Chapter 32

I woke up from a terrible dream of heavy weights tied to my legs, pulling me down into deep black water. The bedcovers were tangled around me, so I kicked them away. Once my legs were free, I felt the panic leave me. For a moment, I had to get my bearings. The room looked strange. Then I remembered that I was at the boathouse. The memories of the night flooded over me and I could feel myself sinking back into deep dark waters.

Shaking with fright, I got up and felt the walls like a blind woman, searching for the light switch. When I found it, I turned on the light, banishing the shadows. If I didn’t get out of the room, I would start to scream hysterically. Slipping out of my pajamas and into a pair of denim shorts and a white long sleeve t-shirt, I put on a pair of worn sneakers. Fresh air was what my mental doctor prescribed. Carefully I walked through the boathouse. All the interior lights were out but moonlight slipping in through the windows guided me to the door. I very carefully turned the lock, trying to be silent as a tiny mouse.

The air was warmer than normal. Summer was here and the nights would get warmer as the days went by. Nights would grow shorter. I stood at the edge of the walkway, looking out towards the ocean. The night was a lapis blue with a multitude of stars shining. They looked like pictures out of an astronomy book pasted to the limpid sky. I found the little dipper but couldn’t make out any other constellations. Which star should I make a wish on? There were too many choices, and as simple as it should have been, I couldn’t make a decision. I whispered to no one, “No wish for you tonight, silly girl.”

“Why not?” The wind carried a voice to me. I spun around and saw Perry standing a few feet away, barefooted wearing jeans and an unbuttoned denim shirt.

I didn’t answer his question. Instead I changed the subject, “The night is beautiful. You can almost touch the stars. If I were taller, I could wear them in my hair.”

“What a vision! Couldn’t sleep, woman?” He sat down on the steps. “I heard you leave the boathouse. With a violent person on the loose, I thought I should make sure you were fine. I hope I’m not intruding.”

“No, it’s nice to have you here. I’m sorry I woke you. Oh dear, I must have been louder than I thought. I tried to be quiet as a mouse.”

“Actually you were. I wasn’t sleeping.”

“A nightmare woke me. I felt as if the air around me was tainted from the dream, so I came out for some fresh air.” I sat beside him, careful that we didn’t touch. I couldn’t stand it if he pulled away from contact.

“I keep thinking of Melinda. I can’t get what happened out of my head. Whoever killed her will pay, they’ve got to or I’ll go crazy.” Perry’s voice was so soft I barely heard him.

“I’m sorry, Perry. This must be hard for you. I wish things were different.”

“I keep thinking about the past. About what went wrong, what went right…I keep remembering the night we met. Back then, life seemed so easy. I met Melinda at a party in Raleigh. An old college friend's wife had written a book published by Banning House. They threw a release party and invited me. Melinda was there because she was involved with the publishing of the book. I didn’t know a soul, except the hosts and was standing by a fireplace, watching the crowd when I saw her. She had on a very pale green dress with sparkles. I couldn’t stop looking at her. When she threw back her head to laugh at a joke, I knew then that I was going to marry her. But it took a while to convince her.” He laughed, lost in memories. I let him talk about her. If he remembered the good times, maybe the nightmare of her death wouldn’t haunt him tonight.

“She didn’t want me to build the Pirate. She wanted to sell the land and buy a condo at a more populated shore, like Myrtle Beach or Wrightsville Beach. I wouldn’t do it. Once it was finished, she called it her mansion but I knew she thought of it in a monetary light more so than in a place I built with love.”

“I wish I knew when things unraveled between us. To be honest, we didn’t have a lot in common. She lived for a glitzy social life. I loved a quiet night at home. Because I wouldn’t sale the Pirate, she decided to divorce me.” He laughed bitterly. “She said I alienated my affections because I loved a beach house more than her.”

“Did you?” I asked my eyes on the stars.

“I think I loved the vision in green that sparkled. From the day we married we had different visions of what life should be, Kerrie. She’s dead now and I’m not ripped apart by it. I don’t mean to sound callus. I didn’t want her dead. Never once have I wished it on her. I think if I loved her, I would be wailing away, but I’m not. So I guess I did love this place more than her.”

I sighed. His talk of the past made me think of mine, which made me sigh again.

“I’ve been gabbing too much.”

“No, you need to let it out. This is good for you.”

We sat silently for a while. The surf touching the sand was the only song playing, as we watched the dark water with its white tips move back and forth.

“How did you meet David Harper? You don’t strike me as a baseball nut. No pun intended.” His question surprised me.

“You’re so right. I’m not a big fan of baseball. I didn’t know he was a baseball player until our third date. We were taking a walk through downtown Charlotte and at least seven people stopped us, asking for an autograph. I was impressed, but also almost put off by the attention. He thrived on it. But when my fans would stop us when we were out someplace, David would be livid over the intrusion. I guess, because he wasn’t the center of attention.” I sighed, “That was just one of the small issues in our relationship.”

“You didn’t answer my question. How did you meet?”

I laughed, “I went off subject didn’t I? Well, I met him about five years ago. Against my better judgment, a friend of mine set me up on a blind date. I was to meet the guy named David White at an upscale hotel in the lounge.” I gave a small laugh. “But I didn’t sparkle. I had on a black dress with red roses embroidered on the bodice. When I got to the lounge, I went to the bar and sat down beside David. The bartender came over to take my order. I remember looking around and seeing a lot of single men. Having no clue as to what my date looked like, I asked the bartender if David had left a message for me. That’s when David turned to me and said ‘I’m David.’ We talked for awhile and then danced until dawn. I thought he was the David I was supposed to meet. With the chemistry flying, I never caught on that he wasn’t. We made a date for the next night. When I arrived home, I had a message on my answering service.”

Perry interrupted, “The real David, I’m betting.”

Laughing, “Yes, he had called moments after I left my apartment. He left a message that he had to work late and couldn’t get make our date. He wanted me to call him, but I never did. David and I fell in love that night I think.”

“What about now, Kerrie? Do you still love him?”

“I’ll always love David in some way. But I’m not in love with him. There’s a difference you know.”

Perry sighed, “Yes I do.”

I yawned suddenly. Now wasn’t the time to tell Perry about David and me. We both needed sleep. “I’m sleepy again. Fresh air helps.” I laughed.

Perry stood up, smiling down at me. “I’m sleepy too. Thanks for dragging me out here, woman.”
He took my hand, as I stood up and we walked quietly back to the boathouse hand-in-hand, united briefly in our shared memories of the past that promised to keep the present at bay, even if only for one night.