EIGHTEEN

“So, I have been thinking about your question and I think I have an answer.”

“You think?” The gentle breeze of the calm evening rushed through them as they took a walk, feet deep in the soft sands.

Angling her head in his direction, a little squeeze on her lips, she said, “Well, considering how motivational you always sound, my response might not be the one you expect.”

He chuckled. “Why are you making me sound like a college professor that takes joy in failing students?” She gave a sheepish shrug causing Dave to let out another hearty laugh. “Just give me a reply the way you can.”

“Oh.” Her hands went on to clasp behind her as she sorted out her response in her head. “Well, first, the memories of my father make me happy. I had a lot of good times with that man.” She heaved a huge sigh. “My job is also on the list. The fact that I am not working for someone just makes it so much fun. I can work under my own space, do things my way without anyone questioning me, you know.”

“I can relate in a way.” They changed the course of their walk and soon, the waves shifting to the shore wrapped around their legs as though inviting them to come play.

Her joined hands playing with each other, Ashley suddenly realized she had given all her reasons and she couldn’t help but question herself. Was that really all that made her happy?
She surely must have thought of more things the previous night. Or was that just a trick of the mind?
Sighing dejectedly at the fact that she had been a sad mind for a very long time, she finally said, her voice like the gentle breeze, “That’s all.”

Dave stopped in his tracks, Ashley followed suit. “Your answer is quite disturbing Ashley.”

Her shoulders adjusted as she continued to struggle with her mind. “Trust me, I am quite disturbed myself.”

“Hmm.”

The both of them stood still, both in their own thoughts, the breeze still dancing around them. Immediately another reason came to her mind, causing a lift in Ashley’s expression. “You also make me happy.” She gave a little frown as she pondered further. “And that is weird because you have not even been in my life for a month.”

His lips twitched with a smile. “Of course I make you happy.” Unbelieving his cockiness, Ashley nudged him causing him to slightly shift in his stance. With a low laughter, Dave apologized and finally said, “I am glad to hear that. I have another question though.”

“Bring it.”

“Do *you* make you happy?”

“Uh? Your question makes no sense.”

His foot kicked the water as he replied. “Trust me. It makes a lot of sense and it is a very literal question.”

“Do *I* make me happy?” Ashley quietly asked herself as she turned to face the huge water body ahead.

“Okay, let me rephrase the question.” Dave walked to her side, his body almost touching hers. “Do you do things that make you happy?”

Her frown deepened. “I don’t know…”

“It can be anything. Perhaps you have a hobby that brings peace to your system. Or maybe you have regular hangouts with friends that take your mind off troubling times. It can even be positive confessions you make on a regular basis. It really can be anything.”

“Well, like I said, my job makes me happy.”

“Give me something else, Ashley.” His question was causing a war in her mind. Her whole brain was becoming a hot field as she struggled with confusion amongst other emotions.

After a couple of quiet minutes, it was no longer his question that was causing chaos. Ashley had begun to ask herself so many questions. She figured out to her dismay that instead of making herself happy, she had always been focusing on making those around her happy and that caused her to lose herself along the line. It severed the cord of confidence that bound her bit by bit, second by second.

Dave’s hands rested on her shoulder as her distress was beginning to show on her face. “Hey,” he whispered as he went on to envelope her back into his chest. “,don’t think so hard. I want you to sort out yourself, but you don’t have to rush to do that.”

“Okay.”

Releasing her after giving her a little kiss on her right shoulder blade, Dave pulled at her hand and said excitedly, “How about we go inside and make ourselves some amazing meal?”

Ashley was quick to shake off her distress. It was a matter that could be dealt with later on. Besides, she was having so much fun with Dave and she didn’t want any heavy emotion tampering with it. “Sure.”

As they walked off the shore, Ashley lifted her head and noticed that there were some more houses to the left of Dave’s own. “Are there other people around?”

“I am not sure. Those of us that have houses on this beach do not visit it that often.”

“That sucks.”

“Hello Dave.” The male voice that called caused them to change direction. With his blonde hair made into bangs that actually suited his face, the young looking man that stopped their walk gave a quick smile, his legs kicking the sand as he moved closer.

That was when Ashley saw a hint of familiarity. “Mark, what’s up? When did you arrive?”

“Oh, this morning. I was going to come over to greet you but I got caught up with some things.” His teeth flashed as his attention turned to Ashley. “Who is your friend here?”

“Her name is Ashley. Ashley, meet Mark, my friend and neighbour.”

She gave a slight nod as she kept trying to remember where she knew him from. “It is nice to meet you.”

“Same here. I don’t mean to be nosy but… is your full name Ashley Steve?”

“Yes?”

“Oh my God! Ash! It is me, Mark. Mark Song.”

Excitement rushed through her as it all made sense. “Song! It is really you.”

“It is really me.” His nasal interference with his speech was still existent.
As the both of them hugged, Ashley suddenly realized she had lost touch with most of her college friends and that was her fault. After her marriage to Kevin, she had cut everyone off.

“How have you been?” She asked excitedly as they dissolved the long hug.

Mark scratched the back of his hair like he used to whenever he was trying to answer a question. “I have been okay. I eventually went through with my decision to go back home and settle down.”

“That is lovely. It really is nice seeing you again.”

“Same here. Hm, are you going to be around for a while?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Ashley replied, her eyes flickering to Dave whose line of sight had fallen on the ocean ahead.

“Great. We can hang out some time then.”

“Sure.”

“Alright, I’ll see you around. See you later, Dave.”

“Sure man,” he replied.

Watching Mark walk away, Ashley could not help but have a little smile on her lips. Her college days were amazing because of her awesome and crazy friends. Maybe she made a huge mistake cutting them off, it was not as though anything good came out of it anyway. Coming out of her little train of thoughts, her stomach grumbling, she pulled at Dave’s shirt, “Come on, Dave. I am starving.”

As they resumed their walk, Dave asked, “Did you and Mark ever date?”

“No.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why do you ask?”

Dave shrugged.”It is just the way he was looking at you. I have seen that look take over his face whenever he sees a woman he likes.”

“It bothers you that he looked at me that way?” Ashley was amused.

“Well, not really. I just want you to be cautious around him.”

“You sound jealous,” Ashley teased.

His dark coloured eyes turned intense as he turned to face her. “Say that again and I will show you that I am not.”

Ashley knew that look. She was aware of what he meant and that just made her want to push the button even further. Moving a little forward to meet his eye level, Ashley formed a smirk on her lips as she said, “Dave Scott, I think you are jealous of Mark.”

And that statement was all it took. Dave immediately scooped her off the loose ground and approached the house with intent all over him to Ashley’s delight.