He took several faux napkins from Suzie’s small, smooth hand. “Thank you.” He opened the cooler, set the broccoli in front of her, and pulled out a turkey and cheese on rye for himself.
Suzie’s slender fingers grasped a piece of the green vegetable. She reached toward the dip but hesitated and pulled back.
Strange. She’d devoured the vegetable at the restaurant.
All of a sudden she plunged the sprig of broccoli into the dip, scooping up nearly all of the creamy white stuff. Then she dropped it. It almost looked as though she disposed of it on purpose, but why would she do that?
She picked up another piece of broccoli and barely dipped it into the plastic container so only a tiny speck of sauce stuck to it. “Umm. This is delicious.”
Matt swallowed and wiped his mouth with the paper towel. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” As long as she was happy.
“I am. Thank you. It’s perfect timing too. I needed to talk to you about something.”
“Shoot.” Matt brushed his hands together.
“Usually, the parents purchase matching team suits and shirts. If there’s any way for the county to buy them, I’ll ask for sizes and order them.”
Harold already scraped the bottom of the budget like a kid cleaning a plate of chocolate cake. Matt scratched his head. “How much are we talking about?”
“Ballpark, forty or fifty dollars each.”
Matt whistled. “I doubt the parents can handle that.”
“Most teams run a concession stand when they host a meet. We’ll have to organize baked goods, hot dogs, and nachos and cheese for ours. Maybe we could use some of that money and also hold a bake sale at this club. It’s awfully fancy.”
Suzie’s proposal sounded like a good idea, but not enough. “I think it’s time to look for a sponsor. After I find a possibility, would you go with me to call on him or her?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll keep you posted.”
Suzie seemed to enjoy chatting with him while she munched on lunch. She sat back and smiled, and her presence engulfed him like a soothing breeze. How did one hold on to the wind? Impossible? Maybe not in this case. “Also, there’s a concert tomorrow night at Beside the Bay. Would you like to go?” As soon as he asked his commitment not to get involved with anyone popped into his head. But this was only one outing, a reward for all the work she’d done.
A sparkle lit up Suzie’s eyes. “Yes. I’d love to.”
He couldn’t help but grin. “I’ll pick you up.”
“All right. I’m at Gulf Breeze Apartments in unit number seven.”
Matt gulped down the last of his sandwich and gathered the trash. “I’ll see you there.” He pulled back his shoulders as he strolled to his car.
The late thing with Suzie this morning had to be a simple glitch. Every time he interacted with her his respect for her grew. Was his self-imposed duty of taking her out as a reward for hard work leading him somewhere he wasn’t ready to go?
CHAPTER NINE
Light from the hall cut across the beige bedroom carpet where Suzie stood tugging on the new blue jean Bermuda shorts. She slipped into a pink t-shirt and turned once in front of the full-length mirror. The doorbell rang.
In moments, she answered the door, and the smile in her heart played on her lips. “Hi.”
Matt’s white shirt set off his tan, which grew darker each day, probably from staying outdoors with the children. “Hello.”
Suzie locked the apartment door, and they slid into their seats in Matt’s sporty car.
They drove in a steady stream of traffic a short distance down Highway 98 to a gated community with a rock entrance. Matt waved at the security guard manning the booth then handed him his driver’s license. The car idled as Matt thumped the steering wheel with his hand and glanced over at Suzie. “Have you seen Beside the Bay?”
“No, I’ve been so busy settling in.” If he only knew, she had to shop for clothes that fit, clean the apartment, stock the kitchen with sweet potatoes and broccoli, and see Dr. Granger. Yet, she needed rest to heal from this illness. She probably shouldn’t have come tonight.
“You’ve jumped in and organized the team so quickly it seems you’ve been here much longer than a week.” Matt scooted around, put his arm over the back of the seat, and faced Suzie. “There’s a golf tournament at the club next week. We’re going to hold the bake sale then and raise those funds for the swimmers. However, I hope a sponsor will cover the cost of the kids’ suits and t-shirts.”
“Thank you for looking for one.” A tingle of resentment zipped through Suzie at having to take the responsibility for something a team mom should have done.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll send notes to let the parents know to bring food for the home swim meet. Is there anything else I should tell them?”
“It would be great if they could attend some of the competitions.” This team had the support of a falling bridge.
“Unfortunately, most of them probably will be working, but maybe they can arrange time off or swap hours with a co-worker for our home meet. I know they want to.”
The security guard stepped out of the booth and handed Matt a small “Guest” sign.
“Thanks.” Matt hung it from the mirror above the dashboard then pulled away.
They drove past ranch homes and a white-frame clubhouse, then pulled into an underground garage. “Here we are.” He hopped out, opened the door for Suzie, and pulled two folding chairs from the trunk.
A narrow brick alleyway between two buildings with flower boxes led them into the village. The coziness of the small community swept over Suzie as she strolled with Matt onto Main Street. Crowds walked past the tourist shops and eateries. People dining on patios next to the walkway sipped drinks or munched their dinner as the aromas of Mexican, Chinese, and Southern fried foods mingled in the air. How unlikely she’d walk among them with her organs barely functioning, or that she’d arrive with a handsome guy, if she believed Carson.
“We’ll have a good view from here.” Matt unfolded the chairs and set them up on a grassy knoll in front of the stage. “The show starts at dusk.”
The sun washed the sky in golden and reddish hues as an emcee stepped to the mic. “Hello, everybody. Without further ado, please give a big welcome to the North Florida Summer Singers and Band.”
Applause thundered as three guys and two girls skipped onto the stage to an upbeat song.
The tune ended, and the young man addressed the crowd. “First, we’ll perform an oldie.” He joined the group, and a Beach Boys original rang into the cool evening.
The onlookers clapped loudly.
The young man leaned into the microphone. “Now that we’ve gotten you in a beach frame of mind, here’s Mandy Wells.”
A tall, thin girl with long, black hair entered from stage right, wearing a bathing suit with a nylon wrap imprinted with bright flowers, her body moving gracefully in a hula. The audience imitated the waving arm motion while several wolf whistles pierced the melody until she finished and bowed.
The emcee took center stage. “Is everybody having a good time?”
“Yes, yes,” the crowd chanted.
“Come on. You can do better than that.”
If only he could hear Suzie’s insides bursting with joy. Once, she would have taken the show and mingling with those gathered on the knoll for granted. Tonight, the electricity of the evening sent the vitality she’d once known rushing through her.
Finger whistling, loud clapping, foot stomping, and hollering resounded.
“All right. That’s better.”
A man dressed in a flowered shirt sang a Caribbean tune while two others played a steel drum. “Everybody sing,” one called out as they repeated a chorus. “Don’t worry. Be happy…”
Songs of the islands coated Suzie’s nerves with their joyful rhythm, and she tapped her foot as visions of tropical scenes danced in her head. All too soon, the show ended.
People chattered over the bangi
ng and clanging of the musicians storing their instruments, packing up the enchanted evening Suzie wished could last forever. Nearby shop clerks pulled down their black wrought-iron gates. If only they would stay open. If only she didn’t have to leave. Heavy metal thudded on the cement, and she jumped. The pounding jarred her thoughts to the real world. She’d escaped only briefly. Her breath shortened. Her spirits plummeted like the security doors. Matt picked up the lawn chairs, and they joined the crowd dispersing, wandering in groups, couples, or single file down the sidewalk. “I’ll be right back. I’ll toss these in the trunk then we can walk by the bay.”
She could hang on to this night for a few more minutes. “Sure.” She stared at the sky while she waited for Matt. Thousands of stars twinkled for her.
He returned, grabbed her hand, and guided her down a plank walkway, their footfalls echoing into the still evening. Moonlight shimmered on the bay where a man tying up a small canoe waved at them. The silence, except for the water sloshing underneath the wharf, wrapped Suzie’s heart in the moment. The view unrolled before her as if it were a great painting. She wanted to stop time and stay in it.
They returned the man’s gesture then Matt put his arm around Suzie’s waist, and she snuggled against him.
He etched her cheek with his finger until he found her lips. Then he possessed them with his. Ecstasy ran through her as she embraced this safe place, pushing away the rest of the world. Wanting to hold on to it, she put her arms tight around his neck, and his heart beat next to hers, filling her with the strength she lacked.
Finally, he released her and grasped her hand. “We better go before everything closes.”
Moments of the recent joy flashed in Suzie’s head as they re-traced their steps to the underground parking. They scooted into Matt’s sporty car and zipped down Highway 98 to Suzie’s apartment.
Please, normal night, don’t end and cast me into the throes of this illness. “Do you want to come inside? I’d like to say I’d make coffee. Unfortunately, I haven’t stocked my pantry as well as I should, but I have tea.” Irritation pricked Suzie’s skin. She couldn’t drink coffee, but why hadn’t she bought it anyway? A steaming cup of hazelnut or mocha topped off a fantastic date. How could she have known?
“Sure, I’ll take a glass of tea.” Matt hopped out and held the passenger door for her. They strolled past unseen crickets chirping and stepped inside her apartment. The hum of the refrigerator wafted in the small airy townhouse.
“Make yourself at home.” Suzie pointed toward the sofa, and Matt plopped down.
She stepped into the kitchen and poured their drinks. Within a minute, she returned and served the beverages. Then she dropped into the seat beside him.
“You can’t beat ice cold tea on a warm Florida night.” He leaned back and crossed his ankle over his knee. “Are the kids doing okay with their swimming?”
“For the ragtag team they are, you mean? They’re trying really hard. Most of them can swim well enough to participate in the first meet. One good thing about six-and-unders. No refs ever disqualify anyone in that age group unless the kid stands up and walks on the bottom of the pool in shallow water.”
“You seem to enjoy working with children.” Softness lined Matt’s voice.
Suzie swallowed a gulp of tea. “I suppose. As a kid I loved swimming, so it’s fun to pass along what I know. Then, too, I like the challenge of coaching and figuring out points for a win.” She might as well like it. Her career had died with the rest of life.
Matt tilted his head. “How do you tally points before they swim the events?”
“I can’t exactly, but I learn the swimmers’ skill levels then place them strategically to glean the most possible points. In events, first place gets five. Second earns three. Third snags two, and last, one. A winning relay racks up seven big points while the opponent ends up with only four for coming in second.”
Matt gazed at her with admiration in his dark eyes. His lips turned up. “Outwitting and out-swimming your opponents. I’m glad you came to Destin in more ways than one.”
Was he referring to romantically, or did he like having someone who could lead the team to victory? “I am too.”
He set his empty glass on the end table. “I better go. I’m playing football with some guys tomorrow afternoon. I need a good night’s sleep so I’ll be on top of my game.”
Suzie walked to the door with him. He leaned toward her and puckered up his lips while holding out his arms.
Matt’s expectant look melted her heart the way Clancy Webster’s had. She was suddenly back home on her parents’ front porch, and Clancy held out a flower for her wrist for her first prom. She fell into Matt’s arms and pecked his lips. He deepened the kiss and held her tight. Then he brushed her hair from her face. “See you Monday.”
She floated upstairs and put on her pajamas. If only she could sleep through the night. At least she could rest tomorrow, maybe take a nap. She turned back the covers, slid under them, and dozed off.
The madness ripped at her body, shaking her, racing inside her. She put the pillow over her mouth and screamed. Tears welled up in her eyes. How could she work or date Matt? It was as though every sweet taste of life she savored was snatched away and replaced with bitter roots.
* * *
Suzie stood by the pool with her hand on her hip, water trickling down her bathing suit to her ankles. Her legs had turned bronze in spite of the sunscreen she’d worn every day, but she liked how the color made her look healthy.
The hot sun warmed her as she dried off with a towel. She stared at the chaise lounges sitting at angles. The ends of some of the seats rested on top of others as though a strong wind had blown them hither and yon.
The kids seemed oblivious to the way they rearranged the Destin Community Club pool furniture. Suzie pushed a tendril of wet hair off her forehead then put the deck in order. The man tying his boat at Beside the Bay popped in her head. All through this Monday’s practice, Friday evening had swum in her mind like a dream. But it had been real, all too real for her. What about Matt?
He walked over from the grassy play area. “Hi. Harold Gubb, my assistant, will fill in for me tomorrow. I’m researching possible sponsors who may want to meet with you after practice.” Matt rubbed his chin. “Is that convenient?”
The strain in Matt’s voice puzzled Suzie. Did talking to sponsors make him nervous? “Yes, that’s fine. Is there anything I need to know before I see these people?”
“Nooo. If they ask specific questions about summer league swimming, you’ll know more about it than I do. If Patricia were here, she’d take care of it. Well, if she were here, we wouldn’t have come up short to start with, but she isn’t, so we’ll do the best we can.” Matt smiled. “If you’d arrived a little sooner, we wouldn’t have these problems either. Even though the budget isn’t your job…”
Thank goodness. She had enough to do.
“…you would have known everything we needed.”
Apparently Matt’s anxiety was a financial one. His compliment sent Suzie’s pride soaring over the twinge of resentment that pricked her every time she had to assume responsibilities that had nothing to do with coaching. “Sure. The time’s not a problem. I’m delighted to go and chat with the prospects.”
Matt’s lips turned up on the corners. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll bring along the prices for the swimsuits, t-shirts, and other things the children need.” What else could she say? This job was what it was.
“Great. I’ll pick you up at your apartment at two o’clock tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Wrinkles creased Matt’s brow. He seemed all business. Had he forgotten Friday night? Maybe it was best if he had. If he ever realized how disgusting this illness was, he wouldn’t want anything to do with her. Her heart couldn’t stand another dumping. Tears rushed up inside her and wet her eyelashes. She could hardly burst into sobs for no apparent reason in the middle of the da
y.
She reached for her towel, dried her eyes, and blinked. “How silly of me to use a towel drenched in chlorine.”
Matt brushed his finger across her cheek. “Yeah, it irritated your eyes. You’ll have to remember not to do that again. See you soon.” His voice sounded more like it had at Beside the Bay. He probably had been preoccupied with finding a sponsor earlier, and she was too sensitive. He stepped away and waved over his shoulder.
Would he learn of the illness, leave one day, and never come back? Suzie shivered.
CHAPTER TEN
Suzie opened the door to Dr. Granger’s office. Soft instrumental music playing in the background wafted into the room. She plopped down on a gray flowered sofa as a balding man with brown hair entered. He ran his hand across his head then dropped down in the seat next to her.
Courtney, with her back to them, filed papers behind the tall white counter as though she hadn’t heard them come in.
How much more hopeless could this situation get? Suzie couldn’t believe she’d quit her job, moved, and taken a low-paying coaching position that only lasted through the summer to take advantage of Dr. Granger’s treatment because she believed God told her to. And the reaction she’d had to those supplements. Why was she even sitting in this lobby?
Should she laugh at what an idiot she’d been or cry at how tragic this was? What was even more ridiculous, in the midst of it all, the small voice inside still told her to trust Dr. Granger.
Courtney turned around. “Oh, hi, someone will be with you soon.”
Margaret opened the door to the lobby. “Hi, Suzie, you’ll see me today.” She led Suzie to her office and opened the beige blinds, letting in rays of sunshine, exposing the palm tree outside. “Have a seat.” She waved her thin arm toward the black examining table.
“Did you bring the supplements Dr. Granger prescribed?” Margaret asked.
“Yes.” Suzie took a breath then intended to mention the reaction.
“Good. Let’s test you to make sure you still need each of them. Hold out your left arm. We’ll use muscle response testing which utilizes Applied Kinesiology techniques. Kinesiology’s taught in many universities. There’s a book, Power v. Force, about it written by David Hawkins, who’s an M.D., and a Ph.D. If you’d like to read it, we have it in our lending library.”
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