The Reef

by Lois Kay

  Sam could only nod in response. “That was a bad one.” Sam said. She knew Jody's gaze had not missed the tears she had blinked away. But it hadn't been the cramp that had caused them. It had been the feeling of those warm, strong hands selflessly trying to ease the pain. It had evoked a sense of loss she had never experienced before. Knowing how different their lives could have been had David McDonnell not driven them apart.

  “I think you should take a hot shower and go to sleep.” Jody's voice broke the silence. “It's nearly morning already and you’re clearly exhausted. So am I, really. Come on Sam, do you think you can stand?” Jody stood and extended her hand in invitation and Sam gratefully accepted it. They shared a smile when Jody opened the door to the bathroom.

  “Towels are on the top shelf.” She pointed to a tall cabinet in the corner. “You’ll find new toothbrushes and toothpaste in the drawer. Use whatever you need. I'll get you a shirt and some shorts Bird has left here. They should fit you.”

  “Wow, you're prepared.” Sam reacted in surprise and suddenly, she felt a little twinge of jealousy. “Do you get a lot of unexpected guests?” It didn't sound as casual as she had hoped it would have and Jody caught on immediately.

  “Lucy and Bird have a habit of dropping by unexpectedly, with friends in tow. They love hanging out on the beach.” Jody explained. “They can be really wild sometimes, though, so at least I'll keep them well fed and clean.”

  “Smart woman.” Sam smiled. “Still the big sister.”

  “I'll always be that, Sam. It's a birthright.” Jody winked and closed the door behind her, leaving Sam in a turmoil of emotions.

  “Where did that come from, Stevens?” Sam scolded at her image in the mirror. “I’ve never taken you for the jealous type.”

  * * *

  Sam was the first one to rise. Right after she woke up, she was a little disoriented, but quickly remembered where she was. She lazily stretched, pleased to notice that her body felt stiff, but the throbbing ache in her right leg had vanished. Thanks to a good night rest. She glanced at her watch and saw it was a quarter to two in the afternoon. She decided to get up and see if she could find some coffee. She made a much-needed stop at the bathroom first and then made her way to the kitchen. The items she needed were easy to find and within minutes, she had coffee brewing and was making some toast, when the doorbell rang. She hurried to open the door. She didn’t want Jody to wake up yet. When the door opened, she stood face to face with Lucy. There was a brief silence, but Lucy quickly recovered from her initial surprise.

  “Hey, Luce,” Sam greeted, ignoring the expression that was a sure sign she was about to get teased. “I suppose you're welcome to come in.”

  Lucy grinned and stepped inside. She walked toward the living room and plopped down on the couch. When she looked up there was a devilish glint in her eyes and Sam braced herself for what was to come.

  “Well, Sam, I must say, I didn’t expect to see you here. I guess dinner went well last night.”

  Sam nodded. “It sure did. But not as well as you'd like to belief. I did sleep here, yes, but we didn't sleep together. Got it?”

  “It's a start,” Lucy replied with a smirk. “A good one to boot.”

  “What is?” Jody looked like she was still half asleep when she entered the room. She was walking on bare feet, wearing a pair of dark- blue pajamas. Her shoulder length hair was disheveled from sleep and when she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand Sam thought she looked adorable.

  “What is, sis?” Jody repeated. She took a seat next to Lucy and sagged against her, putting her head against Lucy’s shoulder.

  “I was telling Sam that you two must have had a good night last night. You know, with Sam staying over and all—”

  Jody groaned in response. “I know what you're hinting at, but I guess Sam already filled you in, so, let me wake up first, okay? You're having an advantage here.” She pushed Lucy away. “Besides, you suck as a pillow.”

  Lucy laughed and jumped to her feet. “I can smell some coffee. Let me get you two sleepyheads some caffeine. Trust me, you need it.” She disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Sam and Jody staring at each other.

  “You’ll have to excuse her, Sam, she’s hopeless.” Jody burrowed deeper into the couch’s pillows.

  Sam smiled. She couldn't help wondering what it would be like to see Jody wake up like that every morning. Heaven, she thought. Her heart rate increased and she let out a small gasp at the unexpected thought.

  Jody looked up and their gazes locked. They were staring at each other in silent wonder, not able to look away. It was like a force drew them together and although they both remained seated opposite from each other, somehow, the distance faded. Sam was convinced she could feel the warmth of Jody's skin against her own and Jody could have sworn she felt Sam's breath brushing her cheek. The magical moment was broken when Lucy returned with the coffee.

  With raised eyebrows, she looked from Jody to Sam and back again, seeing them reluctantly break eye contact. The tension in the air was almost palpable and Lucy remained uncharacteristically silent. She suspected something intimate had taken place. Despite all the teasing, Lucy loved both her sister and Sam deeply and she would do anything to get them back together again. Even keeping her mouth shut, when needed. Like now.

  “So, big sister.” Lucy finally broke the silence when Sam and Jody were sipping from their coffee. “I’ve got the feeling you forgot all about today’s dinner arrangement.”

  Jody looked up from her coffee. It was clear she had no idea what Lucy was talking about. But then her eyes went wide. “Oh, crap.”

  Lucy laughed. “I was spot on.”

  Jody shook her head in disbelief. “I totally forgot.” She turned to Sam. “Lucy and I are supposed to have dinner with some friends tonight.”

  “I'm sure they'd love to meet Sam,” Lucy said. “Why don't we give them a call?”

  “I couldn’t,” Sam objected. “Lucy, I'm a total stranger to your friends. Besides, I've got a heap of things to do, so—”

  “Everybody needs to eat at some point. May I use your phone, Jo?” Lucy asked. She completely ignored Sam and already dialed the number. “Hey Sarah,” Lucy greeted her friend. “It’s me, Lucy.” The person on the other side must have said something funny, because Lucy chuckled. “No, I'm not canceling, so don't put those steaks in the freezer. And no, we won’t be late. I wanted to know if you guys would mind us bringing a friend.” Lucy laughed. “Yep, the same one. How did you guess?” Lucy frowned and sent Jody an astonished look. “Fire? What fire? What? No, of course I read the paper…usually,” she added. “Hold on a sec, Sarah.” Lucy looked at Jody who was calmly sipping coffee. “Why didn't you tell me?”

  “Like I had the chance,” Jody replied. “You barge in, guns blazing so, I didn’t exactly have the opportunity to tell you everything about our date.” Jody smiled when she heard Sam’s chuckle.

  Without taking her eyes off Jody Lucy brought the phone back to her ear. “Sarah, we'll be there at five. …Yep, the three of us. Thanks.” She broke the connection and turned to Sam who had been following the conversation with an amused smile on her face.

  “You're invited,” Lucy said.

  “I’m not sure if I’d use that particular word,” Sam said. “You didn't exactly give her a choice.”

  “No, she didn't. But I do know they won't mind, Sam. They're very nice. I’m sure you'll like them,” Jody said.

  “Now, tell me about this fire,” Lucy urged. “How come I didn't know? What happened?”

  * * *

  “Wow, Samantha Stevens, you’re something else,” Lucy breathed after hearing the story about the fire, brought to her in a very in matter-of -fact kind of way. “And I sincerely belief you’re deliberately making it sound casual, aren't you? Wait until I tell Megan and Sarah about it.”

  Jody cleared her throat. “Luce, can I talk to you for a minute?” Jody jumped to her feet and walked toward her bedroom. She didn’t look ba
ck, confident her younger sister would follow her, which she did. Lucy cast a puzzled look at Sam, who shrugged and made a face, which made Lucy chuckle. When she entered the bedroom, Jody was sitting on the edge of the bed, patting the empty space beside her. “Sit down. I need a favor.”

  Lucy obediently sat down and looked at Jody expectantly. Jody's hands were resting in her lap and to a stranger she would have seemed relaxed, but Lucy noticed the nervous tightening of her fingers and she covered the fidgeting digits with her hand. “What's up?”

  Jody grimaced and looked uncomfortable. “I hate to ask this of you. I don't want you to feel excluded, but I haven't told Sam about Megan yet, and well—”

  “You want me to make myself scarce for a while,” Lucy concluded. There was a touch of humor in her voice. “Come on, Pea, you don't have to sweat it. I understand. I'm not as thickheaded as I look. I'm human after all.”

  Jody looked relieved and sent Lucy a grateful smile. She affectionately squeezed the hand she was still holding.

  “She means a lot to you, doesn’t she?” Lucy asked. “She always has.”

  Jody could only nod. Her throat was constricted and she visibly swallowed to get rid of the painful lump.

  “I'm glad,” Lucy said. She brushed away a strand of ginger-colored hair that had fallen across Jody’s eyes. “I know I don't say it very often, but I love you, sis, and I really want to see you happy. And I know you and Sam…well…the two of you should be together. What Dad has done to you breaks my heart. It's so unfair and I'm still so very pissed off, I could… never mind. I’d better not sound too bloodthirsty. I don’t want Sam to think I’m hurting you. That's one woman I don't want to wrestle with. She’d have me for breakfast.”

  “Thanks, Lucy.” Jody kissed Lucy’s cheek and stood up from the bed.

  Lucy followed her example and grinned. “I’d better get going, before we get all mushy.” She walked back into the living room and grabbed her purse from the coffee table. Sam was drinking her coffee, looking very relaxed and well rested. Lucy waved at her. “I'll see you in a bit, Sam, “I’ve got some things to do before we hit the barbecue. I'll be picking you guys up later.”

  Before Sam could even ask where she was going, the door was closed and a pair of very puzzled eyes traveled from the front door toward Jody, who was entering the living room.

  “Did the two of you have a fight?” she asked with concern. She knew Lucy could be a pest sometimes, but usually Jody didn't let her sister get to her. Ignoring her sibling had always been the best way of dealing with a potential conflict.

  Jody sat down and grabbed her coffee. Not that she was interested in the lukewarm beverage, although her mouth had suddenly gone dry. She just needed to hold on to something, afraid she would start fidgeting again. She didn’t want Sam to know how nervous she was. “No, we didn't fight,” she answered. “I…I need to tell you something, Sam, before we visit Megan and Sarah.” She glanced over the rim of her cup and saw Sam raise her eyebrows, slightly leaning forward, silently invited Jody to continue. There was a small smile on her face and Jody took courage from that.

  “Megan and I used to be in a relationship.” Jody’s voice was hoarse and she cleared her throat.

  Sam didn't look surprised. Her eyes held Jody's and she nodded. “It sounds like you’re still good friends. What happened?”

  * * *

  Fifteen years ago.

  The McDonnell family was very religious. Although they didn't go to their church meetings every week, David and Joan made sure their children regularly attended bible study classes. Being children, they sometimes tried to get out of it by feigning a headache, a lot of homework or a stomach ache. While Joan was inclined to, at times, give into their excuses aware of the fact that it was hard on her energetic offspring to sit still and concentrate for an hour and a half, David was unyielding. Only when they were ill, and, according to his standards that was only when they were having a fever, they could stay home.

  Once, when Jody was about thirteen years old, she was having bad cramps, due to having recently started her period. Joan understood, fully aware of that part of being a woman, always suffering from severe backaches herself. She knew Jody wasn't faking it, because her eldest wasn't the kind of child to be dishonest. But David told her to go. She wasn't having a fever. Besides, women were created that way and it served a purpose. Didn't God himself told Eve he would increase the pain of her pregnancy and children would be brought forth in birth pangs? Jody had to attend the bible study. She didn't argue with her father, knowing it would only make him angry. So, she went. Feeling sick to her stomach and vomiting twice on the way to church, nearly passing out when fierce cramps shot through her body.

  They never talked about that day again, but it did change Jody. The seed of resentment against the religious pressure of her father was planted. And she promised herself, the day she would leave home, she would do things her own way.

  * * *

  Eight years ago

  Ever since Jody had left home, she never attended another sermon or bible study again. The weeks before she left, her father had told her time and time again that people like Sam didn't deserve the love of God. They were wicked and immoral and one day would be sentenced and punished for their sins.

  Away from the controlling presence of her father and trying to forget the pain of losing Sam and her family, she jumped into the always exciting nightlife of the Gold Coast. She hung out in bars and nightclubs and made a lot of new friends, who really enjoyed inciting the inexperienced young woman. They did like to buy her drinks, seeing her, at first, get tipsy and after that quickly getting drunk.

  There were mornings Jody woke up not remembering how she had made it to bed. At first, it scared her, but thinking about her father brought back all the hurt and anger, until she finally completely lost control. Mrs. Patterson, who really liked the young woman, had never felt the need to supervise Jody. She completely trusted her and only started to worry when the dark smudges underneath the usually bright green eyes became permanent. Jody, knowing her new friend loved her like her own daughter, felt guilty about her excessive drinking and partying and she avoided her as much as she could. She was trapped in a vortex of anger, pain and guilt that nearly drowned her. Until she met Megan.

  It was a Saturday night and Jody had visited a few bars with some of her friends. She had been drinking steadily and by midnight she was already drunk, like the rest of the group she was with. They had been rowdy, until the manager of the club had enough of it. He threw them all out, telling them not to come back again. That had them all in fits of laughter, until the manager, who was really fed up with them, called the police. Within a few minutes the group had split up and Jody found herself alone with one of her drinking mates who volunteered to drive her home. Not being able to think straight, Jody accepted and got in the car with him. Miraculously, they managed to make it to Mrs. Patterson’s place without causing an accident and injuring or killing themselves or somebody else. With some difficulty, Jody managed to open the door and wanted to get out of the car, when she was pulled back by her companion. Despite her intoxicated state, she fully understood what he was after and she panicked, fighting him off.

  She never remembered how she did it, but eventually she got out of the car. Her dress was torn, but her body undamaged. Luckily her 'friend', whose name she didn't even know, immediately drove off, leaving a devastated Jody behind. She managed to cross the garden and reach the front door of her little apartment, but when she stepped up the veranda her legs gave away and she sank to the floor, sobbing. The frightening event had somewhat sobered her up and Jody had never felt so miserable and lonely. The feeling of a hand touching her shoulder nearly made her jump, but an unfamiliar, yet gentle voice tried to reassure her. When she looked up through watery eyes, she saw a dark-haired young woman, who she recognized from the pictures on Mrs. Patterson’s mantelpiece.

  “You're Megan,” she slurred.

  “That's right and y
ou must be Jody. I don't need to ask you if you've been drinking. Good grief, you smell like a distillery. Where are your keys, so I can get you inside?”

  Still shaking, Jody handed Megan her purse to retrieve the requested item. Megan didn’t say a word when she took out the keys and opened the door. She extended a hand and pulled Jody to her feet, her arm firmly wrapped around her waist, to make sure she didn't stumble or crash into the door jamb. Inside, she sat Jody down on a kitchen chair and, still silent, put on the kettle to make a cup of tea. After that she sat down as well and looked at the young woman in front of her.

  “What happened to your dress?” she finally asked.

  Jody cast down her eyes to inspect the fabric that was torn off her right shoulder, revealing part of her bare chest. With shaking fingers, she tried to cover herself. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “Did he rape you?” Megan asked, not knowing how to ask a question like that in a tactful way and electing the direct approach.

  “No,” Jody whispered. She felt sick and very stupid.

  Megan let out a breath of relief and studied the younger woman, who was still avoiding her eyes, looking mortally embarrassed. Her eyes were puffy and her tear-streaked face was pale, making the freckles on her nose and cheekbones clearly stand out. At that moment, she looked much younger than her actual age, twenty-one, and Megan took pity on her. She never could turn away from a hurting soul.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked. Her eyes softened when she saw Jody flinch.

  “Are you…are you going to tell your mother?” There was fear in Jody’s voice. “I…she's been so good to me, and I—”

  Again, her body shook with gut wrenching sobs and instinctively Megan knew the only thing she could do to help her mother's young friend, was to let her cry, to release some of the tension. She decided not to interfere and leave Jody be, until she was either ready to talk, or too tired to stay awake. But Jody didn't fall asleep. After a while she calmed down enough to blow her nose and sip from the tea Megan had put in front of her. Without looking up, she was aware of a pair of dark-brown eyes that were studying her with genuine interest.