~Cal~
The sun was just coming up when I pulled into the driveway. I could have used a few more hours of sleep, but I knew Wood was really looking forward to a day on the lake. I was kind of looking forward to it too. I felt safe in assuming Jordan would have had enough 'family time' by now.
Thank God Mom is an early raiser. She was sitting at the kitchen table when I walked in.
"Morning Mom." I kissed her cheek.
"Good morning dear."
I grabbed a cup of coffee and realized she and I were the only one's awake. I sat down next to her. She was fidgeting with the handle of her coffee cup. Maybe she was ready for Jordan to leave also.
"Aren't they up yet? Woody said he wanted to get an early start."
"No, I don't think so. I'm afraid to check. They didn't come in from your father's shop until....way after your father and I went to bed."
I didn't have the heart to tell her that the house was dark when I left the shop barely after ten. She looked in the bottom of her coffee cup like she was reading tea leaves.
"I heard them talking in the guestroom. I know it was late. That new velvet pillow your Aunt Peg gave me for my birthday was in the hallway this morning....I didn't hear your brother's door shut......"
Unsatisfied with the answers the bottom of her coffee cup was giving her, she slammed it down on the table.
I almost laughed out loud. Mom really thought Woody spent the night with Jordan. I knew he wouldn't be caught dead sleeping in Mom's shrine to her un-conceived daughter; she called the guestroom... even to get lucky. When he was a kid it took almost a year for his nightmares to stop after I dared him to go in and touch one of her dolls before I slammed the door on him......Although, I did leave him a very limited choice in where he could sleep....
"I'll go check..."
I jumped up before Mom could stop me. To hell with her mortification. If Woody made the ultimate sacrifice for a night in the arms of a beautiful woman I'd be the first to congratulate him.
Getting up the stair unheard was a piece of cake. After too many late nights out to remember I knew which steps made the most noise. I avoided the left side of Step Number Four and the entire Step Number Nine eventually landing in the hallway.
The theme to 'Mission Impossible' rang in my head as I snaked down the hallway with my back against the wall. I stopped at my old bedroom. The door was cracked open. Using my toe, I pushed it open slowly. I was greeted with the sight of Woody's arm dangling dangerously from the top bunk. I was vaguely disappointed.
Oh well, it wasn't his lucky night, but it was defiantly going to be my lucky day...
I walked closer to the bed, just in case he fell out. He was looking forward to a day on the boat; not a day in the emergency room.
"RISE AND SHINE!!"
The ex-Marine came out of me in his full glory. I had to bite back the 'oorah' at Woody's reaction.
"What the...!" he sputtered.
I distantly heard the exact same sediment echoed across the hall from Mom and Dad's room. I smiled-Good morning Dad.
Woody quickly rolled upright only to hit his head on the ceiling. He cracked up one eye to look at me.
"Damn it Cal!"
"Time to get up. The sky is blue and the water is waiting....."
I wasn't ready for the lacey pillow that bounced off the back of my head.
I turned around to see an irate Jordan standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips. I would have appreciated the view more if my old man wasn't standing behind her in the hallway wrestling with the tie on his robe. He just grunted a couple of times and started down the stairs.
"I'll give you two exactly thirty minutes to be downstairs and in the truck."
"There's only one bathroom Calvin." Woody said rubbing the top of his head.
I looked at Jordan and smiled...
"Improvise brother dear. I'll be merciful and give you an hour if you think water conservation."
I walked out into the hall Jordan turned to look at me her hands still on her hips.
I couldn't help myself. "You have a little..." I rubbed the side of my lip to point out the spot of dried drool on her face.
If she had another pillow I'm sure I would have felt its sting on the side of my head.
A trifecta! I hummed as I trotted down stairs. My work was done there. Only my joy was short lived; I was going to have the stupid theme song in my head for the whole day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Woody~
The boat ramp was busy when we pulled up to unload. It looked like everyone from Green Bay to Oshkosh decided to verge at the lake. It would only get worse by the end of the day. The annual fireworks display always drew a large crowd; at least by small town standards.
I absent-mindedly rubbed the top of my head. The lump from Cal's version of reveille was beginning to go down. He was lucky to escape downstairs before Jordan could get a hold of him. Very lucky. I would have held him down for her.
Jordan must have forgiven him because she was walking along the side of the truck relaying my hand signals as we backed the boat into the water. Once the boat was buoyant, I hoisted myself in and started it up. Apparently all of Cal's repairs were right. She started like a dream. I motioned to them that I would pick them up down at the pier.
A few minutes later I held out a hand to Jordan and help her on board.
"What about me?" Cal asked.
"You can help yourself."
"I'll help you." Jordan said holding out her hand.
Cal grabbed for it only to have Jordan pull hers away at the last second. Cal ended up going over the side of the dock. Jordan stood looking over the side of the boat with a smile on her face. That smile began to wane when he didn't surface.
"Woody?"
I became concerned when I looked over the side and didn't see him. I was getting ready to jump in when I felt the cold splash on my back. We turned around to see Cal treading water off the wayward side of the boat.
"Woohoo, that water feels good."
Cal pulled himself onboard and shook himself like a dog. He reached into his duffle bag and pulled out his 35mm. He twisted the lens to focus in on Jordan.
"Not a very waterproof camera Cal..." she smiled at him.
He clicked the shutter and pulled it away from his face.
"Then we are going to have to be careful about tipping me overboard now won't we."
Cal handed Jordan the camera as I pulled the boat away from the pier. He started to rig up the tow ropes.
"I figure since I'm the first one underwater I get first dibs on the skis..."
The rest of the morning we spent trading places in the boat one driving, one spotting and one on the water. Cal was busy snapping pictures every chance he could get.
Just before we called it a morning Jordan was riding the swells off of a passing speed boat. I had to turn to watch her. Cal put down his camera for a second and yelled over to me.
"I take it all back. That picture you sent me at Cherry Point was nothing. Today is perfect. Thanks man."
I smiled at him. He was right, today was pretty perfect.
At least it was until we decided to break for something to eat.
We decided to eat at Dad's favorite diner. Jordan was complaining as she tried to crawl out of the truck.
"I ache in places I never thought I could ache. I don't even know if my legs are going to carry me. Woody when you said water skiing in Wisconsin I pictured a little country lake with mirror smooth water."
"My brother has a bad habit of misleading women for his own devices. You'll have to excuse him. Jordan, the water was about as calm as it gets...I could give you a massage later if you like. We can ditch Gilligan with 'rents."
"I think I'll pass thank you."
"Here, let me help you."
Cal held out a hand to help her out of the truck. It took her awhile to take it.
No sooner than her feet hit the ground he pulled her up over his shoulder like a sack of feed. With an arm wrapped around her knees he began to walk toward the diner.
"Put me down!" Jordan said as she pulled herself upright off of his back.
"Calvin..." I warned.
He stopped and turn toward me snapping his fingers.
"Your right.... Here."
I had to think quickly when Cal dropped Jordan into my arms. Cal turned back again to open the door to the diner. I had to cringe when I saw the faces of the lunch crowd looking out the plate glass windows. Mom's phone would be ringing with in the hour.
"Hey, look who's here." Cal said in a loud jovial voice. "It's my boss and his infinitely more attractive other half. Darlin' you look sweet enough to eat. Come on, it looks like we're just in time to say hello!"
I slowly set Jordan down. I knew this moment would come but I wasn't ready for in with Jordan Cavanaugh in my arms. My perfect day just went down the toilet. I took a couple of deep breaths and followed Jordan inside. I came face to face with my former partner and ...Annie.
The sun was just coming up when I pulled into the driveway. I could have used a few more hours of sleep, but I knew Wood was really looking forward to a day on the lake. I was kind of looking forward to it too. I felt safe in assuming Jordan would have had enough 'family time' by now.
Thank God Mom is an early raiser. She was sitting at the kitchen table when I walked in.
"Morning Mom." I kissed her cheek.
"Good morning dear."
I grabbed a cup of coffee and realized she and I were the only one's awake. I sat down next to her. She was fidgeting with the handle of her coffee cup. Maybe she was ready for Jordan to leave also.
"Aren't they up yet? Woody said he wanted to get an early start."
"No, I don't think so. I'm afraid to check. They didn't come in from your father's shop until....way after your father and I went to bed."
I didn't have the heart to tell her that the house was dark when I left the shop barely after ten. She looked in the bottom of her coffee cup like she was reading tea leaves.
"I heard them talking in the guestroom. I know it was late. That new velvet pillow your Aunt Peg gave me for my birthday was in the hallway this morning....I didn't hear your brother's door shut......"
Unsatisfied with the answers the bottom of her coffee cup was giving her, she slammed it down on the table.
I almost laughed out loud. Mom really thought Woody spent the night with Jordan. I knew he wouldn't be caught dead sleeping in Mom's shrine to her un-conceived daughter; she called the guestroom... even to get lucky. When he was a kid it took almost a year for his nightmares to stop after I dared him to go in and touch one of her dolls before I slammed the door on him......Although, I did leave him a very limited choice in where he could sleep....
"I'll go check..."
I jumped up before Mom could stop me. To hell with her mortification. If Woody made the ultimate sacrifice for a night in the arms of a beautiful woman I'd be the first to congratulate him.
Getting up the stair unheard was a piece of cake. After too many late nights out to remember I knew which steps made the most noise. I avoided the left side of Step Number Four and the entire Step Number Nine eventually landing in the hallway.
The theme to 'Mission Impossible' rang in my head as I snaked down the hallway with my back against the wall. I stopped at my old bedroom. The door was cracked open. Using my toe, I pushed it open slowly. I was greeted with the sight of Woody's arm dangling dangerously from the top bunk. I was vaguely disappointed.
Oh well, it wasn't his lucky night, but it was defiantly going to be my lucky day...
I walked closer to the bed, just in case he fell out. He was looking forward to a day on the boat; not a day in the emergency room.
"RISE AND SHINE!!"
The ex-Marine came out of me in his full glory. I had to bite back the 'oorah' at Woody's reaction.
"What the...!" he sputtered.
I distantly heard the exact same sediment echoed across the hall from Mom and Dad's room. I smiled-Good morning Dad.
Woody quickly rolled upright only to hit his head on the ceiling. He cracked up one eye to look at me.
"Damn it Cal!"
"Time to get up. The sky is blue and the water is waiting....."
I wasn't ready for the lacey pillow that bounced off the back of my head.
I turned around to see an irate Jordan standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips. I would have appreciated the view more if my old man wasn't standing behind her in the hallway wrestling with the tie on his robe. He just grunted a couple of times and started down the stairs.
"I'll give you two exactly thirty minutes to be downstairs and in the truck."
"There's only one bathroom Calvin." Woody said rubbing the top of his head.
I looked at Jordan and smiled...
"Improvise brother dear. I'll be merciful and give you an hour if you think water conservation."
I walked out into the hall Jordan turned to look at me her hands still on her hips.
I couldn't help myself. "You have a little..." I rubbed the side of my lip to point out the spot of dried drool on her face.
If she had another pillow I'm sure I would have felt its sting on the side of my head.
A trifecta! I hummed as I trotted down stairs. My work was done there. Only my joy was short lived; I was going to have the stupid theme song in my head for the whole day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Woody~
The boat ramp was busy when we pulled up to unload. It looked like everyone from Green Bay to Oshkosh decided to verge at the lake. It would only get worse by the end of the day. The annual fireworks display always drew a large crowd; at least by small town standards.
I absent-mindedly rubbed the top of my head. The lump from Cal's version of reveille was beginning to go down. He was lucky to escape downstairs before Jordan could get a hold of him. Very lucky. I would have held him down for her.
Jordan must have forgiven him because she was walking along the side of the truck relaying my hand signals as we backed the boat into the water. Once the boat was buoyant, I hoisted myself in and started it up. Apparently all of Cal's repairs were right. She started like a dream. I motioned to them that I would pick them up down at the pier.
A few minutes later I held out a hand to Jordan and help her on board.
"What about me?" Cal asked.
"You can help yourself."
"I'll help you." Jordan said holding out her hand.
Cal grabbed for it only to have Jordan pull hers away at the last second. Cal ended up going over the side of the dock. Jordan stood looking over the side of the boat with a smile on her face. That smile began to wane when he didn't surface.
"Woody?"
I became concerned when I looked over the side and didn't see him. I was getting ready to jump in when I felt the cold splash on my back. We turned around to see Cal treading water off the wayward side of the boat.
"Woohoo, that water feels good."
Cal pulled himself onboard and shook himself like a dog. He reached into his duffle bag and pulled out his 35mm. He twisted the lens to focus in on Jordan.
"Not a very waterproof camera Cal..." she smiled at him.
He clicked the shutter and pulled it away from his face.
"Then we are going to have to be careful about tipping me overboard now won't we."
Cal handed Jordan the camera as I pulled the boat away from the pier. He started to rig up the tow ropes.
"I figure since I'm the first one underwater I get first dibs on the skis..."
The rest of the morning we spent trading places in the boat one driving, one spotting and one on the water. Cal was busy snapping pictures every chance he could get.
Just before we called it a morning Jordan was riding the swells off of a passing speed boat. I had to turn to watch her. Cal put down his camera for a second and yelled over to me.
"I take it all back. That picture you sent me at Cherry Point was nothing. Today is perfect. Thanks man."
I smiled at him. He was right, today was pretty perfect.
At least it was until we decided to break for something to eat.
We decided to eat at Dad's favorite diner. Jordan was complaining as she tried to crawl out of the truck.
"I ache in places I never thought I could ache. I don't even know if my legs are going to carry me. Woody when you said water skiing in Wisconsin I pictured a little country lake with mirror smooth water."
"My brother has a bad habit of misleading women for his own devices. You'll have to excuse him. Jordan, the water was about as calm as it gets...I could give you a massage later if you like. We can ditch Gilligan with 'rents."
"I think I'll pass thank you."
"Here, let me help you."
Cal held out a hand to help her out of the truck. It took her awhile to take it.
No sooner than her feet hit the ground he pulled her up over his shoulder like a sack of feed. With an arm wrapped around her knees he began to walk toward the diner.
"Put me down!" Jordan said as she pulled herself upright off of his back.
"Calvin..." I warned.
He stopped and turn toward me snapping his fingers.
"Your right.... Here."
I had to think quickly when Cal dropped Jordan into my arms. Cal turned back again to open the door to the diner. I had to cringe when I saw the faces of the lunch crowd looking out the plate glass windows. Mom's phone would be ringing with in the hour.
"Hey, look who's here." Cal said in a loud jovial voice. "It's my boss and his infinitely more attractive other half. Darlin' you look sweet enough to eat. Come on, it looks like we're just in time to say hello!"
I slowly set Jordan down. I knew this moment would come but I wasn't ready for in with Jordan Cavanaugh in my arms. My perfect day just went down the toilet. I took a couple of deep breaths and followed Jordan inside. I came face to face with my former partner and ...Annie.
