Broken (Endurance)

by Thomas, April

  While she was distracted Renee and Samuel made a quick scheme to plan a double date with Max and Mei.

  When Mei returned to her towel, her son squealing in her arms, Renee and Samuel were standing there waiting to speak with her. Mei looked at them and rolled her eyes. She knew something was up and was curious about what they were up to. Mei looked at them as she waited for either one of them to speak.

  "Hey, Mei," Renee began. "Samuel and I feel really bad for our actions in the past and we would like to make it up to you and Max by inviting you guys out on a date with us."

  "I don't think so, however, I do accept your apology," Mei said, dusting the sand off of her son.

  Samuel kept staring at Mei, lusting over her. "Mei, Max was my friend and I need to make it up to him."

  "I think he would be happy if you just stayed as far away from me as possible," Mei said staring back at him.

  "Well, why don't you talk to him and see what he says, just to be fair?" Renee said.

  Mei couldn’t care less about having a date with them. "Look we don't have a babysitter here and..."

  "Bring him. It's no big deal. We really don't have a hang out spot here," Renee replied.

  "Dada," Uriel said.

  Mei turned in the direction of her son’s flailing hands and saw Max approaching. She glanced back at Renee in time to see her energy shift as she sucked in her stomach and pushed out her breasts.

  Samuel was suddenly fidgety as he watched Max approach. Mei looked at her husband and could tell he was still tired. He came up to Mei and kissed her lips while gently passing his hand over his son's head.

  "I was so tired," he whispered to Mei. "What's up with Bonnie and Clyde here?"

  "Renee wants us to go on a double date," Mei answered, speaking clearly.

  Max looked at Renee then at Samuel. "We will only have a babysitter for tonight... Maybe," he said looking back at his wife.

  "I forgot about Kay," Mei responded.

  "Well, we can pack a picnic and I know a spot on the other side of the island where there is a lagoon. We could go and relax and hang out. Not too many students know about it," Samuel said.

  "It's really up to you, babe. It does sound nice," Max said to Mei.

  "I guess, but we need to ask Kay first?"

  "How about we meet you back at your place in about two hours to give you guys a chance to find a sitter?" Renee said.

  "Okay," Mei replied.

  "So we will see you in two hours." Samuel took Renee's hand and walked off. They smiled at each other, excited that their plan was working out. "I'm still surprised you’re agreeing to this."

  "I don't believe in true love. I believe in lust at first sight. Mei's a hot girl and that’s all he's interested in. So if I can have a piece for myself, that’s all that matters to me." Renee said. Spending the holiday with Samuel had changed her point of view about men. She now saw Max as just a Kobe steak and she was hungry for a taste.

  ***

  Max and Mei walked slowly back to the hut. "Max, they are up to something," Mei stated.

  "I know, and I intend to see what."

  "Well, it won't take a rocket scientist. It has to do with splitting us up."

  "Mei, look at it this way, all they are doing is helping us right now."

  Mei looked at Max confused by his comment. "How?"

  "I get to have a romantic date with the woman of my dreams, literally, at a secluded lagoon. Yeah, they will be there, but we get to have a night alone."

  "Yeah, it does sound like fun," Mei admitted.

  "Why don't you go and pack a backpack for us. I'm going to head to the cafeteria to call Unk."

  "Okay, see you at home," Mei replied.

  Two hours later Renee and Samuel eagerly knocked on the door of Max and Mei's hut.

  In the middle of a steaming kiss with his wife, Max groaned at the interruption. "Can you please put on something over that bikini until we get there? I hate how he stares at you," Max whispered to Mei as he held her close.

  Mei smirked as she gazed into his eyes. "You better put on a shirt. I hate the way she stares at your chest," Mei replied.

  "Fair enough." He walked to the door and grabbed a nearby tank top. "One second," he yelled towards the door. Just short of opening the door, he looked back at his wife, waiting for her to slip on a pair of jean shorts and a tank top.

  Mei nodded in approval and slipped on her sneakers.

  "Hello," Max greeted as he opened the door

  "Hey, you guys ready?" Samuel asked.

  "Yeah," Mei said, coming to the door with a backpack over her shoulders.

  "I got this," Max said, lifting the backpack off her shoulders.

  Mei grabbed their keys and locked the door as they left.

  Max took his wife's hand, eager to get down to the lagoon with his wife. "Lead the way," Max said to Samuel.

  They hiked for about an hour through pristine wilderness. Samuel walked ahead of everyone, leaving Renee to carry all of their stuff.

  Mei shook her head, disgusted by how selfish Samuel was being. She wanted to say something, but realized that it was Renee's problem. If she wanted to be treated that way, so be it.

  Max was aware of Samuel's self-centered actions and found himself feeling sorry for Renee. Occasionally he asked her if she was all right. When they made it to the lagoon all was forgotten.

  It was a beautiful salt water lagoon, secluded and enchanting. Max looked out at the ocean and, out in the distance, he could see the large sandbar that created a barrier, trapping in a piece of paradise to be enjoyed.

  Max smiled at Mei as he pulled off the backpack and dropped it on the ground. He stepped towards her and lifted her tank top over her head.

  "So now I can take of my clothes, master?" Mei joked as she lifted her arms above her head.

  Max grinned as he unbuttoned her shorts and slid them down her legs. "Let's go swimming." Max pulled his tank top over his head and kicked off his shoes.

  Samuel and Renee watched as Max and Mei ran into the lagoon playing and laughing with each other. Renee looked at Samuel who seemed to be fantasying again. "I don't think you could ever treat her the way Max does. You don't know that first thing about treating a lady."

  "When I get a lady I will know."

  "You got to be a gentleman to get a lady. You’re barely a man."

  Samuel looked at Renee and smirked. "Yeah, but you want this man."

  "Oh, please, I'm not trying to get your attention."

  Renee dropped the bags on the ground and began to rub her shoulders. "So now what? We sit here like two idiots and watch a real couple."

  "We join in the fun." Samuel pulled off his shirt and walked to the lagoon.

  Mei jumped onto Max's back trying to dunk him. Max laughed uncontrollably at her failed attempts to knock him over. Mei was no match for his six-foot-two muscular frame. Mei didn't care as she clung to his back, making very amusing threats to him.

  Max threw himself back into the water, knocking Mei off of his back. He spun around and waited for her to pop up. When she didn't he panicked.

  Mei quietly swam around behind Max, holding in her laughter as she grabbed his private parts under the water. Max screamed like a girl as he jumped back. Mei stood up in the water, laughing until she couldn't breathe. Max was also laughing when Samuel and Renee approached them.

  Max slapped the water, causing it to splash up on Mei. "You wanna play like that?" Max yelled.

  "What? You’re mad ‘cause I took the bull by the balls?" Mei yelled back, still laughing at Max's scream.

  "Hey, there's four of us. Let’s play chicken," Samuel suggested.

  "Sure," Mei said.

  Renee glanced at Samuel who looked like he’d never seen the inside of the gym. "Do you think you can hold me?" she asked. Renee was not over weight, but she didn't feel comfortable with the idea of Samuel trying to carry her.

  "I can hold you," Samuel snapped.

  "Why don't we make it interestin
g and switch partners after each game?" Renee suggested.

  Max looked at Mei who now stood besides him. Not wanting to say certain things in front of Samuel and Renee, he used his telepathic abilities to communicate with his wife. Over the year they have worked together on developing this ability for purposes just like this.

  "What do you think? I don't want him touching you," Max said telepathically to his wife.

  "It's just a harmless game. If he touches me inappropriate then we leave," Mei replied.

  "Okay," Max said out loud. He turned to Samuel. "But you touch my wife wrong, and I break every bone in that lump you call a body," Max threatened.

  "Babe, be nice," Mei said sarcastically.

  "Don't worry, I will be a perfect gentleman," Samuel replied, moving towards Mei.

  "What are you doing?" Max asked.

  "Putting Mei on my back"

  "No, first round you stick with your partner," Max said, stepping in front of his wife.

  "Okay, no problem," Samuel said, backing up.

  Max got down in the water as Mei climbed on his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her legs as he bolted up out of the water, causing her to scream and laugh. "That’s for grabbing the bull," Max joked.

  Mei hit him in the head. "Whatever, you know you liked it." She tried to adjust herself. "Am I too heavy?"

  "Please, I bench more than you weigh."

  Samuel bent down into the water and Renee climbed on his back. Max and Mei joked amongst each other as they waited for them to be ready.

  Renee watched with jealousy as she sat on Samuel's shoulders. "Okay, we’re ready," she said to them.

  Max held onto Mei's legs and kissed each thigh. She blushed as she ran her fingers through his wet hair.

  "Ready?" he asked.

  "Yeah."

  They played, forgetting about their issues and just having fun. Mei and Max won the first round by knocking Renee off of Samuel's shoulders, causing them both to fall back into the water. Max suspected Samuel had intentionally set that one up to move the game along faster. Max slowly ducked down in the water as Mei got off his shoulders. He turned to face her and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I don't know about this. I don't want my wife on some guy’s neck?"

  "Look, if I can touch him I’ll be able to sense what he is really about," Mei whispered. "I want to know why he is so determined to come between us." She knew she would be able to read his energy if she was touching him. Mei had been working on developing this ability for the past few months and, after obedient fasting and prayer, she had strengthened all of her senses. Her problem with Samuel was that his readings always came out conflicting. She needed clarity.

  "Are you sure? I can knock him out and you can read him all you want," Max whispered.

  "He can't know," Mei replied.

  Renee approached Max and tapped him on the shoulder. Max ignored her as he kissed his wife, not wanting to let her go. Mei slowly pulled away from Max and gave Renee a dirty look as she moved towards Samuel. He bent down in the water, and as Mei climbed onto his shoulders she felt disgusted by his hands on her legs.

  Max noticed Mei's facial expressions. He held himself back from calling it quits, taking his wife and leaving.

  Renee climbed onto his shoulders and made herself comfortable. She enjoyed the feel of his smooth skin and the sense of security his strength brought to her. She could feel his muscles move under her legs as he wiped the water away from his face. He held onto her legs as Mei smiled at him.

  "Ready?" Mei asked.

  "Yeah," Renee replied.

  Mei and Renee went at it, laughing as they fought to pull or push each other off. This game was longer than the last and Max didn't enjoy seeing his wife's lower body being pulled onto Samuel's neck. He decided to play the same game Samuel played. When Mei pushed at Renee he acted as if he’d lost his balance. He let himself fall back into the water and brought Renee along with him.

  Mei laughed at her husband, knowing what he was really doing.

  Max stood up in the water then helped Renee to her feet. "You okay?"

  "Yeah, I’m fine. That was fun." Renee smiled.

  "Let’s go another round since you lost your balance." Samuel held on to Mei's legs.

  "I'm exhausted and hungry." Max moved towards Samuel. "You can put her down now."

  "Oh, yeah." Samuel reluctantly lowered himself in the water and Mei slid off his back.

  Max pulled his wife next to him, picking her up and straddling her legs around him as he moved away from Samuel. "I'm sorry this is hard for me. I hated it when guys tried to get with you in high school and I couldn't do anything but just watch." Max put her down in the water.

  "Max you dated all kinds of girls and you were no virgin before me." Mei looked up into his face.

  "I didn't think I would ever get to be with you. You would never even look at me."

  "Who told you I didn't notice you? I did, but you had all these girls chasing you. I had no intention of getting in line for your affection," Mei replied.

  "I would have shoved all those girls out of your way to be with you," Max whispered as he leaned down to kiss his wife.

  Mei pulled herself up and wrapped her legs around his waist as they continued kissing. She leaned her head back as Max kissed her soft breasts. "Let's eat. I am hungry," Mei said.

  "Okay." Max put her down. "Did you get anything off of him?" he whispered.

  "Yeah, but I will have to tell you later," Mei replied as they walked out of the water.

  Samuel and Renee already had a blanket spread out. They fixed themselves a sandwich and were enjoying the warm ocean breeze. Max pulled out their blanket while Mei grabbed a towel to dry off.

  "Sam, this was a really nice spot," Mei said smiling at him.

  "Thank you."

  "Yeah, how did you discover it?" Max asked as he placed their things on the blanket.

  "In my freshman year I dated this girl who was a nature freak. She would take me to all these secluded locations she’d discovered on her own," Samuel answered.

  "Cool," Mei said as she pulled out sandwiches for Max and herself.

  Max sat on the blanket looking out at the lagoon. He finished his sandwich and Mei put away their wrappers and made herself comfortable leaning back on Max's chest as he gazed at the beautiful sunset.

  Renee settled back onto a pillow of her clothes and relaxed. Samuel sat next to her, his attention on Max and Mei as he watched from the corner of his eye.

  Max turned his focus to Mei who seemed to be drifting off to sleep. He nuzzled his nose into her hair, smelling the salty water and remnants of her jasmine shampoo. He looked down at her flat, lean stomach. Gently placing his hand on her stomach he whispered to her, "It's time for another one." He kissed her as he closed his eyes, enjoying the peacefulness.

  "So how did you guys meet?" Samuel hoped to break up the romantic scene Max was enjoying.

  "In high school. I’ve had a crush on her since I was like in middle school, maybe even younger. Her step-father used to own a youth center in the neighborhood we grew up in. My mother would drop me off there so that my father could pick me up for the weekends and stuff."

  "Your parents are divorced?" Samuel asked.

  "Yeah, and thank God. They were horrible together."

  "I never knew my mother." Samuel looked out at the lagoon. "She was murdered."

  Max turned his head to face Samuel. "I'm really sorry to hear that."

  "It's sad and all, but you can't miss what you never had."

  Max was a little bothered by his response. "My mother is a basket case. I mean she's not crazy, but she is just out for hers; a gold digger. My father learned that the hard way. I think he really loved her, but she didn't love anyone but herself."

  Samuel nodded. He could relate to that. "My father wasn't ready to be a father when he got me. The servants raised me until they got too old and my father fired them."

  "Too old?" Max thought of Winston. He could not imagine
his father ever firing him.

  "So how did you two end up married?" Samuel asked, changing the subject.

  "It was my fault. Mei and her best friend were at a house party... Friday the thirteenth and this guy’s parents were out of town. I came across her chilling in the garden alone, drinking. I knew something was wrong. I just wanted to reach out to her and let her know that she could talk to me. She wasn't easy and I loved her attitude." Max looked at Samuel who was really into what he was saying. "Anyway, things got crazy and police showed up. She passed out from drinking some heavy stuff."