Page 44 of Falling Again
Natalie let out an un-ladylike snort; she wasn’t buying it. No man would look at their near middle-aged wife and think they looked as good as when they met. It was human nature, and Natalie wasn’t here for the BS. “Anthony,” she huffed. “You don’t need to lie. I don’t look the same and—”
“You’re right, you don’t. Neither do I. I have gray hair, about a dozen new wrinkles on my forehead, and last week I found more hairs in the shower than I would have liked. We’re getting older, and that’s fine.” His tone belied his words, but he was so earnest and eager that Natalie had to believe him.
“You look distinguished with your gray hair. I like it.” Absentmindedly, Natalie reached up to smooth down Anthony’s cowlick. She loved the silky feel of his hair. And sure, maybe there were a few less hairs up there than a decade before, but Natalie didn’t care.
Anthony seemed to be struggling with the same insecurities as Natalie was, and she was humbled at his honesty.
“Thanks for telling me about my grays. I wasn’t sure you noticed.” He gave her a sardonic grin and Natalie chuckled.
“Hey, I’m not trying to make you feel bad. I think you look sophisticated, like George Clooney.”
Now it was Anthony’s time to snort. “Yeah, I don’t buy that.”
“Come on,” she laughed. “I can see it.”
“Yeah, if you’re squinting. How much wine did you have at dinner?” He nudged her shoulder, and Natalie loved the playful connection. They hadn’t teased each other in far too long.
Then, a flash of lightning lit up the whole room. A moment later it was followed by a forceful clap of thunder. Natalie jumped and Anthony wrapped his arm around her to pull her close. She wasn’t a fan of thunderstorms on a good day, but something about being so open and vulnerable on the lake made her feel extra sensitive.
“Shh, it’s okay,” Anthony cooed. She relaxed into his side and braced herself for the next flash and bang.
Mother Nature didn’t disappoint. The next round of thunder shook the house, causing Natalie to squeal. “Anthony!” She exhaled his name like a prayer.
“I’ve got you.” He kissed her temple, nestling her to his chest.
They sat for a while, listening to the rain pelting the windows. Idly, Anthony traced his hand up and down her arm in a rhythm known only to him. Natalie melted against him. She hadn’t felt this cared for in too long, and she nearly cried with relief.
As the storm dissipated outside, there was another flash, and the power went out. The lights dimmed to black, and the hum of the AC went silent. Anthony tensed beside her for a moment before pulling back. “Let me go see if it’s the house or the neighborhood,” he said. Scrambling off the bed, he found his discarded polo and hastily put it back on. When he reached the doorway, he turned to face her. “Nat, this is all to be continued.” It wasn’t so much a question as a statement. Natalie simply nodded and fell back into her pillows.
Thinking back throughout their first day, Natalie was surprised she didn’t have whiplash. In the matter of hours, Natalie felt like she and Anthony were finding their way back to each other. Granted, she wanted this evening to end differently, but for the first time in months a new emotion took over.
Hope.
*
Anthony would be lyingif he said traipsing around the dark during a storm was how he wanted his evening to end. His skin still tingled from where Natalie had touched him, and he ached to be with her again. But the night hadn’t been a loss, not at all. Talking and laughing with Natalie felt like a not-so-distant dreamworld. Anthony didn’t want to get ahead of himself, but South Bass Island was working wonders already.
Crossing the front yard to the street, Anthony saw a few flashlight beams coming from Dr. LeFeber’s house. Anthony jogged over to see what was going on. As much as he liked being outside of Buckeye Falls for the week, he missed the power that came with being mayor. He wanted answers, but he knew he’d have to wait like everyone else.
“Good evening, Dr. LeFeber,” Anthony said in greeting when he joined the older man and his companion, a woman in her sixties. Her hair was under a scarf, but her eyes were shrewd and assessing when he joined them.
Dr. LeFeber waved his flashlight in greeting. “Anthony. Sorry this is your welcome back to South Bass Island. Hell of a storm we had.”
The older woman stepped closer and lifted her light to see Anthony’s face. He squinted and shielded his eyes with his free hand. “Who is this?” she asked Dr. LeFeber.
“Where are my manners? Mae, this is Anthony Snyder, Steven’s son.”
Mae nodded once and gestured at his parent’s house. “Thought they were thinking of selling. It’s nice to see family visiting. We need more permanent residents on the island.”
Anthony didn’t have the heart to tell Mae the truth, so instead he changed the subject. “Any idea when the power will come back on?”
Both neighbors shook their head and Anthony deflated. “It’s a Monday night, so at least it’s not the weekend. We had a bad storm the end of last summer. Took two whole days to get it restored. If you and Natalie need anything, you let me know,” Dr. LeFeber offered, clearly more welcoming than Mae.
Mae sniffed and looked at Anthony’s disheveled state. “Girlfriend?” she asked.
“Wife,” Anthony corrected, running his hand along the collar on his polo. “Speaking of, I better get back inside and make sure Natalie’s okay.”
Dr. LeFeber nodded, adding, “Let me know if that ankle of hers doesn’t look better tomorrow.”
