James has had a rough time of it since his wife died. His daughter Gina sees him using alcohol for his pain and steps in to help before it's too late.
Hope you enjoy the story! Xo DG
Chapter 01
James...
The tinkle of ice against the crystal glass, the heat of the Florida sun, and the splashing in the aquamarine pool were vague and far away in my vodka-infused haze.
"I mean, I'm sorry but she is so fucking hot," he said, actually groaning aloud. "That rack. She must be a D cup. And those legs... I would love to feel them locked around me while I was buried deep in that sweet pussy." My head swung around and I blinked to bring John into focus. He glanced at me for a moment, then swung his gaze back to the blonde perched on the high lifeguard stand.
I glanced at her, took a last swig of icy vodka, and motioned for another. I looked for and found the source of the buzzing in my ears. Bees swarmed the flaming orange hibiscus that surrounded the pool, as much for privacy as for landscape color. The country club was well-appointed aesthetically as well as any luxury a member would need. A tiny lizard caught my attention. He was on the branch and I contemplated whether a bee would sting him.
"James, I know I shouldn't be talking about her like that. Sorry old man. If I was you I'd be incensed. But you're too shitfaced." His nervous laugh got my attention and I turned to see him still staring, and nearly drooling at the object of his lust.
"I -" I stopped while the server placed a fresh club monogrammed napkin on the table along with the drink. Rivulets of water ran down the sparkling crystal when the hot air hit the cold glass. The snow white napkin sucked it up and fascinated, I watched the water ring form and slowly spread.
"What was that?" John asked when I didn't continue. But I was too slow to respond for him and he continued. "I wouldn't blame you if you were angered." I quickly downed the vodka. "I know you've been having a tough time of it. I mean with your wife and all," he said in a nicer tone, trailing off before getting in deeper.
I opened my mouth while trying to assimilate thoughts and words. Suddenly the blonde stood up, grabbed her towel, and climbed down the ladder. She exchanged a few words with a brunette wearing the same swimsuit before walking over to our table. She stood between my wide-open legs and leaned on the arms of my chair. Her face was blurry, but I recognized her.
Leaning over she whispered in my ear, "Dad you're drinking too much, I'll drive you home. We'll pick your car up tomorrow." I nodded. She looked over at John. "Mr. Jeffries, hello, how are you?"
"Happy to see you, Gina," he grinned and she laughed. She turned and walked towards the clubhouse. "You're a lucky man, James. Damn lucky."
I watched her walk away, the fog of the vodka not allowing me a coherent thought. Then again, it had been six months since I had any real thoughts about much of anything.
"C'mon Dad," Gina said opening the car door. I swung my feet out and stood up in one motion. My world spun. "Be careful!" She braced me between her body and the car before I fell. With her arm around my waist, we made it to the door. I teetered while she unlocked the door and shoved it open.
"I got this," I mumbled after she closed the door behind us.
"No way. I don't trust you. You need to sleep it off."
She guided me to the bedroom, pulled my shirt over my head, and removed my shoes and socks. She pulled the covers back and motioned for me to get into bed. I followed instructions while she pulled the drapes over the French doors. The room was plunged into darkness. She stood next to the bed.
"Thank you, baby," I said. Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears.
"This has become a habit with you since mom... Since mom died." She stood up quickly and while she walked out of the room said, "I need to get out of these clothes." She had to wear country club clothes while she was there and always changed as soon as she got home. This time I knew she needed to escape from the situation. My situation.
I hadn't handled the sudden death of my wife well. I found that the numbing alcohol was the only thing that gave me relief. I also knew I hadn't been there for my daughter as I should have been.
She came back wearing a white tank top and grey knit shorts and sat on the edge of the bed. The tank stretched tight across her breasts, dark shadows of nipples poking through the thin fabric. Damn that John, I thought.
"Are you going to be okay?" she asked. She brushed the hair off my forehead.
"Yeah, but..."
"But what?"
"Would you lay with me a while?" I asked, wondering as the words came out of my mouth where that came from. It was too late to take them back now.
"I'd love to," she said smiling. She leaned over and turned the bedside lamp off.
I held the covers up and she slipped in next to me. She put her head on my shoulder and her arm across my chest. Her soft breath blew warm puffs across my skin. When I placed my hand on her side, on her ribs, she leaned into me. Her firm but soft breasts pressed into my side, her legs stretched out against mine.
The last thought I had before falling asleep is that I haven't felt this loved in six months.
Gina...
I saw that old lecher sitting with dad and cringed. First, because dad had another drink every time I looked over. Second, that creepy old guy was always checking me out. He wasn't much older than my dad but was probably fifty pounds heavier and it was all in his belly. He wasn't the model of manscaping or skin care.
Dad always took pride in his appearance and kept his thick hair styled and trimmed and his face shaved. Unlike John who had yellowing grey hair, dad has silvery hair that sparkles in the sun. Much of that was due to Mom who made sure he used the right shampoo and skin soap.
Our lives fell apart when she died. One minute she was here, the next she was gone. I still sometimes can't believe she won't just walk in the door. Worst of all, dad has not recovered at all. His drinking will become a problem if something isn't done about it now. He needs distraction from the pain. The corporation nearly runs itself and takes little of his time. His dad, my grandpa, started the business fifty years ago and turned it into an empire.
We live in my grandparent's home now. Six bedrooms and seven baths mansion is a better word for it. The first thing I did when we moved in was to redecorate my bedroom and renovate the bathroom. The remainder of the house was stuck in my grandparent's era. Mom was not a decorator nor ever even had an interest in making any changes in the house.