Back on Solid Ground

by Debra Trueman

  They walked down the beach and out to the end of the dock. The sky was still overcast and it looked like it was going to rain again. Stacy sat down on the dock and leaned back against one of the posts and Niki sat opposite, facing her.

  “It feels good out here,” Stacy said.

  “Yeah, we’ve been cooped up inside for too long,” Niki said. He looked out at the water for a while then looked back over at Stacy. “Jason and I are leaving tomorrow, probably for a couple of days, but Eli and Carlos will be here with you, so you let them know if you need anything.”

  “Okay.” Stacy looked down, “I wish you weren’t going.”

  Niki didn’t say anything.

  “Niki?” Stacy said, still looking down.

  “Yeah?”

  “What if my father killed my mother?”

  Niki was floored. “Shit, Stacy. How long have you been carrying that around?”

  “Since yesterday,” she said, finally looking at him.

  “No wonder you’re sick,” he said, under his breath. “I don’t think we should go there,” he said finally. “It’s not going to serve any purpose to speculate on something like that, and it would just tear you up in the process.”

  Stacy was quiet and she looked like her mind was a million miles away. She was thinking of her mother and how different things would be if she was still alive. The two had been as close as a mother and daughter could be. Stacy had heard girls refer to their mothers as their best friend, but she had never thought of her mother in those terms; she was so much more than a friend could ever be. She was her mother. She was the one who Stacy went to for advice or for a sympathetic ear; the one who could always impart a sense of logic and rightness when things went wrong. She was Stacy’s rock; the one she could always count on, no matter what. And when she died, a part of Stacy had crumbled to dust that day, too.

  “I wish I had a painting of you sitting like that,” Niki said. “You look so beautiful.”

  Stacy’s mind snapped back and she looked at Niki like he was crazy. “I look disgusting. I haven’t showered or anything.”

  “Yeah, actually I can smell you from here.”

  Stacy laughed and crawled over onto Niki’s lap. She was playing with his hair, wrapping it around her finger making ringlets.

  “So, do you have a girlfriend?” she asked.

  “You mean other than you?” Niki laughed.

  “Other than me,” she clarified.

  “No.” She was hypnotizing him again with those eyes.

  “Don’t you want to know if I have a boyfriend?” she said.

  “Not really,” he said.

  “Why not?” Stacy asked, pulling his hair back into a ponytail to see how he would look.

  “Well if you have one, you must not like him very much,” he laughed. “You’ve been all over me for days.”

  Stacy laughed. She let his hair back down and fluffed his curls. “You’ve got the most beautiful hair,” Stacy said. She put her hands behind Niki’s neck and kissed him.

  Niki put his arms around Stacy’s waist. “You are frustrating the hell out of me, Stacy,” he said. “Why don’t you just agree to marry me and have my children so I can stop fighting the temptation to fall completely in love with you.”

  Stacy laughed. “Well I don’t know about marrying you, but I might have your kids.”

  “You think I’m kidding, don’t you?”

  “Half-way. The truth is, you’re already in love with me, and we both know it,” she laughed.

  It was starting to sprinkle, but neither of them got up to leave. Stacy leaned against Niki and rested her head on his chest for a minute, then she kissed him on the neck.

  “I’m right, aren’t I?” She pulled back from him and took Niki’s head in her hands and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re in love with me, aren’t you?” she said leveling her green eyes on his.

  “I’m in lust with you,” he said with an ear-to-ear grin.

  Stacy laughed. “That’s not what it is.”

  Niki took Stacy’s hand and they walked along the dock back toward the beach. The rain was coming down steadily and they were completely soaked.

  “Carlos is going to be pissed I brought you out in this,” Niki said. He reached over and put his arm around Stacy’s shoulder and pulled her close to him trying to keep the rain off of her. When they got back to the house, Carlos, Eli and Jason were in the kitchen and there was no sign of Consuela.

  Carlos lit into Niki as soon as they walked through the door. “What were you thinking, taking her out in the rain like that? Look at her! She’s soaked to the bone!” he said, irritated.

  Niki looked at Stacy. “What’d I tell you?”

  “You should take a warm bath before you get a chill,” Carlos directed. “I’ve got some tea you can take up with you.”

  “Come to my room,” Niki said, wiping the rain off Stacy’s face with his wet shirt.

  “Okay,” she smiled. “Let me go upstairs and get some clothes and I’ll meet you in there.”

  Stacy turned around and Eli, Jason and Carlos were all watching. “He loves me,” she said, and Niki rolled his eyes. “Will you bring my tea with you?”

  “Sure,” he said, watching her leave.

  The three turned their eyes to Niki. “When’s the wedding?” Eli asked.

  “She turned me down,” Niki laughed. He started out of the kitchen with Stacy’s tea, then turned to Jason as he got to the door. “Is everything set for tomorrow?” Niki asked.

  “Yeah, we’re out first thing,” Jason said.

  “Good. We need to get this behind us.”

  Niki stopped at the bar and made himself a drink and when he got back to his room, Stacy was already in the bathtub. She had brought the bath gel from her room and Niki’s entire living quarters smelled like gardenias. He went into the bathroom and sat on the floor beside the tub and they chatted while Stacy bathed. She finished her bath and wrapped up in Niki’s robe, followed him back into his bedroom and laid down on his bed.

  “I need to pack for tomorrow,” Niki said. He rummaged through his closet and pulled out a big duffel bag and started throwing things into it. The last two things he pulled out were a 9mm and an M-16.

  “Shit Niki! What the hell do you plan on doing tomorrow?”

  “This one’s for you,” he said, checking the safety on the pistol. He put it on the bedside table next to Stacy. “You won’t need it, but just in case.”

  “I’m not worried about me, I’m worried about you!”

  “Well don’t be. There’s nothing to worry about.” He put the duffel bag on the floor and laid down on the bed beside her then leaned over and kissed her. “You smell good,” he said, burying his head in her neck.

  Stacy pulled him up by his hair. “How can you tell me not to worry when I just watched you pack an M-16 into your bag?”

  “I’ll take it out,” he said, preoccupied, opening her robe. He ran his hand up Stacy’s stomach and over her breasts.

  “I’m serious, Niki,” she said, with no authority in her voice.

  Niki slid his hand down between her legs and Stacy moaned. “So am I,” he said, moving his mouth to her breast.

  Stacy surrendered. Niki brought his lips up to her mouth and gave her a long and lingering kiss, starting slowly and building in intensity until his desire was so profound that he was short of breath. Fuck tomorrow. All that mattered right then was that Stacy was there in his bed, and nothing had ever felt so right. They took their time getting to know every inch of each other’s body, relishing in the other’s pleasure, and living in the moment.

  Stacy laid on top of Niki wearing a smile that wouldn’t quit. “That was incredible,” she said, kissing him behind the ear. Stacy rolled off of him and curled up beside him and Niki put his arm around her.

  “I’m starving,” Stacy said.

  “Me too,” he said.

  “Too bad you don’t have room service,” Stacy said.

  “Call the kitche
n on the intercom and tell them to bring us something,” Niki suggested.

  Stacy got out of bed laughing and went to the intercom. She pressed the button for the kitchen, “Is anybody in there?” she said, trying not to laugh.

  “Hello, Stacy,” someone answered.

  “Who is this?” she asked.

  “Eli. What do you want, Stacy?”

  “Will you bring us some dinner?” She took her finger off the button and burst out laughing.

  “Hell no!” Eli said.

  Niki was laughing from bed. “Ask if anyone else is in there.”

  “Is there any . . .” She was laughing too hard to talk. “Is there anyone else in there?”

  There was silence for a moment then Eli was back on. “Not anyone who is going to bring you dinner,” he laughed.

  “Okay. ’Bye, Eli.”

  “’Bye, Stacy.”

  She ran across the room and jumped back in bed, laughing. She leaned over and kissed Niki then picked up his hand. “Come on. Let’s go eat,” she said, dragging him out of bed.

  They got dressed and met the others in the kitchen. Eli, Carlos and Jason had just sat down to dinner, and they were talking about Stacy and Niki when the two walked in.

  “Speak of the devil,” Eli said.

  “You’re looking better,” Carlos told Stacy.

  Stacy smiled at him. “Thanks,” she said. She was at the stove checking out the food. “What are we having?” she asked Niki.

  “Enchiladas, rice and beans. Sit down. I’ll bring you a plate.”

  Niki filled two plates with food and brought Stacy’s to the table, but her illness and her worry over Niki and Jason’s upcoming trip were affecting her appetite, and half of her food was still on her plate when she sat back in her chair.

  Jason looked at Stacy’s plate. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m just really tired.” She hesitated, then continued, “And I’m worried about you and Niki going away tomorrow,” she said, meeting Jason’s eyes.

  “Well don’t be. Niki will be fine,” Jason said confidently, trying to reassure her. He looked over at Niki and Niki shrugged his shoulders.

  Stacy had looked away, so Jason took her by the chin and turned her face back to him. “He’ll be fine.”

  Stacy attempted a smile. “Okay.” She turned to Niki, “I think I’m going to lie down for awhile.”

  “Go in my room.”

  “Okay. If I don’t wake up, will you wake me up before you leave?”

  “Sure,” Niki said smiling.

  “You promise?”

  “I promise.”

  Stacy was sound asleep when it came time for them to leave. Niki and Jason had eaten an early breakfast and the plane was waiting.

  “You tell Stacy goodbye?” Jason asked.

  “She’s sound asleep,” Niki said.

  “Well get your ass in there and wake her up,” Jason said irritably. “I heard you promise.”

  Jason waited at the bottom of the stairs.

  Niki sat on the side of the bed. Stacy was sleeping so peacefully Niki hated to wake her. He reached down and brushed her hair back from her forehead and kissed her on the cheek. Stacy woke up and smiled at him.

  “Are you leaving already?” she said hoarsely.

  “Yeah, the plane’s waiting.” He leaned down and kissed her on the lips and Stacy put her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

  “Be safe, Niki,” she said, fighting tears.

  “I will.” He kissed her again and then he was gone.

  Chapter 16

  Stacy was restless. She had tried to go back to sleep after Niki left but it was no use. She got out of bed and brushed her teeth then left Niki’s room and walked around the house for a while, but it was big and lonely and she needed company. She decided to go wake up Eli, so she went upstairs and knocked on his door. When there was no answer, she let herself in and went back to his bedroom.

  “Eli,” she whispered from the doorway. He rolled over but didn’t open his eyes. “Eli,” she said a little louder, walking over to the bed.

  “What?” he said, with his eyes closed.

  Stacy sat down on the bed. “Niki and Jason left.”

  “Okay,” he said, falling back to sleep.

  Stacy tried again. “Eli.”

  “Go away Stacy,” he said into his pillow.

  “When are you going to wake up?”

  He groaned and rolled over, “Later.”

  “Later when?”

  Eli turned over and opened his eyes. They were squinty and his hair was a mess. “All right Stacy, I’m awake,” he said irritably. “Now tell me what you came in here to tell me, so I can go back to sleep.”

  “I want you to wake up and visit with me.”

  “Seriously?” Eli dropped his head back onto the bed and covered it with the pillow.

  “Come on Eli. This house is so lonely when there’s nobody around.”

  “Stacy, I went to bed really late. I’m tired,” he said, his voice muffled from the pillow. “Go bother Carlos.”

  “Oh, fine,” she said grumpily. Stacy started to walk out and realized she didn’t know where Carlos’ living quarters were. “Where’s Carlos’ room?” No response. “Eli,” she said.

  “What!” he said, annoyed.

  “Where is Carlos’ room?”

  “Across from Niki’s,” he said. “Goodbye, Stacy.”

  “Goodbye, grump.”

  Stacy went downstairs and knocked on what she thought was Carlos’ door, and was happily surprised to find him awake.

  “Come in,” he called. “Oh, good morning and what a pleasant surprise. How do you feel?”

  “Physically, better.” Carlos motioned for her to sit, so she sat down in a big overstuffed leather chair and propped her feet up on the matching ottoman.

  “I suppose Niki and Jason left?” he said.

  “Yeah,” Stacy said, sounding sad.

  Carlos smiled at her. “And you feel at a loose end?”

  “Big time,” she said. “I’m so glad you’re awake. I tried to wake Eli, but he was really grumpy. Do you ever get lonely here in this big house?”

  “No,” he said. “But I wasn’t kidnapped and brought here against my will.”

  “That’s true,” she said, then she thought about it for a moment. “But, you know what Carlos,” she said, “I don’t feel like I’m here against my will. Not anymore.” And then she added, “That’s kind of sick isn’t it?”

  “Some people would say so.”

  “And what would you say?” Stacy asked him.

  “I would say that you are exactly where you are supposed to be,” he said. “You and Niki are meant to be together. I told him that on the plane.”

  Stacy was floored. “Why in the world would you say that?”

  “You don’t remember the conversation?” Carlos asked.

  Stacy shook her head. “No.”

  Carlos went into his explanation. “We have a term where I come from: Media Naranja. Have you ever heard the term?”

  “No.”

  “Translated literally, it means half of the orange. In spiritual terms, you are half the orange and the person who is your media naranja is the other half of the orange – the one who makes you whole,” he explained. “You and Niki are each other’s media naranja. You’re soul-mates.”

  “And you told Niki this on the plane?” she asked in disbelief.

  “I did.”

  “And, you came by this information how?”

  “Your eyes told me. They’re the same color as Niki’s.”

  “You’re just a little bit strange aren’t you, Carlos?” she said, and Carlos laughed out loud. “So what did Niki say when you revealed that he had just shot and kidnapped the other half of his orange?”

  “Oh, he was irritated,” Carlos laughed. “He denied that your eyes were the same color as his.”

  “Actually, our eyes are the same color. I even mentioned it to him.”

&nb
sp; Carlos was amused. “And how did that go down with him?”

  Stacy thought about it. “I can’t remember. I think he ignored me.”

  Carlos was looking at her eyes again. It really was uncanny. “How about I cook you some breakfast?” Carlos suggested.

  “How about I cook you some breakfast?” Stacy countered.

  “Even better,” he smiled.

  They talked while they walked to the kitchen. “Did you speak to Niki before he left this morning?” Carlos asked.

  “Just for a second.” She didn’t want to think about it.

  Carlos could tell that Stacy was worried. In fact, he knew what she was thinking. She was like a lightning rod for his psychic capabilities and every once in a while he could read her mind like a book. She was thinking about her mother and the way she had died, and how she didn’t want to lose someone else. The message was so clear that Carlos responded as if she had said it out loud.

  “You miss your mother very much,” Carlos said.

  Stacy stopped dead in her tracks and looked at Carlos like he was a leper. “How did you know I was thinking about my mother?” she asked, clearly shocked. “That was creepy! You gave me goose bumps!” she said, holding out her arms and showing Carlos.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Once she got over the initial shock, Stacy was ecstatic, “Oh my God, you’re psychic!” she exclaimed. She grabbed him by the arm, “That is too cool! It must be something you inherited from your grandmother.”

  “I’ve always thought so,” he agreed.

  “You said she was a healer,” she said. “It would make sense.”

  They had reached the kitchen and Carlos started the coffee. Stacy was digging through the fridge pulling out everything in sight.

  “What are you making with all that?” Carlos asked.

  “Breakfast tacos. I hope you have tortillas.”

  “In there,” Carlos said, pointing to the freezer.

  “We should invite Consuela for breakfast. Would you mind?”

  Carlos smiled. “Not at all,” he said. “You know, Stacy, you are a very nice person.”

  “I have my moments.”

  Stacy was sautéing onions and peppers and the kitchen smelled heavenly. “Don’t you love that smell?” she said. “There’s nothing that smells better than onions or garlic sautéed in butter.”