Authors: Esther Banks
“Tomorrow is going to be a long day, and I need my beauty sleep,” Marisa teased.
Tiffany giggled.
“So do I. Goodnight,” Tiffany said.
“’
Night,” Marisa responded as she shuffled down the hall to her bedroom.
Tiffany turned off the lights. As she was about to pass the window, she stopped and looked up into the sky. The full moon. She gazed at the completely round orb and wondered what it would bring this weekend. She sighed then turned to go into her bedroom.
*****
The next morning dawned sunny and hot. Tiffany was in the kitchen checking the boxes to ensure that they had packed everything. Marisa came into the kitchen wearing a blue tank top and white shorts. The shorts showed off her long, shapely legs. Tiffany envied Marisa's svelte body. She could eat nonstop and not gain an ounce; while she had to watch every morsel she ate. Life could be unfair.
“Man, it’s hot!” Marisa exclaimed.
“
Summer has arrived; in case you had any doubt,” Tiffany said.
“
It’s come with a vengeance. It will be great to spend time by the cool lake,” Marisa said. She looked in the food boxes. “Do we have everything?”
“
I believe so. If not, someone else will most likely bring it,” Tiffany said.
The doorbell rang. Marisa looked at the clock on the kitchen wall. It was ten o’clock straight up.
“Aaron is prompt if nothing else,” Marisa smiled.
“
That he is,” Tiffany said as she went to answer the door.
Marisa watched Tiffany move away. She could that her training was paying off. Tiffany had lost weight. She looked very nice in her red shorts and tan sleeveless top. The top was cropped and tied just above the waistband of the shorts. The shorts were a little longer. and they displayed her nicely rounded bottom to perfection. Tiffany’s arms had toned and were looking good as well. Aaron was bound to notice and appreciate the results of her labor.
“Hi,” Tiffany said as she opened the door.
Aaron entered the house.
“Good morning. You look great,” he complimented.
Tiffany stepped back and twirled.
“You like?” she grinned when she stopped turning.
“
I like. All of my hard work is paying off,” he teased.
“
Your hard work?” she exclaimed. “You mean my hard work and your constant nagging.”
He chuckled.
“Whatever it takes. You’re now workin’ the reward,” he praised.
“
And I thank you for your praise and your training. I wouldn’t look like this had it not been for you,” Tiffany said sincerely.
“
The pleasure is mine,” he smiled.
“
Hi, Aaron,” Marisa said as she walked into the room.
“
Hey, Marisa. Wow! I will be the envy of the men when I walk in with two beauties on my arms,” he admired.
“
Aren’t you the flatterer?” Marisa teased.
“
It’s may be flattery, but it’s also true. You look great,” he praised.
“
Thanks,” Marisa replied.
“
Aaron, would you mind driving. I know it’s bad form to invite then put you to work. But neither of our cars is a good fit for these boxes. Do you mind?” Tiffany asked.
“
Of course not. I’ll put the boxes in the car,” Aaron said.
Tiffany escorted him to the kitchen. He picked up a box and left the house. Marisa again noticed how nicely built Aaron was. His green tank top was snuggly fitted, showing off his bulging muscles. And his cream-colored shorts displayed his well-shaped and firm legs. If Tiffany couldn’t see how hot he was, then she was totally blind. Plus, he was a good guy to boot.
“What would we have done had he not been going with us?” Marisa asked.
“
Sit on boxes as we drove to the way to the lake,” Tiffany laughed.
They were still laughing when Aaron came back into the house.
“What’s so funny?” he smiled.
Tiffany told him the joke as she followed him into the kitchen. She carried a smaller container as he took another box to his car. Soon they were on their way.
“It’s a three hour drive to the lake and your gas tank will take a hit. I’ll buy gas as we need it,” Tiffany offered.
“
So will I,” Marisa added.
“
That’s not necessary,” he said.
“
Yes, it is. We’re paying. No argument,” Tiffany stated flatly.
He shrugged.
“Alright,” he replied.
It was an argument that he would lose so he let it go. They chatted amiably during the drive and only stopped for gas one time before they arrived at the cabin. Aaron opened the doors for both ladies then looked at the shimmering blue lake. It was begging for him to take a dip. He walked down to the water’s edge and bent to touch it. The water was a little cool, which was perfect for swimming in such hot weather. He couldn’t wait to take a plunge. He turned to see Tiffany smiling at him.
“You can’t wait to take a swim,” she said.
He grinned.
“It shows, huh?” he asked.
“
Mm hm. You’re having the same reaction that everyone has when they come here,” she said. “The water is so beautiful that you want to submerge yourself in it.”
“
That’s exactly what I want to do,” he responded.
“
You can take a swim now if you want,” she invited.
He walked over to stand beside her.
“I will when we finish unpacking,” he said. “Then you can swim with me. You do swim, right?”
“
I do—barely,” she laughed. “I won’t drown, but swimming has never been my strong suit.”
“
You just need the right teacher. And I think I’ve proven that I am a very good one,” he said smugly.
She giggled.
“Don’t be conceited. We’ll see what kind of swim instructor you are when you see me swim,” she said.
“
Come on. The sooner we unpack the sooner I’ll find out,” he urged.
They walked back to the car and began unpacking it. Aaron entered the cabin and was impressed by what he saw. The cabin was bigger than it appeared from the outside. He liked the ceiling beams and the warm feeling of the interior. It was furnished with brown and hunter green leather furniture and there was a huge fireplace begging to be lit.
“Will it get cold enough for a fire at night?” he asked.
“
It usually does, even in the summer. It doesn’t take long to cool down after the sun sets,” Tiffany said.
“
Cool. I love fireplaces. And I really like your cabin. It suits you,” he said.
“
Thanks. It’s been in my family for ninety years. My great grandfather built it in 1923,” Tiffany said.
“
He knew real estate. He had to have known that this land would one day be prime property,” Aaron said.
“
He did. He won it in a poker game,” Tiffany said.
“
Really?” Aaron was surprised.
“
The owner of the property, Melton Grisly was a sleaze, and he taunted my granddad into putting up his last two dollars. He didn’t need the two dollars, but he’d wanted to see my granddad penniless,” Tiffany said. “He had won a few hands off of granddad and felt he would win this last hand easily. Granddad tried to beg off but Grisly refused and called him horrible names. Granddad finally agreed.”
“
Boy was he in for a rude awakening,” Marisa said gleefully.
Tiffany grinned.
“Marisa knows the story,” Tiffany explained. “Anyway, granddad said he would play him one last game if he put up his land on Bellevue Lake. Grisly laughed and said why not. He wasn’t going to lose. So they played the hand, and granddad showed Grisly why people around town called him the ‘Shark’. Granddad won with a Royal Flush to Grisly’s two pairs. Witnesses to the game made Grisly sign over the land deed to my great grandfather. Granddad then built this cabin.”
“
Wow! What a great story. It’s a story that will be told for generations,” Aaron marveled.
“
Yeah. I love telling that story,” Tiffany grinned.
“
I would too if I were you,” Aaron smiled.
“
Let’s finish up and get to the lake. We have it all to ourselves until the others get here,” Marisa said.
“
What time will they arrive?” Aaron asked.
“
Not until tomorrow. I wanted to come up early to have plenty of time to set up. I should have told you when I invited you. I hope it’s not a problem,” Tiffany said.
“
Not at all. My weekend is free,” he replied.
“
Good,” she said.
Tiffany then turned away to unpack the food boxes. Aaron couldn’t believe the luck he was having. He would have an entire day to be alone, well, almost alone with Tiffany. He wasn’t worried about Marisa though. He felt that she would make herself scarce at the appropriate times. He hurried to finish unloading the car. He intended to make good use of the time that God had afforded him.
Aaron dove into the cool, crystal-clear water of the lake and emerged feeling refreshed and invigorated. He swam to its center then looked back to the shore. Tiffany was standing there looking a bit uncomfortable. She wore a navy one piece halter suit and white wide brim floppy hat. She looked adorable.
“Come in, Tiffany. The water is perfect,” he called.
“
I think I’ll sit here on the shore for a while,” she called back.
She sat on a large floral blanket. Aaron wanted her in the water with him, and he wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away. He swam back to shore and stood in front of her with his hands on his hips.
“Not so fast, Tiffany. I am not going to let you bail on me. You said you could swim,” he said.
“
I said I could barely swim. And I don’t much feel like drowning today,” she retorted.
“
I won’t let you drown,” he answered.
“
So you say but I would just the same stay right here,” she said.
Aaron went down on his hunches and laid his hands on her raised knees.
“I would never let anything bad happen to you. Trust me, Tiffany,” he said softly. “It will be fun. I promise.”
Tiffany looked into his vivid green eyes. She felt as though she could see security and safety in them. She knew the thought was ridiculous. One could not see such things in a person’s eyes, but his seemed to reflect that he would take care of her. She usually trusted her instincts and there was no reason to doubt them now.
“Alright,” she agreed as she tossed aside her hat.
He turned his palms upward, and she put her hands into his. He stood and pulled her up beside him. He grinned as he led her into the water. When they got thigh-deep in the water, he continued walking forward, but she stopped. Aaron looked back at her and saw the trepidation in her eyes. Their cherry brown coloring had turned almost black. He went back to her and lightly caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. He couldn’t help himself. He wanted to ease her fear.
“It’s alright, Tiffany. I won’t leave your side. You can hold onto me as tightly as you want,” he whispered.
“
Damn it, Aaron. I’m afraid,” she cried.
“
I know, Tiffany. But I won’t let anything happen to you. I swear,” he reiterated. “You’ll be safe with me. Do you trust me?”
“
I don’t know,” she snapped.
“
I haven’t put you in harm’s way at the gym, have I?” he asked.
“
I can’t very well drown at the gym. There’s no pool there,” she said.
“
Yes, there is. It’s in the back. I just haven’t taken you there—yet,” he said.
“
I won’t go,” she said stubbornly.
“
Tiffany, a few minutes ago you said you trusted me. Don’t allow fear to change your mind,” he implored.
Tiffany looked out at the water then into his glittering, mesmerizing green eyes. She allowed herself to be drawn into them. She finally nodded assent. They moved further into the water until it was chest high on her.
“You said you could swim a little. What element of swimming do you struggle with?” he asked.
“
Treading water. I can move in the water by stroking but I can’t remain still without going under,” she said.
“
Okay. I can help you with that but we will have to go into deeper water,” he said.
“
Aww, no!” she exclaimed. “We can’t stay where we are?”
“
I’m afraid not. Treading water means you’re feet are not touching the bottom. Take my hand and don’t let go,” he advised.
“
You don’t have to worry about that,” she muttered.
They moved deeper into the lake and the moment Tiffany could not feel the floor any longer she panicked.
“Aaron!” she yelled.
He caught her to him and held her tightly.
“I’ve got you,” he said. “Pretend you’re on the Stairmaster at the gym and start pushing down the water with your feet.
Tiffany followed his instructions.
“Good. Keep repeating the motion,” he counseled. Aaron slowly loosened his arms about her waist until only his hands held her. “Use your arms to push yourself up.”
Tiffany adhered to his instructions and realized she was staying afloat.
“I’m doing it. I’m staying afloat,” she said incredibly.
Tiffany laughed as she became more comfortable with what she was doing. She had not realized that Aaron was no longer holding her.
“You got it, girl” he grinned.
As soon as she saw that Aaron wasn’t holding her, she went under. Aaron grabbed her and pulled her up. He held her close as she coughed. She finally caught her breath.
“Are you alright,” he asked in concern.
She nodded.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have panicked like that,” she apologized.
“
You have nothing to apologize for. You were doing great. Let’s try again,” he said gently.
“
Alright,” she said as she began pumping her legs.
Aaron held her waist for several minutes. She felt so good in his hands. He wanted to slide his hands up her sides and around to her back to pull her in for a much desired kiss. But he resisted the temptation. He needed to take baby steps with her. He forced himself to focus on the task at hand. He released her waist, and she stayed afloat.
“I think I’ve got it, Aaron,” she said gleefully.
She continued treading water then executed a few breast strokes only to stop and tread water again. Aaron stayed by her side as she tested her new skill. She was a good pupil he thought. But that was no surprise to him. She was just as focused and determined at the gym. When she made up her mind to do something, there was nothing that would prevent her from reaching her objective. It was one of the many traits that he liked about her. He helped her perfect a few more swimming techniques. It wasn’t long before she was swimming on her own with ease. He began to play with her by splashing water at her. She screamed in objection to the assault and returned the favor tenfold. Aaron would dive underwater only to come up beside her and drag her across the lake. They laughed and played together until Tiffany called ‘uncle’ saying that she was out of breath. They stumbled out of the lake and fell onto the blanket. They lay there breathing deeply.
“Thank you for teaching me to swim, Aaron. It never would have happened without you,” she whispered.
He turned to face her on the blanket.
“You’re welcome. But you already had the basics down. You just needed a little help with staying above water,” he smiled.
“
Uhh, let’s be real. I needed more than a little help,” she said. “You really can’t swim if you don’t tread water. I have you to thank for making a real swimmer out of me.”
He ducked his head shyly.
“You’re blushing!” she said in surprise.
“
No, I’m not. There was something in my eye,” he explained as he rubbed his eye.
“
Liar. There’s nothing in your eye. You’re not used to receiving compliments, are you?” she asked incredibly.
He shrugged.
“I guess not. I don’t receive very many of them,” he mumbled. “And I’m not searching for any now.”
She chuckled.
“But you’re going to get them. So you had better get used to it. I can’t think of a man more deserving of compliments than you,” she grinned.
“
Oh God!” he moaned.
“
You’re a wonderful man, Aaron Jacob. You’re a great workout trainer. A super swim instructor—
“
Noo! Stop,” he objected.
He got up and ran toward the lake. Tiffany ran after him.
“You’re an amazing hottie. You’re kind and sweet. You’re honest and funny,” she yelled after him.
Aaron hit the water and swam quickly away from her. She followed by diving in as well and swam after him. She caught up to him and he splashed water on her. She spluttered then scooped water toward him. They played together for the rest of the afternoon. Marisa came out and sat on the blanket. She watched them speculatively. She could see a change in Tiffany’s attitude toward him. Tiffany was beginning to see Aaron as a really good friend, and that was a step in the right direction. Marisa smiled. This was going to be a very interesting weekend.
*****
It turned out to be a fun evening. Stephanie Johnson, the organizer came up that evening with her boyfriend, Tucker. Steffi was a super pretty Caucasian girl with a personality to match. She had a cabin about a half-mile down the road and after settling they came back to hang out with the girls and Aaron. Tucker and Aaron hit it off immediately and announced that of course they would man the grill. The girls rolled their eyes but let them have it.
“Why do men think they are the only people who can grill?” Steffi asked.
“
It’s got to be a macho thing,” Marisa said.
“
Look at them. All they need is a caveman club and loincloths,” Tiffany said.
They laughed uproariously. The men looked at them.
“I’m sure we are the butt of their joke,” Tucker said derisively.
“
I can assure you we are,” Aaron agreed dismally.
They ignored the ladies and continued their lively conversation. Steffi looked at Aaron with interest.
“So who does he belong to?” Steffi asked curiously.
“
Tiffany,” Marisa answered quickly.
“
Niiiice! You go, girl,” Steffi admired.
“
He’s not mine in the way you think. He’s just a friend,” Tiffany objected.
“
Are you saying you haven’t tapped that yet?” Steffi said incredulously.
“
Nooo!” Tiffany wailed. “He’s a friend.”
“
But he wants a whole lot more than friendship,” Marisa said.
“
He does not. And how would you know anyway?” Tiffany asked huffily.
“
I have eyes. My God, a blind man could see he has the hots for you,” Marisa exclaimed.
“
Shh! Do you want him to hear?” Tiffany hushed Marisa.
“
He already knows what he wants. It’s you walking around with your head in the sand,” Marisa retorted.
“
He does not. And I am not,” Tiffany shot back.
“
Well, hold on, ladies. I am completely unbiased, so I’ll be the judge,” Steffi said. “Just give me this evening in his company and I will determine if he has interest in you, Tiffany.”
“
There’s no need. I already know the answer: he doesn’t,” Tiffany said.
Marisa sighed dramatically and rolled her eyes heavenward.
“I will be the judge of that. Just sit tight,” Steffi grinned.
The men finished grilling the steaks and veggies while the women made the green and fruit salads. They ate at the table on the cabin porch, and a rowdy conversation ensued.
“I must admit that the steak and veggies are delicious,” Steffi complimented.
“
They are. Good jobs, guys,” Marisa piped up.
“
It’s turns out that Aaron is a great griller along with his other attributes,” Tiffany teased.
“
Don’t start, Tiffany,” Aaron warned.
Tiffany laughed as she explained the joke.
“Well, we’ll just have to heap loads of compliments on you,” Steffi exclaimed.
Aaron groaned in despair. He turned to Tiffany.
“Yours is coming,” he warned her.
Tiffany smiled broadly at him and pushed his shoulder with her own. Aaron’s eyes softened as he gazed at her. Steffi saw the exchange and looked at Marisa knowingly. Marisa arched her eyebrows and gave her an
I told you so
look. After dinner, the girls cleaned up while Aaron and Tucker went down to sit by the lake shore.
“
So how long have you and Tiffany been dating?” Tucker asked.
He and Aaron were drinking beers. Aaron took a swallow of his before answering.
“Why do you think that we are?” Aaron asked.
“
Are you saying that you’re not dating?” Tucker questioned in surprise.
“
That’s pretty much the size of it,” Aaron replied.
“
But you want too. A blind man can see that,” Tucker grinned.
“
It’s that obvious?” Aaron asked.
“
Yeah, it is. But apparently Tiffany hasn’t noticed your interest,” Tucker surmised.
“
You got it. She sees me as just a friend. So I’m taking things slowly with her,” Aaron said.