The car's hum was calming as they crossed The Confederation Bridge. The day was overcast and windy, the Northumberland Strait active beneath them. Katherine was staring out the passenger window, or at her reflection, Spencer couldn't tell which. She wore a grey knit sweater, a tartan scarf bundled around her neck, black tights, and leather ankle boots. He wore his sky blue buttoned up shirt, jeans and work boots. Spencer felt strangely suspended at the way things were going, and how easily it was instigated.
Earlier he had found his driver's license to still be good, so he rented a car for three days, having no idea how long this might take. He tried to let it fully sink in what was happening. In his mind he was at his mental corkboard with nothing on it. No frame of reference. His hands rested on the desk below the board as he hunched over. He was a practical guy on an insane errand. No frame of reference whatsoever.
They continued behind a transfer truck as the tollbooth approached, signalling they had arrived. Prince Edward Island. A humble little place that Spencer had vacationed to as a child. Plenty of natural scenery, kind folk, and good food. He reflected on how different all of his circumstances were now, compared to then.
"How much longer?" Katherine asked, turning to him and placing a hand on his thigh.
"Not too long. He's got a place on the edge of Lot 23." He answered, passing under the raising bar. "How are you feeling?"
"Excited! Ohh I can't wait." She said slapping his leg. "Promise me again this is real." He nodded. She smiled wide and let out a high squeak. Trees beginning to change colour to earthy oranges and browns passed them, then fields and little homes.
"It'll be nice to see the lad again. I think you'll like him." Spencer said. "Really easy going."
"Uh-huh." Katherine muttered and began unzipping him. He grinned with a shake of his head and drove on. Her black bushy head bobbed as he tried to focus on directions. It was some time before he knew he was close, in both ways. He caressed her back and let himself reach climax. She moaned and swallowed all.
"The pineapple is working." She said, raising and licking her lips.
"It is?"
"Mm-hm. Getting yummier every day." She said and kissed his cheek. He wondered why she was encouraging its consumption so often. He didn't mind it, so chalk it up to a win-win. He seen the civic number on a small sign at the end of a long driveway and slowed. After the line of trees ended, it revealed a wide open expansive stretch of land bordering the ocean. His jaw dropped as the car stopped moving. Some gulls cried nearby as they took the place in.
It was all one property. It was mostly cleared except for two large dark cherry trees, and two large distant buildings occupying the land. The main building was three stories, wide, had a classic manor feel and also had what looked like mirror windows. The second building was almost as tall but only two floors with the wall facing the manor being almost completely mirrored glass. It looked more like an office building of sorts with its near cubic architecture. Behind the buildings led down to a beach of wispy flowing grass and red sand.
"... He lives here?" Katherine asked stunned. Spencer just frowned and began pulling in the long paved driveway. He let the car roll slowly as he just admired the environment. He felt proud of his old friend.
"He sure does..." Spencer finally answered, more to himself. He soon parked between a sleek black Sedan and a beat up green hatch-back. With a jangle of keys the car went silent, and they could hear the waves outside crash onto the beach. The two looked to each other and felt small. The place was large and intimidating... even foreboding somehow. Together they climbed out and felt the chill gust coming off the sea.
He waited for Katherine to join him while eyeing the secondary structure. She took his hand quickly and they walked past reflective windows. It was eerie seeing themselves in it. It was as if the house was watching them from every angle. It felt too quiet, despite the natural ambience. At the solid black double doors, Spencer took a breath and knocked. Nothing. He knocked again, and as he did both opened inward. There stood the blue haired women side by side, each holding a door.
Katherine's mouth went slack and Spencer felt wary. The women stood there identical in every way. Long soft vivid blue hair, tight black sleeveless turtleneck shirts, dark jeans, no socks, black lipstick and polish on all fourty nails, and those powerful intelligent red eyes. They were wearing similar glass bracelets like Jack had on before. They all shared looks until a man entered the wide corridor from the left halfway down.
"Spence, you old dog." He said with his familiar perpetual grin. He approached in an open burgundy shirt over a black tanktop, worn jeans and skull belt buckle. He held a beer in his left hand and extended the other with the red bracelet on the wrist.
"Hey Jack, this is Katherine." Spencer said shaking his hand, and gesturing toward the short girl at his side. They regarded each other for a moment.
"Cool contacts." He said. She smiled and moved closer to Spencer. "You were right man, cute as a button." Katherine blushed and giggled. The Vivians observed. "Come on in, must be chilly." Everyone entered the manor, and the guests removed their boots. The double doors closed with a thud.
"Make yourselves at home." One Vivian said in her dark voice. The other waited with crossed arms looking over Spencer's scars, then walked away through the left opening with her. Jack finished his beer and shook his head.
"Gotta love 'em." He burped. "No fucking sugar."
"Jack I have to say, this place is beautiful." Spencer said. "How many acres?"
"No idea. You guys want a drink?" He replied.
"Okay." Katherine answered with her gentle rasp. He gave a quick point to her and moved for the wide corridor's right opening. The two followed him taking in the house. The furniture was simple, and what you would expect in the country. Some marine themed knick-knacks on shelves, an aloe plant in a hanging pot, and a pinned up Playboy calendar with the model leaning against her reflection in the hall. The month was wrong.
Spencer walked in the right opening to find a spacious kitchen and dining area. Long cupboards, a large square island, double door metal fridge, conventional appliances, a deep freeze, a wide circle table with eight chairs and a pizza box on top, and plenty of windows including a sliding glass door to a porch. The second building was visible beyond it around twenty meters away.
The two of them stood inside the room and were visibly uncomfortable. Katherine was tense and closed, and Spencer was still struck at his friend's success in... whatever he did. Jack walked to the fridge and withdrew two beers and a strawberry cooler. He passed them over and seemed to detect their discomfort.
"You guys alright?" He asked.
"Yeah, it's just..." Spencer didn't know what exactly to say.
