because she introduced them. Anyway, I thought you should know.”
Silke drew her knees up and clasped them. The fact that she wasn’t surprised validated her own suspicions of Rachel’s duplicitous behavior. It made her angry that Rachel still hadn’t learned from her mistakes. Most of all it scared her. This was exactly the kind of incident that Rachel would turn on her. A small shiver ran through her, and she took Kirin’s hand.
“Are you okay?” Kirin looked at her, slowed down, and pulled the car onto the shoulder. “You’re trembling. What’s wrong?”
“I’ll be okay. I’m not sure why I’m reacting this way.” Silke shrugged. “It’s really no surprise . . . but it’s exactly the kind of thing that would throw Rachel into a rage and blame on me.”
Kirin squeezed her hand. “It’s okay. She can’t hurt you. This all took place a couple of weeks ago, and she hasn’t contacted you. If you’re worried, right after the celebration tonight, I’ll take you home with me. We’ll pack a couple of things, and you can stay for a day or two until you feel better. Okay?”
Silke took a deep breath and held it. She knew logically she didn’t have to be afraid anymore, but her conditioned response was still fear and retreat. “I know you’re right. It’s just a reflex, but it’s hard to break.”
“Let’s refocus on your special night and forget the past. I can’t wait to see it all lit up against the lake. And it looks like perfect weather.” Kirin steered the car back onto the roadway and smiled. “I’m really looking forward to meeting your family and honestly, it makes me a little nervous.”
Silke smiled, as she looked at the strong attractive woman willing to share her life. She placed her hand on the back of Kirin’s neck and stroked the soft skin beneath her ear. Even at this close distance, she was surprised that she could clearly see objects in a moderately wide area surrounding Kirin. It was still hazy on the periphery, but she could make out the back of the car seat, the grab bar above the driver’s door, the dashboard, and windshield. Even the bottom of the steering wheel.
Miraculous. Still, she was afraid to say anything for fear it was just temporary. But she dared to dream about the lush colors of the tropical island she would call home for several months. A home she would share with Kirin. At this moment, she was sublimely happy.
“I’m so glad we found each other,” Silke said. “I wish it had been sooner. This just feels so right.”
“I agree. I’m not quite sure how I managed all these years without you and it really doesn’t matter. There’s a synchronicity about how we both hit our professional stride at the same time. Maybe we just weren’t mature enough.” Kirin laughed.
Silke’s cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out. “Hi, Phillip. What’s up?”
“We’re at Mom’s house and the kids want to stop for custard. I wondered what time you guys planned to arrive.”
Silke turned to find a cross street. “Are you going to Kopp’s? Because we’re close, on Capitol Drive.”
“Great, let’s meet there, and we can follow you to Fox Point.”
Kirin looked at her with raised eyebrows.
Silke laughed. “You might get to meet my family early, if you’d like. They’re headed over to Kopp’s for custard. Phillip suggested following us to Fox Point. Is that okay?”
“I love their custard and, of course, I’d love to meet your family,” Kirin sing-s
onged.
Silke pushed her shoulder. “Smart Aleck. We haven’t passed Brookfield Road have we?”
“No, it’s a little further. You never mention your dad. Is that a sore subject?”
“Not really. It’s getting easier. My dad had pancreatic cancer and it went quickly.” Silke stared out the window. “He’d been retired for seven years and enjoyed playing golf. He thought he pulled a muscle and when it didn’t heal, he went to the doctor. He had a series of tests and then a biopsy. By then it had metastasized. They tried chemo, but it was too late. It was hard on all of us, but we managed. But I don’t think my mother has ever gotten used to being alone. You’ll never guess when you meet her.”