One Last Time

4

Hen

Hen was greeted by the steaming water in the hot tub. She slowly emerged into bubbles and jets in the small hot tub. She felt her whole body become weightless and the relaxing part of the vacation seemed to settle in.

    The pool was indoors, dimly lit and had a strange green glow. The water looked majestic in the small room. There was no sign of a lifeguard or any staff for that matter. The doors were left unlocked and the hot tub was irresistible.

    Athena joined her, looking model-like in her bikini. Hen always envied the typical girl shape growing up, now it just seemed all silly to her. At the end of the day if people couldn't accept who you are, then that sucked for them. Hen always rose above that.

    "I swear they don't grow up sometimes," Athena said, indicating the boys playing in the pool. Chimney swiftly dove off the ledge while Buck cannonballed from the side. Eddie and Bobby were passing a small volleyball to one another. Maddie climbed in, using the ladder.

    Hen snorted loudly, watching her captain act like a father figure to the rest of them. Her face changed to a somber expression as she peered at Eddie. "I'm worried about him."

    "Which one?" Athena asked, slowly scanning over the crew. "Buck?"

    "No, Eddie. Did you hear what happened with his kid?"

    "Bobby told me. Apparently, some woman who looked like Shannon was involved."

    Hen sighed, "I just know what it's like to have a kid taken away from you, with Mara and all."

    Athena nodded understandingly, "You could always talk to him."

    "I feel like I would be crossing a boundary. Plus, isn't that Buck's job?"

    Athena paused and adjusted her position. "I think those two are more than just friends. Sometimes it's hard to tell the person who you want to impress what's really beneath."

    Hen sat up straighter, tilting her head to one side. She watched Bobby try to dunk Chimney underwater. Buck tossed the volleyball to Maddie who attempted to pass it back. "Wait, you think Buck and Eddie are–"

    Athena laughed playfully, "After years of flirting, I would hope so."

    Hen shook her head, "No, Buck is with Tommy."

    "Not anymore."

    Bobby began chasing after Buck in an attempt to dunk him underwater. Dramatically, he splashed through the pool, soaking Maddie. Their laughter and hollering echoed throughout the room.

    "Eddie isn't bi though, at least, I don't think." Hen paused her thought. "It would be weird for them to work together, I mean, god, I wouldn't let Karen run into a burning building with me."

    Athena dipped her face into the hot water. She took a long breath and a deep exhale. "Honestly, I feel like Bobby would handle the dynamics perfectly," Athena spoke with confidence. "He'll just be the supportive father he is to the whole crew."

    Hen laughed, yet it was true. Bobby offered an abundance of wisdom and guidance to the crew, especially to Buck who was practically raised by Maddie. She watched as Bobby successfully wrapped his arms around Buck, dunking him underwater. Chimney gathered with them trying to help Buck back up.

    Her attention was still brought to Eddie who'd barely spoken on the drive. At random, a smile would wash over his face, leading Hen to believe that something else was consuming his mind. Or she was overthinking all of this and Athena wasn't doing her any good, gossiping.