Page 4 of Salace

JULIA

I’m pouring myself a glass of wine when Aimee plods down the stairs, wiping at her sleep-crusted eyes. She looks beautiful even now, without trying. Her tee shirt is two sizes too big for her, baggy and swishing the tops of her thighs as she walks.

Her eyes squint, brows furrowing as she glances from the countertop to me. “Jesus, Mom. Already? It’s not even lunch.” Her tone is full of disdain.

I finish my pour, filling the oversized stemmed-glass to the brim before bringing it to my lips and enjoying a sip. “It’s eleven. Close enough.” I shrug.

“Whatever. Hey. Kasey is coming over today so can you please not be drunk?”

“Kasey?” I ask. “The boy you don’t like?” I am thoroughly confused.

Aimee rolls her eyes at me. “We’re just hanging out.”

“Where?”

Again, with the obnoxious eye roll. “We’re going to hang out at the pool. So can you just please stop drinking so you’re not drunk when he arrives.”

“Excuse me. I’m your mother and I don’t appreciate your tone. Keep it up, and when he arrives I’ll kindly let him know you’re grounded, and he needs to leave.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“Try me,” I say, taking my glass and heading onto the patio. A quick glance back at Aimee reveals her standing, hands on her hips, slack jawed.Good. Maybe she’ll behave.

I settle into the lounge chair and soak up the warmth of the sun while I drain my glass of wine. Soon enough, some boy will break her heart and leave her, and then she’ll understand how hard it is to be alone. She’ll understand the need to turn to something—anything—that can numb the harsh realities of the world for a little while.

* * *

The doorbell rings.Thud. Thud. Thud.Aimee’s heavy footsteps sound furious. She’s always so loud, like an elephant stomping on hardwood. She races down the stairs, beating me to it. She shoots me a searing look over her shoulder before she swings the door open wide.

Kasey grins and says hello. He’s tan and tall, in shorts, a tee and sandals. His legs are muscular and covered in light hair.

“Come in,” I say, and swing an arm wide, gesturing.

“Thanks, Mrs. H.,” he says. “Can I call you that?”

I smile. “Sure, but it’sMs. H.”

His eyebrows raise, and I swear he licks his lips at the discovery.

“Got it.”

Aimee grabs his hand and starts pulling him. “Come on. This way. Bye, Mom.”

Kasey stares at me as he passes, his body moving, but his eyes trained on me until he’s through the sliders and out of sight. A flush warms me. It’s been a long time since someone’s looked at me withwant. A self-effacing grin sweeps over my face.

From the kitchen window the two of them laugh and play in the water. Splashing and dunking each other. I fill my water bottle with vodka, ice, and a splash of orange juice. Aimee squeals. I glance out the kitchen window. Kasey stands at the edge of the pool, arms scooped under her nearly naked body, and tosses her into the blue water below. When he laughs his entire face changes, lightens. And then he sees me. I turn away and take a sip of my drink.

“Hey, Ms. H?” Kasey’s deep voice greets me.

I tuck my hair behind my ears and turn to face him. “Hey there.”

“Do you have anything to drink? Aimee said she’s fine, but I’m thirsty.”I bet he is. I bet he’d love a screwdriver.

I shake the thought from my head and nod instead. “I have water, juice and there might be some sodas left.”

Kasey sucks his bottom lip between his teeth. Beads of water cling to his skin. “Soda works.” I turn to rummage around the back of the fridge for one. I can feel his body heat before he even touches me. He reaches over me into the refrigerator. His crotch pressed against my rear end, his arm sliding over my shoulder. “Got one,” he says.

I twist around to face him. He’s inches from my face. “I thought...they were on the bottom shelf,” I say.

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