Carolina Blues: Paul is punished... by three women by Carlton Kristain

Author:Carlton Kristain [Kristain, Carlton]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: LSF Publications
Published: 2022-06-13T00:00:00+00:00

Belaboring the Point

Disappearing Act

"Nice job coming back to win that second set," Brittany Sinclair noted as she turned the ignition key to start up her Volvo's engine.

Her opponent and passenger, Paul Royalton, smiled contentedly as the car backed out of its parking space in front of the municipal tennis courts. "Thanks, Brittie, I'd really only planned on us playing one set, but when I lost the first..."

"Macho pride," his one-time girlfriend replied, shaking her head indulgently as she shifted into drive and the dark blue car smoothly accelerated ahead. "Are you sure that Miriam didn't want you to stay around and help get ready for the cookout later today?"

Paul shifted slightly and ran his right hand through his dark blond hair, a gesture that conveyed uncertainty to a person who knew him well.

"Uhhh, no - I don't think so. Miriam's always so well-organized, you know - anyway, she and Barbara were out on the beach..."

His voice reflected a touch of anxiety, for he hadn't really intended to be gone for over two hours - but after losing 6-4 in the first set, he had insisted on playing another. Although he'd managed a 7-5 victory over his skilled ex-sweetheart in the second set, it had taken more than an hour extra to earn the split.

"Uh huh," Brittany acknowledged, realizing that her good friend might be facing some negative repercussions from his cousin and his wife; she refrained from commenting further, however.

Paul half-closed his eyes and leaned back, grateful for his attractive former lover's tactful silence. She knew that he was subject to regular corrective measures from his spouse if he behaved negligently or improperly, just as he once had been from Brittany herself, but she discretely avoided pursuing the issue; however, her lips did form a slight wry smile.

Her old flame wasn't smiling at all, for he was recalling that he had left to play tennis with Brittany without directly informing either Barbara or his cousin Miriam, whose beach house they were guests at over the Labor Day weekend. He had been told by Bethany, Miriam's seventeen-year-old daughter, that "Mom and Aunt Barbara are walking out on the beach, planning the cookout this afternoon - Mom said they'd be back in about fifteen minutes."

"Tell them that I'll be back in a little while," Paul had informed Bethany. Then he had taken his tennis racket and equipment bag and had exited the cottage abruptly, quickly walking toward the town center where the tennis courts were located; Bethany's mild protest of uncertainty ("Paul, I'm not sure that you should.") had been cut off by the closing front door.

As the Volvo pulled into the driveway, Bethany was the first person to be seen - she was washing off numerous pieces of plastic lawn furniture with a garden hose; a freshly pretty brunette, she was wearing only tight white shorts and a yellow halter top.

"Thanks for the drop-off, Brittie," Paul said as he stepped out of the car. "I'll see you here later. Is Roger coming too?"

"For a little while.

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