Take a Deep Breath (Lake of the Pines)

by Shar Dimick

  Max looked up from his hand of cards at Cam. He was a tall, muscular man. While he had a little paunch, for the most part he was pretty fit for his age. He limited his drinking and smoking to his poker games, but when he did, he tended to go a little overboard with it. His silver hair was always cropped short. Max got a haircut every three weeks whether he needed it or not.

  “Hey, I didn’t realize I raised a daughter instead of a son. When are you going to cut that girly hair?”

  “Funny, Dad. I’ll cut it when I cut it. I’m on vacation anyway.”

  Max pulled out the empty folding chair next to him. “Sit down, son. Let me deal you in.”

  “I already told you, Dad I have plans this afternoon. I’m going to be late if I don’t get going now.” Cam sighed.

  "Are you sure you can’t play just one hand?”

  “I would if I could, but I promised Livvy and her little girl that I’d take them out on the boat this afternoon.”

  “Livvy who?” Max played dumb.

  “You know who Livvy is Dad.”

  “Right, the girl you moped around about for months back in high school. Brad said you’d ran into her. Are you sure you want to get involved with her again? I don’t want to see you get hurt. Getting involved with a married woman is not a good idea.”

  “Dad, stop. First of all, she’s divorced. Second of all, I’m a grown man and I can take care of myself. It’s my business if I want to see Liv or not.” Cam struggled to control his anger.

  Max frowned. “Okay. You won’t hear another word about it from me. Me and the guys here were hoping to take the boat out fishing this afternoon, though. We’re going to try to limit out on perch.”

  “The fish don’t really start biting until dusk. I’ll have the boat back in plenty of time. If not you can always use the smaller boat.”

  “I guess that would work.”

  “Great, Dad. See you later. Uncle Roger. Mr. Brunswick. Good to see you again too.” Cam headed toward the bathroom to take a quick shower before heading back out to get the boat ready. Why does he always do that to me? I’m not twelve-years old. He continued to fume as he pulled on his navy swim trunks and a fresh white t-shirt. He tried to put his dad out of his mind and concentrate on having a good time with Liv and Sara. He threw some towels and sunscreen into a duffel bag and headed out the door.

  The sun was shining now and Cam’s dark mood began to improve as he headed down to the lake. He dropped the duffel on the dock and pulled the tarp off the boat. The life vests were already stowed under the seats. Now he needed to find the child-size life jacket for Sara and the tube. He smiled imaging the fun Sara would have riding behind the boat on it. He found the smaller life jacket hanging on a hook right inside the shed door. He rooted through the junk in the shed until he found the tube under a pile of old rafts. It was dusty and slightly deflated. Cam hosed it off and tossed it into the boat along with the life jacket. He’d put air in the tube when he gassed the boat up. He grabbed the duffel bag and dropped it into the boat as well. Balancing one foot on the dock and the other on the edge of the boat, he untied the lines and pushed off to launch the boat. He drifted away for a few feet until the water was deep enough to lower the inboard motor and power it up without damaging the blades.

  He fished in his pocket for the boat key, lowered his sunglasses and turned the key in the ignition. The motor hummed and he was underway. The Adams’ cottage was on the east side of the lake. He’d stop at the marina on the way over. Luck was on his side and the fueling station on the pier wasn’t busy. Within fifteen minutes, the boat was fueled up and the tube was pumped up. Cam cut the motor as he neared the Adams’ floating dock and let the boat glide the rest of the way in. Sara was waiting at the end of the dock with Pup-Pup, waving to him. Liv followed right behind them carrying a picnic basket. She had on a pair of jean shorts over her black one-piece bathing suit that tied behind her neck. She had her hair pulled up in a high ponytail and dark glasses on. Cam’s spirits immediately lifted, just seeing them.

  “Hey there beautiful ladies, are you ready to go?”

  “Yes!!!” Excitement spilled all over Sara’s face. She jumped up and down on the dock. Cam threw the bow line to Liv and she wrapped it around one of the posts. He jumped off the boat and secured the stern line to hold the boat in place.

  “Can Pup-Pup come with us? Please, please, please!”

  Cam laughed. “I don’t see why not.”

  “See Mom, I told you she could come!”

  “I didn’t say she couldn’t. I just said you had to ask Cam first.”

  Sara peered into the boat and pointed. “Look, look, he has a tube! Can I have a ride on that? I can swim you know. I took swim lessons last summer and I swam all the way across the deep end and back all by myself.”

  “That’s great Sara! I bet your Mom was proud of you. Before we do anything though, you have to put on a life jacket.” Cam tossed her the small orange, coast-guard approved life preserver.

  “Ahhh. Do I have to? Those things make me too hot.”

  “Sorry, darling, but those are the rules. No life jacket, no boat.”

  “Oh, all right.” Sara put on the life jacket without another word of complaint. Liv helped her buckle it up and adjust it so it wasn’t “choking” her. “Okay, I’m ready. Now can I ride on the tube?” she asked.

  “Well, that one is really up to your mother,” Cam deferred to Liv.

  “I don’t know Sara. You’re awfully young and you only just learned how to swim,” Liv debated.

  “Please, Mom, please. I’ll be careful.”

  Liv sighed. “Okay. I guess so. But not too fast.”

  “Hooray!!!” Sara jumped up and down in excitement.

  Cam helped Sara and Pup-Pup into the boat and pointed to the seats in the front the boat.

  “You two can sit up there in the bow.”

  He turned and took the picnic basket from Liv, setting it behind the driver’s seat and reaching back for Liv’s hand. The boat started to move away from the dock. Liv’s legs began to stretch between the two. She felt herself starting to fall when Cam caught her and they both fell into the bottom of the boat, just missing the picnic basket.

  “You did that on purpose!”

  “Who me?” Cam turned the palms of his hands up and shrugged his shoulders. Liv took the seat next to the driver’s, while Cam unhooked the lines and pushed off.

  “Once we’re on the other side of the lake, we’ll put the tube out. I know a nice cove where we can go that’ll be perfect.”

  “Okay!” Sara wiggled in her seat.

  The motor purred as they made their way out of the inlet leading from the dock to the main lake.

  “Are you ready?” Everyone nodded agreement. “Okay, then. Hold on.” Cam opened her up. The bow of the boat lifted out of the water as they skimmed over the waves. The lake wasn’t too choppy yet from a lot of boat traffic. Cam easily maneuvered the boat and followed the shore line toward the cove. When they were out in the middle of the lake away from a lot of other boats, he slowed the boat down and looked over to Liv.

  “You wanna drive, Liv?”

  “Me? I don’t think I should. I’d be afraid I’d wreck your boat.” Liv shook her head.

  “Come on. You aren’t going to wreck the boat. And even if you did, who cares, it’s just a boat. It can be replaced.”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never driven a boat before.”

  “Even more reason to try it now.” He stopped the boat and pulled her over toward him. She reluctantly took his place in the driver’s seat, while he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He showed her how to steer the boat and move it forward. When Sara wasn’t looking, he leaned over and kissed the side of Liv’s neck, sending chills through her.

  “Hey, I’m trying to concentrate, here!” Liv laughed.

  “Sorry! I’ll be good.”

  Liv was nervous as she placed her hand on the throttle and moved it forward. The boat took off.
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  “Ease up on it a little.”

  Liv slowed it down a little and soon was driving the boat as if she’d done it all her life. She smiled as the warm wind blew across her face. Cam gestured for her to turn the boat toward the shore a little and over to an inlet leading to the smaller cove. She turned the wheel slightly and eased back on the throttle as they approached.

  “Wow! That was exhilarating!” Liv let Cam take over the controls. “I’ve never done anything like that before. It was so much fun!”

  “Can I drive too?” Sara asked.

  “Maybe next time, but for now, it’s time to go tubing!” He cut the engine after successfully moving ahead into the cove and turning the boat back around to face out of the inlet toward the main lake. Sara helped him turn the crank to lower the anchor so the boat would stay moored as they got the equipment ready. First, he looped the tow line onto the ski ring at the top of the pole sticking up from the stern of the boat and connected the other end to the tube. Next, he pulled his t-shirt over his head, revealing his tanned chest and firm abs and tossed it on the seat. In one smooth motion, he heaved the tube over the side of the boat and jumped in to join it.

  “Wow, you made a big splash!” Sara teased. “Can I get it now too?”

  “Just a second.” Cam slicked his hair back from his face and wiped the water from his eyes. Then, he pushed the tube out and away from the boat so the tow line wouldn’t get caught in the motor.

  “Okay, Sara. Are you ready?” He turned back toward Sara while treading water. “Go ahead and jump in.”

  Sara stood on the edge of the boat and looked down into the water. Pup-Pup paced back and forth on the seat trying to figure out a way to jump in after her.

  “Oh no, you don’t, little one. We don’t need you going into the drink.” Liv moved toward the seat where Sara had been sitting to balance out the weight in the boat. She scooped up the little dog and held her in her lap.

  “Are you okay, Sara?” Liv asked as she watched Sara still standing on the edge of the boat.

  “I changed my mind. I don’t think I want to go after all.” Sara backed down into the boat.

  “It’s okay, Sara!” Cam called up to her. “You don’t have to jump. I’ll help you in.” He climbed up the ladder to where Sara sat. “Just sit up here on the edge and let your feet dangle over the side and I’ll help you in.”

  Sara relaxed and followed Cam’s instructions. Soon she was floating around in her life jacket next to Cam, splashing and laughing. Liv leaned over the edge of the boat to watch. As she did, Pup-Pup wiggled free and took the opportunity to jump in after Sara. Sara turned toward the splash and watched as Pup-Pup went underwater and then immediately popped back up to the surface.

  “Get her! Get her!” Sara started to panic. “She’s going to get drowned!”

  “It’s all right, Sara. Calm down. Dogs know how to swim,” Cam assured her.

  Sure enough, the once-fluffy little dog paddled over to where Sara and Cam were floating. She tried to climb up on the tube, but wasn’t big enough. Cam easily caught the renegade puppy.

  “Here Sara, hold on to the tube, while I take Pup-Pup back to the boat.”

  Liv knelt on the seat and stretched out over the side of the boat to get the soaking puppy from Cam. Just as she was reaching for the wiggling puppy, Cam made a switch. He set the puppy on the edge of the boat with one hand and grabbed Liv’s arm with the other, pulling her into the lake with him. Sara laughed hysterically.

  “Hey! I wasn’t going to get wet!” Liv fake pouted. Soon they were all laughing and splashing around. Pup-Pup shook the water from her fur and once again ran back and forth along the deck of the boat, barking. Moments later, she launched herself back into the water and paddled over to join the fun.

  “Okay, let’s get you on that tube!” Cam helped Sara climb into the center of the tube. “Now, hold on tight to these handles. When you are ready, give me the thumbs up. If you need me to stop or slow down, just shake your head side-to-side. If you want me to go faster, you can nod your head up and down.”

  Sara nodded agreement, “Got it!”

  “She won’t need that last sign,” Liv interjected. “She does not need to go faster. Slow is good.”

  “Come on Mom. I want to go fast!”

  “I’m sure Cam will go fast enough.” Liv let her protective mother instinct kick in.

  “So what’re you going to do if you need me to stop?” Cam quizzed Sara.

  “Shake my head, side-to-side, like this.” Sara demonstrated.

  “And what else are you going to do?”

  “Hold on tight!”

  “I think she’s ready to try it now!”

  Liv and Cam swam back to the boat, taking Pup-Pup with them. Once they were all on board again, Cam raised the anchor. Liv moved to the stern of the boat so she could spot Sara.

  Cam looked back at Liv and Sara. “Is she ready to go?”

  “Are you ready?” Liv called out. Sara gave the thumbs up and grabbed the handles of the tube again as if her life depended on it.

  “She’s ready!” Liv relayed to Cam. He slowly pulled out of the cove with Sara floating gently behind. As they came around into the main part of the lake, he sped the boat up slightly. Liv watched as Sara giggled and smiled. She and the tube bounced up and down over the wake of the boat. After going around the lake twice, Cam slowed the boat down again and brought them back into the cove to moor. Liv pulled on the tow line and brought the tube with Sara on it back to the boat and helped the little girl back in. Next, Cam hauled the tube into the boat and unhooked the tow rope.

  “That was awesome! Did you see me, Mom? Did you? Did you see me back there bouncing on the tube?”

  “I sure did Sweetie!” Liv loved to see her daughter so animated and happy.

  “You did great out there!” Cam complimented her.

  “Can I go again?”

  “Sure you can, but probably not today. I have to get the boat back in a bit and right now I’m starving! Is anyone else hungry?”

  “I am!” Sara cheered.

  “Me too!” Liv chimed in. And, she really was hungry.

  Sara helped Cam get out the picnic basket and pass out the food.

  “Your Grandma sure does make great sandwiches.”

  “And cookies too!” Sara pulled out a bag of peanut butter cookies that’d she’d helped bake.

  “After we get done eating, why don’t we take the boat back to my place, that way you can get your car,” Cam suggested. “Then we can head back over to your Grandma’s - if I’m invited – and we can sit by the campfire again.”

  “Of course you’re invited!” Liv gushed. “That sounds great to me.”

  “Me too! I want to roast marshmallows again and catch fireflies too!” Sara piped in.

  “It’s all set then.” Cam angled the boat back toward home. It was just about five thirty when they reached the Preston summer home. He secured the boat and helped everyone get out -- this time without incident. He glanced toward the house and breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed his father’s truck was gone. They must have gone to get bait or something. They unloaded their gear and put the tube back in the shed. Moments later they headed up the hill and piled into Liv’s car. Sara started singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” as they drove around the lake back to the Adams’. She stopped singing for a moment. “I have an idea! Let’s sing it in a round! We do that in music class all the time. I’ll start. Then you join in Mom, when I get to the first ‘merrily,’ then Cam’ll go when you get to ‘merrily’ and we sing it three times each!”

  “I don’t know Sara…”

  “Please Mom! It’ll be fun.”

  “Oh all right. Just for you,” Liv gave in. Sara began to sing and then Liv joined in. Soon all their voices blended together and Cam finished, “Merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.” And for Cam, it certainly felt like a dream. He couldn’t remember having had a day any better than this one.

  Later tha
t night after Sara was tucked into bed, Liv drove Cam back home. The gravel crunched under the tires as she pulled into his driveway. The security light was on, but the house looked dark.

  “Do you want to go inside for a minute and have some coffee or something?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Liv smiled and turned off the car. Cam came around the driver’s side and opened the door for her. “My, aren’t you the gallant one.” Liv teased Cam as she got out of the car.

  “Not really.” Cam pushed her door close. “I’ve just been waiting all night to do this again.” He backed her up against the car, cupped the back of her head with his hand and covered her mouth with his. She met his tongue with hers and deepened the kiss. Her arms embraced him, pulling him against her lean body. Cam could feel her heart beating as quickly as his beneath the thin white blouse she was wearing over her camisole. He couldn’t get enough of her taste. He finally broke off the kiss before he couldn’t stop himself.

  Breathing heavily, he whispered in her ear, “Let’s go inside…” and kissed her neck again.

  Remembering how far things had gotten earlier, Liv hesitated. “Cam, I want to. You have to know I do, but I can’t. It’s, it’s just too soon for me.” She pushed back from him.

  “No, no, that’s not what I meant," Cam said in a rush, although in the back of his mind he knew that was totally what he meant. He wanted her with his whole body.

  “You mean you don’t want to?” Hurt and confusion crossed her face.

  “Of course I want to. God help me, I’d make love with you right here, right now given the chance. Damn, I’m saying this all wrong. I’m sorry Livvy. I’m really making a mess of this, aren’t I?” Cam looked like a worried school boy standing under the light.

  “No…” Liv moved back into Cam’s arms. “You aren’t.”

  He looked into her eyes. “I know the time isn’t right, yet. I want you to know I’d never do anything to hurt you or rush you. At least not on purpose…”

  “I know Cam. Did I ever tell you, you talk too much?” Liv cut him off as she brought her mouth back to his for more. Maybe I am ready, she thought.