The Lake

[Chessie]

(Open to anyone willing. Just looking for a little 'summer fun')

She had finally closed on the small house at the lake. After spending her first rather quiet night alone, Lydia was sipping her morning coffee on the deck in the sunshine, watching with her sage green eyes, the waves come lazily up on the shore.

The night before had been a smattering of activity. Neighbours all seemed to know one another as they walked back and forth, carrying coolers, and blankets. All culminating at a fire down the beach. Friendly words had been spoken, even a casual invite. But the tall slight, redhead had been shy. Reluctant to walk on down and meet everyone en mass as such.

Things were much quieter this morning. Lydia wondered if everyone was recovering still from the latenight activites. That had seemed to go on, long after she'd succumbed to slumber.

Freshly showered, she combed out her wet hair, and let the sun dry her damp porclain skin, as it rose over the bay. Wondering what would come of the rest of her first week here.

 

[stockman35]

Jake had left the beach bonfire at ten the night before. This was officially summer and the water temperature was rising. He had left the dock at 6am and trolled along the eastern shoreline for two hours at a depth of 70 feet but managed only two small rainbow trout. The temperature was well above 80 as he tied up his boat.

He had noticed that Anderson cottage had sold and he noticed a woman standing on the porch. Most likely the people from up north. He looked again as she appeared to be checking out the lake from her porch. He continued doing the usual boat chores. It was a good time of day to do this type of work as today had the potential for soaring temperatures. To make matters worse, the lake was slow to warm this year and ski season was at least a week away.

He went up the embankment to his patio. She was still on her porch and he had yet to see a "man of the house."

 

[Chessie]

She noticed the boat from her place on the deck, sheilding her eyes from the rising sun to take in its inhabitant seeming to be doing some work. At least there was some life stirring in the area.

Raising her coffee to her lips, Lydia watched a crane soar over the calm water, dipping to quickly skim an unlucky fish out of the water before taking off again. She liked it here. The quiet, and slow pace of the sleepy town. The mood certainly changed after dark. But it was reminiscent of her childhood summers back home. Bonfires and hot summer evenings. Swims in a starlit lake. Already she saw how much she'd like it here.

How little she missed what she'd left behind.

As the neighbour made his way up his dock, she smiled to him quietly. Raising her mug.

"You're up early. You weren't at the fire last night?"

 

[stockman35]

"Morning, no I didn't stay long...I try fish right about sun up while the lake is quiet. So, how do you like your cottage?"

Jake stepped to the end of his flagstone patio to make conversation with his new neighbor. She had the look of someone who had experience with cottage living, unlike so many others. Living at the lake, even for a weekend, takes a certain accomodation.

She was at least friendly and out-going which was an upgrade from the Andersons who seemingly enjoyed having only their own relatives stay with them. Most of the lake properties on this shoreline were expensive and were seldomly used as rentals.

 

[Chessie]

Lydia raised the mug to her lips, savouring the deep dark liquid as it curled down her throat.

"Its the nicest time of day, I always think at least" She replied. The lake was like glass at the moment. The day promised to be warm, but now a cool breeze kept the humidty at bay. The silence echoed in the waves lapping at the shore.

Smiling into the mug, she looked over her shoulder to the small - by comparison to the other cottages - two bedroom cottage behind her. She'd lucked out on the previous owners misfortune. Getting a good price for the quick sale after their marriage had crumbled. Sparsely decorated in her own few things, it would take a while to make it hers.

"Its perfect for what I need. A bit small, but then, what do I need with big fancy things? It has room for my coffee maker. What more can a girl ask for this early?" She inclined her head to the patio door. "Would you like a cup? The second pot just finished brewing."

 

[stockman35]

"Sure, that would be great. There is nothing quite like morning coffee."

He placed his boat bag on the patio table and walked the forty yards across the yard to her cottage. He had met many people in the twelve years at the lake and had developed a series of ready made answers to the standard questions.

"I am Jake Morrison, I have been here twelve years. I stay here through the early part of October, then I go back to my home in Maryland. My wife died seven years ago, it started out as her idea then I got into fishing and now I love it."

It may have sounded strange to pour out personal history to someone he had just met but people at the lake always enjoyed hearing a person's background. He stepped up onto her porch and got his first close look at his new neighbor.

 

[Chessie]

Lydia smiled rising from her chair as he accepted her offer. Pulling the screen door and walking the few short steps to the coffee maker. Pulling down a cup from the cupboard, and filling it.

His words grew closer as he stepped onto her deck. She smiled as she turned around grabbing the creamer and sugar bowl before stepping back out side and setting things on the table.

"Nice to meet you Jake. I'm sorry about your wife. That's very sad indeed." Gesturing to the chair, she returned to her own, tucking her long hair behind her ears as she sat again.

"Seems she left you a bit of something though, if you ended up finding a passion." Lydia couldn't imagine going through something like that at this age. You weren't supposed to lose a spouse until old age. Death do we part, was supposed to be years away.

She let a silent moment pass as she watched a leisure boat move across the horizon. Some young kids starting out for the party island not far from here she was sure.

"Lydia by the way." She added. Smiling quietly. "I left a bad situation before it got worse. This place is all I've got now. Im wondering what this place will be like in the winter. For it's where I"ll be when you're back in Maryland." She smiled ruefully.

"Ive called worse places home."

 

[stockman35]

"Lydia, good to meet you. Well, you really are in a swell home. It certainly will be fine in the winter and the county plows the road. However, its a...rather secluded here from Thanksgiving till March. On the southern end of the lake the ice stays thin but a here it gets thick enough to ice fish. Not many people travel the roads in winter."

Jake took the cup and felt its warmth. Just looking at the coffee told him it was good and that she was a pro at making it. He was thirsty from fishing but this would be the second best thing. The first sip was wonderful.

Lydia had given him several clues about her life and he was already filling in some of the spaces. She had that quiet look to her and he guessed that she liked nature and slower-paced life style.

"Yes, its in much more active now. The Hendersons have the second place down, they like doing the bonfire. The Grandersons have the green cottage and they like to sail. They keep a 48 foot Daysailor in the marina in town. Everbody watches out for everyone.... it's so nice that two year's ago we got cable and internet."

Jake went after his coffee eagerly and happy to get the refill that Lydia brought out. "So, do you have a boat?"

 

[Chessie]

Lydia smiled as Jake seemed to like her coffee. Happily pouring him some more when his mug was empty.

She nodded looking up and down the lake as he pointed out the various cottages and described their owners. Smiling at the various tidbits of information. Getting more comfortable in her chair, she set her long legs across the edge of the table in front of her, reaching down to lazily scratch at a mosquito bite. The bruises on her wrists and arms becoming more visible in the growing morning light.

"It sounds like you are all rather close. That's good. I met..." She thought for a moment, back to yesterday evening. The eager invite to the bonfire that seemingly everyone was going to. "...Robert and Lisa yesterday. They seemed really nice. I hope they didn't think I was being a snob. I just had lots to sort out last night."

She smiled again over at Jake as he asked her if she owned a boat. Shaking her head ruefully, she sighed. "I only own this now." She gestured to the cottage. "And only by a hair. I had just enough for the down payment, and snapped it up while I had the chance."

Raising her hand to her hair, she once again tucked it nervously around her shoulders, her fingers fluttering self consciously at the near faded bruises at her throat. Taking a deep sip of her coffee, she took her legs down and leaned forward to reach for the pot now on the table in front of them. Refilling her mug, she smiled as she relaxed back into her chair again.

"Cable and internet uh? I'll have to save up for a TV. But I have lots of books. Im kind of looking forward to getting caught up on my reading actually." She thought a moment, before looking at him honestly.

"ANy of the businesses in town hiring you think?"

 

[stockman35]

As Lydia spoke and inquired about the shoreline owners, Jake studied her. She relaxed as she revealed she didn't own a boat, which left him to guess that she probably enjoyed the water as a teenager, most likely skiing, as she didn't appear to be interested in fishing.

"Yeah, the real estate for summer homes never really dipped. Nor did the taxes. One good thing, we always know that our value will be preserved. Listen, I think the best way for you to see the lake and the neighborhood would be to get a look at it from a boat. Would you like to get a ride in my boat, perhaps later this afternoon?"

Jake presented his offer in the form of a friendly neighbor. He knew she was very close to his age, maybe slightly younger, but he had no idea of her relationship to others and was hoping he didn't come off as being forward. He had not dated seriously. With only a few short term girlfriends in the last few years, offering Lydia a boat ride had come off awkwardly.

She had a wonderful almost shy look and he was deeply relieved that she had bought the property, as Lydia didn't appear to be one to be having the loud party on Saturdays!

 

[Chessie]

It was nice, sitting in the morning sun, talking lightly about the area. It had been a long time since she'd enjoyed some simple quiet time.

When his suggestion at the boat ride came to her, Lydia took a moment to study him. The silence lingering as she did. He was a nice looking man. Not intimidating. Probably a couple of years older than her. But nothing that made her apprehensive in the least.

Taking another sip of her coffee, she considered a moment more before replying.

"I'd like that. Its been a long time since I've been on a boat. You wouldn't mind?"

 

[stockman35]

"I wouldn't mind at all. I think it would be a great way to view the area. You will really enjoy being on the water. Now, it's going to be warm, so expect to get some sun."

Jake took note of her mention of not being on the water in "a long time." Most people at the lake enjoy either fishing or boating. Lydia appears to have moved here for the scenery.

"Ok, it's almost 9am, would a 11am be a good time?"

Lydia nodded and Jake stood as he finished his coffee. He smiled as he headed back across the lawn. His morning had gone well. He had a quiet neighbor who could make great coffee. Once back inside his place, he found a few cleaning supplies and returned to his boat. It was a swell fishing boat, but he wanted to improve the appearance for the sight-seeing trip. It took thirty minutes to scrub the firberglass and do the windows. It was a good move, as the boat even smelled less-fishy. After checking the gas, Jake walked to his cottage and caught a fast shower. He spent more time than usual before locating a new hat then strolling back to his boat with ten minutes to spare. In his mind he planned out the route, carefully thinking of what she might be interested in.

Right on time Lydia left her cottage and found her way across the landing and down his dock. She was wearing shorts and a short-sleeve top.

"Ready to hit the high-seas?"

 

[Chessie]

As she walked across the yard to his deck, Lydia smiled at the warming day. It really did turn out to be perfect for going out on the boat. She hoped she wasn't pushing her luck.

Smiling as she encountered Jake, she raised the 6 pack of beer she'd brought with her.

"I thought it was only fair to bring something for the ride. I'd have packed a lunch, but I don't have much by way of groceries at the moment." She chuckled.

Her hair was swept up into a loose ponytail now. Off her neck, to enjoy the breeze coming off the lake. Her white tshirt, and kaki shorts a departure from her usual more covering clothes. The weather beckoned a carefree attitude. Her bikini top strings tied in a neat bow at her neckline under the top. Her feet bare, the delicate blush pink pedicure shining in the grass.

"I figured I was better off bare footed. I remember the rule about proper shoes for a boat. And .. well nothing I have is proper. I hope that's OK."

 

[stockman35]

"Bare foot is perfectly fine. You'll really enjoy it."

He secured a seat for her just to the left of the consol where the windshield would minimalize the wind. He had already stowed the bowline, so when the aftline was untied the boat bobbed freely at the dock. Lydia looked on with glazed eyes as the engine came to life and the craft crept backward from the dock.

Jake pulled back much further than he usually did to give her a lakeview of her cottage. The landscaping and beach area showed a lack of care. However, the cottage was very much in keeping with the neighboring homes. Eventually he turned north and cruised parallel to the beach at a distance of some hundred yards. Lydia was able to see well down the lake in both directions. The water temperature was in the low 60's making the influence of the sun seem much less than it actually was. Thankfully Lydia had remembered her sunglasses.

"Yes, it can be quite bright out here."

Jake turned and crossed the lake, still offering information on various features. As the boat approached the far shore, he turned the boat south.

"Can you take the wheel, Lydia?"

She looked surprised but moved over and took charge of the controls. From behind her, Jake reached and opened each of them a can. Carefully, he set her beer in the cupholder. Being behind her, Jake was able to get a delightful view of backside. Clearly, she was not outside much, as she lacked any sign of a tan. He again noted her bruised wrists. He moved to her seat and began enjoying the ride. It felt good to have her steering the boat and after several glances he could tell she was fine with being behind the wheel.

There was a large swamp about three miles ahead and already they could see flocks of ducks overhead and on the water. He took a large drink from his can.

"Its a wildlife area.....quite large."

 

[stockman35]

Lydia was looking ever so slightly comfortable driving the boat as she slowed and pulled closer to the empty shore, looking at the ducks, many of which had their young broods out for a morning swim.

She carefully held the steering wheel with her knees as she took off her white tee to reveal her bikini top.

 

[Chessie]

There was something rather freeing about driving the boat. Something she hadn't felt in a long time. With the wind in her hair, and the sun on her skin, she couldn't help but feel open to this new experience. Leaving her worries flit away in the breeze across her skin.

She smiled as he pointed out the wildlife area. Navigating the boat into deeper, to see it better. As the deserted shore came into view, she held the steering wheel wiht her knees, sliding her shirt over her head. Smiling shyly at her compainion. 'I hope you don't mind. Its just so nice out! This is really something!"

Lydia leaned forward, reaching for the beer he'd placed on the console. Another new experience. Drinking without reservation. She smiled to herself as she let the liquid tingle on her tonge refreshingly before sliding down her throat.

 

[stockman35]

The ducks in flight and geese on the water held her attention. She had seen them before but this was large numbers and they didn't appear disturbed as the boat approached. As Lydia watched straight ahead, he had a perfect view of her bikini top and the neat way that her breast filled it out.

"Can we watch them for a while?"

"Sure Lydia, pull the handle up until it clicks then just turn off the key."

The boat gently coasted forward until it lost all of its momentum. The lake was quite flat with no wind blowing. The only sound was from the marsh grass which was hiding hundreds of birds. It was still a sight even though he had been here many times. Lydia was clearly taken by the encounter with nature.

Jake pulled sunscreen from the console. "This will really help your skin." Without asking, he moved slightly closer to her left side and began at the base of her neck with light circular strokes of his fingers. It had been a while since he had rubbed a woman's back. He deftly moved lower and crossed under her straps, before handing the bottle to Lydia.

 

[stockman35]

"Here, you might want to do your legs and arms. Even though you feel cooler on the water, the sun can be intense."

Thankfully, Lydia was sit smiling so he had not crossed any boundaries. Still, Jake could not help but feel so good about his new neighbor.