The Topsail Accord (34 page)
“
Thank you for everything,” she says to Salvaro after dinner. Her trip is over, she will not see him in the morning. The driver will pick her up after the surfers have left. She can sleep in, then have breakfast in the main house, and then ride to the airport.
Thank you for everything,” she says to Salvaro after dinner. Her trip is over, she will not see him in the morning. The driver will pick her up after the surfers have left. She can sleep in, then have breakfast in the main house, and then ride to the airport.
After dinner she walks to her bungalow.
A few minutes later she hears a light knock on the door. It is the driver.
“
I will get you at eight,” he says.
I will get you at eight,” he says.
“
Eight,” she says.
Eight,” she says.
“
Is a beautiful night,” he adds.
Is a beautiful night,” he adds.
She can tell he wants to be invited in. She can tell that he wants to be close to her. He is so beautiful, and so young. She comes to the front screen, leaves the bungalow, and stands on the porch with him. He is uncomfortable to be seen on the porch with her. Salvaro has warned him about visiting the guests.
“
Can I come inside?” he asks.
Can I come inside?” he asks.
“
No,” she answers. She puts her arms gently around him, softly kisses his lips. She steps away from him.
No,” she answers. She puts her arms gently around him, softly kisses his lips. She steps away from him.
“
You kissed me,” he says. “But you don’t want me?”
You kissed me,” he says. “But you don’t want me?”
“
No,” she says.
No,” she says.
“
Is it Joe?” the driver asks.
Is it Joe?” the driver asks.
“
No. It’s you. You’re so beautiful, and so young. My body wants you. But I’d never be able to get you out of my mind, and I’d never be able to come here again.”
No. It’s you. You’re so beautiful, and so young. My body wants you. But I’d never be able to get you out of my mind, and I’d never be able to come here again.”
The driver cannot understand, but he accepts, and steps off her porch.
Salvaro backs away from the window where he was watching the driver who thought he had escaped up the path unnoticed. Salvaro chalks a second demerit against the driver’s name.
In the morning, at eight, Salvaro collects Shannon from the main house.
“
You’re taking me to the airport?” she asks.
You’re taking me to the airport?” she asks.
“
Si. It is a rest day for the surfers, and Tino has taken them to the park. So I will take you to San Jose and I will greet our new guests.”
Si. It is a rest day for the surfers, and Tino has taken them to the park. So I will take you to San Jose and I will greet our new guests.”
“
Gracias,” Shannon says.
Gracias,” Shannon says.
“
I liked the house,” Shannon says. “And the area. Do you think the price is fair?”
I liked the house,” Shannon says. “And the area. Do you think the price is fair?”
“
Si,” Salvaro answers. “You can afford it?” he asks.
Si,” Salvaro answers. “You can afford it?” he asks.
“
Si. I am a very wealthy woman,” Shannon offers unbidden. “I was lucky a few years ago and now I am wealthy.”
Si. I am a very wealthy woman,” Shannon offers unbidden. “I was lucky a few years ago and now I am wealthy.”
“
And Joe?”
And Joe?”
“
Joe is wealthy too. But not like me. He is a very successful businessman. He sells coffee.”
Joe is wealthy too. But not like me. He is a very successful businessman. He sells coffee.”
“
In Costa Rica, people who say they sell coffee are really selling drugs,” Salvaro says.
In Costa Rica, people who say they sell coffee are really selling drugs,” Salvaro says.
“
I will warn him not to describe himself as a man who sells coffee when he is Costa Rica,” Shannon laughs.
I will warn him not to describe himself as a man who sells coffee when he is Costa Rica,” Shannon laughs.
Salvaro laughs with her. He is comfortable with her, and with her contentment.
“
Are you sad to go home?” he says.
Are you sad to go home?” he says.
“
No. I am ready to go home,” she says.
No. I am ready to go home,” she says.
“
It is good to have an adventure, but good to go home,” Salvaro answers.
It is good to have an adventure, but good to go home,” Salvaro answers.
“
Exactly. Yes that is it exactly,” she says.
Exactly. Yes that is it exactly,” she says.
She smiles at him and he smiles at her and they spend the rest of the drive talking about the house and about Americans who have bought houses in Costa Rica so they could be warm in the winter and so they could surf.
“
I look forward to seeing you next year,” Salvaro says.
I look forward to seeing you next year,” Salvaro says.
“
Pura Vida,” Shannon answers.
Pura Vida,” Shannon answers.
“
Gracias,” he says.
Gracias,” he says.
Shannon
“
You look great,” Cara says to Shannon.
You look great,” Cara says to Shannon.
“
I feel great,” Shannon answers.
I feel great,” Shannon answers.
“
How was it?” Cara asks.
How was it?” Cara asks.
“
It was different. The ocean was always warm and the waves were always there. The waves are different from at Topsail. They’re all waves, wave after wave, with an orderliness to them and a longer time between them. As though they had the entire depth and breadth of the Pacific to gather and so they’re in no hurry to crash on the beach.”
It was different. The ocean was always warm and the waves were always there. The waves are different from at Topsail. They’re all waves, wave after wave, with an orderliness to them and a longer time between them. As though they had the entire depth and breadth of the Pacific to gather and so they’re in no hurry to crash on the beach.”
“
Sounds erotic,” Cara says.
Sounds erotic,” Cara says.
“
It does. You can’t believe how much sex I had there. Three or four times a day. I thought I was going to kill that poor man,” Shannon says.
It does. You can’t believe how much sex I had there. Three or four times a day. I thought I was going to kill that poor man,” Shannon says.
“
And only with Joe?” Cara asks.
And only with Joe?” Cara asks.
“
Yes only with Joe,” Shannon answers.
Yes only with Joe,” Shannon answers.
“
But there were other choices?” Cara asks.
But there were other choices?” Cara asks.
“
Yes.”
Yes.”
“
So you’re that serious about Joe that you didn’t follow through?”
So you’re that serious about Joe that you didn’t follow through?”
“
That’s not it. The one man wasn’t my type, and the one boy was just too beautiful. There was one man, but I don’t know if he’s married or in love or anything. So it wasn’t about Joe.”
That’s not it. The one man wasn’t my type, and the one boy was just too beautiful. There was one man, but I don’t know if he’s married or in love or anything. So it wasn’t about Joe.”
“
Who are you and what have you done with my sister?” Cara asks.
Who are you and what have you done with my sister?” Cara asks.
“
What are you talking about?”
What are you talking about?”
“
I’ve known you a long time sister. And I’ve never once heard you talk about men like that. Never once heard you admit that you had other choices, and why you did or didn’t see it through. You’ve always thought no-one would notice you. And now, trust me, with that hair and that tan and your figure and your new attitude, I can’t imagine the man who wouldn’t notice you.”
I’ve known you a long time sister. And I’ve never once heard you talk about men like that. Never once heard you admit that you had other choices, and why you did or didn’t see it through. You’ve always thought no-one would notice you. And now, trust me, with that hair and that tan and your figure and your new attitude, I can’t imagine the man who wouldn’t notice you.”
“
Really?” Shannon asks.
Really?” Shannon asks.
“
Really. You’ve always had that quiet beauty thing working, but now it’s like someone is shining a searchlight on you. Wait. You’re not pregnant are you?” Cara asks.
Really. You’ve always had that quiet beauty thing working, but now it’s like someone is shining a searchlight on you. Wait. You’re not pregnant are you?” Cara asks.
“
No. That’s impossible. You know that.”
No. That’s impossible. You know that.”
“
No it’s always possible.”
No it’s always possible.”
“
Not for me. I’m certain. I had a hysterectomy.”
Not for me. I’m certain. I had a hysterectomy.”
“
How did you have a hysterectomy and I don’t know about it. When was this?”
How did you have a hysterectomy and I don’t know about it. When was this?”
“
It was last year, in May. My doctor told me I had to have a hysterectomy.”
It was last year, in May. My doctor told me I had to have a hysterectomy.”
“
And you didn’t come to me for a second opinion? You didn’t even tell me?”
And you didn’t come to me for a second opinion? You didn’t even tell me?”
“
What would you have done but worry? What could you have done except worry everyone? Why would I put the family through that?”
What would you have done but worry? What could you have done except worry everyone? Why would I put the family through that?”
“
You went by yourself?”
You went by yourself?”
“
No. I hired a nurse. After getting a second and third opinion. It wasn’t that big a deal. I was only in the hospital overnight, and then the nurse was with me and in a week it was like nothing ever happened. So no, I’m not pregnant.”
No. I hired a nurse. After getting a second and third opinion. It wasn’t that big a deal. I was only in the hospital overnight, and then the nurse was with me and in a week it was like nothing ever happened. So no, I’m not pregnant.”
“
You had cancer and you didn’t tell me?”
You had cancer and you didn’t tell me?”
“
I had a hysterectomy and I didn’t tell you. It’s different,” Shannon says.
I had a hysterectomy and I didn’t tell you. It’s different,” Shannon says.
“
If you say so,” Cara answers. She can tell that the topic is closed, though she resolves to find the doctor and records and do her own investigation.
If you say so,” Cara answers. She can tell that the topic is closed, though she resolves to find the doctor and records and do her own investigation.
“
Tell me more about Costa Rica,” Cara says.
Tell me more about Costa Rica,” Cara says.
Shannon describes the orchids that hang in the trees, feeding from the air. She describes the daily rain that runs off the cacao and vanilla plants to lie in candy scented puddles. She describes the toucans that hang upside down in the berry trees and clip the ripe fruit into their long beaks and always drop one or two pieces that crush on the ground to add their scents to the heavily infused air. She tells Shannon about the humidity and how it permeates everything with the scents of the beach and ocean and rain forest.
“
Everything is scented. The moisture in the air gets into everything and carries all the smells from the sea and from the jungle into everything. Every sheet and pillow and book and piece of clothing smells like something. No-one has potpourri in Costa Rica because the air is already fruited and dusted with things that change every day and with the things that are always there. I’m thinking about buying a house there, and spending more time there.”
Everything is scented. The moisture in the air gets into everything and carries all the smells from the sea and from the jungle into everything. Every sheet and pillow and book and piece of clothing smells like something. No-one has potpourri in Costa Rica because the air is already fruited and dusted with things that change every day and with the things that are always there. I’m thinking about buying a house there, and spending more time there.”
“
A house? With Joe?”
A house? With Joe?”
“
No. Joe doesn’t need to know about it. Joe is July and January and surfing and lighthouses. And maybe not lighthouses. I’m not sure. So no he doesn’t need to know about the house.”
No. Joe doesn’t need to know about it. Joe is July and January and surfing and lighthouses. And maybe not lighthouses. I’m not sure. So no he doesn’t need to know about the house.”
“
Can you afford it?” Cara asks.
Can you afford it?” Cara asks.
“
I can afford about a hundred houses in Costa Rica, and another hundred here, and then another hundred in another hundred countries. The natural gas deposit is huge. The oil deposit is even bigger. I’m going to sell it all, it’ll likely be worth five or seven or twenty billion dollars.”
I can afford about a hundred houses in Costa Rica, and another hundred here, and then another hundred in another hundred countries. The natural gas deposit is huge. The oil deposit is even bigger. I’m going to sell it all, it’ll likely be worth five or seven or twenty billion dollars.”
“
Billion?”
Billion?”
“
Yes billion. I’m having a lawyer create a foundation for you, you’ll be the trustee of it. I’m going to give you a billion dollars to do research. You’ve always said you wanted to have a research center and stop worrying about fund raising. Now you’ll have it.”
Yes billion. I’m having a lawyer create a foundation for you, you’ll be the trustee of it. I’m going to give you a billion dollars to do research. You’ve always said you wanted to have a research center and stop worrying about fund raising. Now you’ll have it.”
Cara is speechless. Even she hasn’t truly understood the size of her sister’s wealth.
“
I think you might need to get some security,” Cara asks.
I think you might need to get some security,” Cara asks.
“
Security?”
Security?”
“
I think you’re one of the twenty richest people in the country and that might motivate people to do you some harm.”
I think you’re one of the twenty richest people in the country and that might motivate people to do you some harm.”
“
Okay. I’ll look into it.”
Okay. I’ll look into it.”
“
And you certainly are going to need some security with you in Costa Rica,” Cara says.
And you certainly are going to need some security with you in Costa Rica,” Cara says.
“
I don’t think so. I think Salvaro knows everyone and everything that happens there.”
I don’t think so. I think Salvaro knows everyone and everything that happens there.”
“
Salvaro?”
Salvaro?”
“
The other man.”
The other man.”
“
Oh. Then he will be your security?”
Oh. Then he will be your security?”
“
I suppose he will. I will ask him though, ask him to maybe take a special care when I am there. I wouldn’t want his family or camp to have a problem just because I’m there.”
I suppose he will. I will ask him though, ask him to maybe take a special care when I am there. I wouldn’t want his family or camp to have a problem just because I’m there.”
“
Does Joe know?”
Does Joe know?”
“
What is it with you and Joe?” Shannon asks.
What is it with you and Joe?” Shannon asks.
“
What is it with
you
and Joe?” Cara answers. “You aren’t going to tell him about the house, and you aren’t going to tell him about being a billionaire. What are you going to tell him?”
What is it with
you
and Joe?” Cara answers. “You aren’t going to tell him about the house, and you aren’t going to tell him about being a billionaire. What are you going to tell him?”
“
I’m going to tell him ‘hello’ when I see him and ‘see you soon’ when I leave him. I’m going to tell him to get naked when I want him and I’m going to tell him to wait for me when I run on the beach and he can’t keep up.”
I’m going to tell him ‘hello’ when I see him and ‘see you soon’ when I leave him. I’m going to tell him to get naked when I want him and I’m going to tell him to wait for me when I run on the beach and he can’t keep up.”
“
Is there anything else you’re going to tell him?”
Is there anything else you’re going to tell him?”
“
Like what?” Shannon asks.
Like what?” Shannon asks.
“
Maybe something along the lines of ‘I love you’ might be appropriate,” Cara says.
Maybe something along the lines of ‘I love you’ might be appropriate,” Cara says.
“
I don’t love him. I like being with him, and I like how he makes me feel. I like that he accepts my boundaries, and I like that he is wealthy and doesn’t need my money. I like it when we’re together and I like it when we’re apart. I’ve told him all of those things, but I haven’t, and I won’t ever tell him that I love him.”
I don’t love him. I like being with him, and I like how he makes me feel. I like that he accepts my boundaries, and I like that he is wealthy and doesn’t need my money. I like it when we’re together and I like it when we’re apart. I’ve told him all of those things, but I haven’t, and I won’t ever tell him that I love him.”
Cara stares at her sister.
“
Is that how it was with Rick?”
Is that how it was with Rick?”
Shannon reacts as though she has been slapped in the face. She takes a step back from her sister. She does not answer.
“
Because if that’s how it ended with him, then that’s how it’ll end with Joe.”
Because if that’s how it ended with him, then that’s how it’ll end with Joe.”
Joe
“
I love her and she doesn’t love me,” Joe says to Danny.
I love her and she doesn’t love me,” Joe says to Danny.
“
I know how you feel,” Danny answers.
I know how you feel,” Danny answers.
“
What do you mean?” Joe asks.
What do you mean?” Joe asks.
“
I mean I’m still in love with you,” Danny says. “And you don’t love me.”
I mean I’m still in love with you,” Danny says. “And you don’t love me.”
Joe closes the distance between them, circles her waist with his arms and looks into her eyes.
“
I’m sorry honey. We tried that. It didn’t work. I don’t know why, but we both know it didn’t work,” he says.
I’m sorry honey. We tried that. It didn’t work. I don’t know why, but we both know it didn’t work,” he says.
“
I know it didn’t work back then. But people change, we’re both different people now. I think it would work now. We have so much in common, and we’ve been through so much.”
I know it didn’t work back then. But people change, we’re both different people now. I think it would work now. We have so much in common, and we’ve been through so much.”
“
But now there’s Shannon,” Joe says.
But now there’s Shannon,” Joe says.
“
You just told me she doesn’t love you,” Danny answered. “And when do you get to see her? In July? When her family is here? A family she doesn’t even want you to meet? And in January? For a month? And then a week surfing and a long weekend looking at a lighthouse? What kind of relationship is that?”
You just told me she doesn’t love you,” Danny answered. “And when do you get to see her? In July? When her family is here? A family she doesn’t even want you to meet? And in January? For a month? And then a week surfing and a long weekend looking at a lighthouse? What kind of relationship is that?”
“
It’s all she wants. It’s all she’ll give me,” he answers.
It’s all she wants. It’s all she’ll give me,” he answers.
“
I’ll give you more. I’ll give you everything,” she says. She pulls him close to him, speaks the next words softly in his ear. “I’ll give you everything, forever,” she says.
I’ll give you more. I’ll give you everything,” she says. She pulls him close to him, speaks the next words softly in his ear. “I’ll give you everything, forever,” she says.
Joe does not know how to reply. He feels Danny in his arms and remembers their times together. He can’t recall why it didn’t work, but he can recall that it didn’t. Even with her pressed against him, with her soft words still resting in his ears, he does not want her in that way.
“
I can’t give you what you want,” Joe says. “I can be your friend, your best friend. But I can’t give you the other.”
I can’t give you what you want,” Joe says. “I can be your friend, your best friend. But I can’t give you the other.”
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