The Dance

Chapter 108 Broken Things

Sometimes broken things are really beautiful. A tattered teddy bear, a worn piece of wood, a bent piece of silver. Simple objects, well used and well loved but often discarded for the newer shinier things. Both Matt and Jill were broken things trying to rebuild their lives and reclaim who they were. Whether they realized it or not, the universe in some quirky twist of fate had decided to throw them together for a reason. They were mirror reflections of each other, beautiful people on the outside with tortured souls on the inside constantly fighting themselves and trying to find a way forward.

Jill had taken her first steps in rebuilding who she was. She had thrown herself into opening an art consignment store that gave her the ability to showcase local artists while allowing herself to pursue her own love of art. Matt, too, had started down a pathway by taking over some of the responsibilities in Browntown. His small sawmill would not only benefit the family but now he had a way to generate income for himself which he hoped he could plow back into his venture maybe one day becoming a full fledged business of his own.

**********************
"How about a picnic today?" Matt would be headed home the next day so he wanted to do something fun and his enthusiasm was contagious. Pointing at her, "You pack the lunch, and I'll meet you at the dock. I know a great little cove we can explore."

Jill was always up for a new adventure and it would be fun to spend a few hours with Matt. His free spirited and fun-loving manner was a welcome respite. Lately, her mind wandered back to her past life and she found her self suffering from flashbacks of that horrible night. Time with Matt would be an easy distraction.

"What do you want for lunch?" Jill yelled after him as he headed down the stairs to prep the skiff.

He stopped and turned to look at her. "You." He laughed loudly as he headed away from her place.

"I mean food." Jill called after him.

Matt turned one last time and hollered back at her. "You are food for my soul!"

Jill scurried up the stairs and searched the kitchen for picnic foods. First she grabbed a basket off the top of the refrigerator and placed a loaf of crusty bread in it along with some cheese and cold cuts. She had some fresh apples and chocolate chip cookies which she wrapped in napkins. She finished off the basket with several bottles of sparkling water and grabbed a quilt from the foot of her bed.

Her walk to the dock was quick and light-hearted. Seeing Matt conversing with himself out loud was a funny little site to behold as she got closer to him.

"Aha! You've brought sustenance!" He reached for the basket and then carefully helped her down into the skiff. Matt liked touching her. She was soft and warm and always smelled like white tea and ginger. He couldn't help but take a whiff of her as he settled  her in the front of the skiff making sure everything was properly balanced before they pulled out.

It was a short ride to his secret cove. It was small and isolated and free from the distractions of every day life. It was a perfect place to be lazy, relax and have a conversation.

As they pulled into the cove and anchored, Matt picked up Jill and carried her to the edge of the beach keeping her boots dry. He slugged back through the water grabbing the basket and quilt. She helped him spread out the quilt in a grassy area just above the sandy part of the beach.

"So what do you call this little place?" Jill surveyed the surroundings of lush woods, green grass and the pretty little beach.

"Ours." He smiled at her with a sparkle in his eyes. "I found it one day on my way back home. I like coming here to shut off my mind. It's peaceful, well with the exception of an occasional bear." Matt patted his rifle. "Don't worry. I'm an excellent shot."

"What'cha you got in the basket?" Matt always had a healthy appetite especially when it came to something other than what was available in Browntown. Jill revealed her hasty spur of the moment picnic. He was most excited over the chocolate chip cookies and began eating those first.

"You'll ruin your appetite," she said as she finished unpacking the remainder of their lunch.

"You know apples were the downfall of man." He beamed holding up an apple for closer inspection. Matt was a well of useless knowledge but that made him even more charming to Jill. She reached over, grabbed the apple from his hand, took a slow bite and handed it back to him all the while holding his gaze.

"Not fair." He threw his hat to the side and reached to kiss her.

"All is fair in love and war, Matthew." She kissed him back.

They finished eating lunch and spent the rest of their time talking and laughing. They discovered they had much in common.

"Do you get lonely out here?" Jill stroked the curls in Matt's hair as he laid in her lap.

"Sometimes I do. Even with such a large family like mine, I get lonely."

"Seems like you always had a lot of women in your life?" Jill treaded lightly in to this subject.

"Women, yes, but still the loneliest guy in Browntown."

"What was missing?" She asked inquisitively.

"They weren't the kind of women that you plan a future with." He was embarrassed that he said that out loud, especially to her, but if rehab taught him anything it was how to be honest with yourself.

Jill appreciated his forthright comment as it was definitely a sign of maturity.

"I miss knowing there's someone waiting for me at home...you know kind of like what Bam and Lila have,  except without the kids."

"You don't like kids?" She asked almost heartbroken.

"I love kids. I just don't want them right away."

Matt reached up and pulled Jill on her back next to him. He sidled up to her slipping his hand under her shirt and feathering her bare skin. His touch was electric and she tried hard to control her breathing. He nibbled on her neck sending a rush of warmth to other parts of her body. He sensed her response and stopped as today he only wanted to read her mind.

"What about you? Do you get lonely?" He asked.

Jill hesitated and looked away. "Yes. I've been lonely for a really long time."

Matt realized he touched on a sensitive subject. Her smiled had faded and she had become quiet. "What's the cause of your loneliness?"

Jill pulled away from him and stood up. "I'm not ready to talk about that part of my life." He watched her walk to the water's edge and pick up a stone to cast it in the stillness. He was sorry he asked that question. He knew she had something buried inside her but he would wait until she was ready to share. But today,  maybe, just maybe, they could be lonely together.