Dockside
By Janice McCrostie
Chapter 13
Clare rolled over and her arm draped something warm, squinting open her eyes she saw Jasper breathe in deep. It had been like this on and off for a couple weeks. Every few days they would meet at the market or in town and they would fall into one another. That first day had been everything she didn’t know really existed.
After a steamy shower Jasper had led her back into her room and questioned her about her life. She could see in his questions and in his eyes that he really wanted to know who she was. That was when Clare realized she could trust him, for a bit. She didn’t know where it was going but for now it worked out for all parties. Everything was going perfectly.
She closed her eyes and pulled Jasper closer into the curve of her body.
“Good morning.” He whispered into her hair.
“Actually it’s good afternoon.”
“What time?” His voice was a tightly wound, but his body stayed relaxed.
“About , I think, is something wrong?”
“Nothing,” Jasper smoothed her hair and kissed her forehead. “My parents will be in this evening.”
“I’m sorry, your what?!”
“My parents.” Though she couldn’t see him, she could hear the smile in voice. “Want to meet them?”
Clare knew he was joking. He had to be kidding, right? One month of rolling around tangled up in sheets didn’t equal meeting the parents.
“I’m kidding.” He added, once he noticed that she wasn’t breathing. Pulling her up into his arms he began to chuckle which soon turned into a flat out laughter.
“What seems to be so funny?” she sat up on the bed and turned towards Jasper, trying to look as annoyed as possible. As she looked down on him his face became serious but devious.
“Would that really bother you?”
Clare was at first surprised by the question, but his eyes were calm and soothing. It made her answer honestly.
“I just don’t think they would like me. I have tri-colored hair.”
Half his mouth cracked into a smile. “You think that your hair would be the problem? I would worry more about your loud mouth.”
Without a word Clare whipped out a pillow and slapped him in the face. He caught it, and her, rolling the two into a comfortably sandwich. He waited a short moment before pulling the cushion out from in between them and pressed her down into the mattress.
“I think you would charm them.” Despite his playful behavior, Clare could tell he was entirely serious. “It may be a little rough at the beginning, but I think you would make them fall completely in love with you.”
Then he was kissing her, softly and with great thought, as if every move he made would change the dynamic of everything. Without another word they were grabbing at one another, pealing off their already minimal clothing, falling into one another like they had done on that first night weeks ago.
Afterward they lay wrapped in one another’s arms, breathing in each others scents.
“Clare,” he finally said. “For some reason I don’t quite understand, I want you to meet my parents. So, if you’re willing, we’ll be eating dinner at 7 at the Inn .”
“I don’t know if that’s going to happen.” She moved away from him to the edge of the bed and began to pull on her pajama pants.
“I would like you to be there.”
He didn’t move towards her, almost as if he knew. He knew that if he touched her it would only push her further away. If he moved towards her, a part of her would shut down because she didn’t want that. Clare didn’t want someone to cater to her weaknesses, she wanted someone to stand up and not push aside her bullshit.
Jasper pulled his legs off the corner of the bed and began to collect his clothing. He slipped inside his jeans in silence and leaned towards her across the bed.
“Sometimes I feel you breathe, even when you’re not around.”
And he was gone, leaving Clare to soak in the weight of his words.
Maeve scanned over the books, making sure that they were in perfect order. She had come in early because she was tired of waking up to her sister and her boyfriend. And even though Clare refused to admit that’s what they were, that’s what they were. They saw each other every day and Jasper slept over almost every other night. Maeve couldn’t understand why they didn’t stay at his place, but knowing her sister, she knew it was probably Clare’s doing.
She read through titles, wondering how authors came to them. Every one of her stories had no label. They were just that, a piece of literature that had no flashing sign posted as to what it was about. Every time she tried to choose something for it to be called it didn’t feel right. So she would change it, and change it until she realized it was better blank. Huh, Maeve thought, there’s got to be something subconscious behind that.
She looked around at her handy work. The shop was beginning to shape up and bring in more costumers. Even the tapestries that she had bought for the windows had been purchase by a young Philadelphia
Everything was falling into place nicely, exactly as she had planned, in her non-plan.
Maeve had been working her butt off and it felt like just rewards that everything was so perfect, well almost everything.
The day had sped by as she was organizing an inventory list, trying to match up the old invoices. It was a bit more complicated to decide on prices being that the majority of her books were sold to Estelle from other book shops, friends or given away from the library. Maeve was knee deep in these files when Clare came flying into the shop.
“We have to go eat at the Inn tonight!”
“Ok,” Maeve put aside some paperwork “Any specific reason?”
“Yeah, ummm.” Clare paused suspiciously. “We’re doing recon. Jasper’s parents are in town.”
Definitely her boyfriend, Maeve thought.
“So you want to spy?” She looked over at her sister, trying not to laugh, because a big piece of Clare was completely serious.
“No, no, not spy so much as covertly watch them from the corner to see what type of people he comes from.” There was a silent pause of begging, then a vocal one. “Please! Please! Please!”
“Ok! We’ll go! What time?”
“? There getting there at 7 so I think that’s best because then they’ll be seated, you know less chance of spotting us?”
Maeve let out a little giggle at the fact that her sister had really thought this through.
When they walked into the restaurant Clare walked tight to her sister’s side, closest to the wall. She kept peaking around Maeve’s shoulder like the small framed woman was some type of shield. From her sporadic glances Clare couldn’t quite pinpoint the target.
The hostess began walking them through the tables and right before she sat them smack in the middle of the field Clare grabbed her sister’s arm.
“Excuse me,” Maeve asked, “is there anyway we could sit somewhere a little less crowded?” The young girl gave a muttered sigh and directed them to a small table behind a fern plant in the back corner.
“Perfect,” Clare muttered and placed herself behind the foliage, giving herself an excellent view of the room. After the hostess listed off the specials, both sisters took a scan of the room.
“I don’t see him.” Maeve pointed out
“Me either.” Behind a sea of leaves she kept her eyes pinned to the room.
“Maybe they decided to go somewhere else…”
“Ooo!” Clare ducked down as if she were spotted. “En-tay lock-oclay, I think.”
Maeve looked over her shoulder in the direction described and caught a quick glance at the family. “So, what’s the verdict?”
“I can’t really see,” she moaned. “Damnit, take one for the team and go for a walk!”
Just then their waiter arrived and took their drink order. Clare ordered a glass of wine and Maeve stuck with soda, someone had to be grounded.
“Well…?”
“Clare I am not going to wonder aimlessly around the restaurant to find out what your boyfriend’s…”
“He’s not my boyfriend!” she yelled a little too loud. A few surrounding patrons looked over at the secluded table. “He’s not my boyfriend.” She whispered again.
“Why are we really here Clare?” Maeve leaned over the table just as their drinks arrived. “Did he want you to be over there?”
“Yes!” It nearly exploded out of her mouth. “What was he thinking? He said that he wants me to meet them because he is sure that they will love me. What is that about?” She took a long drink from her wine.
Maeve smiled at her sister, she’d had some practice in relationship observation.
“Clare, just go over there. Jasper is right, they are going to love you. And the real reason you aren’t over there isn’t because you think he’s crazy, it’s because you’re scared.”
“Puh!” At this point Clare had downed her entire glass and was waving the server for another glass.
“And now you’re a little drunk because you inhaled that drink.” Maeve stole another glance over her shoulder.
“They seem, interesting.” Clare eyed them. Jasper’s mother was exactly as she had pictured her, dressed impeccably in a red suit, pearls around her neck and a perfect blonde bob. She couldn’t see her face, but Clare was certain in hadn’t any lines, whether from Botox or having not really raised her children. His father was dressed to par, looking like the aged 30 years version of Jasper. Mr. Clay was a silver fox.
Her second glass of wine arrived and Clare sipped it. Should she go over there? She quickly nixed the idea, it was better to watch from afar. It was also time to change the subject because the waitress was starting to think that she was a stalker.
“So what’s going on with Keaten? Have you talked to him since the ‘ho bag’ incident?”
“No. I haven’t had any reason.”
“Who’s scared now? Omph!” And she was gone under the table.
“Clare!” Maeve leaned down trying to get a good view on her. “Clare what are you doing?
She let out a long hiss, Jasper had stood up. Which meant he was about to move around the restaurant, which meant there was 50 % chance he would see her. Why 50%? Why not?
“Clare.”
“Maeve would you…” Jasper was standing above her, arms crossing his chest. “Oh looky-here, found my contact, better go put it back in.” She stood and moved away from the table in one swift movement.
“Clare.” He was following her.
“I’m getting really tired of hearing that word tonight.”
“I see that you decided to come out for dinner after all.” They’d reach the bathroom door but as she pushed her way inside he pulled her back. His face was inches from hers and for a moment she thought he was going to start yelling, but instead he kissed her. Once, gently, then stepped back.
“Whenever you’re ready to come join us, I’ll pour you a glass of wine.” And he was gone, back to the table with his family.
Damnit, Clare thought, how did he know she was there? And even worse how did he always know the perfect way to get her to do what he wanted. She sighed and fell into the wall. Damnit.
She made her way over to her table but didn’t sit. Maeve looked up at her, a question in her eyes.
“Yeah I’m going.” Clare took another swig of her wine and passed it to her sister.
“Will you need a ride?”
“Like hell! If I’m going over there he’s driving my ass home.”
“What if his parents…”
“Wait by the bar?” she pealed off towards Jasper and his family, but slowed as she approached their section.
When he looked up at her a smile spread across his face, and both his parents’ heads tilted at his sudden change in demeanor. He stood and held out an arm in a gesture of welcome.
“Mother, Father, I would like you to meet Clare.”
Mr. Clay stood and held out his hand, “Good to meet you, Clare. I’m Charles and this is my wife Susan.”
Jasper’s mother gave her the once over and obviously wasn’t entirely sold on the package. “Nice to meet you.” She was cordial and extended her hand. They sat and Clare realized that she hadn’t said anything yet.
“It’s great to meet you as well.” There was an awkward silence, which Charlie promptly filled with a series of questions. How did they know each other? Since ‘fuck buddies’ wasn’t an option for an answer, Clare looked to Jasper.
“Clare is a photographer, we met when I was out observing some fisherman. Her photos are excellent and she gives me someone to spend my nights with.” That was in innuendo. “I’ve also been hoping to hire her for my book.”
This was news to Clare, but it put his mother at a definite ease. If this multicolored tattooed woman was in her son’s life for work then it couldn’t be anything permanent.
“Well that’s lovely, I’d love to see some of your work. Where is your studio?”
There was something about the way that she looked at Clare that had her blood boiling. Susan Clay was the exact specimen of the people Clare hated, the people who thought they were better then her.
Jasper went to speak but Clare beat him to it, “Actually I’ve just moved to the area after graduating from NYU. I want to work towards a studio someday but right now I am working on my portfolio.”
This explanation seemed to suffice for the moment and Charles went on to the next series of questions. From there on out the night went along smoothly, Clare was a slightly edited version of herself. Her sailor’s mouth was toned down and she made a conscious effort not to talk with her hands.
Charles told a story about a Christmas holiday when he was in high school where he took off in his father Cadillac with his cousins and tried to get into a bar. It was halfway through this story that Clare realized she liked Charles. It was obvious he came from money but it was equally obvious that he had a no bullshit tolerance. That was something Clare respected.
After salads and entrees Susan patted her mouth in a faux yawn.
“Goodness it’s gotten late.”
“Clare,” Charles said as he stood. “Would you like to join us at Jasper’s for a night cap?”
“Thank you, very much for the invitation.” She glanced towards Jasper, she’d never been to his place and it was tempting. “My sister is actually waiting for me.”
“Of course.” Susan piped up.
“Mother and father, I’ll meet you at the car. I’m going to walk Clare to hers.”
If aristocrats could skulk, that’s exactly what Jasper’s mother did out the door.
They grabbed Maeve at the bar and walked out to the parking lot.
“Thank you for letting me borrow your sister tonight,” Jasper said as they reached the car. His politeness was still surprising to Clare, every time she heard it.
“Oh.” It obviously surprised Maeve as well, “not a problem.”
Once Maeve was tucked securely in the car Jasper pulled Clare close to him and pressed his lips to hers. She shoved at his chest.
“Jasper! Your parents!”
“It’ll do them good.” He played with a piece of blonde hair next to her ear. “Thank you for coming.”
“Eh, it’s the least I could do.” They both laughed. “How long will they be in town?”
“A few days, would you like to spend more time with us?” The smile on his face let her know that he was kidding.
“I’m not sure your mother could handle it, your father’s cool as hell though.”
“I agree.” She was surprised he didn’t argue with her.
“Gasp!” she mocked. “Am I your rebellion?”
“How could you be, I mean after all I’m not your boyfriend.” He kissed her one more time then backed away. “I’ll find you.”
He walked off towards his parents and something hit Clare. He would find her, he had found her. The real her, he had found every piece of her. Somehow Jasper Clay was working his way to a place in Clare’s life that no one had ever been, somehow he knew how.
Chapter 14
Maeve had every intention of grilling her sister the minute she got into the beamer, but there was something about the look on Clare’s face that stopped her. It was obviously that Clare was trying to figure something out in her own head, and Maeve knew better than anyone how hard that can be.
At this point Maeve was battling with herself to not miss Keaten. The weeks before she had gotten used to him being around, which was frustrating considering she had only seen him a few times. She hated the fact that over a few short weeks he had found his way back into her mind and heart. Maeve lost herself in thought for the entire ride home and almost didn’t notice Keaten’s truck sitting in the driveway.
The minute her door opened Maeve heard Jackson
“How are you?”
“This a habit of yours McGuire, showing up unannounced?”
“Is that a problem?” he had her there, he knew it wasn’t. “I came by to invite you to a party.”
“Yeah?” she threw the question over her shoulder as she walked towards the house. “That’s nice, when is it?”
“Tonight.”
She turned around on the top step and found herself nose to nose with Keaten.
“Tonight?” Maeve took a step back. “Where?”
“A friends house, out Rackham Road , just a barbeque that he and his wife threw together.”
“Mmm, I don’t know Keaten it’s late.”
“It’s 9:30 and if Jackson
“What about Jackson
“Clare can watch him. They can hang out. They have a lot in common.” He backed her up against the sliding door. “Kindred spirits.” He had her distracted long enough that he yelled out to Clare and got her consent. He turned back her. “Will you come?”
“Umm yeah, I guess.”
She fumbled inside and Keaten followed closely. “Don’t let me twist your arm.” But he didn’t wait for a response, he walked over to Jackson
Maeve faked a phone call to step into her room and make sure she looked alright. Thank God her sister had made her go to the Inn tonight or he would have caught her knee deep in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, rocking pajama pants and an old college t-shirt. Instead she was wearing a pink Henley T and an old pair of blue jeans, not her most glamorous look but better than others.
Maeve rubbed at her cheeks, bummed she didn’t have time to apply a fresh coat of makeup. The thought made her angry, when did she become this person obsessed with her own image? It must have happened when she was stuck in the land of up scale plastics also known as New York City
“Dads in the truck.” Jackson
“Thanks Jackson
“Bye.” Came from the kitchen and as she walked out the door Maeve heard her sister offer him ice cream.
Damn, she thought, that was supposed to be mine.
When they pulled up at the barbeque Maeve had a sudden sense of boding. Whatever was going on behind this house was not at all how Keaten had explained it. There was hooting and hollering that made her realize there were much fewer woman at this party than men. That was when she could have sworn she heard someone yell out, “Keg stand!”
“Keaten what type of party is this?”
He laughed. “Just a Beer BQ”
“Right.”
When they came around the corner the scene looked more like a he man woman haters club then a few friends hanging out. There was one woman bustling around filling chip bowls and clearing beer cans. Only two other women were present, one perched on the deck banister and another comfortably on a lap. The rest of the 10 or so patrons were men, men drinking beers.
As they climbed the stairs Maeve noticed that the woman sitting on the decks border was the same woman who had been draped over Keaten at the ball game. She went to slip an arm through his and stopped herself.
Keaten slapped backs and introduced her around the group. It was overwhelming meeting so many people at once, and she couldn’t help but feel slightly dissected. As if everyone had a definition of who she was before she’d even arrived. Finally he brought her to the woman working in the kitchen.
“Ella, this is my friend Maeve.”
“Maeve?” she had that same air of knowing. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” Someone called out Keaten’s name and she nodded her head to let him know it was ok to head back out. “You’re brave having all these men at your house.”
“Ah, it’s a once a month event, I’m used to it by now.” She began rinsing the dishes in the sink and Maeve picked up a towel to dry.
“Sounds nice.”
“It is until they get loaded and end up sleeping in my house.” They laughed and chatted until all the dishes were done.
“Alright,” Ella opened the fridge and pulled out two beers “what do you say we go join the boys.”
“And girls.”
“Those two,” she sounded disgusted as she headed towards the door. “I swear if Bill and Nathaniel don’t stop bringing those two hussies to my house.”
“Bill and Nathaniel?”
“Yeah my husband’s brothers, they’re only here because they’re blood. All the rest of the boys have known each other since diapers.”
The deck was empty when they came back out and a huge bonfire was lit in the middle of the yard. When Maeve started down the stairs, Ella held back.
“You know you’re the talk of the town right? The reason Rachel and Keaten didn’t make it.”
Maeve turned, struck. She had no idea what to say.
“Of course I know better.” Ella joined her at the foot of the stairs and put an arm around her shoulder. They began to walk. “I was best friends with Rachel. I knew she never loved him, not the way he deserved. And now, with what she’s done to that boy, I’m not sure I’ll ever speak to her again.”
Maeve knew exactly what Ella was trying to say, it went along with the code. She was politely letting her know that Keaten had been done wrong and now she wouldn’t accept anything but the best. When they got to the fire Ella gave her tight squeeze then ran off to join her husband. Maeve finally made the match in her head; though she’d met Ella and Jayson separately they made the perfect couple.
Keaten held up his beer for a cheers and she moved over next to him. The boys continued to rough house and Bill almost fell in, which proclaimed a shriek from the woman who had been in his lap earlier.
This reminded Maeve about the presence of the other woman, Sandra. She was glaring at the two of them across the flames. The thought of that woman’s hands on Keaten made Maeve shiver.
“Cold?” he asked.
“Not physically, but your girlfriend is giving me the deep freeze.”
He looked over and for a moment he tightened up.
“I’m tired of her shit.”
“Well then it’s a good thing you don’t have to deal with her anymore.” She slipped her arm through his and laid her head against him.
They stood like that for a while, watching the shenanigans of all his friends. To their left Ella stood with Jayson, his arms circled her from behind and he was whispering something in her ear. She laughed and elbowed him, then turned to pass on a kiss.
“How long have they been married?”
“I think going on 5 years.”
“And the rest of you guys are just living the dream.” She looked up at him grinning.
“No, we’re the only single ones.” He pointed over to three old boys with the genius idea to start setting off firecrackers.
“Well if you want to join them.”
“Ha.” He wrapped his arms around her and picked her up. “You want to?”
Maeve buried her face in his neck and giggled feeling like she was 18 again. The feeling on his skins must have done something to him too, because his guttural chuckle morphed into a soft moan.
The firecrackers began to burst in the background, but Maeve didn’t want to hear them. She gave herself a boost and wound her legs around him as he cradled her. His hands on her backside made her realized there were a few things she wanted to say to him, none of them were for polite company. Then again, this company wasn’t all that polite. It all just felt so comfortably regular, hanging out with his friends in his arms.
It was ironically intimate, standing in front of a blazing fire, cozying up and connecting without words. The whole thing was too much for Maeve, but she still didn’t dare move away.
“Hey!” She heard Ella cry out, even though she didn’t want to. “Either of you want a burger?”
She leaned back to look at Keaten, his face was as stunned as the way she felt by what just happened.
“I’m starving,” Maeve pleaded.
“Yeah, we’ll have two,” he yelled over, his eyes never faltering from hers.
As the bonfire died out the yard began to empty, bodies filtered back onto the deck. Maeve heard a muffled ‘slut’ as Sandra passed and she felt the all too familiar tightening in Keaten’s arms. It was that she hated, him getting upset.
“Sandy
“Hi,” Sandra began to turn and follow after her friend.
“I was wondering,” Maeve hopped down, “are you a rancid bitch to me because you don’t like me or just because Keaten doesn’t want to sleep with you anymore and you think it’s because of me?”
The two women were shocked by her blunt statement.
“Cause the truth is,” she took a step away from him, “the reason he doesn’t want to sleep with you is because you pull this petty crap and nobody wants to screw someone who’s more immature then their own child. But if it’s because you just don’t like me, then at least it’s something to respect and maybe I can put in a good word for you. Come on Keaten.” Maeve grabbed his hand and walked up towards the deck.
When they got to the foot of the stairs Maeve noticed that everyone had been listening. “Ooops.”
“That was hot.” Keaten whispered in her ear.
Both Nathaniel and Bill looked pissed, apparently Sandra and company had decided it was time to go. The boys jumped off the deck and ran after them.
“Well by tomorrow morning the entire island will hate my guts.”
“Not if I have anything to do with it!” Ella praised her from across the deck. “That was amazing!”
“I gotta say woman,” Jayson added, “If I wasn’t a happily married man…”
“You still wouldn’t stand a chance!” Maeve gave him a playful shove and everyone let out a laugh.
Maeve and Ella went into the kitchen to get the burgers. Ella was thanking her for finally ridding her home of the town leaches.
“I don’t think Billy and Nathaniel like me very much right now.”
“They’ll get over it.” Ella began a pile of grilling supplies on the counter. “You know he’s not going to let you go now, right?”
Maeve turned from the beers she’d been collecting “What?”
“There is no way in hell Keaten McGuire is going to let you get away again.”
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