Two Different Sides

by L A Tavares

  “Whatever happened to her, anyway?” Mark grabbed a towel to continue his cleaning.

  “She got away.” Weston slapped the bar top with his palm and winked before turning away and heading back to his predetermined path. Achilles bounded to his three legs, following behind him without being told.

  The path came to an abrupt halt at the end of the shuffleboard courts and immediately turned to acres and acres of sandy beach at the lake’s edge. Weston continued his jog, both his real foot and his prosthetic one kicking up sand as he ran down the untouched beach. Achilles kept pace, his paws stirring up a dusting of sand alongside Weston’s. They ran the length of the main beach area, past the snack bar and mini-golf course, then turned left before finding a dirt pathway that led into the marina. He slowed as his feet hit the wooden dock. The structure, which extended into the lake, creaked under his weight. He kicked off his shoes, taking a seat on the edge of the dock and dipping both his feet into the water, only feeling the lake’s cool temperature around his right ankle. Achilles sat next to him, proud and tall, as if the multiple-mile run had taken nothing out of him.

  “We did it, Achilles.” Weston wrapped his arm around the dog’s shoulder blades. Achilles licked the side of Weston’s face, stopping the salty sweat from dripping past his ears. The dog lay down next to Wes and inched forward, trying to reach his tongue into the rippling lake.

  Weston removed his prosthetic and pushed himself off the dock, submerging in the water. He resurfaced and used one hand to balance on the wood. Achilles paced the edge of the dock, deciding between jumping in after him or remaining dry.

  Weston used his free had to slap the water. “Get in here, boy!” Before he’d finished the command, Achilles dove in, splashing Weston upon entry and paddling toward him. They swam around, cooling off in the cold lake. Weston pulled himself back onto the dock then helped Achilles up next to him. The dog braced himself and shook, water spraying from the ends of his fur and further soaking Weston in the process. Achilles lay down once again at the edge of the dock, his front paws dangling over the wooden edge. Weston looked out over the unoccupied lake.

  “This is what we’ve been waiting and working for. We counted down the moments to the grand reopening and it’s finally happening.” Weston stroked wet fur out of the dog’s face. “Tomorrow is officially camping season, boy. Memorial Day. Best day of the year, if you ask me.”

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  About the Author

  When it comes to romance, L A doesn’t have a type. Sometimes it’s dark and devastating, sometimes it’s soft and simple - truly, it just depends what her imaginary friends are doing at the time she starts writing about them.

  L A has moved to various parts of the country over the last ten years but her heart has never left Boston.

  And no, the “A” does not stand for Anne.

  L A Tavares loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website details and author profile page at https://www.totallybound.com