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“If you stay close to me and don’t go into the deep water, you won’t come across any sharks. Cross my heart. You have to trust me on that.”
“Okay,” he says. I’m not sure he believes me but he agrees to trust me.
He’s able to wear a small pair of swimming goggles and put his face under the water, but I don't think he can see very well without his glasses. After spending an hour swimming, and applying several extra layers of sunscreen, I remember another fun activity.
“See this?” I ask, holding up a round piece of green glass about the size of a marble.
“Yes.”
“It’s beach glass. Some people collect these like they’re precious gemstones. Or pirate treasure. You want to help me find some?”
“Okay,” he says, leaping to join the new game.
After ten minutes he’s a natural, taking on the beach glass collector's bug as intently as his fascination with collecting bugs. At least the glass isn’t crawling the walls of the collecting jar, which makes me squirm.
I get into the task of trawling the sand with him. The little gems, previously worthless pieces of broken beer or soda bottles can sell on eBay for thirty dollars.
“I found a purple one,” Caden squeals.
“Wow.”
He puts it into his pocket happily. “This is the best day ever,” he says and continues searching through the sand for more.
“Really?” I’m kinda shocked but say, “I’m glad.”
I smile sadly, wondering what happened to his loving, caring mother. My curiosity about her peaks for another reason but I squash that one firmly down like the sand under my clenching toes.
“So how ‘bout we see if we can find any sea turtles.”
“Sure,” he says. This kid is so amenable. “Hey!” When he lets out a yell, I whirl around in terror.
“What is it?”
“Look there’s dad,” he says pointing.
I turn my head, and sure enough, Ethan is walking towards us. He’s shirtless, and for the first time, I see his broad muscular chest and tight, rippled abs without any clothes in the way. Holy cow, that is a sight to tempt the goddesses.
Ethan starts jogging like some Baywatch lifeguard and my inner thighs tighten without my permission, as my tummy lifts off for the sky.
“I flew into Honolulu early this morning,” Ethan explains as he drops to hug his son. “I thought I’d surprise you – both – after Marta told me where’d you come.” Are those eyes twinkling at me when he says ‘both’?
“Was your mission a success, Major Dad?” I say, with a trace of snark in my voice. Watching the deep love between them, barely softens my concern that Caden is being neglected.
The little boy struggles free and runs at a glint of glass. Ethan stands and faces me. I shiver, even though I’m in the sun.
“It’s nice to see you. Thanks for helping with him.” As if sensing my thoughts, he adds, “Is everything okay?”
I’m not sure how to answer that, so I say, “Yes, we’ve had a lovely time together.”
“You’ve really given him a wonderful day, I can see that,” he says.
“It’s my pleasure.”
“Dad, I found this,” Caden says holding up a piece of turqouise sea glass.
“Wow.” Ethan palms the treasure and Caden runs off for more.
“It’s like your eyes,” I say to Ethan. “Almost matches them completely.”
