Skinny Dipping (A Short Story) - June 19, 2012
Harriet sat quietly on the dock, dangling her toes in the cool, murky water. It was humid and a haze stretched out across the horizon. There was no end in sight to the water. The thought occurred to her to hum one of his favorite songs, but the sound got stuck in her throat when she tried.
The clickety clack of claws on the dock signaled that Buster was coming to join her. She turned to see his eager face loping towards her. He got close to her and nuzzled his snout under her left arm. “Good boy,” she whispered.
Harriet looked back towards the path through the woods that lead away from the private beach. She knew that Jim must be home now. She didn’t stir.
Jim was a decent man, kind and loyal. Not unlike Buster, when she really thought about it. He was comfortable and safe. All her friends were envious of their placid relationship. There was no drama, no hotly contested fights, no jealousy, no stinging accusations. How many times had she felt superior when one of the girls called her complaining?
Harriet was, had been quite happy. They were well suited for each other. They liked the same foods, the same books, the same vacation spots. A future together, forever, was highly logical. But then, logical and love don’t often mix.
She couldn’t be certain of exactly when Mark first became more than simply an old friend. Somewhere along the way, his sarcastic sense of humor, his boyish grin, his ability to challenge her, it became all consuming. Harriet was shocked to find herself in love with two men.
The daylight was beginning to wane and she could smell steaks on the grill. Harriet kicked hard at the water. Buster jumped back as droplets doused his nose. “I’m sorry, boy.” But it was too late. The dog turned away, cantered down the dock and onto the path in the woods. She was alone with her thoughts again.
Harriet had been careful, very careful, not to betray her inner turmoil to Jim or anyone else for that matter. Except for Mark. He’d been relieved when she hinted at her feelings. She wasn’t alone in her confusion. He understood, he’d said. Maybe in another time and place. It would be alright, just existing as they were now. Dancing without touching. But she didn’t think he truly believed that.
It didn’t seem right, holding onto both of them. The thought of making a choice, well, it terrified her. So she did nothing. Harriet sat on the dock and waited. Waited to be called to dinner by Jim. For Jim to reach out, pull her close and kiss her passionately as he led her to the bedroom. Like they’d always done, as though nothing at all had changed. Because for Jim, it hadn’t.
Harriet watched as lights began to appear along the shoreline in the distance. She could hear crickets and toads start to sing. Her legs felt numb from the water. She stood up, somewhat unsteadily, and began to take off her clothes. When she was down to her underwear, she looked around self consciously and dove in.
The clickety clack of claws on the dock signaled that Buster was coming to join her. She turned to see his eager face loping towards her. He got close to her and nuzzled his snout under her left arm. “Good boy,” she whispered.
Harriet looked back towards the path through the woods that lead away from the private beach. She knew that Jim must be home now. She didn’t stir.
Jim was a decent man, kind and loyal. Not unlike Buster, when she really thought about it. He was comfortable and safe. All her friends were envious of their placid relationship. There was no drama, no hotly contested fights, no jealousy, no stinging accusations. How many times had she felt superior when one of the girls called her complaining?
Harriet was, had been quite happy. They were well suited for each other. They liked the same foods, the same books, the same vacation spots. A future together, forever, was highly logical. But then, logical and love don’t often mix.
She couldn’t be certain of exactly when Mark first became more than simply an old friend. Somewhere along the way, his sarcastic sense of humor, his boyish grin, his ability to challenge her, it became all consuming. Harriet was shocked to find herself in love with two men.
The daylight was beginning to wane and she could smell steaks on the grill. Harriet kicked hard at the water. Buster jumped back as droplets doused his nose. “I’m sorry, boy.” But it was too late. The dog turned away, cantered down the dock and onto the path in the woods. She was alone with her thoughts again.
Harriet had been careful, very careful, not to betray her inner turmoil to Jim or anyone else for that matter. Except for Mark. He’d been relieved when she hinted at her feelings. She wasn’t alone in her confusion. He understood, he’d said. Maybe in another time and place. It would be alright, just existing as they were now. Dancing without touching. But she didn’t think he truly believed that.
It didn’t seem right, holding onto both of them. The thought of making a choice, well, it terrified her. So she did nothing. Harriet sat on the dock and waited. Waited to be called to dinner by Jim. For Jim to reach out, pull her close and kiss her passionately as he led her to the bedroom. Like they’d always done, as though nothing at all had changed. Because for Jim, it hadn’t.
Harriet watched as lights began to appear along the shoreline in the distance. She could hear crickets and toads start to sing. Her legs felt numb from the water. She stood up, somewhat unsteadily, and began to take off her clothes. When she was down to her underwear, she looked around self consciously and dove in.
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