Page 18 of The Sky in Summer
“You already saw me half naked and it had zero effect on you, so why would I think anything different?” Rowdy adds.
“Okay. Just remember that whole friendship thing. It’s where we flourish, Van. I’m sure of it.”
He gives me a side-eye and a sneer, which really sets me laughing. Then him.
“Come on, let’s get the stuff. Got a duffle?”
I never had to organize things while being drunk off my ass. It’s harder than you’d think. Luckily, he is willing to carry it all, stuffed into the Old Navy duffle I have had for years. Can you get arrested for drunk walking? Cause we are doing it. It is a little too slow and methodical, making sure we are connected to the earth at all times. Approaching the entry, I insert the pass and the gate slowly opens.
Only one other person occupies the big pool. I have seen her every time the twins and I have been here. She swims gracefully under the lights, her hands barely making a splash as they enter the water.
The tall trees surrounding the property maintain privacy.
“This place is great looking. Bigger than I thought it would be.”
“Well, it’s for the entire development. It’s for all the single-family homes, apartments, and condos. There’s a toddler pool and a smaller adult pool besides this big one. We have tennis courts and a basketball court. A pickle ball court is being installed next month. Right over there, is a sauna and you can see the hot tub.”
“I’m surprised not more people are here.”
“It closes in an hour and a half. If we don’t crown a winner by then, we’ll have to continue the games at home.”
“I wouldn’t be opposed to that,” he says, avoiding eye contact.
“Look what I brought,” I say, reaching inside my bikini top, which is covered by the orange onesie. It’s the one place there is room to hide something. When the small flask is revealed, a huge smile breaks out on Van’s face.
“Genius.”
“Let’s go around the corner of the office. There’s no camera there.”
As we walk toward our hideout, Van trips over nothing.
“Ha! You are at a clear disadvantage.”
“Wasn’t my fault. The ground came up and grabbed me. Maybe I better hold your hand. You know, just for balance.”
We both know his balance has nothing to do with the request. And nothing to do with my response. I take his hand.So not to give him time to think about it, I change subjects as we walk to the open field.
“Okay you big baby. Let’s set up the obstacles. This isn’t really level, but that should be good for the challenge. At least you’ll have a soft place to land when you fall.”
Van’s laughter is a kind of erotic thing. I admit to it.
“And you’re drunk Peaches and too loose to hurt yourself. Like a drunk in an accident. That will work in your favor.”
“I will agree to that fact.”
“Your little hand feels good in mine. Or am I not allowed to say that?”
I open my palm and release the grasp.
“Me and my big mouth,” he says dejectedly.
“Don’t have a conniption fit, Rowdy. I’m just getting our obstacles. Help me set them up.”
“Wait! We need tequila.”
There’s no argument from me. I take a pull from the flask and hand it to Van who does the same. We get to work.
In a matter of a few minutes, the old toys are in place. Woody and Buzz Lightyear mark the start of the trail. My old Cabbage Patch doll and groupings of toy soldiers dot the snaked path. Some sit atop a bump in the grass, others winding across the fifty-foot course in formation. Van puts two in a compromising sixty-nine position atop a small rise.
