Page 116 of A Little Twist
“I think my wife doesn’t want to find out who’s behind them.” Aiden’s gruff voice joins the conversation.
“Maybe I don’t.” She kisses his cheek, and he wraps his arms around her.
“Is that more of our wedding cake?” He nods to where Cass is putting five candles in the large beige cake sprinkled with cinnamon.
“It is. Are we ready to do this?” Cass looks over to me, and I scoop up the princess, standing her on her feet in a chair beside the cake.
Pinky lets out a loud squeal, and I give her squeeze. “Five years ago today, you changed my life forever…”
“Daddy! You say that every year!” Pinky fusses. “Let’s eat cake!”
“The birthday girl has spoken,” I finish, and everybody laughs as Cass lights the candles.
We sing, the candles are blown out, and just as my mother begins handing out pieces of cake, Drake Redford’s annoying voice cuts through the festivities.
“Sorry to crash the party. I came to drop these off for Patricia.” He’s carrying a folder containing paper and pictures. “We’re planning a splash pad and pavilion in Redford Park. It would be a great place for summer birthday parties.”
“We’re fine having summer birthday parties here with our family.” Aiden stands straighter, crossing his arms.
“Not everyone is as fortunate as your family to have such a place.”
My throat tightens, and I know he has a point. I also know it’s a point that will get a lot of traction among the younger families in town.
“If that’s all you needed to do…” My tone is final.
“Keep your shirt on. I’m not planning to stay.” Drake holds up a hand before passing the papers to my mother. “I look forward to seeing you at the next town meeting, Patricia.”
My mother’s lips purse, and she takes the folder from him, looking briefly beneath the cover. “Yes, I’ve heard as much.”
“Happy birthday, little lady. Maybe you’ll have a bigger party next year at our new facility.” He nods to Cass. “I see you’re still climbing.”
My fist clenches, and my arm starts to rise.
Cass steps to my side, quickly wrapping both her arms around mine. “Not in front of the children.”
“One of these days, she won’t be here to stop me.” My jaw is set, my eyes locked on Drake’s.
“My lawyer will love it.” His grin is smarmy as he makes his way to the exit.
“Not as much as I will.”
I’m ready to go after him, but Cass holds me tightly. “Don’t give him the satisfaction.”
“It’s me who would get the satisfaction.”
She laughs, adding softly, “I would too.”
* * *
Hours later,the sun is disappearing on the horizon, and the sky is bathed in red-orange fading out to deep purple. I’m chasing her through the palmettos, feverish with need, running along the path through the marshes, over the wooden foot-bridges, until we reach the little lagoon that leads out to the ocean.
In the shade of the Walter pines, the air is cooler, although it’s still muggy from the hot August day. The thick, briny air is laden with the scents of pine straw and the ocean.
When we reach the sandy beach, Cass’s white tank flies over her head. She pauses only a moment to push her khaki linen shorts down her long, smooth legs, along with her underwear.
I stop a few paces behind her, unbuttoning my shirt and toeing off my topsiders. My eyes drink in her mouthwatering form. Her long, dark hair hanging down her back in waves, her narrow waist and full hips, her round ass.
I’ve been here before, but only in my dreams.