Not to mention the physicalattraction. I heat up just thinking about her. She has the mostincredible hard body. A tiny waist and small firm ass, only outdoneby her golden hair and crystal blue eyes. I’m so plain next to her.I have an athletic build, no fat but some bulk from working at thehatchery these past five years. My hair is brown, flat and a bitchto do anything with. But Annie always tells me that I’m beautifuland as long as she feels that way, I’m happy.
I’m glad she sounds upbeat thatI’m coming home. I’m so grateful she’s not working in the city thisweek. Then again, work has been slim for her now that she’s in hermid-twenties. The modeling biz represents everything I hate. Anniecould be so much more. She’s bright, a lot brighter than theover-stuffed ego’s that book her for shows. If I’m honest withmyself, another reason I hate her job is because I’m almost twoyears older. My worst fear is that she’ll get swept away by someoneyounger and better than me.
During our quiet moments athome, I have gently brought up the issue of her going back toschool and getting a new career, a career that doesn’t require herto be graded on her skin. The conversation never goes well andusually ends with her diverting my attention with anothertopic.
Finally, the small line updrains onto the ferry. I’m emotionally bagged and happy to be onthe home stretch. I better have a quick butt and then Febreze thecab of the truck before we dock. I promised her I wouldn’t smoke,but today, I have no energy to fuel my willpower. Today, weaknesswins.
The sea is choppy across theshort band of ocean. Whitecaps brush the top of five-foot waves.Trying to stave off my inevitable headache, I open the glove boxand grab a couple aspirin, washing them down with a bottle of pisswarm water I find behind the seat. Then I grab the rear-view mirrorand point it at my face. I brush my hair and apply a bit of mascaraand then nude lip gloss, doing way more primping than I did for theservice.
The ferry jolts and the old dockscreeches as the metal hull rubs against the damp wood of thewharf. I am almost home, away from the noise and drama of themainland. Here, with my Annie, life is predictable, safe and calm.My mood starts to lighten, knowing she’ll be back in my arms inonly minutes. Still, there’s a lingering worry in the back of myhead, wondering how long I’ll be able to stay in my paradise beforeDenny tries to destroy it.
Chapter Three
The traffic director waves eachmotorist off the car deck and gives a nod when he sees me. I’m afrequent passenger because of my job at the salmon hatchery justoutside of Nanaimo. For five years, I’ve taken the first ferry overin the morning and the last one back at night. Thankfully, my bossis a cool shit and gave me some time off for bereavement.
I take South Road around thepicturesque shoreline, turn on Price, then Spring Beach Drive. Awindy dirt road leads up to our property. White flowers drift fromthe apple trees that line both sides of the long driveway. Nomatter how many times I see this property, I never grow tired ofits beauty.
When I pull up to the whitecottage, I honk the horn and shut off the engine. A few secondslater, Annie opens the door and steps out on the front step. She’swearing a flowery skirt and a white tank top. When she steps awayfrom the house and into the yard, the billowy fabric of her skirtcatches a gust of wind and lifts, exposing her perfectly tonedlegs. Even though we’ve been an item for two years now, she stillmanages to steal my breath.
She smiles and keeps walkingtoward me. I barely get out of the truck before her arms are aroundmy neck and she’s pressing her soft, sweet lips against mine. As Ifeel her body against me, every negative part of my day disappears.I am here, back in my perfect little world with Annie, myheart.
“I missed you today,” she says,looking into my eyes.
“I missed you, too.” It’s true.When I leave to go anywhere, I miss her as soon as I pull out ofthe driveway.
“I’ve got a relaxing nightplanned for you because you had such a shitty day.”
She always taps into how I’mfeeling. A few months ago, I had to have one of my molarsextracted. She came with me to the dentist in Nanaimo and held myhand through the grueling process and then, when we got home, shewaited on me hand and foot.
She’s perfect. A beautiful soulwith the sexiest body and loveliest face. It’s so hard to believeshe chooses me.
Our pasts differ in that she’shad her share of men. She doesn’t talk much about her datinghistory, but from what I’ve gathered, none of her relationshipswere very successful. I can’t imagine why. I don’t know how anyonecouldn’t jive with her. Sure, her Buddhist views are strong andunwavering, so she can be intense at times, but everything abouther stems from love.
We walk arm-in-arm into thehouse. On the table is a pretty setting with flowers, wine and twoplates of Kraft dinner with tofu wieners. After I quickly changeout of my constricting suit and into my robe, I join her at thetable.
Out the bay window, a brilliantsunset paints the sky, making the room glow a softorangish-red.
As we eat, Annie gingerly asksme about the funeral, my mother, and Denny.
“Let’s not ruin our eveningtalking about them,” I say, gently. “I honestly haven’t had time toprocess it all.”
She nods. “I’m here whenever youdo want to talk about it.”
She finishes eating before me,then gets up and goes to the bathroom. A few minutes later I hearwater
