The Life of Sally Jackson

Chapter Six

Sally was in luck. She got her month of sweet vacation days. She planned to spend the rest of her summer with Triton at Montauk. At the moment, she couldn't think of anything better. For the first week of her month, she would wake up in the morning in her cabin and he'd always be waiting for her on the beach. They talked for hours about her past and his family and all things in between. He was quite the flirt, and Sally found it adorable.

That Saturday night, Triton suggested a movie night. Of course Sally said yes, the two had been inseparable since the beginning of the summer. They made popcorn, opened a bottle of wine, and settled on the couch. Equipped with many blankets and pillows, the two snuggled together and turned on a movie.  

Sally knew Triton wasn't watching the movie. She could feel his eyes on her face most of the movie, and his eyes a little lower than that for some other parts. She could hardly contain her blush and focus on the movie. Eventually she grabbed the remote and turned it off.

"Do you have something to say to me?" she asked him. His eyes widened slightly and he shook his head no. He took her face in his hands and kissed her. They'd kissed before, but it still startled Sally when Triton kissed her. His lips tasted like sea salt and she always craved more of him when he pulled away.

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, trying desperately to break free. Triton pulled away with a sort of wonder in his eyes. "You are a queen among women, Sally Jackson," he whispered. Sally was getting frustrating so she initiated the next kiss herself. She leaned in and kissed him with a passion, pushing him back into the couch. Before she knew it her shirt was over her shoulders and she was straddling him. Triton gave her a smirk that he knew drove her crazy. Things got a little heated after that.

 ...

Life on Montauk was the first good break Sally had had in a long time. She was really enjoying her time on the beach away from work and the city and her apartment. Everything that brought her down. Because Triton brought her up. She felt good with him like she never had before. With him, she was allowed to fly. 

It was nearing the end of her summer when Triton started to get anxious. She never asked him about it, she just knew. There was something off with him. And there was something off about her as well. She wasn't sure if she'd eaten something wrong or what, but she was always getting sick. She felt pretty good most of the time, but certain things made her nauseous.

One night as they lay silently in bed, just staring at each other, Triton finally said something. "I have to leave," he said. "What?" Sally asked. Panic filled her. She was hoping that maybe they could have something together. She admitted to herself that she had indeed fallen for Triton and she was terrified to let him go.

"Sally-I need to return home. I knew from the beginning that I couldn't stay for long. I'm sorry, but I have to leave."

Sally sat up, letting the covers fall. "No you don't," she whispered. He just looked away from her. "At least tell me why," she begged, her throat tightening. Triton looked like he really wanted to tell her, but he just couldn't. 

"Tell me," She demanded, "please."

Triton's resolve dissipated. "My-my name isn't Triton," he started, not looking at her. She felt betrayed. All this time together and he hadn't even shared his real name? "My name is Poseidon and I'm the god of the seas."