Chapter 17
Seventeen
September 6
Nearly four long months have passed since I left the island. I’m almost seven months pregnant, and the Aqua Oyster is now an up-and-coming restaurant with great food, fun drinks, and live music. Jeff has really made an effort to rebrand the bar with a Caribbean flair, and it’s paid off. In addition to typical bar food, burgers, and chicken tenders, he’s added spicy coconut shrimp and crispy fish tacos using Maine seafood.
Labor Day was this week, which means the tourists are gone and we’re back to just the locals. Surprisingly, the vibe has stayed the same; there’s more of a family atmosphere now. All our regulars now bring their wives. Maybe they think it’s cheaper than actually taking them on island vacations. Whatever it is, the Aqua Oyster has become the place to be.
As I’m setting up the bar to open, Jeff stands in the kitchen opening, staring at me.
“Do you need something?” I’ve caught him staring more than once. Has he never seen a pregnant woman before? I force a smile to make sure my job is secure.
“Why did you come back to Maine?” His voice is low and not animated like it normally is. “You’re too pretty to be working in this place.”
Screwing the lid on the jar of cherries I’d partially emptied into the garnish tray, I say, “I had to come back.”
“You could go anywhere, but you came here.”
“You’re the only one who gave me a job..” I don’t want to let my messed-up personal life interfere with the only job I could get. I twirl the starfish pendant with my fingers.
“But you’re so pretty. Why didn’t they see how pretty you are?” I wish he would stop saying that. Is he drunk? Concussed?
Jeff leans against the door jamb and drops his eyes to my feet then slowly moves them up my body, never making eye contact. I feel like a piece of meat being obsessed by a customer at the butcher shop next door.
“I’m just trying to support myself.” I turn away so he can’t see the revulsion on my face. Maybe this is what Suzanne had tried to tell me back when I was hired? “Thank you for the opportunity.”
“I’m glad you came to see me when you needed a job.” He’s right behind me. The hair on the back of my neck stands up when his warm breath hits my collar. “I hope you know you can come to me if you need anything.” His voice drops to a rumble as he leans in closer, speaking almost directly into my ear.
The screen door in the kitchen slams. Jeff steps back and regains a professional demeanor just before Andy joins us behind the bar.
“Hi, guys!” Andy has great timing, whether he knows it or not. If I didn’t need this job to try to get custody of the boys, I would be long gone.
“It’s a great day at the Aqua Oyster,” I cheese, trying to use my smile and my eyebrows to send him thanks for saving me. But he looks at me like I’m being weird.
“Jeff, did our meat order come in yet?” he asks instead. Maybe Jeff can stare at that instead of me.
“It came in this morning.” Jeff looks me up and down again, winks, and takes a deep breath before he turns to follow Andy back into the kitchen.
It takes both hands to hold onto the bar to steady myself once Jeff is out of sight. I need to find something else to do, but there are no other jobs out there. Too bad Jeff turned out to be such a creeper, because I love working here.
The bar is busy for a Wednesday afternoon. I have at least one customer at all times, and although that keeps my aching body moving, it takes my mind off the uncomfortable situation from earlier. I rub my lower back, then reach for a bottle on a higher shelf. I’m grateful for the stretch.
Later, as I restock the beer cooler, Jack’s voice starts singing on the radio, except it isn’t a song I recognize as one of the many in rotation on our local station.
Maybe I should have held you closer and never let you go
Now I’m stranded on this beach alone
Writing messages in a bottle
Sending prayers in the waves
Hoping they find you
I stop what I’m doing and move closer to the speaker to hear the words.
Sandy fingers can't hold you tight
Wishin' on seashells, under the moonlight.
Echoes of your laugh in the warm ocean breeze
But without you, baby, this beach ain't home.
Every starlit sky brings back our love so fast.
Missin' your touch, missin' all of you.
So here's my heart, bare by the sea
Wishin' on stars, hopin' for one more try.
Wishin' on stars, hopin' you’ll come back to me
Oh, shit! This is about us. Sandy fingers? Our hands were all sandy at the beach, and he made the comment he would have a hard time holding on to me. He wrote about our sandy fingers and now they’re on the radio?
I’m stuck in the tide getting pulled from the shore
Sunset memories, they're haunting me,
I need you here, back by the sea.
This beach ain’t paradise when you’re not here with me
He misses me. Looking back on that whole thing around my birthday and his trip to Nashville, I’ve realized I overreacted. I should’ve given Jack the time to explain. Given him the chance to show that he’s trustworthy instead of assuming the worst. It seems so obvious now: Jack wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. I miss you too, Jack , I think as I blow a kiss toward the speaker.
“That kiss for me?” Jeff asks with a leer as he comes around the corner. I can’t stop the full-body shiver that comes over me. He makes me feel disgusting. “I’ll watch the bar so you can go on break.”
“Thanks.” Perfect timing, Creepo-O Jeff. I grab my phone and my bag and go sit in the car to eat.
There are several texts from Suzanne, including a link to a People magazine article.
Country music icon Jack Kendall surprised his fans this week by revealing plans for a farewell tour through a heartfelt message shared on his official Facebook page.
In the announcement, the 48-year-old star conveyed his decision to gradually conclude his touring career within the year. Reflecting on his incredible journey that began over three decades ago, Jack reminisced about the early days when music was distributed on vinyl records and cassettes.
The Tennessee-born artist shot to fame with the success of his 1992 hit “Not Your Average Tan Line,” which soared to the top of the Hot Country Songs chart. His remarkable talent earned him the prestigious Country Music Association's New Horizons Award in 1993, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in country music. Kendall went on to tour the globe fifteen times, first as an opening act for the likes of Loretta Lynn, Garth Brooks, and Diamond Rio, and then as the headliner.
Expressing his awe at the enduring support of his fans, Kendall invited them to join him on this scaled-down final tour, bidding adieu to the touring life that has been his passion for so many years.
While Kendall hasn’t explicitly stated the reason behind his retirement from touring, speculation has arisen, especially considering his recent heartfelt track, “This Beach Ain't Paradise (When You're Not Here With Me).” The song's emotional depth and poignant lyrics hint at themes of longing and loss, suggesting a personal narrative. Fans and music enthusiasts have begun speculating that Kendall’s decision to step back from touring might indeed be connected to a significant relationship hinted at in his latest song. This possibility adds a layer of emotional resonance to his farewell tour.
Kendall’s retirement marks the end of an era for his devoted fans. His legacy as a country music fan favorite is a testament to his enduring talent and the lasting connection he’s forged with his audience.
He did it. He announced he’s done.
I text Suzanne back: Holy shit! He retired!
Suzanne: I thought you might want to know.
Me: Thanks 3
I open Jack’s texts.
Me: Congratulations on your retirement. I hope you are doing well.
I send the message.
Then I think better of it. What am I doing? I’m just causing more pain all around. I unsend immediately.
I need to stop obsessing over Jack Kendall. I eat my sandwich, then head back into the Aqua Oyster and finish my shift.
I can’t stop missing Jack.
The events of the day are swept down the drain with the warm water as I stand under the shower. I always feel gross when I leave my shift, but today I’m extra gross because of my boss’s inappropriate comments. Shampooing the smell of stale beer out of my hair makes me feel human again and helps me forget about Creep-O Jeff.
But the release of the day leaves room for Jack’s new song, which plays on repeat in my mind.
“Missin' your touch, missin' all of you. So here's my heart, bare by the sea,” I sing and think about the island… and Jack.
I shut my eyes, allowing myself to drift back to Jack’s shower, when we were happy being with each other. The gentle spray prickles my skin, sending tingles through me similar to the tingles I got when Jack touched me.
I haven’t been touched by a man since I left the island. Jack introduced me to enjoyable sex. He showed me what it’s like having a partner who cares that I have fun too.
Leaning my back against the shower wall, my mind drifts to memories of Jack touching me. Taking the handheld showerhead off its cradle, I turn the outer rim to the massage setting and run the concentrated stream below my rounded belly. The feeling takes me back to Jack’s home and when I was in his shower with him.
I can almost feel Jack kissing my abdomen and lower as I part my legs, using my free hand to open my folds, allowing him access. I angle the shower head so it’s pointing up and direct the hard stream of water so it massages my clit. Surprised by the intense sensation, I move the spray away, then find a rhythm: in and out, back and forth, and occasionally up and down.
“Come for me!” Memory Jack whispers in my ear. My body shakes with an intense orgasm and I cling to the wall for support. Warmth and peace and pleasure wash over me.
I come back to the present breathing hard. Dazed, I open my eyes and watch the water hit the shower floor. I’m lightheaded and my legs rubbery. My body feels good, but my soul feels empty. I miss Jack’s touch.
Opening the steamy glass door, I step out and towel off. Completely relaxed and in my oversized T-shirt, I climb into bed. Looking at my phone, I open Jack’s text messages to read them again. There’s another unsent message from him. I smile to myself. Looks like he misses me too.