“These are lively, full, soft and curved perfectly. Their globular shape is perfect for my hands. They’ve seduced my mouth and fed my child the first and most important nutrients of his life. They’re perfection and purposeful. I’ve not had these since you. I will love these…can hold them until I die.”
Intended or not, now I was aroused.
“Stenton,” I cried out a whisper.
“I’ll stop.”
And then his hands were gone. I was left standing knee-deep in the water, panting while the humming of my body subsided. I didn’t know why Stenton invited me out here, but that move alone told me it wasn’t about just sex. Strangely, I was okay with not discussing our real issues. I didn’t want to break our amenable climate.
The catering company set us up lunch on the beach. We ate shrimp salsa, chips, assorted cheese and crackers and sipped aged wine on a huge blanket. I mused as we faced the water, idly nature watching.
“So, a house for Sarah?” I exhaled, still turning that over days later.
Stenton still faced the water as he shrugged. “It’s only right.”
“You two really that tight, huhn?”
“They go down there every year. Why continue to stay in hotels or with family?”
“But you didn’t buy it for both of them, just Sarah Barrett,” I probed.
“I told you… She doesn’t waver. She doesn’t judge. She doesn’t push. She only loves. Everybody should have a Sarah Barrett. But they don’t. I do—within context—and I want to cherish her.”
I nodded. He was right. My mother was the best. I’d always known that. Even during our fights and disagreements, I couldn’t stay away from her. I needed her like a compass in life. She deserved all the happiness that came her way, even if it was by way of my recklessness—especially because of my recklessness.
“I plan on starting JR in art,” I shared.
“Which kind?” His eyes regarded the water.
“I’ll start him off with oil painting and see where his interest takes him.”
“Good exposure,” Stenton noted, seemingly approving. “You still paint?” I felt his eyes on me.
“Promotes cognitive processes,” is how I chose to answer him.
He nodded.
“Tell me more about the bakery business. How’s it going?” Stenton turned to me, opening for conversation, but still playing it safe and away from painful topics.
I obliged and ran down my ambitions for the business. It felt good being able to flesh them out.
“But why a bakery? I know you’re an exceptional cook, but didn’t know you had a particular interest in that business.”
I turned back toward the water, crossing my outstretched legs and leaning on my hands that were behind me.
“I didn’t exactly plan it. It just came together. I was itching to get my hands wet in enterprise, but for a while didn’t know which avenue. Then Angela came back into my life, and when she did, she was on course to becoming a chef. I always knew I’d be in business and I always knew from it I’d help my family. So, I blended her skills with my dreams and made it happen.” I braved a glance over at Stenton.
His eyes dropped to his lap as he nodded.
“Yeah. You said you were going to take care of your family. I guess you’ve done just that.” His tone was somber.
“Almost. I want Sarah Barrett to quit her job and come work at one of the bakeries.”
“Commute to Philly?”
“I’m working on a second location, after which I want to open in Jersey. That’s another thing I’m looking into. I want her to head it up. It won’t be an overnight process, but well worth it when it comes together.”
“I know they’re proud of you. They’ve always been.”
I waved his compliment off. “Family is everything. Without it, what are you?”