Page 22 of Everything We Thought Was True
“Yes, that’s a great firm,” I managed to say. “But glad you decided on public sector instead and joined us. Looking forward to working with you—if I can pry you out of Brad’s claws.”
Brad smirked.
“Nice meeting you, Toby,” I said.
“Likewise,” Toby said.
I walked down the hall the last few feet to my office and stepped inside. I closed the door behind me, and the sound it made, sealing me off from the rest of the world, was satisfying and solid.
Chapter Eleven
TERESA - NEW ROCHELLE, NY
1974
Teresa hunkered down in the boat's cabin to escape the glaring midday sun. She’d agreed to go out on the boat that day, knowing it had been a while since she and the kids had joined Frank at Drifters. When they first arrived, Frank and one of the boat mechanics, Tommy, were putting the finishing touches on an engine repair they’d started before she arrived. Frank assured her they would finish it in only fifteen more minutes—the perfect amount of time to make lunch, which she preferred to do when the boat wasn’t moving anyway.
She watched Anthony scarf down the apple slices she’d cut up to tide him over. That kid had some appetite.Like mother, like son. Lena was reading a book in the boat’s bow, with their new little Yorkie, Libby, curled up beside her. Lena had become quite attached to that dog, insisting they bring Libby on the boat and not leave her at the apartment all day alone. Teresa agreed but could tell Frank wasn’t thrilled with the idea. In fact, Frank didn’t seem enamored with the new dog at all, even though he didn’t need to take care of her. That task was, of course, left for Teresa since he was hardly ever home.
“Tommy, you going to have some lunch with us before we shove off from the dock? I’ve got Caprese salad and salami and provolonesandwiches that’ll be ready in a few. I’m sure you’re hungry. Not to mention thirsty. It’s scorching out there.”
“Yeah, thanks, Teresa. I’d love some,” Tommy said, breaking into a big, white-toothed smile.
Teresa smiled back at him. Tommy had thick wavy black hair, crystal-blue eyes, a muscular physique that showed off his athleticism, and one of the best laughs Teresa had ever heard. She remembered Frank saying that Tommy was a hard worker and had gained the respect of the owner, Jim, as well as the boat owners and club members. It didn’t hurt that Tommy was distractingly good-looking, Teresa thought.
“Hot as hell,” Frank said, climbing out of the engine compartment from the belly of the boat.
Tommy wiped his forehead with his hand. “You’re not kidding. Man, it's hot out today.”
He grabbed the bottom of his T-shirt, which was tucked into his jeans, and pulled it up over his head, taking it off. Then he used his shirt to wipe his forehead and threw it down on the deck. His well-defined muscles were covered in a light sheen of sweat, glistening in the sun. He didn't have that much hair on his chest, but what he had was well placed, running right down the middle, between his pecs. His stomach rippled, revealing six-pack abs. He had a small line of hair that extended from his navel down past the point of his jeans’ zipper. Teresa couldn’t help thinking about how sexy that line was.
Stop it. You’re staring.She felt herself blush.
Just as she turned away, something caught her eye—Frank. He was staring at Tommy, transfixed, like Tommy’s bare chest was the answer to all life's problems or maybe just Frank’s prayers. Tommy was oblivious, his eyes fixed on the small engine part in his hands that he was trying to repair. But Teresa wasn't oblivious. Frank was unwilling or unable to tear his eyes from Tommy's skin and physique, paralyzed into stillness. Afraid Frank would catch her watchinghim, Teresa looked away, but not before she saw an expression on Frank's face. And it was unmistakable. Lust.
Teresa swiftly turned back to preparing lunch, her mind racing, wondering what she’d just witnessed.Is he jealous of Tommy’s physique?And then a thought flashed into her mind.Is Frank attracted to Tommy... in that way?Teresa gasped, surprised at her thoughts.Get ahold of yourself. She had to be wrong.
She snuck a glance at Frank, who had refocused on the engine repair. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up, a quizzical expression on his face. Maybe he knew she’d seen him staring. But she didn’t think so.
Teresa swallowed nervously and gave him a small smile. She put on her supportive-wife facade and ignored the thoughts churning in her head. She wondered if this was her special armor—avoiding the truth.
Teresa squinted against the late-afternoon sun, shielding her eyes with her hand. She adjusted the towel draped over her legs to cover the sliver of skin that had been exposed to the sun when she shifted position on the lounge chair. She was sitting by the Drifters pool with Sharon, the wife of the club owner, Jim, making small talk while Frank finished working on some projects on the boat. Anthony and Lena were frolicking around in the shallow end of the pool, where she could keep her eye on them.
“Teresa, it’s so good to see you here today. I haven’t seen you down at the club much lately,” Sharon said.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family on weekends. They all want to see the kids, and Frank has been busy here at the club,” Teresa said.
“Speak of the devil,” Sharon said, and Teresa turned to see Frank leaning over the edge of the pool, splashing the kids, who were happily bobbing up and down.
Anthony splashed his dad back, and Frank made a show of jumping back to avoid the water spray, laughing. “You almost got me, kid.”
Lena swam closer to her brother, who then turned his attention to her, splashing her silly. She sputtered and yelped, but her wide grin gave away her delight. Teresa smiled at the scene as Frank plopped down on the vacant lounge chair on the other side of her. He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Ready to head home?” she asked, assuming he’d finished up on the boat.
“Change of plans,” he said. “I'm heading out to the city with Henry for the night to meet some friends. Have dinner here with the kids. I’ll let them know at the snack bar you’re going to put in an order and add it to our tab.”
“Tonight? I thought we’d go home as a family.”Is it too much to ask that we’ll be together as a family for dinner on a weekend night?
