Page 4 of Hometown Harbor 4
“Enough of this esoteric talk. How’s Nathaniel?” Tabitha asked.
“We’re having the best summer romance, and it’s not like the end is here, but we’re a little more than halfway through. It’s time for us to decide what the heck we're going to do when I go back to Merritt Island. I don’t know if my real life can accommodate someone like Nathaniel.”
“Whoa, what do you mean when you say someone like Nathaniel?” Tabitha asked. “You said yourself that his style and the way he moves through life isn’t an issue anymore.”
“That’s true when I’m here because we’re either at the beach or spending time with other artists. What do I do if I get an invitation to a charity fundraiser or some other formal event?” Deb asked.
"You proudly attend with Nathaniel on your arm. He's educated, talented, and the nicest guy you've ever dated. He’s creative, and part of his charm is that he doesn’t conform to certain societal norms. I hate to say this while you’re close to scissors, but you’re the one with a problem.”
Candor between Tabitha and Deb was nothing new. They came to expect it from one another while they relied on brutal honesty.
“You haven’t been to a gallery opening in South Beach. The men wear linen trousers and silk shirts,” Deb said.
“They’re art collectors and not artists. Nathaniel would be a breath of fresh air in that regard.”
“I’d have to take the time and explain who he is,” Deb said.
“If they collect art, they might already know who he is. I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one. Nathaniel doesn’t project the image you have in mind for a partner. If that’s the reason you end things, then it’s sad,” Tabitha said.
She hated to be so harsh to Deb, but she positively glowed in Nathaniel’s presence. She was trying to sabotage the relationship again. Nathaniel was aware of this, but soon, he would be done with her games and move on. That would be a painful lesson for Deb, whom Tabitha felt was ready for a relationship. Every other part of her life was solid, and men yearning for children was no longer an option. If it were something she considered, she would have frozen her eggs by now.
“You’re welcome for the color job, and thank you for the tongue-lashing,” Deb joked. She was well aware of her shortcomings and didn’t mind having them pointed out.
Tabitha loved the little glow-up that Deb provided. Neither mentioned it, but it was good timing that she looked her best when Greg was around. It wasn’t her intention to pile on when he was going through a lot of grief, but a little regret for doing what he did wasn’t going to kill him.
Deb was meeting Nathaniel at an outdoor café on Main Street. She knew they were going there because it wasn’t in the Art District, where they had spent most of their time. It seemed that he was trying to cater to her more cosmopolitan lifestyle. She appreciated the effort, although nothing about Melbourne Beach was as cosmopolitan as Miami. She traveled there at least once a month, flown courtesy of whichever client needed her. Deb knew she wasn’t living in that world, and she had to remind herself that she was merely visiting as a paid employee.
She parked her car along the street about two blocks from the restaurant. Driving wasn’t necessary, but she wore a cute pair of wedge sandals that were painful to walk in. Beauty knows no pain is often said, and Deb lived by the mantra.
Deb saw the cute outside seating area and thought it was a good time for an Aperol spritz. The place was adorable and was a nice change from Zuba’s. She spotted Nathaniel’s red beard and was about to wave but allowed her hand to drop by her side. He wasn’t in the position to see her since he was deeply involved with talking to a woman with long blonde hair and alabaster skin. She looked like a thirty-five-year-old-ish artist wearing a simple black dress and chunky turquoise jewelry. They were talking close, and she touched him when he said something that made her laugh. Nathaniel and the mystery woman had obviously been friends before, and it appeared they were rekindling their relationship.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Deb said as she stood before the table, staring daggers at Nathaniel. “I thought we were meeting for lunch today, but it seems you had other plans for this table.”
“Hey, babe. This is Nell, an old friend of mine. She was a student in a workshop at RISD that I was giving. She came to Florida and worked with me a few years ago,” Nathaniel said.
Nell touched his arm. “It was five years ago. I remember because I was only twenty-five at the time, and I felt old,” she said, followed by a girlish laugh. “I was so sunburned, and you almost took me to the ER. Instead, you iced it, and I took a sponge bath with milk. I idolized you then and hoped to run into you on this visit.”
“Don’t let me get in the way of the happy reunion. It sounds like the two of you have a lot of catching up to do. Nathaniel, you can call me later or whenever. I might be heading home for a few days. In which case, I’ll be in touch,” Deb said. She turned and walked away and the last thing she saw were two very confused faces.
She wanted distance between them, so she took her shoes off while walking. Now, it was easier for her to quicken her pace. It would have been extra embarrassing if she fell off her shoes.
“Deb, what is going on? Is there something wrong?" Nathaniel said. “I was just catching up with an old friend. Do you really think I would be carrying on an affair in the restaurant where I was to meet you? I was sitting alone waiting for you when Nell stopped by. What we had ended years ago.”
Deb stopped and turned just as it was starting to sprinkle rain. "Aha. Something was going on between the two of you. It was how she touched and stared at you as if you were God himself.”
“We dated five years ago for about three weeks, and then it ended. Have you dated anyone before me that you might greet with affection?” Nathaniel asked.
“It was more than that. If I hadn’t come along, the two of you would have gotten a room.”
“I don’t think so. Her husband back at the Airbnb napping with her six-month-old would have had a problem with that.”
The rain was falling harder, and Deb’s argument was growing weaker. There weren’t many excuses left for her to run from Nathaniel. She was clever and could think up methods of self-sabotage for nearly every man she was involved with. Nathaniel was still standing and when she saw him with someone else, his heart shattered in a way it never had before.
“Why do you even tolerate my nonsense?” Deb asked.
"Because I love you, Deb Gallo. I’ll climb any mountain or sail any sea to find you, so don’t bother trying to escape. If you want me to let you go, though, I will because I love you.”
“I love you, too. I can honestly say that you are the first man I have ever truly loved. I’m glad you caught me,” Deb said.