Page 2 of Hometown Harbor 3
“You and Marcus fell into coupledom so easily. It seemed pre-ordained, written in the stars, or whatever cheesy cliché you use. It took Dale and me at least a year to get to where we stopped putting on any kind of show for each other. Did you have any idea that something like this would happen?” Mel asked.
“I knew he had a hard time with commitment, but I never imagined something like this would happen.” Tabitha shook her head. “I believe the divorce of his parents affected him more than I thought. I was smitten with Marcus from the day I arrived at this house and forgot about my goals for the summer,” she said.
“Remind me what those were?” April asked.
“I promised myself I would go on long hikes and beach walks, mostly alone. The last couple of years have been crazy, and this sabbatical was meant to refresh me, both mentally and physically. What was I even doing getting involved with a man on day one,” Tabitha said. “I had planned to take up a hobby.”
“What hobby is that?” Mel asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve tried about a dozen in my lifetime,” Tabitha said jokingly. “Don’t get me wrong, though. I’m not over Marcus, but I will not make the mistake of losing myself in sadness and humiliation. No one will ever send me on that road again.”
“Wow, you’ve grown since your divorce,” Mel said. "The way you're handling this moment is proof of that."
“Divorce from Greg taught me what not to do when a relationship ends. I’ll smile when I’m not really happy. I plan to bounce out of bed when I really want to hide beneath the covers all day. I’m going to the beach when I want to cry alone in my room. Sadness is a strong foe, but I’m stronger, and I’ll win,” Tabitha said.
Mel and April were proud and promised to support Tabitha in any way she needed.
2
Tabitha was layering on the sunscreen before embarking on a hike through a maritime forest on the far side of Melbourne Beach. It wasn’t a challenging hike and almost no elevation, which was the case for most of Florida. Tabitha had a self-help book on audio, one of the few that she hadn't read, and a water bottle so she didn't die of thirst.
“Look at you. Are you all set to go hiking?” Mel said as she looked up from her laptop.
“That’s the plan, although I’m not sure how long I’ll last. I haven’t gained weight in the past six months, but I have lost muscle and a lot of stamina. Work was crazy, and when I wasn’t at the office, I was with Maxim. Geez, I can’t believe I’ve already been involved with two men since my divorce,” Tabitha said.
“Maxim was a real relationship that lasted six months. Marcus wasn’t even a month,” Mel said. “Marcus was more of a fling, or am I wrong?”
“I don’t blame you for thinking that way. Marcus was someone I could have seen being with for the long haul. He was age-appropriate, had a career that he enjoyed, and could afford a good retirement someday. I don’t need a man’s money, and I don’t want him needing mine. He checked so many boxes, but I couldn’t make love stay.”
“Speaking of making love stay, I couldn’t convince Dale to stay beyond dawn. I guess he’s still in the work mode while I’ve down-shifted. I get it, but I miss my honey and wish he’d take some time off this summer. As you know, marriage is work and it takes a lot of tending just like a garden.”
Mel and Tabitha continued chatting and slowly welcoming the day when April burst onto the deck.
“You’re looking sporty and seem ready to start the day,” Mel said.
“I’m dragging my son to the beach to get his volleyball lesson from Carmine,” April said excitedly.
April’s announcement was met with blank stares.
“I should know who Carmine is, but so much has happened that I hardly remember a thing,” Tabitha said.
“He’s the man who nearly took out my eye with his volleyball. He’s a muscular six-foot-tall Adonis who wants to teach Kylen a few things. He has a game with some friends, and Kylen has been invited to join. They’re professionals, so Carmine wants to share some tips so he’s ready,” April said.
“I saw him talking to Kylen, and for a second, I imagined that was his father. Do you ever regret going alone?” Tabitha asked. “I mean without a father.”
April thought for a moment before answering. “I’m glad that Kylen’s birthfather isn’t in the picture for reasons I don’t have to get into, but I never expected to be single forever. I thought I’d meet someone who would be an amazing stepfather to Kylen, but with my job and everything else, it never happened. Now, I go on the occasional date, and that’s enough for me. Greg has been a superb uncle, and it’s harder since we’re mad at each other. They still talk, and Kylen has been to Texas to visit a couple of times.”
“Who knows? Carmine might be the answer to your dreams,” Mel joked.
“He’s probably a jobless beach bum with no direction. That’s fine for a twenty-year-old but not for a man with a full head of grey hair. It’s summer vacation, and I’m going to have harmless fun, so I’d go out on a date with him,” April said.
Kylen rolled out of bed after April attempted to wake him four times. It always started with a gentle nudge and April spoke softly, but after the third try, a jerk and a loud voice were used. She was used to being the human snooze alarm, and only once had she resorted to pouring water over his head. Back then, they had a flight to catch, so it was extra important that he got moving. Going back four or five times was the norm. Mel went inside to shower, and Tabitha took off on her hike. April saw Carmine setting up the nets with his buddies on the beach. He was physically ideal, just as she remembered, and his faded red shorts caused his tan to pop.
Kylen joined her when he eventually rolled out of bed. His eyes weren’t fully open, and his blue-black hair was askew.
"Hey, Mom. You know that making me do anything physical after the Fourth of July is torture. I can be taken away by CPS for treatment like this,” he said jokingly.
“I’m not worried. You wouldn’t last five minutes with a foster family and would be crying to return to my loving arms. Torture or not, I’m an amazing mother.”