With her sandals slipping in the fine sand and her robe tucked under one arm, Lorna walked back to the resort from her spa treatment as the late afternoon sun shimmered off the sea. Her thoughts—her thoughts were far from relaxed, but her skin still hummed from the massage. They continued to float... to dusk-colored eyes, to a voice she had not heard in years but would always remember.
To Michael.
She gave a headshake." No. Give it up. Now this is your life."
But as soon as she arrived at the boardwalk, the illusion was destroyed.
Jason held tightly to Marjorie's side as she paced. Ignorant, the boy licked the last of his ice cream with carefree delight. Marjorie, however, appeared to have seen a ghost.
Lorna frowned and said, "Hey." "What took place?"
Marjorie spun around too fast. "Nothin'. I just... met someone I didn't expect.
Lorna's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
Before Marjorie could reply, Lucas showed up with sunglasses dangling from the collar of his linen shirt and a towel slung over his shoulder. "You're there." He kissed Lorna's cheek, leaning in. "Thought we were going to meet by the swimming pool?"
Absently, she nodded. "I was delayed."
Lucas looked at Marjorie, examining her face. "Is everything okay?"
She spoke a bit too brightly when she said, "Peachy." "How about taking Jason to the play area for a little while?"
Lucas paused, glancing between the women. Yes. Come on, champion.
Lorna drew Marjorie away as they left, Jason chatting about dolphins. "Leak it. Right now.
Marjorie let out a sharp sigh. It was Michael. He was present. On the boardwalk.
Lorna stopped.
"He noticed Jason," Marjorie said quietly.
Lorna's world was enveloped in an odd silence, as though time itself had ceased to exist. "What did he say?"
Not a lot. However, he gave Jason a familiar look. As if something had clicked.
The pounding of Lorna's heart echoed in her ears. This was not intended to occur.
Soft lighting and far-off waves filled the resort that night. Lorna stood on the balcony of their suite, trying to regain her balance as Lucas poured wine.
He approached her from behind and put his arms around her waist.
"You haven't said much today."
She whispered, "I'm just tired."
"Are you certain it's not... something else?"
She pivoted. "What would you say?"
Lucas's eyes grew piercing. "Because ever since you met that guy by the arcade, you've been off." Marjorie mentioned that it was a former acquaintance.
Lorna gasped in surprise. "Just... a longtime friend." Nothing significant.
Lucas remained silent despite not pressing.
Later, in the bedroom, Lucas gently reached for her. They moved in unison, accustomed to each other's movements. Like a man clinging to his possessions, he kissed her.
However, a shadow persisted even in his arms as Lorna muttered his name.
Michael's gaze. Michael's hand. Michael's son.
Her heart faltered, but her body responded.
She stared at the ceiling as Lucas held her later, tangled in sweat and sheets, wondering how long you could avoid the truth before it finally caught up with you.