I saw the boat in the horizon.
It was the only boat in the lake, and it was nearby the house dock. I knew it was his.
This late afternoon brought the beautiful views of the summer sun, with its orange and golden rays that reflected on the tops of the thick trees on the other side of the banks and reflecting upon the crystal water of the lake. The calm waters undisturbed and still, the boat seemed to be floating on the surface of glass. The occasional water bug bounced off and gave life in ripples to the rainbow of warm tones. The sky a clear sketch of the pale blue. Not a cloud in sight, leaving the image of water and sky to mirror one another.
I could see why he escaped to live in the thicket of the wood: not a single neighbor for miles, giving the orchestra of bugs and birds zero audience, but more beautiful in its solidarity. The sight of a romantic retreat one would witness in pamphlets and websites, promoting the 'absolute best way to escape and relax'.
I drove onto the outstretched driveway. The rocks and gravel crushing underneath my wheels as I drove near the cabin.
Putting the car in park, I climbed out and closed the door loudly, just so he knew he had a visitor.
Nobody came to greet me.
The summer air was still warm from the long day. I was glad the chill had not set in just yet with the fast approaching nightfall.
Making my way to the side of the house where the patio area was, I walked up the wooden stairs and caught sight of the closed glass-paneled door.
I knocked twice and nobody answered.
I knocked louder. Still nothing.
"Aaron! Are you there?"
"Perfect. Of course he is not here. I didn't see his car. He might be out. Who knows? Oh, I wish I called first," I thought, disappointed.
"Payton?" I heard a distant voice respond, almost surprised.
I turned around and saw he was in the boat docked a few feet from the shore. "Yes, it's me!"
His head was peeping out from the dock of the boat. I figured he was probably snoozing in the yacht chamber below deck. He looked at me as if in disbelief, and cried out, "Just a second! I will be right with you."
He climbed the rest of the stair to reach the top deck. I saw him pull out the anchor and land it in to the side storage. Aaron then started up the sails and caught wind to sail the few feet back onto the dock landing.
For a moment I felt really silly and foolish for coming out here. It didn't make any sense, really. I mean, we barely knew each other. But this was just my impulsive move to get him to see me before he moved away to 'God knows where.' The last thing I wanted was a missed opportunity to see him.
As he parked the yacht and secured it on the dock, I silently stood there, and watched him gather the few things he had taken with him on the boat. He climbed out and walked toward me, his hands full. All I could see on his face was confusion, and even a little hint of glee that I felt he was trying so hard to hide. I wasn't sure, but it pleased me either way. Because no matter how surprised and confused he was about me showing up, I could see he was still happy to see me.
"Peyton, you are honestly the last person I expected to see," he gasped.
"Hello Aaron," I said, smiling.
He returned the smile and we both stood there awkwardly for a few moments.
He realized our silence, and quickly said, "I have my hands full. As you can see," he giggled nervously. "Would you like to come in? It's getting chilly out."
I smiled and nodded in agreement, "I would love to."
He motioned with his full hands toward the balcony, glass-paneled door I had knocked on earlier. "Go through there. It's unlocked, so just go straight in."
I smiled and obeyed.
The door was unlocked, just as he said. I opened the wood-framed door. He followed close behind.
"Make yourself at home," he said from behind me as I made my way into what looked like the living room area.
He was rustling behind me, in another corner of the room. I made my way to one of the couches quietly, and sat down.
The furnishings inside the cabin was what you would expect: a fake moose head above the fireplace, leather couches with a knit blanket hung over the backrest and wood everywhere! The fireplace was already going. I appreciated the heat emanating from it now. I could feel that the later it got, the colder it got.
He was making his way around the house, turning on all the lights, giving the place a more 'homey' feel. The sun was still pretty high in the clear sky, but the cabin was unusually dark.
When he was done, he came into the living room. His heavy boots clunking loudly on the wooden floorboards. "Can I get you something to eat or drink, Peyton?"
I smiled and darted my eyes to find an appropriate answer. "Actually I would love a scotch or any hard liquor," I suggested.
He laughed. "You are not even twenty-one," he accused.
I teased, "I might not look it but I am twenty-five, going on twenty-six."
His mouth dropped, "I would never have guessed!"
I laughed softly, "Well, I worked in administrative for long enough, and celebrated some office birthdays. You never figured out how old I was after a few of those?" I teased.
"I guess I wasn't paying attention to the candles on the cake," he admitted.
There was a moment of silence. Then I saw him have a moment of clarity, "Oh, your scotch! Let me get it." He left the living room and went into the kitchen doorway. "I think I'll join you."
I sat back on the soft sofa, and buried my head in the blanket folded neatly over the back of the sofa. I turned my head slightly and got a whiff of his cologne on it. Closing my eyes, I imagined him laying down on this couch, reading a book. The blanket covering part of his torso and his legs. It was a great picture, and for a minute, the reason 'why' I was here didn't matter as much as being here felt right now. It was so comfortable. I was enjoying every minute.
"So, how are things since I left?" I heard him cry out from the kitchen.
"Oh-same old," I confessed. "Maybe you can phone me in six months from now when you're settled somewhere else, and I can fill you in on some new gossip then." I joked.
His laugh echoed warmly from behind the wall. I was pleased.
"How is the moving going'?"
"It's going'. Don't really have a whole lot to pack. I mean, this furniture came with the place, so all my loose stuff I am just going to pack in boxes and put in the back of my truck."
"Where is your truck?"
"I left it at the dealership to get some last minute fix' ins before I move on. And I'll put the yacht up for sale. Well, I already have one very interested buyer. So, I might have it sold and gone in a few days, who knows? When you surprised me, I was in there cleaning and fixin' up some last minute things," he explained.
There was a short pause. I was about to say something else, but he walked back in the room. But this time, he was carrying a tray with two tall glasses filled with ice and scotch, and a party tray with crackers, cheese and salami. I loved his thoughtfulness.
He set it down onto the coffee table in front of me, he sat down on the armchair to the left. He looked so handsome in his plaid buttoned-down shirt and blue jeans. A real outdoorsy man. His toned figure and broad shoulders peeking out from the thin material.
