Forever: A Lobster Kind Of Love (15 page)

For the next five weeks, Craig lived in my loft. It had only been used for guests and storage in the past and I was glad it was being put to good use as Craig helped me. Every morning at four am, we worked out. I had always been a morning person, as the life of a fisherman was dictated by the tides, but Craig was definitely not a morning person. One funny thing about our four am workout sessions, I was awake, ripping and raring to start my day and Craig was awake and alert, but basically just blowing off steam and wore himself out for his hibernation.

Lydia thought he was gone at one point until the smell of bacon roused the sleeping bear and he ventured downstairs during the daylight hours to feed. Our workouts left my arms and abs burning for hours, but it was a welcome relief to my ass burn from sitting in a chair all day. My house became a jungle gym and there were two monkeys living in it.

Craig lived to work out, but didn’t do much else that I could see. I would hear him stirring upstairs but I couldn’t really go check on him, so I let him be.

He went to town; he had his own car, a red Toyota Camry, but only ever returned with groceries or a snack. Like Lydia, he always had something in his mouth. He was always eating; if he was awake, he was eating. Lydia didn’t eat much but always had something in her mouth, like a lollipop or a straw. She cooked all day and Craig and I ate all night. She never complained about us eating all the leftovers. In fact, she seemed to beam like a proud mother hen and said more than a few times, “I’m glad to see you guys are eating more than Oreos.”

Lydia buzzed around all day. Once we got bars in place everywhere, the mini-fridge, microwave and things where I could readily reach them, my nursing needs were minimal. She passed her hours with me cooking up a storm and relaying the news from town. The old hens had gotten hold of her, but it was nice to hear the stories.

“Is Craig around today, Ryan?” Lydia asked as she prepared lunch for us.

“He is probably sleeping off a post-workout food coma. He polished off the rest of that meatloaf at around six this morning.”

“Who eats meatloaf at six in the morning?” She asked as she scrunched up her face in disapproval.

“We do! Woman, there is never a BAD time for meatloaf unless the meatloaf has gone bad,” I said sternly.

“Well, I suppose it’s a good thing. Most women I know complain that no one ever eats their leftovers, and lots of food goes to waste. The only thing I throw out are empty packages,” she said as she shook her head.

“We are growing boys. So what’s for lunch?”

“Well, since you guys ate all the meatloaf, I just threw some sandwiches together with some coleslaw.”

“Bring it on. I doubt it’s
just
a sandwich. You have been in there all morning and I heard the stove go on earlier.”

“You ready to eat now?” she asked sounding surprised.

“Lyds,” I used her nickname, “I am always ready to eat. Bring out the sandwiches and let’s have some lunch. If Craig is hungry, he will come down.”

She returned from the kitchen with two plates bearing long hero rolls with fried chicken cutlets, a pesto mayo, and healthy slices of mozzarella cheese with a small mound of her homemade coleslaw on each plate.

“This is not just a sandwich.” I sunk into the hero with all my might, trying to get a generous mouthful. I moaned with each chew of the tender chicken while the pesto teased my tongue. I heard the doorknob behind me and as I twirled around to face the bathroom door, Craig stood there stunned.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” My mouth was still full of chicken cutlet and my tongue refused to let it go and swallow, so Lydia had to answer. I just sat and ate another bite.

“You weren’t interrupting; we were just having some lunch. Would you like some?” I rolled my eyes.
Stupid question. That’s like asking a fat kid if he wants cake
.

“Sure, I can eat. I will take whatever is making Ryan moan like a seventies porn star, please.” I chuckled in between bites as he sat down next to me and awaited Lydia’s meal.

“Seriously dude, I thought I was interrupting something, but I had to pee really bad.” Craig said hesitantly before Lydia brought his sandwich.

“In a hot minute, dude.” Craig’s eyebrows rose in question, but before I could elaborate Lydia returned with his lunch.

As soon as she handed it to him, he shoved it in his mouth. “I am going to miss this.” Craig said in between chews.

“There is more in the fridge, Craig, for your breakfast. I still can’t believe you ate cold meatloaf for breakfast.”

“Who said it was cold? I heated it up right along with the mashed potatoes and asparagus,” he said proudly with a smile. Lydia just rolled her eyes as she finished up her coleslaw and soaked up the dressing with the last bit of her sandwich.

“Well, I will be headed out tomorrow afternoon. Time to head to Boston,” Craig said nonchalantly.

“What’s in Boston, Craig?” I questioned. I thought he lived in New York.

“We got a new request for an Alpha boot camp. So, I am heading down there to help set it up. All the equipment finally arrived, so now I am going to get it started.”

“Aww Craig, I will be sad to see you go,” Lydia mewled.

“I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for me, Craig. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

“Absolutely. I will be calling you. I’m going to have you do a little testimonial for my website. Give some folks something to smile about.”

“Anytime, man.” With that, Craig went back up to the loft to pack. I guess our last workout session would be in the morning. It was a bittersweet thought.

After Craig left, Lydia and I fell into a routine. Slowly, we worked out the kinks, and became a well-oiled machine. I couldn’t thank Craig enough for all his help and I enjoyed our Saturday check-ins via Skype with the rest of the Alpha crew. It was nice to see Carla and Tiffany’s familiar smiling faces on my laptop screen. It drove away the loneliness of the weekend. I missed Lydia on the weekends. She was also now a part of my life.

I had a weekend nurse, Stephen, but I fired him. Lydia gave me everything I needed for the weekend and Craig had made sure I had access to everywhere I wanted to be. How I wished Lydia could be here every day, but I knew that I was being selfish.

The only room in the house I had a hard time maneuvering into was the kitchen. I was still working on some tricks in my spare time, but the kitchen was the last obstacle.

The dorm fridge installed in the dining room had been packed to the gills on Friday's with prepared meals and the microwave on top of it was my best friend.

I worked out every day before Lydia arrived and made sure I was showered and dressed by the time she walked through the door. I had to work out to keep up with her cooking. She loved to cook, and I loved to eat. As soon as I could figure out a way to maneuver into and around the kitchen, one day I would cook for her.

I really wanted to get into town. Cabin fever was starting to settle in and an idle mind and hands equated to trouble.  

Putting the finishing touches on my outfit for the Pirate Festival, my hair and makeup were perfect. As I walked out of the bathroom, I heard the knocking on the door.

“Lydia! I need your help. Can I come in?” Ethel called from the other side of the door.

“Come on in, Ethel. It’s not locked. I’m just finishing up.”

Ethel walked in holding a thin red sash in her hand, dressed in a pirate wench costume, smirking at me.

“Oh Lydia, you look gorgeous.”

“Thank you, Ethel. I just ordered this outfit online and added a few touches. Ethel, your outfit is amazing.”

“Oh, this old thing?” She giggled. “Harry had it made for me ten years ago when Eastport Pirate festival first began. I need you to tie up the corset for me, my fellow wench,” she said in a pirate’s drawl. “Lace me up so we can get into town and enjoy our day,” she insisted as she turned, leaving me with the task of lacing her corset.

It was a gorgeous September day, the sky was clear, and the temperature was a mild sixty degrees, a nice Indian summer. Ethel complained during the drive to the festival that it was too hot. This was perfect weather in my book, but Maine residents were used to the cool days and colder winters. Today was the Pirate Festival and soon the community would be preparing for the winter months.

I parked my car in the Rose Garden parking lot; we got out and walked the rest of the way. The festival ran from town center all the way down to the docks and as I glanced around, I found myself laughing. Waves of pirates and wenches flooded the streets as far as the eyes could see.

Glancing over at Ethel, “This is amazing. I am glad you talked me into dressing up. I would have felt like an outcast in just jeans.”

“You are local now. You have to dress the part. The only ones in jeans are the visitors who don’t know any better. Scurvy lot they are!”

I laughed at her enthusiasm. I had never seen Ethel so vibrant.

As we made our way though the crowd, I picked up a program with the events listed on it. Any “Pirate” thing you could think of was provided and everything in town had a pirate theme; even the houses and businesses were decorated in spirit.

The fishing boats on the pier were dressed as reenactment pirate boats and held pirate flags from their masts.

These guys really took their pirate stuff seriously
, I thought to myself.

The town of Eastport and nearby ‘rival’, Lubec were having pirate battles, and the losers walked the plank.
This was going to be good
.

I walked with Ethel through the droves of vendor tables and bought myself a beautiful handmade shell bracelet. Ethel had quite the haul, but I don’t even know where she would put her money in that wench outfit. I didn’t see any pockets.

Ethel chatted it up with everyone as we walked through the festival.

She looked at me and grinned. “Arrgh my fellow wench we will be protected by our Eastport pirates. So glad I came to enjoy the festivities.”

Most of the town was laughing and yelling ‘Argh me mateys’ in the streets while the children ran around with eye patches, swords, and bandanas on their heads mimicking the duelers on the docks.

We took advantage of the farmer’s market tables and loaded up with autumn apples and late summer berries.

Evening began to set and the winner would be announced. Soon we would see who made Best Pirate, Wench, Mate, Mermaid, and the Best Decorated Business and Home. As the evening continued to draw closer, I noticed Ethel seemed exhausted.

“Ethel, are you about done?” I nudged.

She looked at me with tired eyes. “I wanted to stay until they announced the winners but I think I have had just enough fun for one day.” She stared back at the Lubec pirate being held at sword point on the docks and the crowd cheered. “Finish him!” she yelled and like an ending to a battle of Mortal Combat, the Eastport pirate dramatically tapped his sword under the Lubec man’s chin, bringing him to his feet. He poked him in the buttocks and urged him to the end of the pier to walk the plank.

“Let’s just watch him go for a swim! Scurvy weasel!” A spark returned to her eyes as she watched the loser walk to the edge of the pier and get cast off the pier with the Eastport pirate’s boot to the back.

The crowd cheered the pirate claimed a nearby wench in a heated kiss. I watched in awe of the public display of affection and lust. Hopefully, they actually knew one another.

“Oh close your mouth, dear. That’s his wife, Nicole. It’s no surprise to anyone around here. Oh, and their kids are all born in late June or July. The really love the Pirate festival.”

“How many kids do they have?” I asked as I watched in awe of the happening on the docks as the rest of the Eastport pirates joined Rob and Nicole in equally lustful embraces and reveled in their victory as they pulled their wenches of choice upon their laps.

“I believe their son makes four. He will be 4 months old on Halloween. Rob broke his leg last year, but he just went as a peg leg pirate last year. He didn’t let it slow him down a bit. Robbie, Jr. is right over there with the barmaid, aka Memaw.” I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the carnal show unfolding on the docks. It was like a train wreck, I felt bad watching, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away. My mind drifted to Ryan. I wondered what he was doing today.