I would never get one. I couldn’t, not with my profession. And besides my parents would disown me. The tattoo portrayed a female face with darkened eyes and pink roses in her hair. I wanted to reach out and trace over the ink lines with my finger. I giggled. I must’ve been getting drunk.
The buzz of a mobile message vibrated through my bag. I unlocked the screen. It was the junior associates’ chat group. Someone must have been whinging about something.
“Y u b so quiet, Daisy?” the message said.
“What u doing?” another message flashed up on the screen.
Should I tell them? No, I couldn’t dare. But it would be such fun! They probably wouldn’t believe me. Another message bleeped. Oh what the hell.
“I’m in Charleston for the weekend!” I typed.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
I laughed.
“What?”
“For real?”
“Yes!” I replied. “At a jazz bar on the beach!”
“No way!”
“You go girl!”
“That your boyfriend?” Cale leaned over and asked.
I laughed. “Oh no, just work colleagues.”
“Oh okay, what do you do?”
I hated answering that question. I always thought people would think it terribly boring.
“I –err – I’m a junior associate at a law firm-” I said, tapering off.
“Wow, talented and a brainiac!” she joked.
“Are you in a band,” the drummer asked me.
“No, this was my first time on a stage!”
“What!” he replied, bashing his beer down on the sofa armrest causing it to splutter out the top.
“No way!” he continued.
Cale leaned her shoulder against mine. “Yeah, natural talent, this one!”
I blushed and reached for my cider. The touch of her skin on mine made my skin tingle. It felt good to have physical contact with someone. The only other person I ever received any affection from was my parents.
Chapter 3
I tried to remember the last time I had been intimate with a guy, as I looked around at the faces of the Charleston locals in the flickering lights.
“So you live in Atlanta?” Cale asked.
“Yes, I have an apartment which I barely spend any time in.”
And now that I thought of it, I had never had a guy over there!
“Aren’t there some massive mansions out there?” the drummer asked.
I didn’t respond and looked down at the polka dots on my lap instead. My sigh was hidden by the buzz of the music and talking. People always judged me when they knew my parents were wealthy. I wanted a clean slate here.
Cale looked at me and jumped in.
“There are some massive old mansions here too, Denny! And I’m pretty sure some of them are haunted!”
“Oh yeah, like the Old Jail!” Denny followed on. “They say a female serial killer haunts the cells and chokes people!”
Cale patted the top of my hand with hers. I smiled gratefully at her. She left her hand on top of mine. I didn’t move.
“And the Magnolia Plantation!” Denny said. “They say there’re ghosts there too. They even heard some creepy kid’s voice!”
“Yeah, but the gardens are so beautiful!” Cale said.
She’d taken her hand away to light a cigarette. I missed its warmth.
“Have you been there before?” she asked me.
“The plantation? No.”
“Oh I must take you there!”
Denny gave Cale a look. It didn’t make sense to me though. The server interrupted the moment as he leaned down and put the next round of drinks on the table. Why would Denny be jealous? Cale took her drink and walked over to an empty corner of the deck. I went to join her. I couldn’t stop myself.
“Thanks,” I said.
She leaned with her arms on the narrow counter and smiled at me.
“For what?” she replied.
“Changing the subject earlier.”
“Oh, yes,” Cale said. “I don’t like people all up in my stuff either.”
I nodded.
“Let’s go for a walk on the beach!” she said suddenly as she put her cigarette out on the floor.
She grabbed hold of my hand and tugged as she skipped towards the stairs. I almost lost my balance, but grabbed hold of the barrier. Thank God Monday was a holiday in Georgia! I would never have survived the drive back if I’d left the following day.
As we reached the sand she sat down and pulled off her boots and socks. I kicked off my wedges and held them in my hand. She ran down to the water and let the white frothy edges wash over her feet.
“Come on Daisy!” she called.
I trotted over to her side. She grinned mischievously, swung her foot through the water and splashed my dress.
“Hey!”
I splashed her back and laughed. Why did I enjoy her company so much, I barely knew her? I dug my bare feet into the soft sand as we walked along the beach and stole another glance at her slender silhouette.
When we reached the pier we turned around and began walking back.
“You were so awesome on stage, Daisy!” Cale said, looking at me earnestly. “You’re really talented!”
I giggled. “Yeah – ”
"You are!" she said and pushed me lightly.
“Okay, okay,” I replied and laughed.
She made me feel good about myself. And she didn’t take herself seriously like everyone else I knew.
“Hey, you like oysters?” she asked, suddenly changing the subject.
“Oh, yeah, I do!”
“Thank God, I’m starving,” she continued. “There’s a great place just around the corner.”
She grabbed my hand again and led me towards the next adventure.
***
I flopped back onto my bed in the hostel and rested my head against the pillow. The smell of fresh linen enveloped me as thoughts rushed through my mind like a runaway train. I had seen her only ten minutes ago and already I missed her company. I couldn’t wait to see her again the following day.
My mother’s frowning face haunted my dreams that night. When I woke up there was a text message from her on my mobile.
“How are you darling? Not working too hard, I hope! See you later.”
I couldn’t bring myself to tell her where I was. But I would have to make up some excuse for not being able to make the regular Sunday lunch appointment. There was only one viable excuse.
“Super swamped with a motion. Going to have to skip this one! Sorry!”
My guilt faded quickly as I hopped into the shower and sang my victory song to the chipped tiles and dull faucets.
“-there suddenly appeared before me-”
My hand glided over my soft, soapy skin.
“The only one my arms will ever hold-”
Sailing downward, my fingers found a forgotten fervor. I let them lead me on, tease and tantalize until the yearning swelled and carried me off on a slow hungry wave. Her green eyes flashed before mine as the crest crashed over me. It pulsed through my body until it slowly ebbed and subdued the rise and fall of my chest.
I stepped out of the steamy bathroom and stood naked in the bedroom.
Chapter 4
Our eyes traveled up the three stories of the ancient colonial structure to its charming spire. The splendor of the Magnolia Plantation house, set on its perfectly manicured lawns, could never be duplicated perfectly in a post card.
“Boo!”
“Argh!”
I jumped as Cale poked me in the ribs.
“It’s the ghoooosts!” she said and giggled.
The light copper strands of her hair caught the sun in her side braid which hung down onto her shoulder.
“This place is beautiful!”
“Just wait until you see the rest!” she said.
We started with a tour of the house and didn’t see any ghosts, though Cale kept making ghostly noises in my ear making
me giggle. I had to suppress my giggles quickly, though, as the austere lady leading the tour glared at me for the second time. When we finally stepped outside the building, I couldn’t contain my giggles anymore and burst out laughing. Cale joined in and I reveled in the silliness of the moment.
“Okay, no more ghosts please!” I joked.
“Aw, okay,” she replied, grabbing hold of my hand. “I’ve got to show you the gardens and then we can do the boat tour!”
It felt so good not to be taking the lead as we walked towards a path flagged by bright pink, light pink and white Azaleas.
“I’ve heard about Romantic-style gardens,” I said.
Cale frowned.
“Yeah, that’s what this garden is. They’re designed to give you a break from your boring life. An escape from normality!”
“Yeah, normal is definitely way overrated!”
I bent down over the flowers and inhaled deeply.
“Totally! And emotion is more important than reason here, they say!” I added.
As I saw a white, arched bridge appear in the distance, I let myself submit to the magic of the garden and ran towards it. Cale laughed and the sound of her footsteps trailed close behind mine. I stopped when I reached the center of the bridge and looked down at the perfect reflection in the water. The arch of the bridge, tall green trees, pink and red flowers and two girls standing shoulder to shoulder.
I put my hands up on the railings of the bridge and sighed.
“I think it works,” I said and giggled.
She put her hand on top of mine and again it felt like it belonged there. But what did it mean? Was I attracted to Cale? Was I a lesbian?
Cale turned and looked at me.
“It’s not about reason,” she said, moving closer to me, “It’s about what you feel, remember.”
The gap between us disappeared. Her lips were suddenly touching mine. I closed my eyes. The scent of the flowers and peaceful silence sweetened her kiss. Her soft lips gently caressed mine. Sensual and tender. Her tongue tentatively reached inside and found mine, an eager and willing accomplice in our precious escape. And when I slowly opened my eyes she was still there. We looked at each and then at a bright yellow warbler which had landed two inches away on the bridge railing. It hopped closer and then flew off into the trees.
As the midday heat soaked into our skin, we eventually broke the precious, frozen moment to explore more of the mysterious plantation, hand in hand. We walked towards the dock and climbed on board the boat just in time for a tour of the rice paddies. The cool breeze brushed up over us as we explored the flooded fields.
“Aargh!” I cried as I spotted an alligator slipping into the canal.
Cale laughed and squeezed my hand. I giggled. My mouth began to tire from my constant grin that afternoon. The twists and turns of the paths, with their hidden treasures and delights, seemed to mirror my thoughts that day. Something had changed inside me. I had opened myself up to something new, something as enchanting and harmonious as those ancient, magical gardens.
***
I kicked my sandals off as we stepped onto the sand and approached the tall flames of the bonfire licking the sky. The silhouette of a beach shack set back against the dune sank in and out of the glow of the fire. People were sitting around the fire and a few closer to the shack. Cale stepped up onto the deck and walked towards the locals. A large pineapple was propped on one corner of the deck railing.
“What’s that doing there?” I asked Cale.
“Oh, it’s a Charleston thing,” she replied, “It means the person’s home, so come and party!”
She walked towards the far side of the deck where a small drum kit, guitar, and double bass were set up.
“Oh cool, you guys going to play?” I asked her.
She reached out and patted the side of the double bass.
“Yeah, of course! It’s going to be fun!”
A short, chubby guy came up to us and shoved shooter glasses into our hands. He whipped a bottle upside down and filled them.
“Thanks!” I said to him, turned to Cale and clinked my glass against hers.
“To a never-ending perfect day!” she toasted.
“I can’t beat that!” I replied. “Cheers!”
Later that evening, after telling the tenth person about my boring career, Denny arrived in a pair of board shorts and shouted over to Cale.
“Come on, let’s jam!”
Cale squeezed my hand and moved back to the far side of the deck. I stared as she wrapped her small hands around the double bass’s thick neck. She made it look so easy, the way she pulled and slapped the strings. I wandered up to the shack after they started their forth bluesy song.
I found a bowl of punch and scooped some of the strong smelling liquid into a Styrofoam cup.
The girl who had been singing put the mic back in the stand after the song and jumped down into the sand.
“Daisy!” Cale shouted.
I frowned and waved at her from the shack. She beckoned me to come down. Why was she calling me?
“Come sing, Daisy!”
What! No. I shook my head vigorously. I wasn’t prepared. I couldn’t. Not just spontaneously.
“Daisy, yeah. Come on!” Denny echoed.
“Stop thinking, and just come sing dammit!” Cale shouted and stuck her tongue out at me.
I sighed and let my feet walk back down to the wooden deck where the musicians beckoned.
“Okay, just one song!”
“Yeah, yeah!” they agreed.
Someone placed a cider down in front of me. I licked my lips. My voice wasn’t used to singing more than one song at a time! My throat had become dry and scratchy by the fourth song. Four songs! How did that happen, I thought. I shook my head and laughed. I took a sip and then another and let the jazz muse lull me into another song.
“Yeah!” the party crowd shouted.
I heard them clapping and someone even wolf-whistled when I finally set the mic back in the stand.
“You’re an awesome singer, Daisy!” Cale said and squeezed my arm.
“If you say so!” I replied and winked at her.
The band continued to play for another hour and then took a break. When the gathering began to disband, groups of twos and threes teetering off, we headed back to Cale’s place to continue celebrating. She shared a double-story building with five others. Her room was small and had a balcony which was full when both of us stood on it, looking out at the neighbor’s house. She grabbed my hand, pulled me inside and toppled me onto her low unmade bed. I kissed her and rolled over to the side.
“I have such fun when I’m with you,” I told her.
“Yeah I know!” she joked, leaned up and kissed me.
I loved kissing her satiny lips. But I wasn't sure I was ready for anything else, though.
As she brought her hand up onto my rounded rear, I pulled away.
“Err – wait,” I stammered.
“I know this is new to you, Daisy,” she replied, “We don’t need to do anything you don’t want to.”
“Thanks,” I said and smiled. “I never thought I would be into –”
“Women?” she finished.
I nodded, then took hold of her hand and put it back on my rear. She giggled and stroked downwards to my thigh. I twirled her beaded necklace in my fingers, brushing against the curve of her cleavage. She guided my hand onto the soft flesh of her breast and kept her hand on top of mine. It made it feel okay. It didn’t feel the same as stroking my own like I did in the shower sometimes. It felt exciting and different. I cupped her other breast in my hand and felt my curiosity turn to desire.
Chapter 5
I dropped the room key on the counter and headed out to my car. I was sad to leave the quaint hostel. But that wasn’t the only thing I was sad to leave behind. The drive back home gave me far too much time alone with my thoughts.
I had never felt so at ease, so myself, so happy before. Ever. When my handheld that micro
phone, or Cale's hand, it took me into another world. A world where I wasn't in a tedious job, working twelve hour days with no life, no fun. No one else that cared, except my parents.
“Did you make your deadline?” mother had messaged that morning.
Would I tell them where I’d been? I couldn’t tell them about Cale. They wouldn’t understand. One of the clerks ambushed me as soon as I stepped into the office canteen the following morning.
“Were you really in Charleston?”
Wow, news spread faster than a virus here. I didn't want to talk to them about my trip, though. It would take the magic out of it. I wished I hadn’t bragged about it on the message group.
“Yes,” I replied and turned around to walk off again.
“Oh cool! What did you do there?”
Another associate came into the canteen and dragged my interrogator into a work discussion. I quickly slunk passed and headed to my desk. But that wasn’t the only nose to stick itself into my personal affairs. That and the drudgery of answering interrogatories, another box job and more and more research slowly eroded my magic bubble. By the end of the day, my escape to Charleston seemed like a distant dream. As I was finally headed out of the door, one of the last as usual, another curious colleague cornered me.
Cabin In The Woods Page 21