NINTH INSTALLMENT OF...THE LAKE...by b. Malin
CHAPTER 4
The weekend flew by with friends from the city coming up to visit...and soon, much too soon, it was Monday morning and Robert was getting ready for work. They both felt happy and refreshed, after making love in the early morning light. "Have breakfast with me this morning he said as he came into the room, with a towel wrapped around his torso, smelling of a fresh shower and shaving cream. "Sarah sat up and stretched lazily from the bed. "I'd love to she replied, but do I have time to take a quick shower"? "Of course you do, my love" he replied as he came over to give her a kiss on her nose. She always loved when he did that. "How did we get so lucky"? she said as she stood up and grabbed his buttocks giving it a familiar gentle squeeze, then gently pushing him away as she headed for the bathroom and a cool shower.
They made small talk over French Toast, which he had made while she was showering. There was also fresh squeezed orange juice, and decaf coffee. She liked hers black, no sugar, he needed at least four teaspoons of sugar and lots of cream. He cleared his throat..."Sarah I may have to go to Chicago on Wednesday, till Thursday...I should be back Friday afternoon...I just checked my Blackberry while you were in the shower". "Hey honey, if you have to go, you have to go. I'll be fine...I'm working on a new piece for the paper, and right now I have a lot of research to do...which I haven't even started yet", she said. "Really, he replied, what's it about?" "Oh I'm toying on a local story, you know maybe about the town, the history..."I hope he said sounding serious, that it has nothing to do with Danielle's suicide". "No honey, she sighed, it's a human interest story...hey she said looking up at the clock, don't you have somewhere to be?" "Yeah, i guess I'll get going, I'm going to take the train in today." I'll walk you to the door" she said as they both stood up as he put on his suit jacket. They kissed good by and then she stood in the doorway and watch him drive off to the train station.
Oh, I've got so much to do today she said to herself as she started to clean up the kitchen. She had just finished putting the last dish into the dishwasher when her cell phone began ringing. Oh where did I put in...ah, the bedroom. She made a made dash and caught it by the fourth ring. "Hi, Mrs. Blake...Sarah, this is Jose...we met last week at the Hardware Store, in town...his voice trailed off as he waited for recognition. "Oh yes, Jose, oh I'm so glad you called, you remembered...I wasn't sure that you would. Are you free anytime this week?... she rushed on, I'm free on Wednesday all day and the evening too for that matter, my husband will be out of town Wednesday and Thursday, so no schedule for me, she sighed, hoping that she didn't sound too desperate and anxious. "Mmmm, let me think a moment" he replied, Actually Wednesday would work for me as well" he said. "Good Sarah replied back, do you want to come in the afternoon?" "Would it sound too forward of me he said, if I came late afternoon...I could bring Pizza...his voice trailed off for a moment. I'd really prefer to come after dark, I don't want to be seen at your house, as I've told you, I don't want to lose any of my jobs here. The towns people want to forget about Mrs. Blake's suicide...I just can't take any unnecessary chances". "Of course Jose, you're right...I will protect you... He interrupted, "Sarah, you have to promise me that you will tell no one that I am coming to see you, not even your husband. Especially my husband, she thought to herself. Aloud she said, "I promise". "If anything changes, he said, call me". "I will" she answered back, and then he was gone. Wow, she thought to herself, he must know something...and the reporter in me is going to find out what it is.
To be continued...
