Life Under Caution

Chapter3Emma

“Em!” I heard Mark yell, “Emma, where are you?”

“Coming!” I replied, as I got up from the table and walked back to the bedroom, to find Mark sitting up on the bed. “Well, good morning sleepy head.”

“Get me some clothes.” Mark growled, as he reached for his phone and began checking his messages.

I rolled my eyes, dug through the small dresser and tossed him a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. “Do you want some breakfast?” I asked.

“I’m surprised you actually cooked. Hell, yea I want some breakfast. Make me a plate and bring it to me.” Mark answered.

“Rigs is here. Why don’t you get up and come here?” I suggested.

Mark rolled his eyes, “Fine.”

Mark got dressed and followed me back to the kitchen. I began fixing his plate and he sat down at the table with Rigs and the boys.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Rigs said jokingly.

“Yea, yea.” Mark said, shaking his head.

“I’d say we had a good night last night.” Rigs laughed.

“Really?” I questioned, “What all did you guys do?”

“None of your business,” Mark snapped, and began to get defensive.

A gut-wrenching feeling came over me. I could tell by the tone and snappiness of his voice that Mark was guilty of something. I wanted to snap back, but I knew that would just start an argument, and I don’t like to argue in front of the kids or other people.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized as I sat a plate down in front of him,” I was just asking.” I sat down and just stared down at my plate.

“C’mon man don’t be like that,” Rigs added, “We just went to the bar and played some pool.”

“Yea we played pool. Anything else you would like to know?” Mark snarled.

“No,” I replied, "I'm glad y'all had fun.”

An awkward silence fell over the room, and you could sense the tenseness in the air. Mark gets aggravated if I ask questions. He says I’m just trying to be nosey and ask too many questions for his liking.

“How about we all get ready and take the boat out before going home.” Rigs suggested, breaking the silence, “Em text Adam and see if he wants to come.”

“Sure.” I nodded.

Adam is my older brother, he lived here in Florida with his girlfriend, Lizzie. I usually always try to squeeze in a visit every time we are in town. Adam chose to get out of our small hometown in Alabama, and see the world. He settled here in Florida, like Mark and I, Lizzie and Adam met in college. They’re the perfect match, honestly and completely in love. I slightly envied their relationship. It seemed perfect and easy. They seemed as if they really loved, cared, and respected each other.

I grabbed my phone and texted Adam:

Emma: Hey! We are going out on the boat, want to join us?’

Adam: Sure, meet you at the boat arena in an hour?

Emma: Yea, sounds great. Love you!

“Adam said they wanted to come!” I announced.

“Great, I’m going to go get ready.” Rigs added, as he got up and headed back to his RV. “I’ll be ready in ten.”

“Boys, go get your swim trunks on and get ready.” I instructed.

Karson and Mason ran to the back of the RV to their bunks, grabbed their stuff and got ready to leave. I cleared the table, and Mark slipped on some sandals, and sat down on the couch flipping through his phone. As usual, he leaves me to make sure everything and everyone is ready to go while he just sits around impatiently waiting on us to leave. After clearing the table and washing up the dishes, I went to our room and pulled out my light blue bikini top, short bottoms to match, and went in the bathroom to change. After changing into my swimsuit, I slipped back on my t-shirt. I grabbed some towels out from under the cabinet, and sunscreen from the medicine cabinet, and put them in my beach bag. By the time I was done getting everything together, Rigs and his girl for the day were waiting on us at the truck.

“Are you ready?” Mark asked, he was still slightly grumpy. “Rigs is waiting for us.”

“Yea, I’m ready.” I answered. "Boys, let’s go.”

The boys ran past us and out to the truck. Mark and I followed. The boys, Rigs’ girl, and I climbed in the truck and got situated, while Rigs helped Mark back up to the boat and trailer. Once they got the boat hooked up, we all headed off to the boat arena.

“I’m Sarah,” the estranged girl said, breaking the short silence in the truck.

“Nice to meet you, Sarah.” I replied. “I’m Emma, this is my husband, Mark, and this is our boys, Karson and Mason.”

“Nice to meet you guys.” Sarah smiled.

Sarah was a small petite girl with long blonde hair. She had a dark tan, you could tell she used a tanning bed. She was definitely Rigs’ type. He had a thing for skinny blonde women that looked like supermodels. She seemed real bubbly and outgoing.

Sarah was a small petite girl with long blonde hair. She had a dark tan, you could tell she used a tanning bed. She was definitely Rigs’ type. He had a thing for skinny blonde women that looked like supermodels. She seemed real bubbly and outgoing.

The rest of the car ride, we all made small talk and got to know a little about Sarah. After about twenty minutes, we finally reached the arena. I looked around anxiously looking for my brother. I was low-key excited to see him. It has been six months since I last got to see him. The anticipation was killing me.

“I just texted Adam. He is about five minutes away,” Rigs said.

I guess he noticed my excitement. I nodded and smiled.