Meet at the lake

Meet at the lake

Adam had never been to the lake at this time of year. Normally he only came to the cabin in the early summer, enjoying the sunshine and the people playing in the water. However, after everything that had happened he needed some time away, and the cabin was the perfect place to find that solitude.

The lake was quiet this time of year, with few travelers coming so far after the Thanksgiving season. Adam made sure there was plenty of food in the kitchen, firewood by the side of the house, and that everything seemed to be in order for his stay. Afterward he felt a bit of wanderlust and decided to head down to the lakeside, and think about the mess his life was in right now.

With the light fading in the west, Adam saw the first few faint stars starting to shine, the cloak of night drawing itself slowly over the sky as the sounds of night gave way to the gentle lapping of the waves against the shoreline. Adam walked slowly along the edge of the lake, finding a log and settling himself, watching the stars light play on the surface of the water, and ran over the events in his head again. The anticipation he felt at coming home early to surprise his wife. The shock in his face at seeing her face contorted in pleasure, an unknown man behind her, obviously thrusting deep into her, his eyes closed. The sound of the jeweler’s box he’d picked up earlier hitting the floor, causing both of the lovers to snap their eyes towards him. The guilt and terror flashing through her eyes, the confusion and fear through his. The quiet click of Adam’s phone as he took a picture, his eyes blazing with anger and betrayal before he broke the silence softly with two words. The two words ordering her to get out.

A soft crunch of gravel brought Adam’s thoughts back to the present, and he turned his head to see a woman walking towards him, apparently lost in thought. In the dim light, Adam would have called her fair skinned, with long dark hair, average height and build with a cute elfin face. Her eyes had a faraway look, as if she too was wrapped up in memories. Adam coughed quietly, turning his head to look out at the lake so she wouldn’t feel he was staring. The girls head turned towards him and she assumed a thoughtful expression, which Adam could just make out at the corner of his eye.

“Hi. I wasn’t expecting anyone out here. The lake is usually deserted this time of the year,” the girl spoke with a soft voice, almost breathy and with a lower pitch than he would have expected. Adam’s mind flashed to Janis Joplin’s voice and he turned to look at the girl again.

“Hello. Yeah, I am not usually up here this time of year, but I wanted some time away from home. I hope I didn’t disturb you.” Adam answered the girl, keeping his eyes on her face as he took in the details of her form and dress. He could see the jacket had a lived in look that told him it was probably a favorite, chosen for comfort over looks. Her blue jeans by contrast looked almost brand new, Adam’s sharp eyes picking out where the stickers had been on the legs, and he reasoned she must have just bought them. She wore a pair of sturdy hiking shoes that had some scuffing, so had seen their share of use as well. The glimpses of her shirt through her open jacket showed a hunter green shirt or blouse, but not much more. The woman was wearing a rainbow colored beanie as well, to keep her head warm, and it too had a lived in look.

The woman smiled and responded, “No, you didn’t disturb me. I was about to ask you the same thing. I’m Rose. I work at the hotel a few miles down the road. I just wanted to get out and get some fresh air. It’s so dead there right now that all the work goes pretty slow.”

Adam watched Rose look him over and hoped she liked what she saw. His denim jacket was a bit light for winter but it was warm enough. The shirt it covered was a pale white knit jersey, his sole concession to any chill in the air. His work boots were worn and scuffed, having been his companions for a couple years now, and his jeans had that lived in look that only a pair of old jeans can get. Adam thought he saw approval in her eyes but could not be certain. He spoke up, realizing he was staring a bit, “Sorry, lost in thought. I’m Adam. I own a cabin up that way.” Adam gestured back behind him towards the cabin. “I’ve eaten at the hotel before, usually in the early summer when I am normally here, but I don’t recall seeing you before. Are you new?”

Rose’s eyes appeared to dance with humor as she stepped closer before replying. “Yeah, actually. I moved here over the summer and took an opening there. I used to live in the city but,” her voice broke suddenly and she got a dark look in her eyes before continuing, “that didn’t work out. So, now I am here.” Rose turned to look out over the water after answering, her thoughts appearing to distract her.

Adam watched her for a moment and then jumped as something occurred to him. “I’m so sorry! I am a dunce. Would you like to sit down? I should have offered earlier, I know, but I was distracted I guess.” Adam gestured to the log next to him with a sweep of his hand. He watched her turn and look at him again, a smile on her face as she nodded and then walked over to sit next to him.

“Distracted huh? By what?” Rose asked him, her eyes dancing mischievously and a large grin appearing.

“Well,” Adam started then looked at her before finishing. “You. I was distracted by you. You are a beautiful woman and I appreciate beauty.” He cocked his head and kept his eyes on her as he noticed a pale blush starting on her cheeks. “It’s a pleasure to make the acquaintance of such a beautiful woman. Thanks for saying hi, Rose. I needed the distraction.” Adam watched her smile at the compliment, his eyes drinking in the beauty of her features, the dark thoughts that had led him here drifting back into his consciousness.

“My my, you are a charmer, aren’t you?” She kept smiling and looked at Adam closely. He could see a frankly appraising look in her eye and slowly an even deeper approval than before stole over her features. She reached out to lay her hand on his arm, quietly saying, “The feeling is mutual. And I am glad of the company as well.” She left her hand on his arm and his breathing quickened slightly, before he turned his eyes back to the lake, noting that the stars had multiplied many times, and that it was quite dark now. He hadn’t noticed since when looking at Rose, everything seemed to glow with an inner light. Adam turned back towards her and started to speak.

“Would you like..”

“I was wondering if you..” she spoke at the same time as him.

They both smiled at the other, and Adam graciously gestured to Rose to continue. “I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me?” Rose asked him, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Adam smiled and responded, “I was just asking you the same thing. I was going to cook myself something nice, sort of a way to cheer up. You are welcome to join me.” He smiled as non-threateningly as he could, feeling a bubble of anticipation growing inside himself as he watched the woman think about his offer.

“You can cook huh? Are you sure it’s not take out?” Rose quipped at him, lightly poking him in the ribs as she grinned.

“Ouch! I am wounded by such a suggestion. I’ve been cooking for myself for a while, and I assure you I can hold my own.” Adam replied to her jest, rubbing his ribs where she had poked him, pretending to soothe away a non-existent hurt. He watched her eyes follow his hand before she spoke again.

“I believe you. And I didn’t mean to hurt anything.” Rose spoke huskily, a note of desire creeping in. “Want me to kiss it better?” she asked, leaning in close to him. Her attitude looked faintly predatory, but with just a hint of readiness to pull back.

Reaching a decision with lightning like speed, Adam leaned closer to her as well, feeling the heat of her against his skin a moment before his lips pressed against hers, and then it felt to him as if he was lost in an explosion of pleasure, his hands finding a natural spot wrapped around her, and he was dimly aware of her own hands holding him close, their lips pressed so naturally together it was as if they were two parts of a whole, their tongues sliding out tentatively to caress the other. A gentle moan escaped her lips as they pulled back slowly, their eyes each drinking in the other for a moment before they leaned in again, continuing their kiss for a tantalizing moment, then once again they drew apart, eyes lost in each other.

After an unknown amount of time had passed Adam spoke. “We should, uh, we should go. Make dinner. Yeah, we need to do dinner. Make dinner. Have dinner. Uhmm.. wow. Do you still want some food?” Adam found it difficult to get his thoughts in order as he kept staring at this beautiful woman who had slipped in so quickly to invade his decision making thoughts.

Eyes blinking, Rose came back to earth and her lips grew into a happy smile. “Dinner. Yeah. Yeah I want some of your dinner. Let’s do it. That. Something.” Rose had little knowledge of what she was saying, just that it was positive and that she felt like she had touched something she thought she’d never touch again.

The two rose as one, and started slowly walking towards the cabin, hands slipping down each others arms to grasp one another, the heat of each other keeping them warm in the chill night air.


* * *

Rose relaxed on the couch, listening to the sounds of Adam in the kitchen of his cabin.