Page 185 of Love in Riverbend
I park behind the Howards’ garage. After a few knocks, we determine they aren’t home.
“Are you sure this is okay?” Devan asks.
“My parents have been friends with the Howards forever. Besides, we’re only going to go down to their dock.”
Taking Devan’s hand, I walk her along the side of the house. This isn’t where the Howards live year around, but they’re usually here in the summer. From what I can see through the windows, everything looks the same. They could be out for a Sunday drive. We walk through their carport, pass a sprawling elevated deck, and walk down a narrow staircase that leads through a patch of trees to the waterfront.
Green grass covers the lawn up to a seawall. People can either walk out on the dock or take the steps down to the sandy shore.
At the edge of the lawn, Devan stops and lifts her chin. The breeze off the lake blows wisps of her yellow hair around her beautiful face. Unable to resist, I lean over and brush her lips with mine.
The sunlight sparkles in her eyes as she hums. “This is beautiful.”
We take off our shoes and sit on the edge of the dock, letting our feet soak in the fresh, cool water. I tell her how I learned to water-ski on this lake. I’m also confident that my many attempts to get up on top of the water on skis is part of Kandace’s embarrassing stories.
Devan shares how she learned to water-ski and her love of Jet Skis. As we sit, we talk about things I haven’t thought of in years. It amazes me how easy it is to talk with her. Most people would probably say I’m quiet. Around Devan it’s the exact opposite. That doesn’t mean that I don’t give her a chance to share. I do, listening to every word she says.
It’s after seven when we put back on our shoes and trek up the hill and stairs.
“Justin,” Mr. Howard calls from the deck as we get closer. While I think of the Howards as my parents’ friends, they are older than my parents. Mr. Howard’s hair is snow-white, and his frame has lessened with time.
“Mr. Howard,” I reply. Once we’re to the deck level, I introduce Devan.
“Nice to meet you, young lady.”
Devan’s cheeks are pink from our day in the sun. “Nice to meet you.”
“Would you like some lemonade,” he asks.
“I need to get Devan home,” I reply.
“Maybe next time. You two come back and take the boat out. I’m getting too old for those stairs, and it could use a good running.”
Holding Devan’s hand, I say, “Thank you. That sounds like a great offer.”
“What is your week like?” I ask Devan once we’re back in the truck and headed for the Dunn farm.
“Lesson plans.”
“Sounds fun.”
“Your week?” she asks.
I flash her a smile. “Planning your surprise weekend getaway.”
“That sounds like fun.”
After dropping Devan off and kissing her goodbye, I call my brother-in-law. I usually call Ricky for advice. However, asking him where a good place would be to take his sister’s virginity doesn’t seem like a good call. It sounds like a call that could end with me in the depths of one of the quarries.
“Sheers,” Dax answers. “What’s happening?”
“You met Devan.”
“Yeah, she was here a few hours ago. Is your memory going?”
“Shut up,” I say. “It was a segue.”
“Oh.” He laughs.
