8. Aaron
Chapter eight
Aaron
It storms all night. When morning comes, I step outside into the cold, humid air.
Bella joins me on the porch. “Is it just me, or is the lake fuller today than yesterday?”
I run a hand through my hair as I yawn. “Maybe a bit. I think it’s more that it’s choppy today, so the waves make it look fuller.”
A chill, wet wind blows in from the lake, turning it a greyish-white as the waves grow bigger. The sky is low with thick, dark clouds. I grimace as I watch them.
Bella breaks the silence. “I already looked at Castleton’s website. There’s been a second slide in the same area, and the work that was already done has been undone. The town is calling for extra help from the state to stabilize the hillside.”
“Any word on the food situation?” I ask. I don’t know how much is stored in the backs of the stores and restaurants, but with so many people to feed, I wonder if there’s enough.
“Apparently, they’re going to fly in fresh produce on bush planes.” Bella chews her lip. “Everyone who needs to leave is to fill out a form online, and there will be a lottery draw to fly them out when the planes leave.”
I nod slowly. Mike and I don’t have anything urgent to attend to, so I won’t risk taking a spot from someone who really needs it. “Are you going to enter?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I’m going to talk with Ellen about it later,” she answers. Then she turns to me with a tight smile. “In the meantime, what are we going to do for their next date?”
“Let’s get something to eat while we think about that.”
We head back inside. I pull out pancake mix while Bella makes a pot of coffee for the household.
Both of us are busy with our roles in preparing for the day. It’s easy to work with her. Without prompting, she sets the table while I make the pancakes and eggs.
Ellen and Mike come down just as everything is finished. Both of them eagerly thank us and tuck into the food.
“Mike and I are going to an art gallery here in town,” Ellen announces. “Do either of you want to come along?”
I glance at Bella. This is perfect! They’re taking themselves out on a date rather than us having to do it for them.
“No, I’m going to make a meal plan for the week,” Bella said, then explains how we’ll be here longer than anticipated.
“I’ll help,” I volunteer.
Ellen looks a bit uncertain. “We can stay and help.”
“No, no. I need something to keep myself busy,” Bella answers with a bright smile.
Ellen laughs, her anxiety relieved.
The day does keep us busy. Bella and I make an exhaustive menu list, then walk to the grocery store several times to get everything we need.
Driving would be easier, but the town sends an advisory to everyone to conserve their gas, considering it will be a while before the gas stations can get fresh fuel.
It takes up the time we need it to, in any case. By mid-afternoon, Ellen and Mike are still out, so Bella and I make some sandwiches and decide to eat on the beach.
The dark clouds have dissipated, and the heat of the day makes everything feel just a little muggy. The breeze off the lake is refreshing.
Steven lingers around outside, watching us every time we step out of the cabin. We head up along the path to a playground park where we claim a picnic table.
“I wish he’d stop watching us,” Bella murmurs as we sit down.
“I could have a talk with him,” I offer. “Maybe mention his fashion choices? Those cargo shorts aren’t doing him any favors.”
Bella laughs and shakes her head. “I don’t want things to escalate.”
As much as I’d like to do something to help her, I have to respect her wishes. I won’t confront Steven.
We begin to eat while gulls circle overhead, waiting for a chance to steal our food.
“If those birds swoop in, I’m throwing my sandwich as a distraction,” I say. “They can fight over it while we make our escape!”
A sudden scream makes both of us jump. The handful of kids on the playground gather around in a circle, yelling. I stand up. There are two boys in the middle of the circle, whaling on each other.
I glance around but there are no other adults in sight.
Bella hurries toward the fighting children. “That is enough!” she shouts. “Stop fighting this minute !”
She sounds just like a teacher breaking up a schoolyard fight. The circle of children jumps and moves away from each other. The two tussling boys hold onto each other as they turn to frown at her.
I follow after her. The boys glare at Bella and me.
Bella puts her hands on her hips. “Let go of each other right now.”
They release one another reluctantly. The two look so similar I figure they must be brothers.
“Where are your parents?” Bella asks.
The boys scowl. The one on the left starts to point, and the one on the right knocks his hand away.
“Don’t tell them anything,” the right-hand boy hisses.
“If you don’t tell us where your parents are, we’re going to have to take care of this ourselves,” I say, folding my arms. When they still don’t answer, I crouch to be at eye level. “What was this fight about, boys?”
The boy on the left twitches. “He called my mom ugly.”
“He said he wishes I was never born,” the boy on the right cries.
Hmmm. Interesting. “Are you two brothers? Do you have the same dad but different moms?”
The boys nod.
“That’s gotta be a bit confusing, huh?” I say, keeping my voice gentle. I focus on the left-hand boy. “Your mom and dad aren’t together anymore, are they?”
His lip trembles as he shakes his head.
“You know it’s not because of you, right? And it’s not because of your brother, either. Do you really wish he wasn’t born, or do you just wish your parents were together?”
The boy hangs his head. “I wish my parents were still together.”
“My parents broke up, too. It hurts, but that isn’t a reason to be mean to your brother. And you,” I turn to the other boy, “insulting his mother isn’t how you deal with it, either. Now, where’s your dad? I think he should come get you.”
They tell me where to find him. Bella stays back to make sure that they don’t start fighting again while I find their father. I explain the situation briefly, and he rubs his forehead as we head toward the park.
“I told them to stay in the cabin,” he mumbles. His shoulders slouch forward. “Ben just came to live with Cameron, his mom, and me. Ben’s mother is sick. We thought that coming on vacation would help them bond…”
At the park, the boys’ dad hugs them both and then takes them back to their cabin. I hope that life starts looking better for all of them soon.
By this time, the seagulls have claimed Bella’s and my food, so we head back toward our own cabin.
“Do you have kids?” Bella asks.
“No. I want them someday, but right now I’m too busy and famous for kids or even relationships,” I say.
“Too famous?” Her brows pinch together.
I shrug. “Being an NHL player gets me a lot of public scrutiny. I’m a private person, and I’d rather wait until after I retire to start a family.”
Bella’s frown deepens. “But that means you’ll be putting it off for a while, doesn't it?”
I laugh softly. “I’m getting close to the end of my career as a professional player. I’m going to retire in a year or two. That’s not too long to wait.”
“I suppose not.”
“And then once I’m out of the spotlight, I’ll be able to dedicate time to my wife and kids. I’ve seen the toll that fame and commitment can have on my teammates. I don’t want to put someone else through that.”
Bella nods and sighs. “I suppose that goes double for kids, huh? Like, you choose to be in the spotlight. Kids can’t make that decision, but it still affects them.”
Her question piques my curiosity. “Do you have kids?”
Bella shakes her head.
“Do you want them?”
She sighs as we reach the cabin once more. Steven quickly leaves his cabin and starts messing with a wet hammock, watching us.
Bella doesn’t speak until we’re back inside.
“I wanted kids once. But the last few years have made me reconsider,” she answers as we head to the kitchen.
“Do you mind if I ask how come?”
Bella laughs. “No. You can ask me.”
“Okay.” I grin at her. “Then how come?”
“I’ve been very focused on my career,” she answers. “Working to get to a point where I’m financially stable enough to take the risk of getting my designs out there.”
She bites her lip as she glances out the window to find Steven staring at us from his cabin, looking like he’s auditioning for a role in a soap opera.
I close the blinds. “There, now he can't see us. Unless he starts using binoculars. Then we’ll have to call in the authorities!”
Bella smiles and shrugs, “Steven kept pushing for us to start a family,” she admits. “And I started to think about what kids would be like on top of everything else…the more he pushed, the less I wanted them.”
I get some juice from the fridge. “Now you don’t have to worry about him.”
“No.” She beams at me. “I finally get to decide what I want for myself. I might just choose a plant instead, much lower maintenance!”