Beach Rental(42)
“You shocked me when you walked in that morning. I didn’t know what to think. It seemed so…unreasonable that you would track me down.”
“When I saw you, I knew I was right. Reason and logic had nothing to do with it.” He added his other hand to their clasp. “I don’t care if I sound like a fool now. I have no regret. I hope you agree.”
Juli put her head on his shoulder. “I told myself you were crazy and that I was crazier, but you’re right—I don’t regret it.” Over time, given time, they might feel differently, but in the short term, this marriage arrangement had been a wise choice for them both, and short term was all they had.
Juli sniffled and touched a hand to her eyes.
“Are you crying?”
He sounded concerned and she almost giggled. She knew his romantic heart was hoping to offer comfort.
“Ben, when I was a child I heard a fable about a bet between the sun and the wind to prove which was stronger. Do you know it?”
“Where they took turns trying to wrest a coat from a man to prove their strength?”
“That’s it. The wind blew and blew and the man clutched his coat tighter. The sun beamed and gradually warmed him and the man gladly removed his coat.”
“That’s how I remember it.”
“Well, to me, you are the sun.”
That evening, when he went upstairs, Juli wondered how it would be if she went with him. She felt tenderness and something like love.
And they were married.
Ben didn’t ask for that sort of companionship. Never had. Was it was a physical problem or was he was just sticking to their agreement—expecting no more from her than she wanted to give? Rather than risk hurt or embarrassment, she watched him go upstairs each night, always earlier than she.
And because she couldn’t bring herself to ask, he went alone.
****
On Wednesday, Ben said, “I want to fix whatever’s wrong between you and Luke. I can’t have my two favorite people at odds, practically baring their fangs at each other every time the other is mentioned.”
It took Juli a moment to choose which expression to put on her face. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you are both reasonable people. You both think you’re hiding how you feel about each other, probably thinking you’re protecting me, but you’re fooling yourselves. Not that I don’t appreciate your effort, but every time I’m talking to one of you I have to be careful about mentioning the other. It's ridiculous.”
He walked over to where she sat, studying, and leaned over the back of the chair. “Luke will be very helpful to you when I’m gone.”
Juli frowned and closed her book. She was perfectly willing to put the world history textbook aside. Seemed like it went from one war to another. It got old.
“Why do you talk like that? I’ll take care of myself. I always have.” She tried again. “When I’m on my own again, I’ll go back to my life. Luke won’t figure into it. You’re the only thing Luke and I have in common.” She walked over to the kitchen counter and dropped the book on top of the other two. Grammar and math. Ugh.
Ben followed. “Then do it for me. When I bring you two together, try to be open with each other. I know you both. You are wonderful people.”
Juli swallowed her pride and faced Ben with a smile on her face. “When do you plan to hold this peace treaty discussion?”
He ignored her sarcasm. “What time is it?”
She looked at the kitchen clock. “Nearly one o’clock.”
“How about now? He’s bringing lunch.”
Luke knocked on the door. He and the pizza boxes were visible through the glass. Juli shrugged. If lunch didn’t go well, it wouldn’t be her fault. Luke had helped her with Frankie and she owed him. She owed Ben, too.
Ben opened the door and said, “Come on in.”
Luke saw Juli and paused in the doorway.
“Come in. Pizza’s getting cold.” He moved aside as Luke entered. “We’re going to share lunch today.”
“Is this why you wanted me to bring pizza over? Two pizzas?” Luke set the boxes on the kitchen counter.
Despite her best intentions, Juli deflated. She went to the cupboards to get plates and to hide her expression.
Ben intercepted her. “No, no. I’ll take care of this. You two sit down.”
Luke asked, still standing, “What’s the problem, Ben?”
“You two are the problem. My problem. I care about you both. Sit down. We’ll share lunch and get to know each other better.”
Luke pressed his lips together. No words were going to make it past that blockage. Juli tried to fill the gap.
“Is that pepperoni?” Oh, so fascinating, pepperoni.