Summer of Dreams

by Lydia Rose

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Riley rolled over and felt the other side of the bed. She found it cold and empty. It didn’t surprise her that Kristen had slipped out of bed early. The light knock on the closed door made her jump. “Come in, Mom,” she said through the door.

  “Morning, dear. I left you a buttered bagel downstairs and fresh coffee. Take your time.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” she called out and watched as her mother paused.

  Ava’s smile widened. “Looks like I was right about leaving you alone last night,” she said, not missing Riley’s nakedness.

  All Riley could do was let out a groan as her mother laughed all the way down the stairs.

  Riley was walking toward the office when she spotted Kristen going into the bathhouse. She followed quickly hoping the room was empty. “Morning,” she called as she saw her by the sinks.

  Kristen looked at her through the mirror. “Morning, sweetie. Did you sleep well?”

  “Like a baby,” Riley answered grinning.

  Kristen now turned and faced her. “Riley, are you going to be okay with me leaving Wednesday morning?”

  “Are you afraid I’m going to fall in love with you? Trust me when I say that we’re both big girls and know exactly what this is.” She came over to Kristen and kissed her mouth softly. “I’m having fun and let’s just have fun together.”

  Kristen smiled at her answer. “Will I see you later?”

  “Of course.” Riley stole one more kiss and left her alone, whistling as she walked toward the office.

  Her mother looked up as she entered the building. “I’m happy to see a real smile on your face.” Riley didn’t comment as she took her seat. “I’m just worried that you may get attached and then Kristen leaves again.”

  “Why is everyone worried about me getting attached? I know she’s leaving Wednesday morning. That she has her own life to lead. This is nothing more than two people enjoying themselves.”

  “Do you want me to spend another night at Olivia’s place?”

  “No, Mom.”

  “Are you sure, Riley? I don’t mind,” Ava insisted.

  Riley stood up. “I’m sure, Mom.” She turned toward the doorway. “The truck just pulled up with the tables and chairs. I’m going to make sure everything is set up properly.” She walked over to the two men who were setting up tables and chairs. “Good morning.”

  “Hey, Riley. Is this where you want everything set up?”

  “Yes, thank you.” She watched as Pete Quinn moved two barbecues over to the area. “Any problems this morning?” she asked as she approached Pete.

  “No, Riley. Everything will be ready for tonight’s barbecue.”

  “Thanks, Pete. Let me know if you need anything.” He raised his hand as she turned to walk away. Her next stop was the pool area which seemed to need cleaning up more this year than in years past. Out of her pocket she pulled a garbage bag and began to pick up debris. While she did that, she straightened the chairs.

  “Good morning, Riley.”

  A voice called behind her. She turned and saw Shelby walking through the gate. “Good morning. Are you enjoying your stay so far?”

  Shelby laughed. “I think living on a boat has its disadvantages, but your marina is beautiful, welcoming and I feel very comfortable here.”

  Riley chuckled too. “I don’t think I could live on a boat for very long.” She moved closer to Shelby and lowered her voice. “But please don’t let the rest of my guests know that.”

  “Your secret is safe with me,” Shelby answered, crossing her heart with her fingers.

  Riley reached for the skimmer to remove the debris that was floating on the top of the water in the pool. She reached down and touched the water. “The water is warm.” Riley turned and watched as Shelby removed her cover up to reveal a black one piece bathing suit. The suit was cut high on her long legs and came down in a v between her breasts. Riley turned away and emptied the skimmer hiding the blush that was obviously on her face. She walked over to the dumpster and dumped the bag inside. As she turned around, she froze. Shelby was now lying on a floating mat. Behind the security of her dark glasses, her eyes scanned over her body. Without realizing what she was doing, she licked her lips.

  “She’s very pretty,” a voice said into Riley’s ear.

  Riley turned and saw the voice belonged to Kristen. Her hand went to her heart. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  Kristen chuckled. “Sorry, but you were lost in a trance.”

  Riley shoved her hands into her pocket and began to walk away. “No I wasn’t. I was just thinking what I had to do before the barbecue.”

  “Mmhm,” Kristen answered quietly.

  “Where are you off to?” Riley asked, changing the subject.

  “To have lunch with my parents.” She moved closer to Riley. “Do you think we can find some time to be alone tonight? Or has Miss Thing over there caught your eye instead?” Kristen nodded with her head.

  “Her? Are you kidding me? We barely tolerate each other. The first time I met her, she practically took my head off.”

  “Is she gay?” Kristen asked as they continued walking.

  “Don’t think so. I don’t get any vibe from her.” Riley grinned. “With the exception of dislike.”

  Kristen put her hand through Riley’s arm. “It’s her loss.” She kissed her cheek as they reached Shelby’s dock. “I’ll see you later,” she said with a wave and then was gone.

  Riley walked into the office and raised her sunglasses onto her head. “Hey, Mom,” she said hoping her mother wouldn’t continue the conversation they had earlier.

  “Riley, how is everything out there?”

  “Good. Pete is setting up the barbecue and the tables and chairs were delivered.” She sat down at her desk and turned on her computer.

  “I spoke with Olivia and they’ve got two turkeys in the oven for tonight. You will take care of cooking the hamburgers and hotdogs?”

  “I do every year, Mom,” Riley said and went into her email to see if there was anything important there.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Riley was standing by the barbecue cooking the food while the guests milled around. As the burgers and dogs came off the barbecue, Riley watched as they disappeared from the plates. She continued cooking for the next hour. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she looked at the group of people sitting at tables laughing and enjoying themselves. She now grabbed a plate for herself. Riley walked over to where her mother was sitting and was surprised to see Shelby sitting with Kristen and her mother. She took the seat next to Kristen. “Hey,” she said quietly.

  “You look tired,” her mother said looking at Riley.

  “Hungry too,” she said picking up the small roll that had a piece of turkey, lettuce and a tomato.

  “Why didn’t you get any sides?” Ava asked.

  Riley nodded with her head. “Line is too long. I’ll go back when I finish this.’ The sandwich disappeared in three bites. She now saw Kristen holding a bottle of beer on her lap. Riley took the bottle from her hands and finished it off. “I’ll get you another one.” Before Riley got too far, Kristen followed her. As her hand reached for the bottles of beer in the tub with ice, Kristen whispered in her ear. “How about we have some alone time?” Her voice was low and husky.

  Riley swallowed and let go of the bottles. “I guess no one will miss us for a little while.”

  The two women disappeared into the crowd and walked toward her house. Her mother’s eyes watched as Kristen and Riley disappeared into the darkness. Another set of eyes also watched.

  Riley and Kristen ran for the stairs. The moment Riley shut the door, she had Kristen pressed against the closed door. She quickly lowered her shorts down to her knees and plunged into her. They were both panting as their bodies banged against the wood door. “Riley,” Kristen screamed as she came quickly. She now spun them around so she became the aggressor. Kristen dropped to her knees and spread Riley wide for her as she worked he
r tongue over the wetness that surrounded her mouth.

  “God, Kristen,” Riley moaned as she held Kristen’s head. “Yes,” she screamed and it took all her strength to make her legs keep her standing.

  Kristen was now stripping off the rest of Riley’s clothes and then her own. Once their bodies were on the bed, they began a slow and sensuous repeat of what they had just done moments earlier.

  *

  “So what brings you to our little marina?” Ava asked a surprised Shelby.

  “I just moved from North Carolina and started a new job. I wanted to see if I liked my new job before I lock myself into an apartment lease,” Shelby answered without divulging too much information.

  “You didn’t like North Carolina anymore?” Ava pressed.

  Shelby looked at Ava’s face not believing Ava was not going to let it drop. Can’t she tell this is making me uncomfortable? “I wanted a change.”

  “Did you leave anyone behind?”

  “Not really,” she said lying.

  “I would think a woman as beautiful as you would have left someone behind. Maybe a woman or man?”

  Shelby realized that Ava wasn’t going to give up. She could either get up and walk away or answer her questions. “I was living with someone, but it didn’t work out.”

  “You went far to get away from a bad relationship.”

  Shelby laughed. “Yeah, I did. He wouldn’t take no for an answer even though he was the one cheating on me.”

  Ava placed her hand on Shelby’s arm. “He didn’t hurt you, dear?”

  “No, nothing like that. He just thought I should forgive him and go on as if nothing had happened. He wouldn’t stop calling or texting me. I got a new number and Dot offered me their boat for the summer,” Shelby shrugged. “It is a good temporary situation for now.”

  “I’m sorry, Shelby.” They sat quietly for a few minutes before Ava spoke again. “At least I know not to fix you up with my daughter. I made that mistake once and Riley will never let me forget it.”

  “What happened?” Shelby asked grinning.

  “The woman turned out to be straight and slapped her when she tried to kiss her.”

  The two women were laughing when Riley returned to the barbecue. She walked over to the food and filled a plate. Ava noticed that Kristen walked over to where her parents were sitting with friends. As Riley took a seat, she said. “I see you worked up quite the appetite.” Riley ignored her mother’s comment. “People have been asking me where you went.”

  Riley looked at her mother and then Shelby. “Mom, can we talk about this later?”

  “Why? Are you embarrassed that you snuck off for a quickie with Kristen?”

  Riley picked up her plate and walked away.

  “I think I might have gone too far. She’s going to let me have it later.” Ava sighed. “I just want to see her happy and settled.”

  “Kristen seems like a nice woman,” Shelby said.

  “Kristen leaves on Wednesday. They’ve been on and off since Riley was a teenager. Kristen isn’t the type to want to live at a marina. She likes the city. Riley’s father was the same way. He hated it here and couldn’t wait to get away from here.”

  “I’m sorry, Ava.” This time it was Shelby to comfort Ava. “I think it’s beautiful here. I’m not sure I could live on a boat the rest of my life, but otherwise, it is paradise.”

  Ava touched the hand that was touching her arm. “Are you sure you aren’t gay? You and my daughter would make a beautiful couple.”

  Shelby chuckled. “Sorry, Ava.” Me with a woman. Can you imagine? No, I really can’t.

  *

  Riley helped the guys clean up the area after the barbecue ended. She didn’t want to have a conversation with her mother tonight. Not while she was angry. She couldn’t believe what came out of her mother’s mouth and in front of a virtual stranger.

  The following morning, Riley left even before her mother got out of bed. She walked over to her kayak with her fishing pole and got in. The sun had just risen and the water was shimmering in the light. Her sunglasses in place she paddled out into the water. Once she was away from the marina, she dropped her line into the water. Remembering how Kristen had touched her body finally brought a smile to her face, but knowing they only had two days left removed the smile quickly. “No, you didn’t get attached,” she said to no one. “Then why do I feel as though I will never see her again?” Riley watched as her bobber was pulled under the water and jerked her pole in order to hook her catch. She brought the fish close to the boat and pulled it into the kayak. Riley held up the fish and said, “You will make a nice meal.” She dropped the line back in and relaxed waiting for another bite.

  When Riley got back to the marina, she went over to the fish station to clean up her catch. “Nice catch there, Riley,” one of the boat owners said.

  “I know. Can’t wait to taste them.” Grouper was one of Riley’s favorite fish and she knew her mother would make a scrumptious meal out of the two fish she caught. She laid the fish on a plate in the refrigerator and went upstairs to take a much needed shower.

  “Good morning, Riley,” Ava said when Riley walked into the office.

  “Morning. I left two filets in the refrigerator at home for dinner tonight.”

  “So that’s where you were this morning. I thought you were going to avoid me all day.” Riley barely looked up from the newspaper she was reading. “I’m only looking out for your best interest, honey.”

  “I know you think you know what’s best for me, but it’s my life, Mom.” Riley took a breath in order to calm herself before speaking again. “I’m a big girl and I know the score.”

  “Kristen drifts in and out of your life so much that I’m afraid she is going to break your heart.”

  “You can’t break a heart unless you’ve given it to someone.” Riley took a breath again. “Trust me when I say that she isn’t interested in me that way. Besides, I probably will never see her again after she leaves this time.”

  “Why?” Ava asked confused.

  “If I tell you, you can’t say anything to anyone,” Riley said, pointing her finger in warning.

  “I promise.”

  “Kristen is looking for a new job and may even move to New York or Chicago.”

  “Oh, Riley. Her parents are going to be so disappointed.” Now Ava was glad that her daughter wasn’t more involved with Kristen. She couldn’t stand it if Riley decided to leave the marina or even the state.

  “Kristen’s job is very important to her. I think her career will always be her only love.” As much as she tried, she couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice.

  Ava walked over to daughter and dropped her chin onto Riley’s head. Her arms surrounded her in a protective blanket. “Your time will come, Riley. There is a woman out there that will love you as you deserve to be loved. Trust me on this.”

  Riley laughed. “Well, she certainly is taking her sweet time.”

  “You were right about Shelby,” Ava said once she took her seat again.

  “What? That she is a bitch.”

  “Riley,” Ava scolded. “She’s straight and-”

  Riley cut her off. “Told you so and aren’t you glad you didn’t try and fix her up with me?”

  Ava shook her head and rolled her eyes. “She’s here because of a boyfriend that began stalking her after she left him for cheating.” Riley didn’t comment and let her mother continue. “The poor girl had to leave the state of North Carolina and take a new job.”

  “Okay, she’s had a hard life. Who hasn’t?” Riley asked without compassion.

  “She could use a friend, Riley.”

  “Oh, no, Mom. We are barely on speaking terms and I want to leave it at that.”

  “Why, Riley?”

  Riley shrugged. “I don’t know. I just get this vibe from her that she’s a homophobe.”

  “You don’t know anything about her, Riley.”

  “And I’d like to leave it just like
that.” Riley got up from her chair. “Please, Mom, just leave it alone.”

  Ava opened her mouth to argue, but she knew she would only make Riley push back even more. So, she said instead, “Go see Kristen while you can.”

  “Thanks. I’ll see you later.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Riley stood at her bedroom Wednesday morning watching Kristen pack her car for her departure back to life so far away. Just before Kristen stepped into the vehicle she glanced at Riley’s house. Her hand shaded her eyes as she stared up at the house. A slight wave in Riley’s direction brought a smile to her face before Kristen got into the car and drove out of the parking lot. It seemed that this was going to be how Riley spent the rest of her life. Women would come and go and Riley would always be left at the window watching them drive away.

  Riley spent the next two weeks moping around not caring about the marina or trying to make the guests feel welcome. For the first time in her life, she thought about leaving the marina. Her mother, aunt and uncle would be disappointed, but Riley didn’t think she could go on living this life. It was in this realization that she understood why her father finally walked away. Riley’s arms went back and forth as she skimmed the pool of debris. Her eyes glazed over and she saw nothing as she continued her work as if she were on autopilot.

  “I think that spot is already cleaned,” a voice called from behind her.

  Riley shook her head and her eyes focused as she turned. “Shelby,” she said softly. “I guess I was daydreaming,” Riley answered as she saw her skimmer was empty.

  “I hope it was something nice you were thinking about,” she said as she took a seat on one of the lounge chairs. Riley shrugged her answer and went back to work. “Haven’t seen much of you. I thought maybe you had taken some time off.”

  Riley chuckled. “No. I’ve been keeping busy with work is all.” She shook the skimmer of the debris into her bag. “Are you still enjoying your stay here?” Riley asked, trying to make polite conversation and trying to change the subject away from herself.