Take a Deep Breath (Lake of the Pines)

by Shar Dimick

  “Are you ready?” Liv’s question brought him back from his thoughts.

  “After you, Livvy.” Cam held the door open for her. He watched her move through the door and stand on the porch waiting for him to join her. She had on a blue floral halter dress that hugged her curves. It hit her just above her knees. Her tanned legs seemed to go on forever. The strappy, high-heeled sandals she wore with it only added to the effect. He groaned inwardly. Why did she have to be married, he asked himself for the thousandth time that day.

  “Where’s your truck?”

  “I just use that when I’m delivering wood. I thought you’d be more comfortable in my car.” He led her out to his black BMW convertible.

  “Wow, very nice.”

  Cam held the passenger door open for her and she slid onto the gray leather seat. He ran over to the driver’s side and got in next to her as she adjusted her safety belt.

  “I thought we’d go to that Italian place down on the boardwalk, if that’s okay with you.”

  “My favorite.” Liv smiled at him.

  “I thought so.”

  “You have a good memory.”

  “Do you want the top up or should I leave it down?”

  “Whatever you want is fine with me.”

  “What do you want, though?”

  “Leave it down. It’s a nice evening.”

  “Down it stays then.” Cam turned the ignition over and shifted the car into reverse. The stereo was on and the first rifts of Green Day’s “Good Riddance” began to play. Another favorite. Good memory, indeed, she thought as she hummed along.

  The Bistro was crowded for a Thursday evening. Cam circled through the parking lot twice before finally finding a spot. He put the top up and came around to open the door for Liv.

  “I can’t believe it’s so crowded tonight. Do you want to go somewhere else instead?” she asked.

  “I’m not in a hurry unless you are. I don’t mind waiting.”

  “Me either.” Liv breathed a sigh of relief. Ron never liked waiting for a table and often caused scenes at restaurants. They’d end up driving around for an hour looking for a place with no wait. By the time they found one, they could have been done eating at the first place. It never made sense to Liv.

  Cam put their name on the waiting list for a table. The Bistro didn’t take reservations. The hostess told them the wait would be about 45 minutes so they went out to the patio bar to wait.

  “Do you want anything to drink from the bar?”

  “Lemonade would be great.”

  “Got it, lemonade, I’ll be right back.” A few minutes later Cam returned with two lemonades.

  “No beer?” She raised her eyebrows at him.

  “Nah, I like a cold one once in a while, but I’m not much of a beer drinker. Besides, I’m driving.”

  Liv took a small sip of her drink. “The lemonade is really good. Not too sweet and not too sour.”

  Cam took a sip and agreed. Liv noticed a couple leaving to go inside to their table and they snagged the vacated table. Liv swirled her drink with the straw and took in her surroundings. The light breeze off the lake felt good against her warm skin. Even though she’d lathered the sunscreen on, she’d still managed to get a little sunburned across her chest and shoulders. The beach looked empty compared to earlier in the day. She watched a pontoon boat glide across the lake. Several fishing boats also puttered by looking for a good spot to anchor. The sun sat low in the sky, but wouldn’t set for another couple of hours.

  Behind her several couples sat at the bar drinking and laughing as they waited for their tables. Music played over the speakers, but was low enough so people could still talk without shouting. A family of four sat on a wooden bench that ran along the edge of the patio. They played “I spy” as they waited for their table. Liv was amazed at how well behaved the kids were being as they waited. In the front window of the restaurant, a red, neon sign read “The Bistro.” The same sign had hung in the window for more than 20 years. The Bistro, a family-run restaurant, had the best spaghetti, lasagna and pizza around. The quaint atmosphere and great service kept people coming back time after time. Over the years, Liv had eaten many meals at the restaurant. Her older sister, Jen, had been good friends with the owner’s daughter, Bella. The summer between Jen’s junior and senior year of high school, she had waitressed with Bella at The Bistro. Liv was only 14 back then and wanted so much to be like her sister.

  Liv and Cam’s small table for two was on the edge of the patio. Liv sat back in the metal chair and smoothed her dress over her legs nervously.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. I’m good. Actually, I’m better than good.” Liv smiled, suppressing her growing anxiety.

  “I am too. You seemed so far away a minute ago.”

  “I was just thinking back to the summer my sister Jen waitressed here. The place hasn’t changed much since then.”

  “Some things don’t need changing.” Cam smiled and finished off his lemonade. He set the glass of ice and lemon wedges on the table. “What is Jen up to these days?”

  “She’s an art teacher at an elementary school near our hometown. She really enjoys the kids. She’s taught there three years now. In her spare time, she’s redecorating the house she just bought.”

  “It sounds like she’s busy. Does she have any kids herself?”

  “No. She was engaged four years ago, but her fiancée broke it off a few weeks before the wedding. Jen wouldn’t talk much about what happened. She hasn’t really dated much that I know of since then. She’s pretty much focused on her career right now.”

  “Well, she has plenty of time to find the right guy.”

  “True. What about your brother, Brad? Did he marry Leah?”

  Cam coughed. “No. They were only together that one summer. She was just one of a long string of girls my brother’s dated over the years. He always seems to have a flavor of the month. He’s in between women right now. He got his law degree and is partner in my father’s firm.”

  “So your Dad’s still working?” She began to relax as they talked. As soon as she stopped worrying about panicking, the anxiety flowed out of her body.

  “Yeah, he’s talked about retiring off and on, but he likes being important too much.” Cam laughed.

  “Well at least it sounds like they’re both happy.”

  “I’m not so sure about that.” Cam frowned and changed the subject. “What about your parents? I noticed the t-shirt you had on the other day. Is your mother okay?”

  Liv had forgotten she’d been wearing one of her breast cancer awareness t-shirts the other night. She shook her head yes. “Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall. She had a small tumor in her right breast. She felt the lump during a self-examine, saw the doctor the next day and went in for a mammogram and breast MRI three days later. The doctors did a needle biopsy during the MRI. It came back positive, but luckily it was in the earliest stages. The surgeon gave her a couple of choices in treatment, but in the end my mom decided to have a mastectomy with the reconstructive surgery. I can’t say I blame her. I would have done the same in her place. It still amazes me how fast it all happened.”

  “How’s she doing now?”

  “Oh, she’s doing great. After the surgery she had one six-week round of chemo. She finished that up about six months ago. She and my Dad decided to take a long Caribbean vacation this summer to celebrate life. They seem to be having a great time from the postcards they’ve been sending.”

  “She’s a lucky woman. She was smart to see the doctor so quickly.”

  “I know. We’re so blessed.”

  “What about you? How did you handle it?

  “I actually was pretty strong through the whole ordeal. Sure, I was scared. We all were, but during the whole time I didn’t have one panic attack. I focused on my mom and said a lot of prayers.”

  The music broke and a voice over the loud speaker said “Preston party of two, your table is now ready.”r />
  “That’s us.” Cam rose from the table.

  Liv followed Cam to the hostess stand. The hostess led them to a cozy table in the corner. The table was covered in a red and white checkered table cloth. A votive candle flickered in the center. The hostess gave them each a menu and took their drink orders. They both studied the menu in comfortable silence. Liv tried to decide what sounded good to her.

  “What are you going to have?”

  “I’m not sure yet. Everything sounds delicious.”

  “I know. I usually get…”

  “The spaghetti and meatballs,” Cam finished.

  “I do. You remember that too…”

  “I remember a lot about you Liv.” Cam ran his thumb along her arm. Liv shivered and Cam abruptly pulled away. “Sorry,” he mumbled and went back to reading his menu.

  The waitress came back to take their orders.

  “I’ll have the chicken parmigiana and a cup of the minestrone soup,” Liv said as she handed the waitress her menu and took a drink of water.

  “No spaghetti?”

  “I thought I’d change it up this time.”

  Cam ordered the spaghetti and meatballs for himself. “I might let you have a bite of mine if you change your mind later.”

  “I just might take you up on that…” Liv rested her hand on his forearm.

  Was she flirting with me? No, it must be my imagination, Cam thought. The weight and heat of her hand on his arm played havoc with his senses. The way she laughed and tilted her head up at him, the curve of her neck, her sweet bow-shaped mouth and the dip of her dress pulling his gaze to her breasts made it hard for him to concentrate. Was that her leg brushing against his under the table? He needed to get control of himself before he did something stupid and made a fool of himself. She’s married, he reminded himself. He jumped up from the table and startled Liv.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I just need to use the restroom.”

  “Okay.” As soon as she’d brushed her leg against his, he’d bolted off to the restroom. Maybe she’d read his signals wrong. She felt sure he was into her as much as she was him. He watched her with the same hunger in his eyes that she knew was in hers. He must be involved with someone after all. She finished her soup as she waited. She hoped she hadn’t offended Cam. She usually wasn’t so forward.

  “Liv, is that you?” a voice asked from behind her. Liv glanced over her shoulder. A tall woman with long, straight black hair, huge brown eyes and full lips painted with a deep red lipstick came toward her. Her long black skirt had a high slit on the side that showed off her long legs. She had a flower tattoo on her ankle and wore spiked black sandals. The white blouse looked good against her olive-toned skin.

  “Liv? Hi! How are you?” the woman gushed as she stood next to Liv’s chair. “I thought that was you!”

  “I’m great,” Liv said still not quite sure how she knew the woman.

  “It’s good to see you. How’s Jen these days?”

  “Bella…” The beautiful, thin woman before her did not even remotely resemble the Bella she knew years ago. The pudgy girl with the thick glasses was no more. “I didn’t recognize you at first.”

  Bella smiled. “I get that a lot.” She laughed and shrugged her shoulders.

  “You look fabulous! Jen is doing great. She’s an art teacher now. I know she’d love to hear from you!”

  “Yeah, it’d be great to catch up with her.” Just then Cam returned to the table. Bella stepped back a little so Cam could sit down.

  “Why, Cameron Preston. How’re you? I didn’t know you and Liv hooked up,” Bella exclaimed.

  Cam looked thrown off guard. “Actually, I just ran into the Liv the other day. She agreed to have dinner with me to catch up on old times.”

  “That’s great. Well, I’ll leave you two to your meal. It looks like the waitress is coming with your food now.” Bella waved and disappeared into the crowd. The waitress served their dinners and asked if they needed anything else.

  “It looks great. I don’t need anything else. What about you Liv?”

  “I’m good too. Thanks for asking.” Liv cut into her chicken. She blew on it a little and took a bite. It melted in her mouth.

  “So, who was that woman and how does she know us?”

  “I can’t believe you don’t recognize her.” Liv enjoyed teasing Cam. “It’s pretty obvious. She looks just like she did as a kid.”

  For the life of him, he couldn’t conjure up an image of a younger version of the woman. “I give up. You’re going to have to tell me.”

  “Bella Castenni.”

  “That was not Bella.”

  “It was. Truly, I’m not kidding.”

  “Really? She doesn’t look anything like she did.” Cam trailed off as he looked around the restaurant, trying to catch a glimpse of the other woman again.

  Liv laughed. “She does look fabulous now, doesn’t she?” Liv continued eating her dinner. She relaxed back into the comfortable banter with Cam.

  They continued talking and laughing as they ate. Cam glanced out the window and noticed it was dark already. He twirled the last of his spaghetti on his this fork. “This is really good. Do you want to try it? I have one last bite left.” He offered her his fork.

  Instead of taking Cam’s fork from his hand, she leaned across the table and took the spaghetti off with her mouth.

  “Mmm…” She looked up at him with her big blue eyes. Her dark lashed fluttered as she enjoyed the flavors of the spicy tomato sauce. She smiled as a long noodle fell out of her mouth and sauce dripped onto her chin. Cam instinctively reached over with his other hand to gently wipe off the sauce. At the same moment, Liv stuck her tongue out to lick the sauce herself and instead caught his thumb. A stab of heat hit Cam hard in the groin. Dinner was not working. He pulled back.

  “I’m sorry, Cam. I didn’t mean to,” Liv stumbled over her words obviously embarrassed.

  “Here’s a napkin.” She dabbed at her mouth and then set it aside. Cam distracted himself with his drink.

  “Are you okay Cam? I’m sorry if I offended you in anyway.”

  “You didn’t. Not at all, I’m the one that’s sorry.”

  “Well you don’t need to be. I’m having a great time.”

  “Me too.”

  The waitress came with the check and Cam pulled out his wallet. Liv opened her purse as well.

  “I’ll get it.”

  “Are you sure? I can pay my half at least. Dinner was my idea after all.”

  “It’s my treat tonight. You can get it next time.”

  Next time. Liv smiled. Yes. There’d be a next time. She hadn’t screwed up too badly.

  It was 9:30 when they left the restaurant, but Liv wasn’t ready for the night to be over.

  “Do you want to go for a walk along the boardwalk?”

  “That sounds nice.”

  They walked together without talking, careful not to touch each other.

  At the end of the boardwalk they sat down on one of the benches to watch the lake. The waves gently lapped the edge of the beach. The moon reflected off the rippling water. The water-skiers and power boats were gone now. She saw one sail boat in the distance, but other than that the lake was quiet.

  “It’s a nice night.” Liv broke the silence.

  “It is. Look, there’s the big dipper.” Cam pointed above them. She followed his finger to where the stars made up the dipper and its handle.

  “All those stars make me feel so small and insignificant,” Liv whispered.

  Cam turned to her and held her eyes. “You may be small, but you are definitely not insignificant.”

  Liv held her breath. She stared up at him and willed him to kiss her. He leaned in toward her mouth and then stopped as if he’d just remembered something he’d forgotten. He stood up and reached for her hand to help her stand.

  “It’s getting late.” His eyes looked sad as he dropped her hands. “We better get back.”

  Disa
ppointed, Liv agreed and they walked back to his car. A few minutes later they were back at her grandmother’s cottage. The only light left on was the porch light. Cam walked her to the door. Liv thought about asking him in, but decided against it after seeing the odd expression on his face.

  He turned to leave.

  “Call me later?”

  “Definitely.”

  But, Liv stood wondering if he really would.

  Chapter Five

  As he unlocked the door to his family’s summer house on the other side of the lake, Cam heard his cell phone ringing. He almost tripped over a pile of medical journals that he’d left on the floor earlier as his eyes adjusted to the dark and he rushed to grab it before the caller hung up.

  “Hello?” He flipped open his phone with one hand and flicked on the kitchen light with the other.

  “Hey, little bro! Where’ve ya been? I’ve been trying to reach you all night, but you didn’t answer your cell. I was starting to get a little worried,” Brad’s voice came over the phone.

  “I was out. I left my cell on the counter.”

  “You were out after eleven? Anyway, I thought that thing was glued to you.”

  Cam hadn’t realized it’d gotten that late already. “Yeah, well, I’m on an extended vacation. I’m trying to get away from all that.” Cam was taking a break from his large, Chicago medical practice. He and the powers-that-be had different opinions on how the office ran and how long he could spend with patients. He’d decided to spend some time out at Lake of the Pines to re-group and figure out what he wanted to do next.

  “Well?” Brad prompted.

  “Well what?”

  “Well, where were you? Were you out with a woman?”

  “It’s none of your business Brad. What’d you want that was so important anyway?” Cam tried to change the subject.

  “Not so fast, little brother. Do tell.” Brad never gave up. He didn’t stop until he got what he wanted. Much like their father, Brad was driven. He thrived on being the best and doing the best. This explained why Brad had always been the favorite son. The star-quarterback, always popular with the girls, he had the looks that kept them swooning. Brad was the all-American guy. Cam had not been athletically inclined as a kid; he much preferred reading or playing music to sports. That would never do for a Preston son. Cam pushed those thoughts from his head and back to his brother.