The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks [95]
“That sounds great,” Taylor answered. “Would you like one, Denise?”
“Please.”
As Taylor went to fetch the beers, Mitch settled himself at the outdoor table, adjusting the umbrella to keep the sun off them. Melissa made herself comfortable again, followed by Denise. Kyle, wearing a bathing suit and T-shirt, stood shyly by his mother’s side, a towel draped over his shoulders. Melissa leaned toward him.
“Hi, Kyle, how are you?”
Kyle didn’t answer.
“Kyle, say, ‘I’m fine, thanks,’ ” Denise said.
“I’m fine, thanks.” (I’n fine, kenks)
Melissa smiled. “Well, good. Would you like to go get in the pool with the other boys? They’ve been waiting all day for you to show up.”
Kyle looked from Melissa to his mother.
“Do you want to swim?” Denise asked, rephrasing the question.
Kyle nodded excitedly. “Yes.”
“Okay, go ahead. Be careful.”
Denise took his towel as Kyle ambled toward the water.
“Does he need a float?” Melissa asked.
“No, he can swim. I have to keep my eye on him, of course.”
Kyle reached the pool and stepped down, the water up to his knees. He bent over and splashed, as if testing the temperature, before breaking into a wide grin. Denise and Melissa watched him as he waded in.
“How old is he now?”
“He’ll be five in a few months.”
“Oh, so will Jud.” Melissa pointed toward the far end of the pool. “That’s him over there, holding on to the side, by the diving board.”
Denise saw him. Same size as Kyle, buzz haircut. Melissa’s four boys were jumping, splashing, screaming—in short, having themselves a great time.
“All four kids are yours?” Denise asked, amazed.
“Today they are. You let me know if you want to take one home, though. I’ll give you the pick of the litter.”
Denise felt herself relaxing a little. “Are they a handful?”
“They’re boys. They’ve got energy coming out their ears.”
“How old are they?”
“Ten, eight, six, and four.”
“My wife had a plan,” Mitch said, cutting into the conversation while peeling the label from his bottle. “Every other year, on our anniversary, she’d let me sleep with her, whether she wanted me to or not.”
Melissa rolled her eyes. “Don’t listen to him. His conversation skills aren’t meant for civilized people.”
Taylor returned with the beers, opening Denise’s bottle before setting it in front of her. His was already open. “What are y’all talking about?”
“Our sex life,” Mitch said seriously, and this time Melissa punched him in the arm.
“Watch it, buster. We’ve got a guest here. You don’t want to make a bad impression, do you?”
Mitch leaned toward Denise. “I’m not making a bad impression. Am I?”
Denise smiled, deciding that she liked these two immediately. “No.”
“See, I told you, honey,” Mitch said victoriously.
“She’s just saying that because you put her on the spot. Now leave the poor lady alone. We were talking here, having a perfectly nice conversation, until you butted in.”
“Well—”
It was all Mitch could say before Melissa cut him off. “Don’t push it.”
“But—”
“Do you want to sleep on the couch tonight?”
Mitch’s eyebrows went up and down. “Is that a promise?”
She gave him the once-over. “It is now.”
Everyone at the table laughed, and Mitch leaned toward his wife, resting his head on her shoulder.
“I’m sorry, honey,” he said, looking at her like a puppy who’d messed on the rug.
“Not good enough,” she said, feigning haughtiness.
“What if I do the dishes later?”
“We’re eating off paper plates tonight.”
“I know. That’s why I offered.”
“Why don’t you two leave us alone so we can talk? Go clean the grill or something.”
“I just got here,” Taylor complained. “Why do I have to go?”
“Because the grill is really dirty.”
“It is?” Mitch asked.
“Go on,” Melissa said as if shooing a fly from her plate. “Leave us alone so we can do some girl-talk.”
Mitch turned toward his friend. “I don’t think we’re wanted, Taylor.”
“I think you’re right, Mitch.”
Melissa whispered conspiratorially, “These two should have been rocket scientists. Nothing gets by them.”
Mitch’s mouth was playfully agape. “I think she just insulted us, Taylor,” he said.
“I think you