The Essence of Shade

by Deborah Jean Miller

  “Can I get you a drink?” asked Brent, after Tyler’s second curtain call.

  “Sure,” said Shade, dabbing her eyes. “I’ll have a Mai Tai. I’m going to run to the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

  “Hey there. Having a good time?” asked Wayne, as he came up alongside her, his bloodshot eyes leering at her. “I saw your grandkid dancing. What a ham.”

  “Yes. He’s not shy,” said Shade, tossing a forced smile. “Lovely evening, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. And it just got lovelier when you walked by. Can I get you a drink?”

  “Thank you, but Brent is getting me one.”

  “So, are you and Brent a thing?”

  “We’re friends.”

  “Good. Because I’d like to know you better. Great dress. Very sexy.” He slid his finger across her shoulder and underneath the spaghetti strap.

  “Excuse me,” she said, jerking back.

  “See you later,” Wayne yelled, watching her walk away.

  Returning from the restroom, she spotted Brent and stood next to him.

  “Everything okay?” asked Brent, handing her a drink. “You seem tense.”

  “I’m fine. Did I miss anything?”

  “Well, the fire-knife dance is next. I’d try to keep Tyler off the stage.”

  She laughed, taking a hearty gulp of her drink. Sally and Chad joined them.

  “You two having fun?” asked Chad, squeezing Brent’s shoulder.

  Sally grabbed Shade’s arm. “Hey, walk with me to the restroom.”

  “I see you drove here with Brent,” said Sally, as they were touching up their make-up. “Is there something going on? Anything you want to share? You make a nice couple.”

  Shade laughed. “No. Nothing. Hey, tomorrow’s the big day. Are you excited? Nervous?”

  “Both. I can finally relax after the wedding. It’ll be nice spending a week alone with Chad.” Sally embraced her. “Oh, Shade. It means so much having you and Tyler here. Let’s go get a drink.”

  They walked into the crowd with their cocktails. The lights dimmed as the fire-dancers took the stage. Sally wrapped her arm around Chad, leaning into him, and Shade stood beside Brent. The alcohol toyed with her balance. The sensation of his strong arm around her waist warmed her skin. Turning toward him, her lips curved upwards in a soft smile, she came face-to-face with Wayne—standing between them—one arm around Shade and the other around Brent. Her head snapped back like a detonated rubber band.

  “Hey you two. Looks like you’re having a good time,” said Wayne, tightening his grip around Shade’s side and pulling her closer.

  “Yeah, it’s a nice party,” said Brent.

  A sudden force pulled Wayne’s arm downward off her waist.

  “Take your hand off my grandmother,” said Tyler.

  “Hey, sorry kid,” said Wayne, holding both hands in the air as though under arrest. “A little possessive, aren’t you kid?”

  “His name is Tyler,” said Shade, glaring at Wayne.

  “Are you okay?” Brent asked Shade on the drive back to the resort. “Did Wayne upset you?”

  “It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired.”

  Brent escorted them to their room. “Well, I’ll see you both tomorrow at the wedding.”

  “Hey, Brent, why don’t you spend the night in our room?” asked Tyler.

  “Brent has his own room to sleep in, honey,” said Shade, smiling at Brent.

  “Well, I’d love to, but it might be too crowded.”

  Shade gazed at Brent, thanking him for the ride. She wanted to invite him in for a drink, but she’d had enough.

  “You gonna be okay?” asked Brent, noticeably concerned. “I’m in room 304 if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll be okay. See you tomorrow.”

  Back in his room, Brent poured a glass of wine and went onto the lanai, gazing at the ocean. Shade was pulling him under. He stared at the water, breathing in the Pacific air. Hawaii. Where he’d spent his honeymoon. Vivid memories of their time together, so many years ago. He wondered if he’d ever recapture what he’d lost? And did he want to? The harder you love, the harder you fall. He wasn’t sure he could handle it again.

  Chapter Eighteen

  When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

  Psalm 56:3

  Tyler crawled out of bed, his balled fists rubbing sleepy eyes. He ambled to the lanai, expecting to see his grandmother. Back inside, he found her tangled in the sheets, arms and legs splayed. Sleeping. He gazed at her, smiled and kissed her forehead. He tiptoed around the room, but after an hour of this nonsense, he got things rolling. He picked up the phone and dialed his buddy’s room, number 304.

  “Hi, Brent. It’s Tyler. Wanna go swimming?” Pause. “No, she’s sleeping.” Pause. “Okay, I’ll ask her.”

  Tyler pulled the phone away from his mouth and hollered, “Hey, Grandma. Wake up. Can I go swimming with Brent?”

  She rolled over, confused, squinting at the clock on the nightstand. 9 a.m. She sprang up as though she were late for a wedding. “Who are you talking to?”

  “It’s Brent. I’m asking if he wants to go swimming.”

  “Tyler, give me the phone please,” she said, reaching for it. “Hi, Brent. I’m so sorry. I hope he didn’t wake you.”

  “No, I was up. I don’t mind taking him to the pool. I was planning to do a few laps before it gets crowded.”

  “Do you want me to bring him to your room?”

  “No, I’ll come get him. Fifteen minutes?”

  Shade helped Tyler with his swimming trunks. She glanced in the mirror. Her hair had waged a battle with itself—a state of anarchy. There wasn’t time to put in her contact lenses, and she didn’t want to frighten him by wearing her magnifiers. She would have to fake it. She threw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt and gargled with mouthwash. Just in time.

  “Come on in.”

  “Good morning,” said Brent, grinning at the sight of Shade. “Hey, why don’t you come join us when you’re ready?”

  “Grandma. If you come, you should brush your hair first.”

  She smirked, trying to aerate the flattened side with her fingers. “Thank you for pointing that out, Tyler. I will come down. And I don’t think I’ll brush my hair. I like it this way,” said Shade, kissing the top of Tyler’s head. “I’ll see you two in a few.”

  Stepping aside to let them out, she stumbled backwards, planting her bottom in a deep-cushioned chair, legs dangling over the side.

  “Whoa. Are you okay?” asked Brent, reaching for her hand to pull her up.

  A grin crept over her face, followed by unrestrained laughter. She caught Brent’s alarmed expression. Her amusement intensified. She couldn’t catch her breath.

  Brent looked at Tyler, puzzled.

  “Just ignore her,” said Tyler. “She’ll be okay. When she doesn’t wear her glasses, she gets clumsy and trips over stuff. Then she laughs at herself—like this. Let’s just go.”

  She wondered what Brent must have thought. Oh, well, no sense worrying now. She put on her halter style, one-piece suit. Less revealing. After combing her hair back into a ponytail, she scrubbed her face, applied a hint of lip gloss, and threw on a cover-up before heading down.

  Approaching the pool, she found Brent bracing Tyler across his middle at the surface of the water, instructing him on swimming techniques. She stood back, watching. Her heart pulsed.

  “Press your chest into the water, and keep the rest of your body level with the surface,” said Brent. “When your hand hits the water, reach strong with your arm, just under the water, and pull the water toward you. Kick from your hips, not your knees, and keep your ankles relaxed. Floppy. Watch me do it.”

  Brent skimmed across the water, head down, rotating sideways as he took in a gulp of air before pushing his face back in the water.

  “Now you do it, Tyler.”

  Tyler pushed off, his little arms reaching, stretching, pulling the water, feet flapping, f
ace turning away from the water, breathing in air.

  “You got it, buddy. Good job.”

  She removed her cover-up and settled into a lounge chair with her book. Tyler and Brent continued practicing.

  “Hey, sexy lady. Ready for the big night tonight?” asked Wayne, glistening like a greased pig, coconut oil flooding the air. He plopped into the chair next to her.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be,” said Shade, wearing a strained smile and returning to her book. She could feel his meandering eyes on her body. He sat forward, facing her, attempting small talk.

  “Hey, Shade,” said Brent. “I thought you were coming in.”

  “Be right there.” She got up and dove into the pool.

  “Tyler, show your grandma how fast you can swim.”

  They waded in the shallow end while Tyler reached out, his feet paddling across the water. She felt her tension ease. Brent’s body brushing her bare skin. He swam to Tyler. She followed his muscular back rippling beneath the surface.

  They remained in the pool, practicing laps. She hoped Wayne would get the message and leave, but no such luck.

  After emerging, Brent stretched out on Shade’s lounge chair, patting the chair on the other side for Shade and Tyler. Wayne glanced at him, frowning.

  “So, Wayne,” said Brent, “when are you heading home?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Let me know if you need a ride to the airport. I can take you.”

  “Yeah,” said Tyler. “We could even drop you off tonight. Me and Brent. You could be first in line.”

  “So, what do you do back home, Wayne?” asked Brent, trying to contain a smile.

  “I’m the number one sales guy at the Porsche dealership in my area, and second in the nation. It’s a lucrative career. Got me a five-thousand square foot house on a lake in the tony suburb of Elm Grove. I’ve done well for myself,” he said, pushing his chest out like a gorilla. His voice notched an octave higher. “Just looking for a pretty lady to share my life with. So, what do you do, Brent?”

  “Athletic Director for Edelweiss Schools. I’ve been in sports all my life, so it suits me. Well, I hate to run, but I’ve had enough sun for the day.” He turned to Shade and Tyler. “You two ready to head back?”

  “Yeah, we’ve had enough too,” said Shade. “And I need to get my little ring bearer dressed for his big moment. See you at the wedding, Wayne.”

  “Yeah, let’s get outta here,” said Tyler. “It stinks like coconut.”

  Brent walked them to their room. “I’ll see you in a few hours. Do you need an escort to the beach for the ceremony? You never know what lurks in these hallways.”

  She laughed. “I think we’ll be okay. I have my little bodyguard with me. See you at dusk.”

  Shade helped Tyler dress in the outfit Sally had chosen. White linen shirt, pale pink bow tie, taupe suspenders, white and tan pinstriped shorts and flip-flops.

  “Oh, Tyler,” said Shade, rolling up his sleeves. “You look so handsome. Where’s the pillow Sally gave you for the ring?”

  “Do I have to hold the pillow? It’s stupid.”

  “It’s not your wedding. It’s Sally and Chad’s wedding.”

  Tyler walked around the room, his head snapping back and forth. “I think I lost it.”

  “What? It was here earlier,” said Shade, searching everywhere. “Keep looking while I shower and get dressed.”

  “Okay, I’ll find it, Grandma. Don’t worry.” After Shade went into the bathroom, Tyler lounged on the bed, flipping through his Junior Baseball magazine while eating a bag of potato chips.

  “Did you find the pillow?” she yelled from the bathroom.

  “No, Grandma. I’m still looking.” He jumped off the bed and tossed the magazine and chips aside, opening and closing dresser drawers.

  She blew her sun-streaked hair dry and then applied a coat of mascara and a hint of eyeliner, smudging the line with her finger for a smoky look. She rarely wore foundation but added a dab, using a damp facial sponge to blend. After dusting blush to her cheeks and applying pale pink lipstick, she removed her dress from the hanger and slid it over her shoulders. She loved the silkiness of the flowy, lightweight fabric against her skin. The aquamarine of the strapless dress enhanced her azure eyes, bringing out the deep bronze of her skin. She put on low-heeled, strappy sandals and emerged from the bathroom.

  “Wow, Grandma. You look prettier than last night.”

  “Thank you, Tyler. Did you find the pillow?”

  “No,” he said, throwing his arms in the air. “I looked everywhere. I hope Sally isn’t mad.”

  “Well, let’s hope not. You ready to go, and break the news to her?”

  A light breeze drifted in off the ocean, the sun dangling low in the brilliant, blue sky. White chairs stood in rows on the beach, Tiki torches mounted in the sand down the center aisle, casting a soft glow.

  She took Tyler to the holding area where the wedding party waited. “Oh, Sally,” said Shade, taking her hands. “You look stunning, and your dress is striking. You seem so calm. Are you nervous?”

  “Not at all. Everything feels right. And you look beautiful. That’s a great dress.” She crouched down and gave Tyler a hug. “Hey, handsome. Are you ready for your big moment?”

  “I lost my pillow,” said Tyler, pushing his bottom lip out for effect. “Are you mad?”

  “Oh, no, honey. Don’t worry. Hanna is carrying leis down the aisle. Why don’t you help her and hand them to people sitting at the end of each row?”

  Shade left Tyler with Sally and went down to the beach. Brent waved her over to an open seat next to him.

  Brent felt like a teenager on a first date. She had never looked more beautiful. Her jasmine scent lingered in the air. Intoxicating—like a drug. She was an enigma. Hysterically laughing and clumsy one minute, elegant and sexy the next. Her bare arm brushed his linen shirtsleeve, sending jolts throughout his body.

  “You look nice tonight,” she said, turning to him.

  “And you look gorgeous.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, holding his stare before looking away. “I hope Tyler does okay.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  Tyler and Hanna sauntered along the sandy pathway, shoeless, swaying their hips to the ukulele rendition of the “Hawaiian Wedding Song”, tossing leis to the guests.

  “Never a dull moment with that boy,” Brent whispered in her ear.

  She caught a whiff of musk cologne—his sun-bleached hair tickling her cheek—teasing her emotions.

  The bride and groom said their “I do’s,” and Shade dabbed the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t be happier for Sally. The sister she never had.

  The reception party was in full swing. Brent remained by Shade’s side until Chad pulled him away to smoke a cigar.

  “Hey, Shade,” said Sally. “Let’s go get some champagne. I haven’t talked to you all night, and I’ll be leaving early in the morning.”

  “What a lovely wedding,” said Shade, as they stood at the bar. “I get depressed thinking about leaving.”

  “I’m glad you’re having a good time. And what about you and Brent?” Sally asked, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows.

  Shade smiled. She took a sip of champagne, her eyes looking away. “He’s perfect. And if I was looking I would want someone just like him. But I’m not looking. Things are going well for me and Tyler. I don’t want to upset that.”

  “But Brent is so good with Tyler. And what about you? Don’t you want someone to share your life with?”

  “It’s not about me, Sally. Don’t worry about me.”

  “Oh, Shade. I want what’s best for you.” Sally took her in her arms. “Chad wants to sneak away soon. If I don’t see you later, I’ll see you when we get home. Enjoy the rest of your vacation. I love you.”

  “Hey, Grandma, let’s dance.”

  “My pleasure.”

  As they spun across the dance floor, Tyler’s feet kept pace with
the rhythm, his limbs partially liquid. He’d adapted a unique mix of moonwalking and hula dance, sending Shade into spasms of laughter. When a slow song came on, he wrapped his arms around her waist, and they swayed to the Polynesian music.

  “Excuse me,” said Wayne, tapping Tyler on the head. “I think it’s my turn.”

  Tyler cocked his head, staring at Shade. Before he could get a read, Wayne had whisked her away, into the crowd. He watched from the side, Wayne’s hand traveling up and down her back, his mouth to her ear. Tyler wasn’t certain, but it looked like she was trying to push him away. He became furious. Looking around, he spotted Brent sitting at a table, smoking a cigar with Chad and Kevin.

  “Hey, buddy,” said Brent, smiling when Tyler approached.

  “Can I tell you something?”

  “Sure,” said Brent.

  Tyler stepped closer to Brent and cupped his hand over his ear, whispering.

  Brent excused himself and walked away with Tyler. Nearing the dance floor, he could see Shade with Wayne. She appeared to be struggling to free herself from his grip.

  “Hey, buddy,” said Brent. “Why don’t you go over there with Mindy and Hanna? Everything will be okay.”

  “Mind if I cut in?” asked Brent.

  “Yeah, I do,” said Wayne, slurring his words, squeezing her tighter.

  Brent noted the look of panic on her face. “Hey, I don’t want to create a scene at my nephew’s wedding. I’m asking you nicely to let her go.”

  “I think the lady wants to be with me, so why don’t you get lost.”

  Brent grabbed the back of Wayne’s shirt collar with one hand and jerked Wayne’s arm off Shade with his other hand, pulling his arm behind his back. “Like I said, I don’t want to cause a scene, so why don’t you move on?”

  Wayne yanked himself free. “Hey, sorry. I didn’t know you two were an item.” He straightened his tie, gave Shade a once over and stumbled away.