~ Dog Days Of Summer ~

by

Michelle Libby

Derrick was frustrated at his inability to control the situation. "We need to be heading back to camp. It’s getting dark." He laced his fingers with hers and helped her walk out of the water.

"Let’s meet on the front side of the island, and we can race back to camp," suggested Jeff.

"Yeah, that’s a grown-up thing to do," joked Pam. She narrowed her eyes. "You’re on. Give us a minute or two to get back to our canoe."

Pam led him toward the path still clutching his hand. She called to Karen over her shoulder. "We’ll have to talk more later. We have a lot of catching up to do."

"I can see that," yelled Karen as they scampered over the rocks. "You two make an interesting couple!"

Pam stopped suddenly. "We are not a couple."

Derrick started walking again, releasing her hand. Did she have to be so adamant about them not being a couple?

~ * ~

How old are we, thought Pam as they paddled furiously toward the invisible finish line that stretched between Derrick and Karen’s camps. The laughter echoed around the lake. From the shore, people smiled and pointed toward the two canoes slicing through the water. They didn’t notice or even care they were causing a scene.

Pam suddenly looked around at them. The muscles in her face were sore from smiling so much. She couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed and played without a care in the world. It felt wonderful not to worry about what others thought. Most of this great high was from the man who sat behind her yelling, "Stroke, stroke, stroke." She flashed back to how he’d stroked her through her bathing suit. She sighed. He was as passionate in his kissing as he was in competition. She did as he said and dipped her paddle into the water again and again.

The sun disappeared below the trees as they crossed the finish line in a tie. "I hope someone had a camera on us for the photo finish," Pam laughed.

Pam held on to Karen’s canoe in the front and Derrick held onto the back keeping them side by side.

"Let’s plan on getting together soon," Karen whispered, exaggerating soon.

Pam nodded.

"Hey, how about the barbeque next week? We could go and chat while we play... unless you already have plans." Karen motioned toward Derrick.

"There’s nothing going on between us," Pam protested loud enough for both Derrick and Jeff to hear.

"That’s not what it looked like on the beach a few minutes ago."

"It’s complicated," Pam continued. "We’re just co-workers, so nothing’s going on. It was just a harmless kiss. He was caught up in the fun of the moment. We’ve only known one another for a few days."

"Whatever..." Karen shrugged.

"Seriously. There can’t be anything going on."

"So you said... a few times."

"Good night. I’ll call you to set up plans for the fair." Pam shoved the other craft away.

"Let’s take a victory lap to the outlet," Derrick’s warm voice coaxed. He paddled toward the boat launch. "That was fun. You have a great friend."

"I know. Who knew she was so competitive? I think she would have tipped us had we gotten too close to them."

"I thought about tipping them."

"A cheater... I didn’t know that about you."

"There’s a lot you don’t know about me."

It sounded like a come-on to Pam. She was tempted to ask him what he had in mind, but a voice interrupted the seduction.

"Pamela Wentworth. Is that you?"

She cringed in the dark. "Yes, Mrs. Smith. We were just taking a last paddle before turning in."

"Oh. Who’s that with you? I heard you talking."

As much as Pam hated to admit it, she said, " Derrick Blaine is here."

"I heard you had a trip to the hospital. Everything okay? I had to go to the hospital last winter, but it turned out to be nothing. Hope yours was nothing, too. It’s terrible to be sick, when you just got here."

"I’m fine, Mrs. Smith. It was just some nerves from a busy day." It was still amazing how fast information traveled in this town and, from the way sound traveled at night, a few more people would hear of her bout with the doomed pizza. Mrs. Smith knew the darker it got the less people used their eyes and the more they used their ears to hear conversations called across the water. Because of this Pam tried to wrap up the conversation as soon as was proper.

"Thanks for your concern. I’ll be sure to stop by soon to show you that I’m fine," Pam called to the woman shrouded in the shadows.

"Good night, dear. Good night, Mr. Blaine. Mind your manners," Mrs. Smith threw in with a giggle.

Pam was mortified. She wanted to abandon ship and swim home. She was being assaulted on all fronts. Why did everyone think they were a couple who needed to "mind their manners?" Maybe because she and Derrick seemed to have this habit of winding up attached at the lips. She had to stop doing that. Kissing Derrick seemed to be like a drug that she couldn’t get enough of coursing through her veins. They could call it "stud passion."

It was dark when she said good night at Derrick’s camp.

"Maybe I ought to walk you to your place," he suggested leaning against the door jam. He was cool arrogance. He had donned another of his tee shirts. He must have a collection, Pam thought. This one said in big bold letters, "To save time, let’s just assume I know everything."

"Not sure that’s a good idea."

"Why? What are you afraid of?"

"Nothing, that’s why I don’t need you to walk me home. I’ll be fine. Thanks anyway." She turned to leave.

"Should I kiss you goodnight?"

Pam spun back around and stared at him open mouthed. In her family, no one talked casually about things that might be uncomfortable. This was one of those moments. He hadn’t asked before if he could kiss her. Why now?

"Are you kidding? What makes you think I want to kiss you?"

"Maybe the way you kissed me earlier."

"I kissed you? I... don’t... think... so. I have no desire to kiss you now, or ever. I could care less if I ever see you again. You and I would never work out anyway. Good night." She turned around again.

"Why wouldn’t we work out?" His voice was a soft rumble in the dark. He pushed away from the door and moved closer to Pam. "I happen to think we could have a very satisfying relationship." He put his hands on her shoulders.

"It won’t work. You’re the custodian at the school I teach at," she said not turning around.

"Oh, is that the problem?" He crossed his arms across his chest. "Or, is it that I’m just a custodian. You know," he continued, "you seem nice, funny, intelligent, but you really have some issues. Stop trying to fix me. I’m not broken."

"Yeah, issues with my neighbor. For the last time, goodnight." She walked away from the circle of light, praying he was not following her. She didn’t think he was. Maybe the saying on his shirt wasn’t far off. Maybe he did know why she didn’t want to get involved with him.