Maybe Jim realized it. Or maybe he was smarter than he appeared, because he took a step back and lifted one hand up in a holding gesture. “I can see this has the potential of getting very unpleasant for both of us.”
“Are you used to having people just run away or cave in when you threaten them? “ Kerry found herself asking, with a note of curiousness in her voice. “Please don’t expect that from us.”
He turned his eyes to her. “I am used to that, and people usually do back off. I’ve got a lot of power on this island and most people who live here really want to.”
“Listen.” Kerry felt Dar shift next to her. “I appreciate that. It’s a very nice place to live. But the business Dar and I are in? You don’t really want to get in that kind of fight with us.”
He exhaled, and put his fists on his hips, shifting his attention from Kerry to Dar’s set, cold expression. “Know what? You’re right.” He said. “You did me a big favor. I’m just scared, and my wife is scared, that you’re going to influence our daughter. Especially that she told us you offered her a job. I get crazy.”
Kerry felt Dar slowly relax next to her. “That was my screwup.” She said. “She said she wasn’t going to college, and we just started a new business, and she’s a bright kid. I had no idea you were a homophobe until after I asked her.”
He shook his head. “She’s going to work for me. “ He said. “But I’m.. “ He lifted a hand again and then let it fall. “Apologies. Just stay away from her.” He turned and walked hurriedly out of the pool area, letting the door swing shut behind him.
Dar let out a long, shaking breath. “Mother fucking son of a bitch.”
Kerry inhaled. “What you said.”
“I think I’m going to throw up.” Dar folded her arms over her stomach, hunching her shoulders and blinking. “Holy crap.”
“We absolutely are going to move.” Kerry said, after a moment, putting her hand on Dar’s arm.. “But at our time, and when we feel like it not his.”
“Yeah.” Dar went over and sat down on one of the high top chairs scattered around, leaning back and covering her eyes with one hand.
“You okay, hon?” Kerry went over to her and took hold of her free hand, chafing the cold fingers between her own. “I thought for a minute I was going to be a witness to murder there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you that mad.”
“Close. I was seeing blood red.” Dar admitted. “What an idiot.”
Kerry could see the pulse point fluttering against the skin of Dar’s neck and she shifted her hands, moving them to her partner’s shoulders and gently massaging them. “Easy, babe.” She murmured. “Just breathe, huh?”
“Ungh.” Dar grunted. “What a jerk.”
“Maybe we should have gone into work instead.” Kerry said, mournfully. “This wasn’t was I was expecting to get out of our pool session.” She continued to knead the skin across Dar’s shoulders, feeling the tension very slowly ease. “Dar, Dar, Dar.”
“Holy crap he pissed me off.”
“Yeah. I know.” Kerry leaned over a little and kissed the damp skin right behind Dar’s right ear. “Really not worth you getting so worked up, my love. There are always idiots in the world, you know?”
Dar exhaled. “I know. I just didn’t expect…” She leaned to one side, resting her elbow on the chair arm and letting her head lay on Kerry’s shoulder. “Didn’t expect to get that kind of reaction for doing something I thought was right.”
No. Kerry sighed, and draped her arm over Dar’s shoulders. She remembered, with somber vividness the moment in her own life when she had to face that hatred and she knew in the gut what Dar meant.
“Why the hell do people have to be so damned stupid?” Dar asked. “At what point is humanity going to grow the fuck up and stop inventing reasons to hate?”
“C’mon. Let’s go back home and play with our kids.” Kerry said. “I’ve about lost my taste for the facilities here today.”
“Urmph.” Dar got up off the chair and took Kerry’s hand in hers, as they walked across the concrete deck back towards the gym. “You know what we could do?”
Kerry cleared her throat a little. “Find a place in the Grove?”
“Mind reader.”
**
Kerry finished packing their overnight bags and set them down near the door. She glanced over her shoulder at the couch, where Dar was curled up with both dogs draped over her as she studied a small notebook.
She was wearing a pair of dark cargo pants and a rugby shirt and looked quite adorable to her partner’s appreciative eyes, especially with Mocha curled up behind her left knee resting his small head on it.
It was quiet and peaceful, and the stress of the morning had slowly dissipated, though the feeling of disappointment hadn’t. Looking around at this place she’d called home for the last few years now made her a little sad.
Ah well. Kerry sighed and leaned against the door, dismissing the thoughts as unproductive.
It was late afternoon. They had about a half hour before they would have to leave for the airport, and she’d just gotten a call from the marina letting her know that Andrew and Ceci were pulling into a guest slip and tying up.
“Hon?” Kerry went over and perched on the arm of the couch. “We going to tell your folks about Jim?”
“Yes.” Dar said, without looking up. “In case he decides to try something stupid while we’re gone I want them to know what’s up.”
“You think he will?”
Dar shrugged. “Depends. Did he really back off or did he just not want to end up in a boxing match with me?”
“Eh. “ Kerry got up and went to their laptop bags, her briefcase and Dar’s somewhat retro looking messenger bag and started putting the folders full of presentation material into them. “Are we letting your dad drive us to the airport?”
“Nah, I’ll just park the truck there.”
Dar got up and set Mocha down on the floor, then walked over to the dining room table and handed over her notebook. “I’m glad we’re going out of town tonight.”
“Me too. I still feel kinda slimy after what happened this morning.” Kerry tucked the notebook into Dar’s bag along with a sack of hard candies, then she fastened the flap and stood back, resting her hands on a chair and considering if she’d remembered everything or not.
“Thanks.” Dar nibbled her ear, sending her thoughts rapidly off track. “For taking care of all the details so I don’t show up there with half my gear forgotten.”
Kerry smiled. “My pleasure.” She lifted Dar’s hand and kissed the knuckles, then ducked past her as the front door bell rang. “I’d get some beer ready. I think they’re gonna need it.”
“Mm.” Dar detoured to the kitchen, listening to Kerry’s voice as she greeted Andrew and Ceci as she opened the refrigerator and studied the contents. “Beer, or milk?” She mused. “Maybe a beer for mom, and a chocolate milk for dad?”
“Dar?” Kerry’s voice echoed softly from the dining room.
“On the way.” Dar plunked a choice of beverages on a round wooden tray and headed out into the living room, where Andrew and Ceci were now occupying the love seat, having gained the rapt attention of the two dogs. “Hi.”
“Hi” Ceci eyed her. “What exactly are we going to hear about that you’re bringing everything from seltzer water to vodka out?”
“Vodka’s for me.” Dar said, putting the tray down. “It was that kind of morning.”
“Lord.” Andrew sat up and stared at her. “What in the hell happened? You get drafted? By the Army?”
“Don’t give them any ideas, Andrew”