Getting Caught in the Current

Aubrey screamed and covered her mouth as she jumped back almost as far as Thomas had. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to startle you, but you seemed so peaceful.”

Thomas chuckled as he felt his heart calming back down to its normal beat. “No, no, it’s okay. I… I just didn’t hear you and I wasn’t expecting to turn around and…”

“I know. I’m sorry. I just thought maybe you might want to talk to someone, but then I don’t know… it’s stupid, I shouldn’t have come out here.” Aubrey waved her hands and started to leave.

“No, you’re fine. And I appreciate the concern, but I think I just needed a walk. Are Rachel and the kids okay?”

Aubrey turned back and smiled at him. “They’re good. The kids are asleep and I talked to Rachel for a bit, but I think she said she was going to bed.”

“I’m sorry you had to hear all that back there. I just… well, it’s complicated.”

“No need to apologize. I’ve been around all sorts.”

“I’m sure you have, but still…”

He and Aubrey walked down the pier in silence. They were the only two people out, thankfully, but most of the houses were empty and it wasn’t the sort of stretch of beach houses that got rented out to college kids or for wild parties, which was part of the appeal.

Thomas felt bad for creating any awkward tension with Aubrey. He knew that anxiety from when his parents argued when he was a kid and him and Rachel did their best to shield the kids from that feeling, but sometimes it got away from them. He knew it had to be even more awkward for a stranger to be witness to it, even if just hearing it.

“You know, Rachel loves you.” Aubrey said, breaking the silence.

Thomas stopped as they reached the end of the pier. “I know, it’s just... It’s partly my fault. Okay, mostly my fault. I’m supposed to be more forthcoming with my feelings and not let it build up like I have. Plus, I wasn’t gentle about it, as our counselor has suggested I be for when I do share my feelings, so...”

“Well, I’m no marriage counselor, but I’ve been around a lot of families and you and Rachel have a strong bond and great kids. You’re a good family, but I think you and Rachel are holding back.”

Thomas gave Aubrey a look. “Holding back?”

“I mean, in the sense of being yourselves. I think you’re both afraid to be more open and free.”

How so?”

“You want Rachel around more, don’t you?”

“Of course, but her job…”

“Then tell her. Show her.”

“Our counselor has suggested that too, but… I don’t know how to do that without coming off as demanding or controlling.”

Aubrey chuckled. “I’m not saying you demand that she come home by a certain time or control her life, but I think you need to…” Aubrey paused.

“What?” Thomas scanned Aubrey’s face, waiting for her response. “Don’t tell me the first bit of advice is free and I have to pay for the rest?”

Aubrey shook her head. “No, I just… I’ve seen how you two are together and there’s a desire there that I think you’re both denying. You’re too busy being adults and parents that I think you’re forgetting that passion that brought you together.”

Thomas looked at Aubrey as they stepped off the pier and rounded the corner back to the beach. “So what, a romantic dinner? A destination getaway?”

“Maybe, but maybe something more raw, like surprising her at work for lunch, but skipping lunch and... I don’t know, fucking in the supply closet or something.”

Thomas nearly choked. “Have you met Rachel?”

“I have and we’ve talked.” Aubrey stopped and gave him a knowing look. “You might be surprised that you both want similar things.”

“Like fucking in a supply closet?”

“I’m just saying. Couples tend to get in this comfortable groove, especially when they have kids, but there was a time when all you could think about was ripping each other’s clothes off and going at it without a care in the world. Sometimes you gotta get back to that.”

“I don’t know.” Thomas shook his head and started to walk back toward the house. “I think you’re giving Rachel a little more credit in the sexually adventurous department than you think. Besides…” Thomas stopped to address Aubrey, but when he turned she was gone.

He looked around and then saw her moving about underneath the pier, spinning around one of the pillars playfully, her thin swimsuit dress cover-up fluttering about. He had seen her wear it a few times when taking the kids to the beach or swim class, but he hadn’t really noticed her change in clothes until now. Thomas could’ve sworn he saw Aubrey in her pajama shorts and t-shirt when he left the house. He tried to not let his mind wander about what she was wearing underneath, but at the same time, he wondered why she had changed.

“Thomas, come here… and quit being so serious.”

Thomas walked over to her. “We really should head back.”

Aubrey continued to dance around the pillars, like she was in one of those British period movies where the women get passed from dance partner to dance partner. Between every other pass or twirl she’d pop her head out from behind a pillar and smile at him.

“Why? The ocean police gonna arrest us?”

Thomas rolled his eyes, not really in the mood for jokes or playfulness. “No, but it’s getting late and…”

But before Thomas could finish his statement Aubrey took his hand and pulled him further under the pier, further into the darkness, and out of sight. Thomas looked around with a nervous feeling in his gut. The pier had been quiet when he arrived and the houses nearby were dark, but it didn’t mean there wasn’t some homeless person lurking in the shadows or some other couple up to no-good underneath there. He blinked several times, trying to adjust to the dim light.

“Aubrey, seriously.”

“Ssh.” She stopped and pulled him close as her back fell against one of the pillars, their bodies just inches apart. The water was rising and not too far from where they stood. If not for the sound of the crashing waves he might’ve noticed his breathing matching the beat of the tide. “Kiss me, Thomas.”

“What?”

“You heard me.” She leaned in, her nose almost touching his. “Kiss me. Like you have before.”

Thomas pulled back, confused, but also examining the beautiful silhouette of her face in the shadows. He felt drawn to her like the ships to the shore following the beacon of the lighthouse. But this wasn’t him coming home to safety, this was him following a siren’s song, destined to crash into the rocks and sink down into the darkness. The empty twisting feeling in his stomach told him to pull away, run, and send Aubrey away, but she just stared back at him, almost begging him to give in.