Page 72 of Analysing Her Assets

“The salt content here is higher than normal sea water, which is why you feel weightless. Lay on your back for me, there... with the noodle.”

Galit fit the noodle underneath her neck and asked her to spread her arms. It wasn’t easy to relax. She was stiff when the therapist grabbed her shoulders and neck. Galit was patient, speaking in a low voice as she gently rotated her around. The warm water carried her floating limbs. She finally relaxed, trusting she wouldn’t sink. In the silent pool, the water embraced her warmly as Galit turned her this way and that, and she’d hardly realized it when the therapist removed the supporting noodle. She let the therapist arrange her curled body on her side, in a fetal position, her head on her arm. Underwater, the lapping small waves were louder, but now that Galit wasn’t talking anymore, those were the only noises in her universe.

She thought about her mother. She would have loved to tell her about wearing a dress by Tally to a company’s event and receiving tons of compliments. About seriously being considered for a top managerial position in Peaks. About snorkeling for the first time. About this experience and the man who gave it to her. A man she liked more than any other man before him. But her mother would never see Tamar get promoted or wear a unique ‘Tally’s’ design. She would never meet Gideon. The wave of sadness washed through her, familiar, yet heavier. She mourned her mother, silent tears streaming down her already wet face.

“That’s it,” Galit whispered. “Did you like it?”

“Yes, I loved it,” she answered, not caring that Galit probably realized she was crying.

“Would you like for your boyfriend to join you?” Tamar didn’t correct her about their status. “He told me to tell you that if you didn’t want him, that’s fine too.”

“Yes. Please ask him to meet me at the third pool.”

The third pool’s enclosure was square, small, and very warm. Four hanging heaters glowed red. Salty stalactites dripped from the ceiling and grew from the narrow pool sides. Tamar used the small ladder and entered the hot water, the high salt content making her feet rise to the surface.

“Hey.”

Gideon’s hairy chest was a little bright with sweat as he stood next to the ladder. His wiry muscles moved as he laid a glass jug filled with water and two glasses.

“Drink. I’ll be right back with our mimosas,” he said.

Tamar drank thirstily. The small space was secluded, fairy-like, the white and gray salt covering the poolside in tall piles, orange where the heaters’ light hit it. Gideon was back with two flutes filled with a peach-colored drink.

“What are those?”

“Champagne and freshly squeezed orange juice. There’s breakfast waiting for us after we shower.”

He slithered seamlessly into the warm water.

“How long do we have?”

“Don’t worry about it. Enough.”

The cocktail was bubbly and citrusy. Gideon arranged a small towel underneath her head and she closed her eyes, floating next to him. They lolled in the water, drinking water and sipping mimosas.

“Thank you,” she said hoarsely, her voice unsteady. He gave her the most perfect experience. Gideon swam a little until he was in front of her. Then he placed two powerful arms next to her ears, poised horizontally, planking on his stomach.

“I can’t keep my legs from touching you.” Her legs rose in the salty water, bumping into his crotch.

“Don’t then.” His white teeth flashed. Then he was serious.

“I still owe you,” he said.

“Owe me? How come?”

“I wanted to talk about my other family for ages, to someone, anyone, and I couldn’t trust anybody. Not from my old circle of friends, who know my parents, not from the friendships I made in Peaks that are too new. Then you came along. So, thank you. I owe you. Big time.”

The sincere brown eyes focused on her, and she turned away so he wouldn’t see straight into her soul. In two weeks, she’d have to let him go. It was getting harder to compartmentalize this disturbing fact. She sipped her drink and wallowed in the warm water and worked hard at not thinking.

––––––––

36. Gideon

“What a breakfast! And the mimosas!” Tamar’s cheeks glowed pink. “Everything was so delicious!”

It was fun pampering her. She was an appreciative recipient, and she didn’t try to come across like a tired cynic know-it-all. She seemed subdued and withdrawn earlier, but once they’d eaten, she cheered up.

He closed the luggage lid and walked around the car. He wanted to start the drive back before Peaks’ employees finished their breakfast and saw them leaving together.

---