by Hawke, Jessa
“No.” Sophie sipped her coffee while reminiscing her childhood holiday. “I have a photograph of me standing next to the liberty bell. It’s on my phone if you want a look.”
“You’re alright. I saw it when I was a girl... just a bell at the end of the day.”
“That’s what I thought. But a group of Europeans seemed very excited by it... thought I better get a picture with it.”
“Well I hope you enjoy the holiday.” Cynthia wryly smiled. “We’ll go swimming in the ocean” She then paused before muttering, “You know how to swim right?”
“Yes, Cynthia. I do.”
“Good. Just never know what to expect from you, that’s all.”
~
The gentle sea breeze carried the succulent scent from the beachside barbeques. Sitting under a parasol, Sophie relaxed on her deckchair while reading her book. Her eyes didn’t lift from the page as a soccer ball landed on the golden sand beside her. A tall blond man strode up to the ball before stooping to pick it up. “Hello there, Missy.”
“Hi.”
“Enjoying your stay?”
Sophie pulled down her aviator glasses to the end of her nose so she could peer over the silver frames. “It’s fine, thank you.”
“Do you play soccer?”
“I do actually... well did. Not played in three years.”
“I’m putting a game together.” The blond man spun the ball on his first finger. “Mixed sides so far, young and old.” He then wedged the ball under his arm. “Should be pretty cool. Come and join us.”
“You’re the Activities Manager... aren’t you?”
“Yes. Dillon Thompson, at your service Ma’am.”
“Well, Mr. Thompson... I’m here to relax rather than kick a ball around the beach. Sorry... maybe next time.”
“I didn’t catch your name, sorry.”
“Sophie.”
“I’d like you on my team, Sophie.”
“I’ve already said no. ”Sophie sighed as she closed her book before placing it on her lap. “I’m going to be honest Dillon. I’m not interested in you.”
“I...” Dillon shook his head in disbelief. “That’s fine by me.” He turned to face the turquoise ocean waves. Tossing the ball into air, he volleyed it down the golden beach. “Have a nice stay.”
~
Sat in her room within the grand family suite, Sophie groaned in boredom. She scrolled through the contacts in her phone until it landed on David’s name. Shaking her head, she tossed the phone onto the bed. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. “Hello.”
“Sophie, it’s David...”
Sophie checked her appearance in the mirror, then quickly adjusted her fringe. She then propped herself on the bed using her elbow. “Come in.”
“Me and Cynthia are staying in, so won’t be coming to the bar tonight. Sorry.”
“What about...” Sophie glanced downwards while running her finger along the bedspread. “...later.”
“I don’t think so.”
“OK.”
“Have fun.”
As the door closed Sophie collapsed on the bed. Staring at the ceiling she teetered on the edge of despair. She turned her head to look at the open wardrobe where she noticed her party heels. “Not one for going out on my own... but what the hell.”
~
The dying sun bled into the Florida horizon turning the sky into a palette of purples and ambers. Sophie sat on the stool of the open air pool bar. She smiled when she saw the tall blond from the beach. “You Moonlight at the bar..? Or are you stalking me?”
“What can I get you?”
“A mojito.”
“Right.”
Sophie watched as Dillon grunted while making the cocktail. “Not happy?”
“Look, I’m not going to ask for an apology.”
“What do I need to apologise for?”
“For talking to me like dirt.”
“Dirt? I didn’t mean anything by it. Just didn’t fancy soccer.”
Dillon handed over the mojito. “You judged me without even knowing me.”
“Did not.”
“Of course you did.” Dillon pulled the bar towel from his shoulder then threw it down on the surface of the bar. “I don’t know your story, but I’m guessing you’re probably pretty rich or something.” He leaned over the bar so he could glare Sophie. “I might have a crappy job, but it’s because I have to work through my studies... I don’t have everything handed to me on a silver plate.”
“Talk about judging people... I’m no different than you.”
“Why did you talk to me the way you did then?”
Sophie threw her arms up in the air. “Because within minutes... no seconds, you were hitting on me.” She imitated his voice, “I want you on my team Sophie.”
“Because I like you.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“I know your good looking.”
Sophie scoffed as she crossed her arms. “You must say that to a different girl every day.” She glanced down the bar where a group of teenage boys sat watching basketball on the big screen. “That’s why I have no time for you... you only think with your... thing.”
“I can’t lie. But I’m a young man in a target rich environment.”
“Look, we’re two young adults... I’m bored, so let’s talk. Nothing else, I don’t want to be hit on. Just tell me about yourself without trying to charm me. Can you manage that?”
Dillon glanced at his watch then gestured to his colleague to take over the bar duties. He then glanced at Sophie. “Good timing, I’m due my break.” Picking up a bowl of peanuts he walked around the bar then sat next to Sophie. “I should hide away when on break... but you’re worth the risk.”
“I didn’t plan it.”
“Maybe it was fate.”
“I’m not in to all that mystic nonsense.” Sophie placed her elbow on the bar before resting her chin on her upturned palm. “So, tell me about yourself.”
“I’ve three kids... from two different women.”
Sophie slowly shook her head while she sipped from her glass. “Why am I not surprised.”
“I’m just kidding.”
“Your sense of humour needs working on.”
“I’m studying a degree in business management.”
Sophie raised her eyebrows. “That’s so weird.” Suddenly interested, she sat upright on the stool. “Me too.”
“Are you sure you don’t believe in fate, Miss Sophie?
“I believe in coincidence. That’s all. “Sophie stirred the ice and mint leaves of the mojito with her straw. “Plain and simple.”
“Believe what you want to believe. Anyway, how’s your course going?”
“Not easy. But I’m getting through.”
“Do you even need to study?”
“Of course I do.”
“But you look pretty rich to me.”
Sophie choked on her mojito. “What makes you think I’m fricken rich?”
“This place is pretty exclusive. Plus I saw you arrive in the big limo thing with your family. Not an average entrance.”
“I’m a live-in Nanny for their kid. OK?”
“A Nanny, hey.” Dillon nodded. “Nice cozy job for a student.”
“It’s OK. Has its perks. You seem to live a good existence too.”
“I do. But everyone leaves after a week or two. Funny enough, gets pretty lonely to be honest”
“Really?”
Dillon picked up a handful of nuts. “Honest.” He then tossed a couple into his mouth before chewing as she spoke, “It’s mostly families or couples in this hotel.”
“But the staff is young too. Seen a group of good-looking Latino maids before.”
“They are, but we have Hitler for a boss. Doesn’t approve of staff mingling together. Just a hint of something and we’d both be jobless.”
“Right.”
Dillon reached for the bowl of nuts at the same time as Sophie. Their hands touched, causing Sophie to
quickly retract. “Got a boyfriend, Sophie?”
“I told you...”
“Just a question.”
Sophie frowned. She kneaded the side of her face with the palm of her hand. “It’s complicated.”
“You in love?”
“Yes... yes I am.”
Dillon leaned over the bar and picked up a bottle of mineral water from under it. “Who is he?” He then unscrewed the bottle top as he sat back on the stool. “Is he here?”
“I can’t say. It’s stupid.”
“Does he know about your feelings?”
“Probably” Sophie sighed. “I think so.”
“You don’t look happy.”
“I’ve said too much... If you don’t mind, I’m going to bed.”
“It’s not even nine? The bar isn’t even full. Stay, we have all kinds of shows starting in ten minutes.”
Sophie glanced at her cell phone, then slipped into her clutch bag. “Not in the mood. I have an early morning.”
“You sure?”
“Good night, Dillon.”
~
Sophie smiled while she waved David and Cynthia off. “Have a nice time at the island spa, you two.” Her smile vanished as she quietly closed the door so as not to wake the sleeping Zach.
Inside Zach’s room Sophie noticed David’s shirt hanging over the back of chair. Picking it up she caught the scent of his expensive cologne. Drawn by the aroma she brought it up to her face and deeply inhaled. Her eyes then opened to see Zach sitting up in bed. “Oh.... Morning, Zach.”
“What’s wrong with Pappa’s shirt?”
“I... was checking if it needed cleaning.” Sophie noticed that Zach held his hand out. “What do you want?”
“Money.”
“What for?”
“Pappa gives me money so I won’t tell mommy.”
“Oh... right.” Sophie’s cheeks burned as she placed the shirt back on the chair. She then walked over to her handbag. “How much are candy bars these days? Two or three dollars... here, I’ll give you five.”
“Fifty.”
“Fifty?”
Zach motioned with his fingers. “Fifty.”
“But?”
“Mommy told me to keep an eye on you.”
Sophie groaned as she opened her purse. “What can you possibly want that would cost fifty dollars?”
“Video games.”
“But your parents told me that you’re banned from video games until the age of ten.”
“I’m saving for my tenth birthday.”
Sophie counted the dollar bills. “You can tell you’re from a family of Jewish bankers.”
“Pappi say’s I’m only half Jewish.”
“What the other half then?”
“I... I don’t know.”
“Let me guess... A pain in the ass?”
Zach held both his hands out. “That’s sixty dollars now. Mommy told me ass is a forbidden word.”
~
Dillon’s sneakers squeaked on the tennis court. He shifted his weight in order to quickly change his direction to meet the volley of his middle aged opponent. His backhanded return caught the top of the net causing his opponent to be wrong footed. “That’s game, set and match.” He punched the air with his fist as if he had just won a grand slam title. Wearing a smile he met his defeated foe at the net and shook his hand. “Good game, sir... good game.”
With his tennis bag slung over his arm Dillon approached Sophie and Zach who were sitting on a courtside bench. He stepped up to Zach who was eating from a small bag of chopped fruits. “Hi little fella. How are you?”
“Nanny says your name is Dillon.”
“That’s right. Good to see nanny has taught you how to eat healthy. Getting you five a-day.”
“I like to sing.” Zach kicked his feet with excitement. “Do you want to hear me sing?”
Sophie placed a slice of apple in front of Zach’s mouth. “Why don’t you finish eating first? Your singing has cost me enough young man.”
“Nanny, please. You’ll like it this one promise... It won’t get you into trouble with mommy.”
Dillon raised his eyebrows while he scratched the back of his scalp. “Go on, Sophie, let him sing.”
“No, no he’s Ok.”
“So.” Dillon placed his tennis bag by his sneakers. “What are you two doing with the rest of your day?”
“A stroll on the beach.”
“I’ll come with you. It’s study day for me.” Dillon sat beside Sophie. “But I have few hours to spare, especially if I can spend them with you.”
“That’s sweet... but you sure?”
“Yeah... I’ll show you and Zach some cool rock pools. I’ll enjoy explaining the different little critters to him.” Dillon lightly barged Sophie with his shoulder. “Come on. I’ll be like the Steve Irwin... but alive.” He cringed. “Obviously.”
~
Perched on top of a rocky outcrop, Dillon knelt beside Sophie. He watched as Zach sat on his haunches while peering into a rock pool crammed with tiny tropical fish. “He’s a cute little guy.”
“Handful, but I love him. Even if he does have me wrapped around his little finger. “
“Love him, sounds like you couldn’t imagine being without him.”
“I wouldn’t go as far to say that.” Sophie ran her fingers through Zach hair. “But I do see him as a brother.”
“That’s nice.”
“Not surprising though, I spend all my time with him. But it’s more than that... I was mostly alone growing up. So I grown attached not just to him, but his family.”
“Alone? Like an only child?”
Sophie winced as she realised she had given away more information than she wished to. “Let’s talk about something else.”
“But you...”
“Please.”
“OK.” Dillon could feel the change in atmosphere. “So, you want children of your own one day?”
“Of course. Doesn’t every girl?”
“You look like you’re already set up to be a mother.” Dillon stood from the rock. He wiped off the grit which clung to his tennis shorts. “Right, Zach. You wanna know what those fish are called?”
~
Cynthia groaned at the site of the bedroom. She raised her voice while she busied about Zach’s bedroom tidying up his toys. “Just because you’re on holiday doesn’t mean you don’t have to pick up after yourself, Zach Levy.”
“I can’t hear you because I’m on the toilet, Mommy.”
“Never mind.” Cynthia picked up an ambulance then froze as a roll of bank notes dropped out its back doors. “What the..?”
“Zach?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s nanny?”
~
Cynthia marched through the restaurant where breakfast was being served. She darted among the sleepy eyed diners until she found Sophie reading her text book over a cup of coffee. “There you are.”
“Good Morning Mrs. Levy.”
“I have a question.”
Sophie sighed as she closed her book. “What about?”
“I found... I don’t know how to say this.”
“What?”
Cynthia pulled the chair from under the table, then sat. “I want to know how come Zach’s ambulance... the large one he never leaves out of his sight.” She waved away a waiter who offered her fruit juice. “Well, I want to know why it was stuffed with $200.”
“What?”
“I found $200 dollars. It just fell out the ambulance’s back doors.”
“I wish that sort of thing happened to me every time I clean his room.”
Cynthia seemed unimpressed as Sophie giggled. “I’m going to go to David next. But I want to give you the chance to come clean... fall on your sword if you wish.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Zach hasn’t learnt long division yet. So he’s not going to be masterminding a business empire from second grade... Is he? ”
; “You’ll be surprised.”
Cynthia linked her fingers together, then rested her chin on her hands. Her eyes locked onto Sophie. “I think it’s more likely that you’re selling something.”
“Excuse me?”
“I know you’re from the bad side of the neighbourhood. Old habits do die hard.”
“Just say it, Cynthia.”
“You either selling drugs or yourself.”
Sophie stood from her chair. “I feel like...”
“Hitting me?”
“I would walk straight out of this hotel, but it’s not exactly a bus ride home... is it?”
Cynthia pulled out her purse from her handbag. She then opened her purse, and pulled out a wad of banknotes. “Take your money and leave.”
“It’s not mine.”
“I scrutinize David’s accounts on a weekly basis. I see what goes in and goes out. He’s clean. I’m not sure that I can say the same for you.”
Sophie sat back down on her chair. “You don’t like me. You’ve always made that clear.” She leaned across the table and eyeballed Cynthia. You’ve been trying to build a case against me since day one.”
“I’m not calling you a prostitute... I just want you to explain the money I found in the ambulance... that’s all. Any mother would.”
“Ask your husband.”
Cynthia glared at Sophie, her eyes seeking for a hint of doubt. “Are you a cam model? I watched a documentary on them.”
“If I was I wouldn’t be paid cash... would I?”
“Money just doesn’t appear inside children’s toys. Have you got a sugar daddy... is it... is it David?”
“No I haven’t and no it’s not. Mrs. Levy. I can’t help you, sorry.” Sophie picked up text book. “Ask your husband if he can help you.” She opened the bookmarked page. “Now if you don’t mind, I have an exam to worry about. After all, you don’t want to re-sit my year... do you?”
Dillon watched from the breakfast bar as Cynthia left Sophie’s table. He picked up the pot of coffee and paced over to Sophie. “Morning Madam.”
“Oh... Morning Dillon.”
“Coffee?”
“Please.”
Dillon smiled as she steadily poured the coffee into the cup. “What was that about?”
“Just the wife of my boss.”
“Seemed pretty darn angry.”
Sophie sighed as she placed a spoon of sugar into the cup. “She doesn’t like me.”
“Why?”