Jacob stretched his legs out several times to relieve the kinks. Sleeping on the floor, not really, but sitting on the floor with his back to the wall. Not the best night he had in a long time. The quietness of the room brought him back to the hotel basement. On his left, Karen and Lila slept on cots and Paul on his right against the wall.
“What?” Jacob asked as he noticed Paul staring at him. “Remember when you saved me from drowning at Boy Scout camp?” Paul asked. Jacob nodded, knowing Paul had more to say. “Afterwards, my aunt Bea said I owed you my life, and I should always take care of you.” “Are you kidding me,” Jacob shouted. All around, he heard, “Sh.” “Sorry,” Jacob said to the couple across from him, then he turned Paul. “So since we were twelve you have butted in my life because I saved you?” Paul winced. “When you say it, it sounds creepy.” “Paul, it has felt creepy, but you were my friend, so I dismissed the feeling.”
Their voices were at a level that all the surrounding people woke up. Karen looked at her dad and his best friend. Lila sat up against the wall. “Shawn always said it was not natural how protective you were of me,” Jacob said. “As much as I know you to be a man whore, there were times I wondered about your attention to me.” Paul began to laugh. “You thought I wanted you sexually?” Paul asked. “What was I to think? You were against every woman I had in my life.” Jacob grunted.
“Dad, I think you two need to keep your voices down. This is not the place for this kind of conversation.” Karen said. The lights in the ceiling rocked back and forth and then blinked out. A moment or two, the lights were back on. That was enough for both Paul and Jacob to forego their conversation. The manager of the hotel blew into the mic he had. “Good morning, folks, I am Arthur Wilco, the hurricane has passed over with not as much force as predicted. As soon as we get an all clear, you may go up to your rooms. Thank you for your patience, I know this was not the best way to spend your vacation.” A smattering of hands when he had finished.
“We can all go to my room until it is safe to leave the hotel,” Lila said to Jacob. “Thanks, I want to get back to my beach house as soon as possible.” The four of them sat quietly. It was a new day, and there were still too many questions. To break the tension, Paul stood and walked by the door. “Dad, was Paul the reason you and mom never had a good marriage?” Karen asked. “Honey, we had lots of problems, Paul was only one. We wanted different things and always thought the other one would change, and that never happened.” “Thanks for being honest with me. What about Lila?” Karen whispered. “I just met Lila. She has nothing to do with your mother and me.”
But I know her.
© 2019 Ivy Jade