31 | Sweet Tea

                                    

                                          
Charlotte sat on her front porch with a pitcher of sweet tea, hoping Riley would arrive before the sun set.  Watching the sky turn colours during the golden hour was one of her favourite things to bear witness to.  She had called Riley from the car shortly after leaving the market, anxious to see how he was.  She didn't let on that she had heard about his boat troubles and asked if he wanted to stop by that evening for some sweet tea.  He had sounded a little distracted and said he had some things to finish up at the wharf but would be swinging by shortly after.  
Charlotte pulled the light shawl she had thrown over her sundress a little closer, not so much because of the cooling evening air but for comfort as she fretted over Riley and how to broach offering to help.  The evening breeze responded, enveloping her in a warm current of sweet summer air, making the seashell wind chimes sing. Her body relaxed, and she poured herself a glass of  sweet tea. 
She had wanted to add her magical touch of herbs to help them both feel calmer and more open-minded.  But she knew it wouldn't be right to do so without asking him first. It was such good old-fashioned sweet tea, and it was delicious.  Charlotte watched the condensation build on her glass, lost in thought when she heard the wheels of Riley's truck on the gravel. 
Charlie had already shot off in greeting.  Charlotte stood and leaned against one of the porch rails, watching the two of them come around the corner.  Charlie bound circles around Riley while Riley tried to deflect his affection and make his way over.  He had a big grin on his face. Charlie had a way of doing that no matter the mood you were in.  
	"Nice to still see you smiling. Did you have a good catch this afternoon?"
	"A good catch, yes, but well – let's save the rest for another time.  It's been a day, and both you and that pitcher of sweet tea look divine right now."  He pulled her in close for a kiss, losing the stress of the day in the scent of her skin.  She had this fantastic way of smelling crisp and clean like the ocean and yet calming like a field of lavender.  He drank it in, feeling his body ease.
Finally feeling his fill, he let go and asked her, "So tell me about your day."
	Charlotte reached back for her chair, almost falling into it dizzy after a kiss like that.  How was her day? How was she supposed to form thoughts after that? She picked up the cold pitcher of tea to ground herself and poured him a glass.  "I'm not sure how you expect me to form words after that– but it was good I visited the market."  Charlotte filled him in on her conversation with the girls and how things had been smoothed over with Isabelle.  
	"It's beginning to feel like it was before –" She pulled her shawl close again, fingering its edges. "I was so scared I was going to lose all of this.  This has been the first place that has truly felt like home in a long time."  She smiled, "The only thing missing are my girls." 
	Riley placed his cup down and leaned back into his chair with a sigh.  "I know what you mean; it's been a long while since I've seen my own–and now, well, I'm not sure."  
The grin on Riley's face was gone, and in its place, a sad and almost defeated look took over. Charlotte would have rathered his signature scowl over this, but it was heartbreaking, especially since she suspected what might be behind it.   She leaned in closer and softly asked, "Did something happen?"	
Riley shared the details of the boat breaking down and the costly repairs needed on top of the boat being unusable for about two weeks. "I haven't told Tracy yet. I hope my monthly payment isn't too far behind if I can get some extra work.  I have a few things that might pan out down at the wharf but it will be tight." 
He rubbed the stubble on his chin with his hand, looking more tired than she had ever seen him.  "Surely she would understand Riley, and of course the girls would."  She reached for his hand and added, "Maybe I could help some till you get things straight again; I have a little extra set aside." She said as gently as she could. 
"Absolutely not!"  He pushed up from his chair, sending it back with force.  "I have never taken help from anyone, and I'm certainly not going to start now, least of all from my girlfriend."   
Charlotte's heart leaped at the word girlfriend. Was that what they were?  I mean, she certainly wanted to be, her face flushed. Why was this the time to make a declaration like this? This wasn't the way it was supposed to go.  Riley had walked over to the deck railing, looking toward the road.  Charlotte gently rose from her chair and walked over to join him. 
"When people care about each other, they help one another, Riley; it's not a handout." She cringed as soon as she said the word, it was the wrong word, she had meant–
"A handout! Is that how you see it? " He spun around.  "You, with your from away house profit doling out assistance to the mere fisherman?" 
He had gone from upset to angry in a flash, his body coiled tight in tension.  Charlotte's heart raced in response, her own body tensing in memory. Charlie, who had been napping near the stairs, pushed his body into Riley's leg, almost trying to calm him down.  But Riley ignored the golden retriever. 
"That's not what I meant– I just want to help." She tried to soothe. 
"I don't need your help, or anyone's help for that matter. I will sort it out on my own, like I always have." Ignoring Charlie's whines, he picked his cap up from the table, placing it back on and pulling it down tight.  "Thank you for the tea. I had better be off."   
Charlotte didn't have a chance to reply before he was headed down the stairs and back to his truck.  Charlie leaned into her side and continued to whine softly.  "I know, Charlie, I know."