“Naps, dear, you remember naps.”
Together they laughed, leaning on each other for support. “We really are getting old, aren't we?"
"No, M, we are getting better with age, that requires naps sometimes."
Miranda found herself lingering on that thought when she let her sister’s room. They weren’t old, but they indeed weren't young either. Her daughters were young. Both she and Jasmin were well into their forties, which meant it was time for both of them to change the way they lived life if they wanted to live well into their eighties or nineties.
This made her think of her menu at the bakery. Baked goods were beautiful, and she definitely wanted to add some sandwiches to the list. Still, perhaps a salad bar or a few choice salads on the menu would be a nice change.
By the time dinner came around, her daughters were back, Bradley was headed home, and all was quiet.
“Okay, who's up for some tacos and iced tea for dinner tonight? A cool refreshing dip in the water and maybe some monopoly?"
Both her daughters just shrugged their shoulders, both just happy for a quiet night at the house. Darby picked at the olive tray she had made up while the meat was cooking.
Alyssa was on her phone, showing off pics of her and Rick on Facebook. Miranda hoped all went well with the budding relationship between them. Jasmin was filling out online paperwork for the adoption agency she chose, and Darby was watching TV.
Even the dogs were resting at Jasmins' feet; all in all, it was a quiet night for all.
The taco’s and other food were delicious. The games were fun, and the balmy night had each of the ladies stripping down to their bathing suits.
‘Time for that swim ladies, last one in is a rotten egg." Miranda watched Jasmin dart for the water, throwing herself in without a thought. Crazy woman. Of course, Miranda was the last one in, and she was the winner of dinner cleanup, as usual.
They all splashed and laughed; it was good to cool off after a long hot day. Miranda wasn't one who liked to always get her hair wet, so she opted to keep her head above water tonight.
The moon was huge this night, shining it’s glorious light down upon them and the water that sparkled around them. Miranda made a wish that the summer would never end. She hadn’t realized how much she needed this with her family.
She was going to miss them all when they went back to their own lives, but she wouldn't think of that. Instead, she would just enjoy the moments they shared now and worry about tomorrow when it came.
With this, she splashed her daughter Darby with a bit of water, followed by her sister. Then Alyssa decided to swim further away for protection. Not one to easily accept defeat, she gave up on her hair and dove underwater in pursuit of her daughter.
By the time she caught up to Alyssa, her daughter was faster and got her first with a massive splash of water that felt like a tidal wave. "Sure, splash your mother in the face, Alyssa." She could only laugh hysterically as her daughter then went after her sister.
This roundabout of splashing and play went on for quite some time. After all, they were tired, exited the refreshing water, and headed for the house to change and put on a good movie and share popcorn.
10
Wayne
Since Jasmin had revealed her big secret, Wayne found himself thinking about her regularly. Somehow things had shifted between them. Suddenly he found himself attracted to her more than ever, something about how she laughed, her eyes, and the way she spoke her mind. It all intrigued him more than he ever thought possible.
He wasn’t sure how it happened or why but he couldn't imagine why he had ever been attracted to Miranda and not Jasmin. Miranda was lovely in her own unique way, but there was just something about Jasmin that excited him.
After he had analyzed himself way too much, he chopped it up to age. When he was younger, Miranda was more appealing. Still, now since he was older and had been around the block a few times, Jasmin, with her style and unique way of breathing happiness and fun into life, was more appealing.
He couldn’t wait to see her, and often he waited for her text messages excited to see what she was going to say.
He decided to ask about her wish to adopt again. Jasmin told him in their last conversation that she wanted very much to be a mother, he wanted to do everything he could to help so he offered to be a reference for her.
“I really don’t want to talk about that right now. In fact I am not so sure what I am doing, perhaps motherhood isn’t for me after all.”
Somehow the words she spoke, differed from the expression on her face. One of intense love as she looked at a picture of Bonnie.
He wasn’t sure what all that meant but couldn’t help thinking what about their relationship? What if things progressed, which is what he hoped? How would he feel about being a dad again to another child? How would Bonnie and Rick feel?
There were so many things to think about. Wayne knew it was too soon since they were only dating, but it didn’t hurt to analyze it a bit.
They were meeting today for breakfast alone, then hopefully, he could take her on his motorcycle if she was willing.
“This is so delicious Wayne, you are an excellent cook. So what are we going to do after?”
“Well, if you are up for it, I want to take you for a nice long ride on my Harley?”
“You have a motorcycle?”
"I sure do, I love to ride. I was thinking of getting a sidecar for Bonnie, but I figure I will just wait until she is a little bigger."
“What a surprise, I never would have thought. You don’t look like the kind of guy that would ride a motorcycle.”
"And what exactly do they look like, Jasmin?"
She just laughed; she wasn’t really sure but ran with it anyway. “Well, I don’t really know for sure, but I did date a few pagan's years ago and some other bikers. I guess, somewhat rugged, wild, untamed in that strong and fierce sort of way.”
Wayne decided to show her his many faces and the photo album he had from the last ten years, proving that side of himself. He was older now, so he didn't need to be so reckless; he had gotten rid of his dreadlocks and a long beard because of that.
The photo album had her jaw hanging open. “Wayne, I honestly never knew. My goodness, you looked like a member of a biker gang, how interesting and intriguing.”
“I can grow the beard back if you like, what do you think?” Swiftly he reached around into the hall closet and grabbed his leather jacket to throw on for good measure.
“Oh, definitely. I kind of like you without the beard, but I did like you with it as well.”
Kneeling down in front of her, he kissed the top of her hand gently. “So, what does my fair lady say to a ride on the back of my hog?"
Her giggles made him smile, she was a handful to be sure, but he liked it.
“I would love a ride on the back of your hog.”
So they spent the rest of the afternoon riding on his bike, the wind rushing past them. Water was surrounding them as they took to the open roads of the Florida Keys.
They stopped for a short break on a sandy bank beside the water, where the sun was just beginning to set and watched it together. Instinctively he wrapped her in his coat and put his arm around her shoulder.
The time spent together was easy; if he thought back long enough, he realized it was always that way with Jasmin. Leaning in his brushed his lips across hers lightly, tasting the cherry gloss that covered her lips.