“Hey, Lucky. How’s it’s going?”
“Caroline, hi,” he replies as we stop beside her. “Ladies.” He greets all the other women in the group. “Where is everyone?”
“The guys are all over there, battling it out for supremacy,” the woman replies, pointing to a group of men playing volleyball a short distance away. “I’m Caroline,” she says, smiling up at me.
“Hi, I’m Agatha,” I can feel myself blushing, knowing all eyes are now on me.
“This is Summer, Cheyenne, Fiona, and Jessyka.” Each woman smiles and says hi as Caroline introduces them. “Those two, standing watching the men, are Alabama and Indigo. You’ll get to meet them in a bit.”
“Oh, I’ve already met Indigo, and I look forward to meeting Alabama.”
With a smile, s pats a spot of sand beside her. “Pop your towel down here and get comfy. You can hang with us while Lucky plays.”
Snorting out a laugh, Jessen kisses me on my forehead, then drops the bags down on the ground. “I guess I’m off to play some volleyball while you girls get acquainted. Have fun.” Another quick kiss, on the lips this time, and he’s gone.
With little choice, I spread my towel out and take a seat next to Caroline, feeling socially awkward with no idea what to say. I shouldn’t have worried, though, because these ladies sure did. Conversation flowed with the effortlessness of old friends, only they included me, making me feel as if I’d always been a part of their circle. The warmth and inclusion is so unexpected, but I’m grateful for their easy acceptance of me.
Before long, Indigo and the other lady, Alabama, return.
“Tigs –” Being an expert interrogator, Caroline’s already found out my nickname. “This is Alabama, she’s married to Abe.” I’m sure my confusion must have shown on my face because she continues, “Don’t worry, you’ll eventually put all the names and faces together.”
“Hi.” Alabama gives me a smile as she flops down onto a towel beside Cheyenne. “Caroline’s right. It takes a bit of getting used to, but you’ll be fine.”
Taking a seat beside me, Indigo offers me a smile too. “Hi Agatha, it’s great to see you again. I’m so glad you could make it. I’ve been wanting to reach out and set up a coffee date or something, but it’s been a bit crazy at work lately.”
“Oh, we should totally set up a girls’ night,” Summer says.
“Definitely,” Indigo replies. As an aside to me, she says, “They’re great fun, but lordy, they get quite raucous. So best be warned.”
The women all laugh at her words. “Our men always come get us after, and then the real funs starts.” Caroline winks.
Being an only child and never having a big circle of friends, I’m surprised at how quickly and easily I’ve been accepted by these ladies who are essentially strangers to me. My introvert shudders at the thought of a girls’ night out, but the extroverted sliver of me is excited to be welcomed into their world.
A lady comes up to the group and speaks briefly to Caroline and the other ladies. Indigo takes the opportunity to talk to me quietly while they’re busy.
“You know, Lucky talks about you all the time, and I can see how much he loves you. We’re part of their lives now, and it can get really lonely with them away a lot of the time, at a moment’s notice, never knowing where they are or if they’re coming come. I’d love it if we could be friends. Support each other, you know? Like they do.” Indigo tilts her head in toward the other ladies.
“I’d really like that too. We should do that coffee date. How do your shifts look next week?”
We’re in the process of finalizing our plans when the guys return. Conversation switches gears to include the men and as we sit around eating and laughing, everyone sharing stories of how they met, missions, and just life in general.
Snug in the V of Jessen’s legs, I’m leaning back against his chest, his left arm securely wrapped around my waist as he uses the right to support our combined weight. I listen to Wolf telling a story about one of the infamous ladies’ nights.
Mid-laugh, it turns to a yawn. He drops a kiss on my neck, right beside my ear, then whispers, “Ready to call it a day?”
As much fun as it’s been, Iamready to go home. “Yeah, being out in the sun and fresh air all day has tired me out.”
“Come on then, let’s get going.” Resting his chin on my shoulder, he speaks louder to be heard. “Guys, Tigs and I are gonna call it a day.”
I see the one they call Bear look at his watch. “It’s four thirty already. I need to get moving too.”
The guy next to him, I think he’s the one they call Scooter, nudges him in the ribs. “Got a hot date, big guy?”
“Wouldn’t you love to know?” Bear replies with a chuckle.
“Yeah, that’s why I asked, dufus,” Scooter jokes in reply.
The two of them argue playfully back and forth as Jessen gets to his feet and then helps me to mine.
