Retreat Read Free Page B

raising that nice young man.”
    “You did,” I said. “More than you know.”
    “Anyway, let’s talk about you,” Dad said as we entered my favorite part of the aquarium, the jellyfish exhibit. “Tell me about work.”
    I talked about work, about the award I’d received for The Oklahoman website, about the upcoming promotion boards. “They want to make me a senior art director, which pays more,” I said, mesmerized by the tiny jellyfish illuminated pink by the blacklight . “But that means I won’t get to do any actual hands-on design.”
    “Is there a way to do both?”
    “I’m going to talk to the execs, present them with the idea of my overseeing projects while also working on projects of my own. And then I’m going to convince them to pay me more money.”
    “That’s my girl.”
    We entered a large, dark room illuminated only by the bluish glow from the gigantic glass tank. We stood in awe in front of the glass and stared at fish, giant turtles, even sharks that swam by. I turned to my dad but found that Henry had taken his place.
    He nudged me. “Hey.” His warm hand reached out and took mine.
    “How did it go?” I asked, mesmerized by the bluish glow on his face, how his eyes were nearly black in this light.
    “Your mom threatened to cut my balls off if I ever hurt you,” he said then his serious façade fell away and he grinned. “She just wanted to talk about how we were getting along. She asked me why it took so long for me to tell you.”
    “She knew?”
    “Apparently, everybody did.”
    “So, what did you tell her?”
    “I told her I was too chicken.”
    I laughed. “Sounds about right.”

     
    ~

     
    Afterwards, we visited Jason’s grave, which was a somber experience until Henry kneeled by the grave and said, “So hey man, I hope you don’t mind my boning your sister.”
    “Henry,” my dad warned.
    My mom snorted and then laughed. I couldn’t help it either, and soon her infectious laugh also carried over to my dad and Henry, until all four of us were standing at my brother’s grave, with tears of sadness and joy in our eyes.

 

     
    3   |   ENEMY CONTACT

     

     

     

     
    Dinner with the parents at P.F. Chang’s was not nearly as awkward as the impromptu meeting that morning. The dark ambience of the restaurant lent itself to pleasant, mellow conversation.
    At least, until Henry’s wayward hand landed on my leg under the table.
    I flashed him a warning look but he just gave me that impudent smile that made me want to smack him and kiss him at the same time.
    “They can totally tell you know,” I whispered to him, glancing over at my dad, who, thankfully, had no clue what was going on less than three feet away from him.
    Henry just winked and pushed his hand higher up my thigh. I finally had to grab him when his fingers inched under my skirt. He just grinned again and ordered his meal.
    It was cheesy but we held hands under the table while we waited for our food to arrive. We tried to participate in the conversations around us, but our parents, having realized Henry and I were in a world of our own, just began to ignore us and talk amongst themselves.
    Henry’s fingers drew circles around my palm then he took two fingers and started pulsing them into the web between my thumb and forefinger. He bent close to my ear and said, “This is what my fingers wish they could be doing inside you right now.”
    I squeezed his fingers, giving him a meaningful look.
    He breathed into my ear, “It’s so hard sitting here next to you, pretending to be the good little boyfriend when all I want to do is throw you on this table and fuck you senseless.”
    The breath hitched in my throat, my panties instantly moist. “So do it,” I taunted.
    He bared his teeth. “Oh, you don’t know what you’re asking.”
    “… if only our children could stop flirting and pay attention.”
    My mom’s words snapped me back to reality. “What was that?” I asked.
    My mom had an amused