Authors: Barrett
Tags: #Gay & Lesbian, #Contemporary, #Fiction, #Romance, #Genre Fiction, #Lesbian, #Lesbian Romance, #Literature & Fiction
Balefire (4 page)
Silke looked at Diane, who nodded sympathetically and squeezed Sil
ke’s arm before releasing it.
“That’s unfortunate,” Diane said. “I think you would have enjoyed see
ing it. The owner did a remarkable job, considering the structures they built are on an unstable piece of swampland. Top of the line place.”
“Were you able to talk to your editor? What does she want you to do?” Silke said.
“I didn’t try to call her. It’s almost midnight in New York. I’ll try to
morrow morning I guess.” Kirin leaned her head back as she raked her fingers through her hair. “I told her that the Oregon wine country was a better story.”
They all laughed.
“I’m not a journalist, but I can’t help but think that your adventure so far has been pretty exciting. In addition to the storm damage to the islands, I’ll bet there are some fascinating stories about the determined Belizean’s
recovery. Not many readers of your magazine have lived through a tropi
cal
storm.” Diane’s cell phone beeped, and she pulled it from her pocket. “Ex
cuse me, I have to take this.” She got up and headed to the kitchen.
“SHE’S RIGHT,” SILKE said. “You could write a very different kind of story, if you were interested.”
Kirin straightened up and looked at Silke. “Wow, I’ve never written
anything like that. Do you want a nightcap and maybe we could brain
storm?”
They drank rum punch, tossed around a few ideas about the people, the economy, farming, and eventually created an outline for a story. Soon, they were the only ones left in the restaurant.
“This is great,” Kirin said. “I’m really excited about tackling a new story. Maybe I should hire you as a collaborator. Or co-author?”
Silke laughed and shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’m happy to help, considering your dismal first impressions.” She stood and weaved slightly.
Kirin grabbed her arm. “Easy does it, tiger.”
“Thanks, this was fun.” Silke leaned into Kirin as they navigated back to the condo.
“You know,” Kirin stopped and faced Silke, “this really is a great idea. I’m going to shoot Esther an email with a proposal for a radical new take on a travel article.”
“I’m glad.” Silke tilted to the left.
Relaxed, inebriated, and feeling quite satisfied with their bold new idea, they staggered along the moonlit beach arm in arm.
The lights glowed in their first floor condo, which turned out to be a good thing, Kirin thought as she unlocked the door. She remembered Silke’s vision problem. Surprisingly, Silke weaved a fairly straight path to the kitchen.
“Do you want some water?” Silke asked.
“That’s probably a very good idea,” Kirin said, coming out of the ad
jacent bathroom. She marveled at how well Silke navigated the condo. Of course, she’d stayed here before. “Thank you.” She took the glass. “I’m pretty excited about the project, I hope Esther likes it. Even if she doesn’t, there’s no reason I can’t sell it to someone else. I can write up a review of the Beach Resort for her.”
“That would be nice. I know Diane and Mark would love it.” Silke came over to the table where Kirin sorted through gear from her bag. “Do you want help with the sofa bed?”
“I think I can manage okay, but thanks,” Kirin said and laid out two spiral notebooks.
Silke paused. “Okay then. I’m going to have a quick shower and turn in.”
Kirin watched her navigate by touching the furniture. She really want
ed to ask about what had happened to her sight, but it felt awkward. Still, Silke moved so gracefully and confidently that it wouldn’t be obvious—except for the cane. Kirin knew she had been very fortunate to find this place and this woman.
The large leaf-shaped blades of the ceiling fan made a soft whirring sound overhead as Kirin rearranged her belongings. She put on her soft old Brewer tee shirt along with cotton shorts. The sofa bed pulled out easily and the bright white sheets and white comforter beckoned her. She grabbed pillows from the closet and bumped into Silke coming out the bedroom.
“Excuse me. I wasn’t looking.” She put her hands on her hips.
Silke smiled. “No problem. Looks like you are all set. I just wanted to say good night.”
Kirin set the pillows on the bed and turned around. Silke stood close and reached her arm out. Unsure what to do, Kirin stepped toward her into her line of sight. A slight balancing act, but she managed to move into Silke’s space.
“I had a good time tonight,” Silke said as she put her hand on Kirin’s
shoulder. “I’m really glad our paths crossed during this trip. It’s been ad
vantageous to both of us, I guess.” She paused. “I’m not sure I’d have
made it through the airport cattle-call without you.” She encircled her oth
er arm around Kirin’s shoulders.
“You’re right. And I’m very grateful for your generosity,” Kirin said.
Silke pulled her close, and Kirin wrapped her arms around her waist and pressed against her. She felt Silke’s palm on the back of her neck, fingers moving in the hair behind her ear. They held each other in an awkward yet tender embrace. Kirin thought the tenderness fortified them both. Like two ships in a storm, they found a safe harbor.
Kirin could feel strong muscles under her palms and smelled a fresh pear scented soap mixed with wet hair.
“I hope you sleep well,” Silke said shyly as she pulled away.
“Good night.”
Kirin lay awake in the darkness. Something odd happened with the embrace. She couldn’t describe it. It wasn’t sexual, but whatever it was felt good. For the first time in several weeks, she felt the tightly coiled, internal shock absorbers release. She rearranged the pillow and flipped the sheet back to feel the soft air currents from the paddle-bladed fan above. The tropical dampness evaporated from her exposed skin with each turn of the blade.
Silke coughed in the other room, and Kirin glanced toward the bed
room door. She crossed her hands on her abdomen and took a deep breath.
Silke Dyson is a most unusual woman.
Chapter Six
A COARSE RAKING sound drifted through the window along with
two voices, and Silke remembered where she was.
The boys must be clean
ing the beach
.
Ah, the beach. I’m home
. She rolled onto her back and stretched, enjoying the cool smooth sheets on the king size bed caressing
and enfolding her skin. The small muscles in her back and shoulders un
tangled. Relaxed at last.
The soft whoosh of the ceiling fan further helped to orient her. She
identified sounds—the distant rumble of the twin outboard motors on
one of the resort’s launches moving off toward town. The familiar shriek of seagulls amplified in her ears. It was good to be back on the Caye.
That’s odd. I smell coffee.
Kirin. She pulled on her shorts and went out to the living room to find it empty.
The sofa bed was closed, and Kirin’s belongings neatly stacked beside it. There was no sign of her on the front porch or in the bathroom, but the coffeemaker light glowed on the counter.
“Well that’s nice.” Silke found a cup and searched through the cup
board for some sugar. The events of the last forty-eight hours slowly
resurfaced. It felt like much longer than forty-eight hours since the ob
stacle-ridden travel ordeal had begun. Too bad she wasn’t a writer. This would have made a heck of a story.
The front door opened.
“Oh, hi. I guess you’re up. I hope I didn’t wake you. I tried to be quiet.” Kirin closed the door and walked across the living room, flapping a paper bag all the way to the kitchen counter. “I brought you one of those fry jacks you like.”
“Thank you, that was nice. I guess I was in a coma because I never heard you leave.” Silke filled her cup. “Thank you for making the coffee too. There’s a little left. Do you want some?”
Kirin fidgeted with the bag. “No thanks. I had about three cups with breakfast. I was so excited about the new article that I woke before dawn and couldn’t wait to get started.” She pulled out the fry jack and put it on the counter. “I snuck out with my laptop, and when I got over to the pool area, the restaurant staff was setting up. They offered me coffee and were so polite. Incredible.”
The overnight change in Kirin astonished Silke. She seemed almost buoyant.
Silke pulled out a stool and sat down at the counter next to her. “What did you decide to do?”
Kirin booted up her laptop and started opening files. “I wanted to start researching Belize and hurricanes. Before I was even able to formulate my plan, your friend Diane came out and sat with me for a while. She quizzed me like my editor and gave me some great suggestions. And get this—she even knows a kid with a boat who might be able to connect me with some people along the coast. I guess he used to work here, but his family lives in Placencia.”
“That’s terrific. So you’ll have people to interview. It’s probably a good
idea to go with a guide. The people here are very friendly but may be re
luctant to answer questions unless they know you.” Silke picked up the fry jack. “If Diane recommended him, I’m sure you can trust him.”
Kirin smiled as she watched Silke take a bite. “We’ll see. He’s coming by at ten to talk to me. I sent Esther an e-mail to see if they’d reimburse me for his service. Even if they don’t, it’ll be a great way to meet some of the locals and see the damage myself. I’m so glad you suggested this. What a great idea.”
Silke smiled. The transformation was amazing. Kirin was almost vi
brating. “I’m excited to see what you find out. That sounds like a great story.” She finished the pastry and wiped her mouth. “I’ll leave you to your work. I’m just going to shower and go over for a little more breakfast. You’re welcome to join me if you like.”
“I want to finish this note and I’ll come back over for a swim. That pool looked mighty inviting. Kenrick should be here by then . . . perhaps even a confirmation e-mail.” Kirin pushed the wavy bangs from her forehead, revealing two small vertical creases between her dark brows.
Silke covered her mouth. Kirin’s concentration expression was amus
ing and sweet. “Okay. I’ll be out in a minute.”
It made her heart happy to know that the island magic was working so well for a newly converted visitor. Transformation from angry demeanor to pleasant and inviting was refreshing. Paradise had layers of meaning for each person, she thought as she entered the bedroom.
While the water heated up in the rock-walled shower, Silke brushed her teeth. She gazed at her reflection in the fogged mirror. Six years had come and gone since she’d been here with anyone. The woman looking back at her was older and worn out. Her once glossy reddish-blond hair had grayed at the temples and the laugh lines around her green eyes had grown to crow’s feet.
She swiped her fingers across the distorted image. Her solitary retreat
had always been special in a sacred sort of way. Surprisingly, her unex
pected roommate provided a pleasant diversion and the added bonus of her own trip advisor. She laughed, stripped off her clothes, then stepped into the steamy shower and closed her eyes. The tropical humidity and the cascading water on her skin equaled purification.
FLORA, ONE OF Silke’s favorite waitresses, served the breakfast plate along with a large glass of orange juice in the nearly empty veranda dining room.
“Can I bring more coffee?” Flora retrieved Silke’s napkin, which had slid to the floor.
“Thank you. This looks wonderful.” Silke scanned the blue-and-white plate with its beautiful omelet with beans and a tortilla. A hibiscus blossom along with orange slices decorated the plate. Her stomach rumbled. There was no question that breakfast was her favorite meal.
A hand on her shoulder interrupted her reverie. “Good morning, my dear friend, I hope you slept well.” Diane kissed the top of her head and sat down across from her.
Silke lifted her arms above her head, stretching her back. “Like a baby. I didn’t wake up until eight-thirty. Kirin, however, had gotten up at the crack of dawn and crept out. I never heard a sound.” She turned and draped one arm across her chair back. “I don’t know what you two talked about, but she’s about as excited as I’ve ever seen anybody.”
Flora appeared with a glass of ice and a bottle of diet coke.
“Thanks, Flora.” Diane winked at her then turned back to Silke. “You know, Kirin is an interesting gal. How do you know her?”
Flora walked away quietly as Silke picked up her juice glass. “I just met her on the plane from Dallas. And she was wound pretty tight, fidgety,
couldn’t stay on topic, and incredibly irritable. Whatever happened over
night has really helped her switch off the anxiety and turn on the inspiration—two different creatures. Plus, she’s let her hair down a bit.”
Diane tore the peel off a piece of orange. “Well she was here when we
opened this morning and had a table full of notes and ideas. When she ex
plained what she needed, I thought there was nobody better suited to help her than Kenrick.” She put her arms in the air. “Who better?”
Behind Diane’s head, Silke could make out an orange construction ma
chine moving a pallet on concrete blocks. The grinding engine noise was abrasive and drowned out the sound of the small birds and the waving palm fronds. Mark mentioned construction on a new condominium unit.
“I don’t know if you remember Kenrick from when you first started coming here. He was just another skinny teenage boy from the mainland looking for work. Except he worked his tail off and sent most of his money home to his mother and sisters. He earned every break he got.” Diane laughed. “Mark thinks he’s the son we never had. He’s worked on several of the Cayes and knows everybody. And since he just bought that boat, I’m sure he could use a little help paying for it.”
