Tomahawk'd Part 8

"Ahh, that's the stuff right there," she said, then belched loudly, to her own amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Oh gross, Jack. You sound like my dad."

Jackson downed her beer in a matter of minutes then reached for another. She opened a second bottle, planning to drink it more slowly than the first. Molly was only halfway done with her first. Jackson took a deep calming breath, feeling better than she had in hours. She took a long look over the water. "It is so beautiful here."

Molly scooted closer to her and draped an arm around her. "Yes, it is."

"Thanks for bringing the beer. I didn't think I was gonna want it, but now I'm really glad it's here." She leaned over and lightly kissed Molly's lips. "I'm sorry for being so moody."

Molly's insides swirled at the tone of Jackson's voice. She knew the alcohol was mellowing her out and she'd soon be pliable. Molly had never met anyone, especially not a girl, who could kiss like Jackson. She couldn't wait to taste those lips again.

Erin had been lying in bed for several minutes after waking from her nap. Her eyes adjusted slowly, realizing that night had fallen. Her father had come in a couple hours prior asking if she wanted dinner. Shaking her head, she opted to sleep more instead. The boating accident had really scared her, and as much as she wanted to see Jackson to talk about it, she knew it would just create more problems with her mother.

Flashes of her accident stormed her dreams. She had woken with a start after the last one and decided to stay awake. She watched the movement of the shadows on her bedroom wall. There was a slight breeze moving the tree branches outside of her room. A full moon was s.h.i.+ning brightly through the open window. The temperature, like the day, was perfect-not too hot and not too cool. Her bladder dictated her next move and she got up to use the bathroom. When she opened the door, she saw her dad asleep on the couch in front of the television. Thinking that her mother had gone to bed, she continued to the bathroom.

As she approached the door, her mother came out of the bedroom. "Hi, honey. How are you feeling?"

"A little draggy, but much better. Sleep did wonders for me."

Katie touched her hair, gently tucking it behind an ear. "I'm so glad you weren't hurt today."

A small smile made its way to Erin's mouth. She was waiting for the snakes to appear in her mother's hair. They never came. "Thanks, Mom."

Katie pulled her daughter into a heartfelt hug. "I thought I heard you out here, so I wanted to say goodnight. I love you, honey. I was really scared today; I didn't mean to embarra.s.s you."

A genuine smile reached Erin's lips. "I love you too, Mom. I think everyone was a little on edge after what happened." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, soaking in the comfort her mother was giving. "I think I'm gonna walk out on the pier. The moon is full tonight and I really want to sketch it." The two pulled out of their hug. Seeing the disapproval on her mother's face, she said, "I'm not going to see Jack, Mom; I promise. I just want to sketch and take some of the awful imagery out of my head."

Feeling badly, Katie nodded. "I'm sorry. Just be careful, and don't stay out too late, all right?"

"Sure, Mom. Wake Dad, though. He's starting to snore out there. He's gonna scare the wildlife." They shared a smile and Erin bade her mother goodnight.

After using the facilities, Erin brushed her teeth and her hair to rid herself of sleep. She wanted to sketch the moonlight on the water and didn't want to miss a thing due to tiredness.

She walked into her room and grabbed her pack of supplies and her sketchbook. She watched as her mom ushered her dad off the couch. "G'night, Dad."

"Where you off to, Peanut?" he asked in a sleep-garbled voice.

"Just to the pier to do some drawing. I won't be out late." She walked over and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "See you in the morning."

"Night, Peanut."

Erin left the cabin and walked to the pier. Grabbing one of the chairs, she positioned herself directly in front of the full moon, marveling at its glory. It was huge, larger than she could remember seeing a moon. She grabbed her sketchbook and a pencil and began to draw.

Jackson was already on her fifth beer when Molly finished her second beer. She was feeling a little wasted and knew Jackson was way beyond that. Since she'd consumed the fourth bottle, she had been kissing Molly pa.s.sionately. Molly had pulled back from the force of her mouth the last time. Jackson's pa.s.sion was consuming, overwhelming her.

Trying to dilute some of Jackson's intensity, Molly suggested, "Jack, what do you say we go skinny-dipping? No one's out here. The water will feel great against our bodies, don't you think?" She waggled her eyebrows at an intoxicated Jackson.

"Naked, water, and you? h.e.l.l, yeah. Let's go!" Jackson jumped up and climbed down the ladder, swinging her body into the loft. Molly was on her heels and soon in the loft with her. Jackson pulled her close and kissed her again. "I can't wait to feel you naked against me," she panted.

"Me too," Molly replied.

They climbed down the second ladder and started removing their clothes. Jackson watched as Molly slowly removed her sleeveless top, reached around and unclasped her bra and let it fall to the floor. Jackson drank in the sight of the bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Molly pushed off the rest of her clothing, presenting herself to Jackson's appreciative eyes.

Jackson unceremoniously took her clothes off in half a second. Her tall, lean frame was illuminated by the moonlight. Extending her hand to Jackson, Molly walked closer to the naked loveliness that was her girlfriend. "G.o.d, you are gorgeous, Jack," she said. "Come on, let's get in the water."

Jackson took her hand and they walked to the edge of the boat docks. She knew the water was very shallow so she stepped in. Molly followed, gasping as the cool water touched her skin.

"Come on, this feels fantastic." Jackson trotted out into the water and when it was deep enough, she dove under. She swam a few strokes then broke the plane of the water. Molly swam after her, giggling all the while. They splashed and laughed and were soon chasing each other. Jackson knew she probably shouldn't be swimming while buzzed, but at that moment, she didn't care. At the moment, she wasn't feeling badly about the accident. Right now was about Molly, and her nakedness, and wanting to feel it against her.

She ducked under the water and sprouted up in front of a surprised Molly. "Boo!"

Molly shrieked and splashed Jackson for scaring her. Jackson grabbed her splas.h.i.+ng hand and brought it behind her neck. "Come here."

Jackson kissed Molly, earning her a deep groan. She brought her arms around Molly and when their bodies met, she knew nothing but the sensations flowing through her core.

Erin's pencil was flying across the page. Her hands had found an incredible rhythm and her moon on the water had begun to take amazing shape. She'd been sitting out there for over an hour, but the breeze and her surroundings kept her glued to her seat. She closed her eyes and just breathed in the clean fresh air.

She watched as a few boats went under the bridge and on to their destinations. The crickets were chirping, and she'd even heard a bullfrog. Off in the distance she heard a fish jump out of the water with a big splash. Wis.h.i.+ng her dad were next to her with his fis.h.i.+ng pole, she smiled and continued with her nearly complete drawing.

She heard another splash, this time closer. Erin looked to her right to see if she could see the fish. She focused around the boathouse, the direction from which she'd heard the splas.h.i.+ng. She was right about the direction of the sound, though it wasn't a fish. It was a very loud and a very naked woman running through the water. As she watched, the first woman was joined by another. Oh, my, they're skinny-dipping. She smiled, a little flushed, and tried not to watch. The smile soon left her face when she heard Jackson's voice. Her head shot up, stomach in knots, and it didn't take her long to figure out whom she was with. She ducked beside the chair next to her, trying not to be seen.

She watched as Jackson and Molly frolicked happily through the lake. I can't believe they're naked! She watched Jackson dive under the water. Molly was closer to the dock, but her back was turned. Jackson popped up in front of Molly with a playful "Boo!" She heard Molly scream and saw her begin to splash Jackson. As the next action played out, her mind rolled it in slow motion. Jackson grabbed Molly's splas.h.i.+ng hand and placed it behind her neck and brought Molly's mouth to hers in a pa.s.sionate kiss. Not believing her eyes, Erin rubbed them with curled fists. Blinking rapidly, she couldn't mistake the sounds of desire coming from the two naked girls. A wave of emotion struck her, confusion.

Jack's a...a lesbian? Like Jackie?

Erin didn't know what to think. Some of the pieces of Jack's omissions were starting to fall into place. Anger at the lack of truth from her best friend was resonating through her. Why didn't she tell me? I'm her best friend. We're supposed to tell each other everything!

She watched as Jackson took possession of Molly's mouth, cradling her face with her hands, bringing her impossibly closer. A shot of arousal flared through her body along with a jolt of jealous anger. She debated whether to leave while they were locked in their kiss, or just wait it out.

Patience won out as she tried not to watch the scene unfold. Jackson pulled away from Molly and motioned to the boathouse. With a nod, Molly followed Jackson. As they were headed to the boathouse, Erin decided to also take her leave. When she got up off the pier floor, her foot knocked into the chair, creating a slight scuffing sound. She quickly collected her things and, as quietly as she could, ran off the pier.

Hearing the scuff of the chair against the dock, Molly turned and watched Erin fleeing the pier. She smiled victoriously, knowing that Erin must have seen an eyeful.

Jackson was feeling no pain. Things were starting to blur a little, but that was fine with her. The more she wasn't reminded of things, the better. Sharing wet, pa.s.sionate kisses with Molly had driven all rational thought from her mind. She just wanted to feel the glorious oblivion that came with o.r.g.a.s.m.

The two naked women collected their discarded clothing and retreated to the loft. Jackson laid down the blanket and Molly was soon sprawled across it. Jackson instantly laid her naked body on top and positioned one of Molly's legs between her own. Groaning at the contact, Jackson began to grind against Molly's thigh. She looked down at the body that was giving her pleasure. Molly's eyes were shut as she pressed her body against Jackson's. Jackson closed her eyes and moved back and forth against Molly. When she opened her eyes, she didn't see Molly, only Erin. Her addled mind was in overdrive. Erin was giving her this pleasure; Erin was receiving the same from her. Her movements became quicker, stronger. Jackson could feel the beginnings of her o.r.g.a.s.m. Putting her elbows on either side of Molly's head she began to thrust in earnest.

"G.o.d, you feel good." She thrust again and again until she felt the warmth begin to spread through her body. "Oh, Hawk, yes, yes..." Jackson's hips moved at a blinding speed as her climax washed over her. As her body slowed, she tried to calm her racing heart. She lifted her head to look into baby blue eyes, only to find angry brown ones staring back at her. Trying to catch her breath, Jackson rasped, "What's wrong?"

"Get off," Molly spat, pus.h.i.+ng Jackson's limp body off of hers.

"Molly, honey, what's wrong?"

"Oh, now you remember my name?" Molly stood and started to put her clothing on.

"What are you talking about?" Jackson demanded, sitting up.

"What I'm talking about is that I don't appreciate hearing your little friend's name coming out of your mouth when I'm the one having s.e.x with you!"

Jackson frantically tried to remember saying Erin's name, but had no idea if she had or hadn't. She didn't know what to say. "I-"

"You're a piece of work, Jackson Thomas," she said angrily, putting on the rest of her clothes.

"Molly, I'm sorry!" she blurted. "I had no idea."

Exasperated, Molly ran her fingers through her hair. "That's your problem, Jack, you are just clueless! It's so obvious that you're in love with her. Even I could see it, and I've only been around you two for a day!"

"I..." she began. I am in love with her. Aw, c.r.a.p. Jack's head slumped in realization.

"Go to h.e.l.l, Jack." Molly stormed down the ladder, leaving her erstwhile lover alone to stew in her drunken nakedness.

Lying back on the blanket, Jackson threw her arm over her eyes, grumbling a litany of curses to the wind.

Back inside her room, Erin let the tears fall. Her cheeks were soaking wet by the time she landed on her bed. The image of a naked Jackson kissing Molly was haunting her. She couldn't understand why Jackson hadn't told her about that aspect of her life. She flipped onto her stomach and the sobbing continued into her pillow. She lied to me.

That thought made her question almost every facet of their relations.h.i.+p. They had been friends since 1985, but even though Erin had shared every miniscule thing of her life with Jackson, Jackson hadn't done the same. Was she writing me letters because she felt she had to? Does she hang out with me because she thinks she has to? Am I no more than just a guest to her? Even Jackie introduced me to Sandra as Jackson's favorite guest and not her friend. But Jack told me I was her best friend. G.o.d, I really am just the kid Molly said I was.

The thought of Molly and Jackson making fun of her made her stomach ache. She remembered Jackson telling her that she hung out with Molly all summer, which was why she hadn't written.

Bull. She just didn't want to tell me that she and Molly were girlfriends. Jack even changed her eye color because Molly didn't like her eyes! Yuck. What does she even see in Molly?

Erin's mind was racing over every detail of the day. Jackson always seemed to make her question her decisions, just like a little kid. She'd asked if she was sure she wanted to water ski, she'd said she didn't have to drink if she didn't want to. In the same breath, Jackson had defended her whenever Molly was rude to her. G.o.d, what do I think? Okay, Jack is a lesbian. I think I could be okay with that. She and Molly are obviously girlfriends. Uggh, d.a.m.n it, Jack, why didn't you just tell me?

Deciding she needed an outlet for her feelings, she took out her sketchbook and began to draw in earnest. Objects and figures matching the imagery in her head began to take shape on the page. Time ticked on and after some intense drawing and shading, Erin's picture was finished. She stared at her creation and marveled at its accuracy. With a final scribble at the bottom, she rolled up the drawing and fished in her pack for a rubber band to secure it.

With a glance at the clock, she was surprised how far into the early morning it was. Sleep did not come to her at all. The sun would be out in an hour, so she would wait to watch the sun come up and pray this day would go better than the day before. The niggling question was how was she going to handle seeing Jackson again after last night? Jackson had no idea that Erin saw her with Molly. Erin wondered if she could possibly pretend that nothing had happened, that everything was great and normal. She wasn't confident she could pull it off, but she had over three weeks left at IslandCity, so she had to make the best of the time.

Erin lay in bed until the daylight began to lighten her room. She got up and quietly left the cabin to watch the sunrise from the dock. The colors that came were incredible. She watched as life began its new day around her. It filled her with awe. The awe expanded when she saw a hawk circle in the sky above her. A sad smile formed on her lips. She wished she could see this every day, but sadly, after last night, she wasn't even sure if she wanted to be there any longer.

Sitting on the pier, she heard some cars pulling into the pebbled drive of the resort. She turned in her seat and saw two cars pull up and watched as a man got out and walked toward her cabin. Her mother answered the door and spoke with the gentleman briefly before shaking his hand. He gave her some papers then left in the second automobile.

Erin walked back to the waterfront cabin and stepped inside. She glanced with confusion at her mother's bags, packed and sitting by the door. "Mom, what's going on?"

Surprised by her daughter's arrival, she equivocated. "Where did you come from?" Her voice took on an edge. "You haven't been out all night, have you?"

Rolling her eyes, Erin answered, "No, Mom. I couldn't sleep and I watched the sunrise from the pier. I got in hours ago. I was awake from my big nap yesterday so I spent the time drawing." She gestured at the a.s.sembled luggage and repeated, "So, what's going on?"

"I'm leaving."

Eyes wide, Erin responded, "Why? Where's Dad?"

"He's still in bed." She had hoped to be gone before either Erin or her husband was up, so she had to improvise her explanation. "Your father and I had a strong discussion about some things yesterday. I wanted us to leave after the accident. I don't think this place is the best for us anymore. Your father didn't want to leave since he enjoys fis.h.i.+ng up here so much, and I knew not to ask you since I know all too well how you feel about this place. Your father will bring you home." She paused. "I rented a car from a man who runs a dealers.h.i.+p in town; that's who that man was. I'm driving home today."

G.o.d, could this be so easy? "Well, honestly, Mom, I'm not feeling that great, with the accident and all," she lied. "It...it wouldn't be a bad thing for me to go back with you, would it? I mean, I can stay if you want, um..."

Katie's eyes lit up like a brush fire across a mountaintop. She didn't believe what she was hearing, so she confirmed it. "You want to leave? I thought you loved it here."

Head down, Erin responded, "I do...but, um...yesterday was a really bad day, Mom. I don't know if I want to be here right now." That was a half-truth, but she knew her mother would be over the moon with her decision.

"Well, let's get you packed and we can be out of here before traffic starts to be an issue." It wasn't even seven o'clock yet.

Erin quickly got her things together. She wrote a brief letter to her dad explaining she wasn't feeling well and opted to go home with her mother. She wished him well and signed off. She laid it on top of the moonlight picture she had drawn on the pier the night before.

They packed the car and were just about to leave when Erin remembered her rolled drawing from last night. Looking to her mother, she asked, "Mom, I drew something for Jack, but I don't want to wake her to say goodbye. I'm just gonna run to the boathouse and leave it for her there. I know she'll get it. Okay?"

Ecstatic that her daughter was going to leave with her, at that moment she would've let her do anything. "Just hurry up, if we leave now we can be home by early afternoon."

"Thanks, Mom." Erin reached into her backpack and pulled out the rolled up drawing to take to Jack. Running to the boathouse, her heart was hammering. After last night, this place made her feel a little queasy. It could've been from her lack of sleep, but she wasn't too sure. She climbed up the ladder and saw the blanket laid out, empty beer bottles littered around. Not wanting to imagine any more than she already had, she laid the drawing on top of the blanket. With one final look through the window at the water, she descended the ladder and hurried to meet her mother.

Exhaustion hit her as soon as she took a seat inside the rental car. Her mother pulled out of the drive and made their way to the highway, heading for home. With the motion of the car, Erin felt her eyelids close. "Mom, I'm sorry, but I think I'm gonna pa.s.s out. I didn't sleep last night."

Smiling and giving her a brief glance, Katie touched her daughter's knee. "Go ahead and rest, honey. We've got six hours ahead of us; you may as well sleep through as much of it as you can."

Not wanting to really spend the time talking to her mother anyway, she agreed wholeheartedly. "Thanks," she said softly, fading into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Joe woke up to silence. Getting out of bed, he made his way into an empty family room. Opening Erin's door, he saw that her bed was made and her ever-present backpack missing. She must have gone out to draw.

He went to the bathroom to clean up and start his day. In the kitchen he found that Katie had left some bagels and cream cheese for him in the refrigerator. She must have gone into town. He grabbed the carton of orange juice and sneaked several sips out of the container then put it back on the shelf.

Grabbing the bagels and spread, he took them to the kitchen table where he found a drawing Erin had made of a large moon on the water. There was a note attached. He smiled softly until he read the note.

Dear Dad, I'm sorry you and Mom had a fight. She didn't tell me what it was about. She just said she wanted to leave. She rented a car this morning and after my scare yesterday, I really didn't want to stay here either. I'm not feeling too great, so I think it will be best if I go back home. Mom said it was okay, so I decided to leave with her.

Have fun with your fis.h.i.+ng buddies, I hope you catch "the big one." I'll call you when I get home. See you in a few weeks.

I love you, Peanut PS - Please tell Jack I left something for her in the boathouse.

"d.a.m.n you, Katie." Joe crumpled up his daughter's note and stalked into his room to get dressed.

Jackson awoke to pounding. She soon realized the pounding was inside her skull. Opening her eyes cautiously, she immediately slammed her lids shut against the brightness of the morning sun. As she slowly returned to full consciousness, the memories of the previous day hit her like a Mack truck: the almost drowning, the confrontation with Erin's mom, the drunken skinny-dipping with Molly. Then she visualized the s.e.xual act that had brought on Molly's anger and quick departure.

"Uggh," she moaned aloud, thinking of the situation with Molly.

She remembered what Molly had said right before telling her to go to h.e.l.l and storming out. It's so obvious that you're in love with her. Even I could see it and I've only been around you two for a day!

"Oh, G.o.d," she grunted, throwing both arms over her head. "Hawk," she whispered. "How do I tell you that I'm in love with you?"

Jackson slowly got up, showered, muttered some indecipherable words to Jackie and left her house in search of Erin. She walked down to the pier hoping she would be there drawing or something. Not finding her, she thought she'd take the chance she'd be in the cabin. Walking up to the door, she braced herself for another confrontation with Katie Hawkins.

"Here goes..." she whispered, and then knocked lightly on the cabin door.

After a few moments, Joe answered. Smiling brightly, he said, "Hey, Jackson. Good morning to you."

"Good morning to you, too, sir."

Joe stopped her with his hand. "Jackson, how many times do I need to tell you: call me Joe. I appreciate the 'sir' and everything, but I'm just Joe, okay?"

His smile was so much like Erin's, her heart melted. "All right, Joe. Please call me Jack, then. I insist." She chuckled along with him.