Meanwhile…

 

“Scott, I think this is the first time we’ve truly unplugged! Locking our phones in the trunk of the car was a bold move.” Margaret giggled as if she were a teenager in love as she and Scott walked along the beach in Montauk, hands clasped.

“You can’t imagine how unlike me going phoneless is. If anything life threatening comes up with the kids or Jamie, then Maxine knows where to find me. Hang nails or the flu are not considered life threatening.” Scott laughed. He was wearing white linen trousers, an untucked blue linen button down and a faded Red Sox cap.

“This isn’t what I imagined when I first met you Scott.”

“What did you imagine?” Curious was something he was in med school, but he stopped being curious because he thought he knew everything.

“I really didn’t imagine much, to be honest. You were this larger than life figure with modern tastes. Your avant-garde surroundings were nothing like my estate in New Zealand. You were short and dominant with your daughter. I let Elijah fly, do whatever he wanted. I thought you were handsome Scott, but beyond that, I thought very little of you.

Scott blinked in surprise, taken aback by her honesty. “We became friends despite our differences. How did that happen?”

“Well, we both enjoy sex. That does seem to break the ice.” She laughed when he squeezed her hand. “Then when our little Jamie Lynn came into this world. I was so overwhelmed with love and good fortune. It trickled into my feelings for you. A softer side of you came out when you held that baby girl in your arms. Then we go back to the physical attraction, again.”

Margaret and Scott continued to stroll on the beach; stopping occasionally to share a soft kiss. She wore a beige cotton maxi dress and bare feet. Her windblown hair gave Scott an excuse to reach out and brush aside a stray lock from her cheek, which he did often. “You’re a beautiful, sexy woman,” he said simply.

She laughed. “I’m sixty and not dead. Being intimate with you feels natural.”

“I think we shared more than intimacy, Margaret.” He thought about lying there on the beach with her and laughed. Too sandy. “We’ve held nothing back; it was wild and impulsive. It just wasn’t the type of thing that I did with Charity’s mother or any other woman for that matter. I’ve touched women before but have never enjoyed it like I do with you.”

Margaret chuckled. “I take care of my body but I’m aware of its imperfections. I still have stretch marks from carrying Elijah in my belly and let me tell you; he was quite the bowling ball.”

“History my love; that’s all it is.” My love – whoa! Where had that come from?

“Back to why we have ended up here. By the way, renting a four-bedroom oceanfront “cottage” was more than we need. We’re supposed to be getting to know each other and not spend our time discussing the road map on my stomach.”

“Precisely. I want to know Margaret the woman and not Elijah’s mother, Charity’s mother-in-law or even Jamie Lynn’s grandmother.” Scott surprised himself as the words came out. He was beginning to sound like some warm and fuzzy modern man. So much for returning home tonight as planned.

“You spent years in school answering questions and you managed to do it very well. I’ll ask and you answer,” Margaret suggested.

“Sounds too clinical, but I’ll give it a try.” Scott adjusted his cap and put on a serious face, as if there would be a grade for the test.

“You have travelled the world, Scott, for medical conferences and such. Where would you like to visit again, with me?”

“That’s a tough one. I can map the human brain with my eyes closed but I’m not sure I can name one place.”

“Scott Thompson!” Margaret teased in a teacher voice. “I don’t want to fail you on the first question.”

“Have you been to the South of France? I’d love seeing it again with you. I had a conference in Nice and took the opportunity to travel off the beaten path. It was in the fall after the tourists had left and it was filled with locals. My favorite little town or commune, as some call it, was Les-baux-de-Provence. It’s a rocky spot with ancient castle ruins and it has even preserved some catapults used in previous wars. There is the most charming arched walkway. Cats congregated in the town, giving it an earie sense. I think that in my next life I will be an archeologist because I enjoy old places like Les-baux. We could share a glass of red wine from the region and watch the sunset over the craggy moors.”

“Sounds enchanting. I’ve been to Nice and Cannes but would love exploring new places with you. Next question.”

“Not so fast, Margaret. You have to answer the questions too. Where would you like to revisit because I know you have travelled extensively as well.”

“In the spirit of equal opportunity and all that, I’ll answer your question.” She laughed. “I would like most of all to bring you home to New Zealand with me. It’s where I’m the most at peace and that’s how I would like you to see me. The pace of life is more relaxed and I’m definitely more carefree. It’s impossible to put into words and you can’t get a feel for the place from a guide book. The air is fresher in New Zealand, the food tastier, the beer colder and the people friendlier. New York is quite the opposite in many ways.” Margaret smiled as she thought about her next question.

“I’m ready. I like this kind of test because there are no right and no wrong answers. I wish exams in med school were more like this,” Scott said.

“I’ll give you an easy one. Best thing you ever ate.”

“Food, hmmm. Will you get mad if it contains meat?”

“Go ahead carnivore. Memories of meat can’t clog your arteries.”

They had walked at least a mile on the beach and neither had mentioned their cell phones. Scott patted his hip pocket a couple of times out of habit but there were no obvious withdrawal symptoms. “When I was a young college student and poor. My grandfather took me for a hotdog to Coney Island. I ate two while walking along the boardwalk with my Pops. Mustard only was the way to eat it, with a cola. I salivate just thinking of my teeth breaking into the casing of that heavenly delight. I can’t say if it was spending time with Pops or the hotdog, but regardless, that’s the best thing I ever ate.”

The look of joy on Scott’s face as he reminisced brought a tear to Margaret’s eye. She didn’t let the moisture drop. Scott caught it in the nick of time with the palm of his hand.

Margaret’s turn. “It was recently and I hope this doesn’t sound too sentimental, but oh well, apparently you and I are both getting sentimental in our old age.” She leaned against him as they walked. “It was the pancakes I made for Jamie Lynn. I don’t remember laughing so hard as when she tore Mickey’s ears off and stuffed them in my mouth. They tasted good because I made them, secret recipe, but it was the company that made it the best thing I ever ate. Did you notice it isn’t the food that matters as much as the company?”

“I thought that was going to be an easy one, but you tricked me. I don’t open up about my relationship with my grandfather often. He worked on the railroad and was my hero. He wasn’t a prominent physician and he never went to college, but his integrity was unmatched. He helped create that tiny piece of me that’s decent and caring. I wish he were around to help me tap into that part of myself.” It was Scott’s turn to shed a tear. Margaret kissed it away.

“I think we’re getting too deep here. Let’s head back. We can do a lightning round.”

“Pardon me?”

“Just one word answers.”

Margaret walked along the water’s edge and Scott joined her. His pants were soaked to the knees and her dress was drenched. They were like children as they romped through the sea foam. The breeze was making a mess of Margaret’s normally perfect hair so Scott took off his cap and placed it on her head.

“Favorite color?” Margaret asked.

“Red.”

“Favorite Movie?”

“One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.”

“Cats or dogs?”

“Neither.”

“Red or white wine?”

“Rhone red.”

“Music genre?”

“Classical.”

“Sports team?”

“Red Sox.”

“Favorite type of cake?”

“Chocolate.”

“Do you prefer crowds or small intimate gatherings?”

“In between I guess.”

Scott had no idea that Margaret was grilling him for his surprise party, which she was planning. In addition, she enjoyed knowing his likes. Margaret couldn’t come right out and ask him if he liked surprises. She had to be clever so as not to tip him off.

“My turn to ask you some rapid-fire questions.” He smiled down at her, oblivious to her scheming. “Color?”

“Red.”

“Movie?”

“The Lord of the Rings series.”

“Cats or dogs?”

“Both”

“Diamonds or pearls?”

“Emeralds.”

“Sports team? I know you don’t care but because you asked me.”

“Elijah took me to a Met’s game once. I would probably say Rugby is my favorite sports team.”

Scott held in a chuckle. “Red, or white wine?”

“French Champagne.”

They reached their rental house, or more accurately, their beach mansion. Scott’s eyes were fixed on the trunk of his Jaguar. He was tempted to see how many voicemails he had missed; his mailbox would definitely be full. He gaze ended up back on Margaret.

“If it’s going to make you feel better and relax, then check your phone.”

“No, I’m good. I’m right where I should be.” Scott leaned down and kissed her.

Once in their house they made a fabulous meal with fresh vegetables that they had bought from farm stands on the way out. The home had four bedrooms, but they only used one.

“Scott, do you realize that we have never spent the entire night in the same bed. When I’m at your house you always scurry off to your room or me to mine. I suppose this is a test to whether or not we’re a good fit.”

Margaret had put on a nude silk negligee before bed, which Scott removed delicately before they hit the sheets. It wasn’t the first time that he had cupped her supple breasts but it meant more now. He had fallen in love with Margaret, the entire woman. It was easy to love her body and now he realized it was easy to love the rest of her too. Margaret closed her eyes as he kissed her neck; she enjoyed Scott’s touch as never before.

They moved in unison, as if they had known each other forever. They made love with the windows open and the sea air flowing over their naked bodies. Margaret’s touch on Scott’s body was surreal, unlike he had felt earlier in life. They were patient and deliberate, as their bodies became one. They were on a journey and they had found what each had been looking for.

“I forgot what this was like,” Scott said as he stroked the soft skin of her inner thigh.

“Forgot what?”

“Forgot what love was like.”

“Is it as you remembered?” She had answered him without hesitating.

“No. It’s different but beautiful in its own way. I know now that love is unique to every situation. I’m unable to love as I did at thirty. I would be making a fool of myself if I tried. Margaret?” Scott tapped her on the shoulder but she had fallen asleep.

Another thing about love later in life… your partner falls asleep more easily.

Scott smiled and fell asleep peacefully.

 

****

 

“Good morning Scott,” Margaret chirped. “One thing I neglected to tell you is that I’m a morning person.”

Margaret was dressed and had already prepared breakfast, and brewed coffee.

“Did you stick it out all night in bed with me? I’m sorry if I snore.” He sat up, awake and wondering what time it was. He seldom slept in either.

“I stayed here and you definitely stuck it out with me.” Margaret smiled. Her coral lipstick was already perfectly applied.

“Margaret! Do I detect dirty humor?” He grinned.

“Perhaps a bit.” She giggled. “As I said, we are more carefree where I’m from. Before we race to the trunk of your car, we need to discuss the progression of our relationship with the kids.”

Margaret was wearing a casual blue wrap dress with a small floral print. Her hair was perfectly arranged and she appeared ready for the city.

“I hate to break it to you but they already know of our involvement,” Scott said as he fumbled for a pair of boxers.

“Yes, but I think things have changed since we took our little sojourn. At least they have for me.” Margaret hoped she wasn’t being a fool in love, but she didn’t think that was the case.

“I know you’re right but don’t you think we should know where this is going before we tell Elijah and Charity? Your residence is on an island in the middle of the Pacific and mine sits on the Atlantic.”

“There’s that. Can we at least go public with this thing? The details will fall into place.”

“I suppose you’re right Margaret. We can’t expect the world to stop spinning while we figure things out. Have I told you yet this morning how beautiful you look?”

Scott never did find his boxers. He approached Margaret and with a pull of a tie, her dress was open.

“I love these dresses nowadays. Easy access.”