Page 21 of Rhymes with Metaphor
Chapter 6: Cabin Fever
Martin had been hopingto take Juliet in his car, with Reg driving Joel.However, Juliet had a car of her own and wanted to drive Joel herself, so Martin ended up driving Reg in his car, with Juliet following in hers.
“Will you stop waving at her?”said Reg.
“I don’t want her to think I’ve forgotten her,” said Martin.
“No chance of anyone thinking that.Will Juliet be staying in your room at the cottage?”
“Of course not.”Martin flushed purple and looked scandalized.“She’ll be in the room next to mine.”
“With Joel?”
“No.I’m putting New Bug in the room next to yours.”
“So, have you fucked her yet?”
“Jesus, Reg!”said Martin, the purple hue deepening.“Don’t be crass.”
“I’m sorry.Have youmade loveto her yet?”
“I’m not dignifying that with an answer.”
“So, no.Roll on, Romeo.”
Martin started playing theCross Country Checkuppodcast.
“Please, no,” said Reg.“Not that.”
Martin increased the volume.“Got to keep my finger on the public pulse.”
When they arrived at the cottage, Juliet asked Martin to help her get Joel out of the car, as he was lying in the backseat, asleep.He was wearing grey scrubs today, Reg noticed.
They put him on the most comfortable couch in the all-season porch at the back of the cottage and finished unpacking.Then they all ate a dinner of cold cuts and deli salads on the porch, as Joel was too tired to sit up at the dining table.
“Nice view,” said Juliet.
As the trees hadn’t leafed out for spring, the lake was clearly visible.
“You’re not seeing it at its best in April,” said Martin.
“The grey heralds the green,” said Reg.
“How many years have you been coming here?”said Juliet.
“Since we were ten, when our families moved to Canada,” said Martin.“My dad bought this place so we could summer by the lake.”
