Shattered

•Sixteen•

NOW

"Taking advantage of the beautiful day, sweetie?" Diane asked as I climbed down the stairs in my bikini, wearing a tee shirt over it, and flip flops. I stifled a yawn. I had slept longer than I meant to.

"Definitely. It's gorgeous out. You wouldn't happen to have a beach towel I could borrow, would you? I didn't even think to pack one." I met her at the bottom of the stairs and she nodded.

I browsed over the small library and picked up Wuthering Heights, signing it out on the little notepad next to the bookcase. Diane returned with a towel for me and I thanked her.

"Oh, excellent choice," she said, noticing the book I selected.

I flipped the towel over my shoulder and my shirt rode up. I quickly tugged it down before she could eye the scar across my stomach.

Standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom upstairs, I decided to wear a shirt over my bikini since the scar was still so new. I wasn't ashamed of it, but it wasn't something I wanted to show off, exactly. Even Jack had a hard time looking at it when we were in bed together. I was in no mood to talk about my accident and the scar would certainly draw unwanted attention. Chatty Diane would ask questions and all I wanted was to be left alone this weekend.

Out in the sand, I kicked my flip flops off, picking them up. The beach was lonely. I guessed the area was private property which was fine with me. My thumb absentmindedly stroked against my bare ring finger. I had removed the ring and tucked it into my bag for safe keeping as I went to the lake.

I tore through a good chunk of Wuthering Heights, thankful for the complimentary spa themed gift basket Diane had placed in my room. The sunscreen was another thing I hadn't considered packing but thanks to Diane, I was covered.

Curious gulls hung around, wondering if I had any treats for them. After an hour of reading quietly to myself, they finally flew further down the beach, leaving me to myself, taking their loud caws with them. Reaching a good stopping point in the book, I remembered the page number before closing it shut. I didn't want to dog ear the page and ruin Diane's property. I wasn't a monster. Placing the book on the towel, I headed towards the water. I toed the small waves running up the sand and delighted in the way my feet sunk into the sand.

I waded in, the water rising past my knees, then to my hips, the edge of my shirt dipping in. My palms brushed along the surface, and I swayed my arms, making small ripples. Bending at the knees, I dropped into the lake more, the water rising past my shoulders. I held my breath and went under quickly. Resurfacing, I swept my hair out of my face and ran my fingers through it, standing at full height. The sun was beginning to sink in the horizon, casting a stunning pink and purple glow across the clouds nearby.

Careful to not get the book wet, I held it away from me after drying off to the best of my ability. Flip flops in hand, I headed back to the Lazy Cloud, feeling refreshed. The sun and water did me good. Even the sand had seemed to breathe some new life into me.

I opened the sliding glass door to the back of the bed and breakfast and dropped my flip flops to the floor, brushing the sand from my feet outside before stepping into them. As I closed the door behind me, Diane came into the room, startling me. I'd been so used to my solitude.

"Did you have a good time?"

I nodded, smiling. "Yes, thank you."

Diane had a strange smile on her face, almost like she was about to laugh.

I chuckled softly at her expression. "How are you, Diane?"

"Your husband is here," she blurted quietly. "I think he wanted to surprise you but I'm sorry, I couldn't help it! It's so romantic! Please pretend to be surprised, don't tell him I told you!"