The Sea Taketh (Alex Singer) (17 page)

             
“We dropped her off at her house,” Christian answers. “I was just going to wake you.”

             
“Gramps is probably worried.”

             
“No, I called him to let him know we were on our way.”

             
“Thanks for driving,” I tell Sven. “I’m sure you guys are tired.”

             
“Actually, we’re going to go swimming. Night is our favorite time of the day.” Christian opens the door and steps out.  “Now, I’m going to walk you in, and my cousins and I are going to go, as you Americans say, ‘skinny-dipping’.”

             
The walk to the house is far too short. When we come to the door, Christian stops and gently outlines my face with a gloved finger, before tracing my lips. He kisses me goodnight.

             
The door opens, bathing us in light.

             
Despite the intense magnetism between us, I immediately pull away.

             
“Good evening, Thomas,” Christian inclines his head slightly, completely composed.

             
“Christian,” Gramps returns gruffly. He turns to me. “Alex, you’re late.”

             
“I’m sorry,” I say as I walk into the house.

             
“Good night, Christian,” Gramps shuts the door in his face.

             
“Gramps, it just kind of happened,” I quickly say.

             
He frowns deeply. Then, quite suddenly, a smile appears on his face. “It’s about time!” he chuckles.

             
I feel my jaw drop.

             
“Don’t be so surprised. I haven’t made it a secret that I like the guy.”

             
“You devious, old man,” I say. It is my turn to frown. “You arranged to have the Pedersens drive me because you want to get Christian and me together.”

             
“Yes, I do.” He sits down on the couch and begins to flip through the channels.

             
I sit on the coffee table, blocking his view.

“Explain yourself.” I tell him.

              “Alex, I can’t keep boys away from you. That would be impossible. The best a grandfather can hope for, when he as a granddaughter as pretty as you, is a guy to come around who is worthy of her. I honestly like Christian. He and his cousins treat Marjory with respect. I’ve never seen anything like it: they’ve taken over most of the household chores, they drive her wherever she wants to go, and pretty much treat her like a queen. Peggy told me that they personally pay for all the food and have made countless improvements to her house. They even fixed her porch and bought her a new furnace!” He shakes his head. “Any teenager who shows that much respect to someone as misunderstood as Marjory has my stamp of approval.”

             
“So you don’t mind that we were just sucking face on the porch?”

             
“If it keeps boys like that Jackson Powers away from you, you have my blessing to kiss him as much as you want, as long as it’s just kissing. And I know I don’t need to worry about Christian behaving like a gentleman. I already warned him about keeping his hands to himself, or I would fillet them.”

             
My face reddens. “Gramps, you didn’t!” I say.

             
“Oh, yes I did, and he promised me that he had nothing but good intentions when it came to you.”

             
The phone rings, interrupting my immense embarrassment. 

“I wonder who’s calling so late. I’ll get it,” he says. “You’ve had a long day. Why don’t you go get ready for bed?”

He answers the phone as I go to brush my teeth. I’m washing my face when Gramps knocks on the door.

“That was Marjory,” he says through the door. “We’ve been invited to brunch tomo
rrow.  Since you’re grounded, I told her that they would have to come here, instead.”

*     *     *

Although I’m exhausted, I toss and turn. My mind is having a hard time dealing with everything that is happening. I am frightened by my unexpected feelings for Christian. I have avoided any kind of romantic relationship, so I can’t yet comprehend his reassuring presence. I am also confused by Gramps’ behavior. He seems to have thrown his overprotective tendencies out the window with regards to Christian. With all this swirling in my mind, I don’t fall asleep until it’s nearly dawn.

             
I am awakened by the smell of frying fish. Sitting up, I look at my clock. It is only nine o’clock in the morning.
What in the world is Gramps doing? It’s Saturday.
I think as I roll out of bed. We usually sleep in on Saturdays.

             
“Gramps, do you realize what time it is?” I ask as I walk into the kitchen. I stop dead in my tracks when I see the Pedersens. Christian stands when he sees me.

             
“The boys came to help me get the fish ready,” Gramps says as he uses a spatula to flip the fish.

“I didn’t think brunch was until one?” I say.

“I was hungry and moved it up.” He seasons the fish. “You’ll want to go get dressed.”

I look down at myself and find I am wearing my notorious, summer nightgown. I was forced to wear it the night before because I haven’t done my weekly washing. My face burns with embarrassment as I run from the room. When I step into the shower, I throw the nigh
tgown in the garbage. It has caused me more than enough trouble.

I’m combing my hair when Gramps knocks on my bedroom door.

“Marjory’s here,” he says.

“Gramps, what’s up with you having brunch so early?” I ask, opening the door. “We never eat before noon on Saturday.”

He smiles at me. “My granddaughter is especially beautiful when she wakes up. I just thought Christian should know that.”

I throw my wet towel at him. He laughs as he catches it.

“I’ll hang this up,” he says. “Please go entertain our guests.”

Henrik and Sven are setting the table while Marjory pulls a couple bottles of wine from a bag. Christian is texting on his phone.

“Ah, Singer beauty!” Marjory smiles blissfully when she sees me. She puts the wine on the table and pats my hand. Wearing a new dress, she looks nicer than I’ve ever seen her before.  Her hair is up in a bun, and she’s even wearing a necklace and bracelet.

“Good morning, Marjory,” I say. “You look beautiful.”

“Our men bought us new clothes.” She proudly twirls her dress.

“It’s a very nice dress.”

She nods as she lovingly runs her fingers across the floral pattern.

Going to the fridge, I pull out the milk and a bowl of watermelon. I put them on the t
able. I sit in my usual seat, avoiding any sort of eye contact with the Pedersens. I’m still embarrassed about the whole nightgown incident.

Christian puts away his phone and sits next to me.

“Good morning, Alexandra,” he says softly.

“Good morning, do you want some milk?” I ask as I pour myself a glass.

“No, thank you. I will break your liquor laws and indulge in a glass of wine. Did you sleep well?”

“Actually, I didn’t,” I say honestly. “I have a lot on my mind.”

He nods understandingly. “I find myself preoccupied, too.”

“Here they are.” Gramps walks into the room carrying a couple bottles of pickled he
rring. “I always keep a few of these on hand.

Sven takes them and puts them with the food on the table.

Gramps sits in his seat. “Dig in while it’s still warm,” he says.

The table fills with activity. Sven and Henrik begin passing a tray of fish around the table. Marjory pours the wine. Gramps hands out napkins. I spoon watermelon onto my plate. Chri
stian’s phone rings. He excuses himself and goes to another room to take the call.

“Singer beauty, would you like some fish?” asks Marjory.

“No, thank you. I’m not really hungry. I think I’ll just have some toast and watermelon.”

I’m buttering my toast when Christian returns to the room. He has a dour look on his face.

“I’m sorry, Thomas, but we’ll have to take our food to go,” he says. “I have an errand to complete.”

“Can’t Sven and Henrik finish their meal while it’s hot?” I ask.

“We’ll just take it with us,” Sven says, picking up his plate. “Marjory, we’ll also take one of the bottles of wine.”

She nods.

Gramps helps Sven put their food on plates, while Henrik grabs the wine. Christian sends another text message. When they are ready to go, Gramps opens the door for them.

“We’ll make this up to you,” Sven tells Gramps.

“Yes, you will,” Gramps pats his back.

I linger in the kitchen doorway while Marjory hugs Henrik and Sven goodbye in a grandmotherly fashion. She lovingly kisses Christian’s hand.

Not looking at me once, Christian unexpectedly takes me in his arms and passionately kisses me before going out the door.

Marjory gasps and sits on the floor in shock. Her knee-high socks stick out of the bottom of her dress as she messes up her hair.

“Whoa!” She shakes her head.

“Let’s finish our brunch.” Gramps helps her to her feet.

              “No, we must go,” she says absentmindedly. She begins laughing hysterically as she staggers out the door.

             
“What was that all about?”I ask as Gramps shuts the door.

             
“I’m not completely sure.” He smiles. “But it’s certainly been an exciting morning.”

             
“Yeah, I think I’ll go eat my toast and go back to bed.”

6

Homecoming

First thing Monday morning, I
breathe in the brisk fall air, waiting for the Pedersens to show up to drive me to school. I pull my jacket tight as the wind blows. The leaves are starting to change colors and fall from the trees. I’m surprised the weather has changed so quickly from summer to autumn.

             
When the convertible drives up, I’m grateful to see that its top is up. The door opens and Christian steps out. He’s wearing a fitted blue sweater which accentuates his powerful build and brings out his bright blue eyes. His hair is still wet and he runs a gloved hand through it. He is unbelievably handsome this morning. I take a deep breath before I get in. He sits next to me.

             
“I’m sorry about Saturday,” he says as we put on our seatbelts.

             
“It’s okay,” I rub my arms to warm them. “I just went back to bed.”

             
“I’m glad you got some rest.” He takes my hands and begins to rub them.

             
“How did your errand go?” I ask.

             
“I appeased my father, for the time being.  Now I can get back to the serious business of spending time with you.”

             
“Maybe I should try harder to avoid you?”

             
“It won’t do any good.” He puts his arm around me. “It was love at first sight. I will wait inevitably.”

             
Because we didn’t have swim practice that morning, the parking lot is filling with cars as we pull up. Sven parks in an empty spot, far from the doors. As soon as I step out of the car, Christian’s arm is around my waist.

             
“More ulterior motives?” I ask.

             
“Yes, I don’t want any questions about who your boyfriend is,” he says, rather loudly.

             
“And you still think it’s you?” I tease.

             
“Absolutely,” he answers, unequivocally.

             
As we get closer to the school, we find the windows covered with posters. Vanessa’s and Jackson’s faces are on them. I’d forgotten it was homecoming week. The Powers are campaigning for homecoming queen and king.

             
“I hope they get their fifteen minutes of glory,” Christian says, looking at the posters as Sven opens the door.