Chapter 31 #2
In the background, the radio played golden oldies. Frank Sinatra crooned, “Fly Me to the Moon.”
When he put his pencil down, I pulled him out of the chair. “Dance with me.”
He grinned from ear to ear. “That’s the second best offer I’ve had today.”
Laughing, we swayed to the music. One of his arms securely held me, his other hand had mine next to his heart. I adored being close to him, our bodies touching.
“I like dancing with you.” I bit his neck.
“We fit well together, horizontally and vertically.” He sang into my ear. “In other words, please be mine.” He spun and dipped me.
“Working at camp was the best decision I ever made,” I said.
“And why’s that?”
“Because I’m here dancing with you.”
We locked eyes, our bodies melting into each other. Our kisses were slow, deep, and lazy on a cloudless August morning.
That afternoon I had an epiphany as I gazed at him. “You know who would be a natural at running this camp?” I asked.
Without hesitation, Teddy said, “You.”
“Me? No, you.”
“All I want is to play soccer every day.”
“I’ve watched you coaching. You’re incredible with the kids. You’re respected. You’re fun. You’re an inspiring leader. I’d follow you anywhere.”
“You come up with the zaniest ideas. First breaking and entering, and now running a camp, and somehow you coax me into being your accomplice.”
I smiled. “I do, but I’m serious. You should buy Woodlands.”
“Is it for sale?” he joked, but then he paused. “I have thought about it, but now the only way I’d even consider it would be if you did it with me.”
I laughed. “It could work. Look at us, partners in crime and then partners in business.”
“And then our partnership could grow into”—he hesitated—“something more.”
Our conversation had taken an unexpected turn. My understanding had been that we were over when the summer was over. I must have had a confused look on my face because he quickly added, “I’m actually serious.”
“Come on, that’s crazy.”
“We could do it. You said you were considering finding a career when you got home.”
“I hadn’t thought that buying . . .”
“And with Jack here, you won’t return next summer. I can’t have that.” He looked genuinely distraught, but then excited. “Before I get carried away by this idea, I need to know if you’re serious about us owning the camp.”
He stared at me, waiting for my answer. I had no idea what to say. Would I want to make Woodlands my summer home, with him—for the rest of my life? Answering only with my heart, I said, “Yes, I believe I am.”
“The two of us together would be unstoppable,” he said.
“Unstoppable. I like that.”
“Every time I’ve thought this through, I knew it couldn’t work with me living in London from September through May.
But with you in New York, it’s possible.
Of course, there’s the small problem of the camp not being for sale.
” He laughed. “Although, that’s a minor glitch. Then there’s the issue of money . . .”
A humorous thought popped into my brain. Ronnie didn’t want to pay for camp, would he want to pay for the camp? I’d figured out how to get the kids into a camp. Now I needed to figure out a way to finance my share.
“Money’s always an issue. But we’re resourceful people, we’ll figure something out. Are you as excited about the possibility as I am?” I asked.
“Indubitably.”
He drew me into him, and we kissed for a long time. He was such a fabulous kisser, focused and passionate. It made me think of Rhett’s line to Scarlett, “You need to be kissed often and by someone who knows how.” Teddy totally knew how, and our plan would have us kissing for years.
Back in my room, lying in my sagging bed, my head was filled with Teddy and Woodlands.
I pictured us holding hands, walking the grounds together.
Encouraging, inspiring, and participating in activities with the campers, mentoring and collaborating with the counselors.
Then, each night after a long but satisfying day, falling into bed together.
My euphoria burst when I remembered that even though I was separated, I was still married with two children who loved their dad and had no idea that their parents’ marriage was in jeopardy.
Sex. I’d spent the last few weeks making love to another man. How cavalier I’d been, reveling in the arms of someone who wasn’t my husband. Even though Ronnie and I had agreed to a separation, I never could’ve imagined starting a relationship.
Being at camp was like living in a bubble—no outside interference, no news of the world. All conversations were centered around camp. Was it because I was so immersed in the Woodlands culture that I got carried away and acted on the attraction I had for Teddy?
What if Ronnie found out? Yes, Ronnie had been a jerk, but he didn’t deserve to have his wife cheat on him even if we were estranged. Would it even be considered cheating? I didn’t know—it wasn’t something I had ever thought about. I was in uncharted territory.
What I did know was Ronnie loved his family—he just hadn’t made me, Zelda, or Hazel his priority for a long time. That didn’t necessarily make him a bad person . . . maybe just a misguided one.
I took a pillow and squeezed it into my stomach, trying to quell the turmoil I felt.
I had a niggling suspicion that Ronnie was having a dalliance of his own.
There was something a little too familiar about his relationship with Jana.
Could I possibly be inventing this scenario to alleviate my conscience?
If it were true, would I be upset? Would we call it even and move on as a couple, or would we end our marriage, preferring our lovers?
My relationship with Teddy made clear what was missing between Ronnie and me. Teddy treated me as his equal and partner. Even with counseling, would I be able to put my marriage back on track? Did I even want to? If we didn’t share two daughters, I would walk away.