Silence and Light

25 March

To say we were a might miffed with the guys would be an understatement, though I think I was taking it a bit easier than Hilly. Sure Colin had been a total ass.... all day, but it wasn't gross misconduct. It was just a major lapse in judgment. As we got to the parking lot we hit our Kancil first so I got to drive back to the bungalows. From the looks of Hilly this was the best course of action to have taken. Maybe the guys would get soused and have to sleep in Jack's rented jeep all night. I now was aware of the causation for the breech between my two friends, yet I knew there was more to it than she had allowed at the miles high bridge this afternoon. Or was it yesterday afternoon? Had it changed over to the next day yet? Somehow, right now, she was going to explain the rest of it while I was in a mood to hear it. I was, after all, mildly annoyed at Jack now too. Hell, I was annoyed at all three of them when you came right down to it. Although I assumed I'd get over Colin's missteps fairly quickly. He had, after all, been wonderful so far. He had set this all up and we were spending a glorious week together. So I'd complained because he had taken me somewhere that he wanted to go that scared the shit out of me, so what? And this? It wasn't worth holding the grudge. I was actually looking forward to making up later. What Hilly was prepared to do to Jack, well, that I could only speculate on.

So as I drove she sat there in angered silence, crossed arms and looking straight ahead. Not one damn syllable came out of those pursed lips until I rambled down to the beach, near my bungalow, and slammed on the emergency break.

"You coming with me or are you going to stay glued to that seat the rest of the night?"

"Go with you? Where?"

"I need a walk. I need a think. I need to get composed. I'm going down near the waves. You going to go with or sit and stew in this stupid car and fume?"

She didn't budge except to readjust her angered position in the seat. I had to assume she wasn't going to bite and come with me. I was not going to play her game, I had to make her play mine. If not then I might have to wait another six months to get the info from her. Whether she followed me or not I still needed to take a walk to get myself unwound in case Colin actually made his way back during the night. I wasn't waiting on her. I left the keys in the ignition, got out and headed towards the water. I knew, without thinking, this was going to help. I mean, how could it not and how could this have happened tonight? It was perfect. The moon was full and reflecting off the water. It was gorgeous. It was romantic and because it was so it was a bit disheartening to know Colin and I had had a minor disagreement and now he was likely throwing back a few in self pity while I was here not really being angry; when we should be here together.

"What's wrong with those two?"

"Christ Hill, scare the crap out of me."

"Can you explain it?"

"Maybe it's the full moon. Some weird moon, tides, male hormonal thing."

I took a few steps so that the water covered my ankles, crossed my arms and turned back to her.

"Water's warm."

"You're avoiding the question at hand."

"No, I'm not really Hill. I'm not really having a problem with it."

"Oh, so you left.....why?"

"I got over it."

"In fifteen minutes?"

"Yeah. Not worth hanging on to, is it?"

"Isn't it?"

"No. Not to me. Not anymore. I don't have the time to waste. Life's short."

"What are you implying?"

"Implying? Me? Nothing."

"My ass. You stand there all puffed up, yet you're saying you've no issue with Colin."
"Right, I don't.... I..."

What I didn't know was what to say and I was getting frustrated with myself. I walked a little further out to where the waves were now breaking just below my knees and not far from the hem of my dress. It wasn't far enough so I kept going until I was near waist deep and could feel her eyes following me; knowing she was at a loss.

"What the hell...," was the last thing I heard before I took a dive under the waves and let out a water silencing scream, popped up, wiped my eyes and found her still standing on the sand.

"Hilly! Let it go. Let the angry out. It's not worth it!"

Dripping wet and in a newly drenched dress I sloshed my way, slowly, back towards land and her.

"That was brilliant. So what the hell are you banging on about?"

"What do you mean, what do I mean? You know damn well what I mean!"

"Do I?"

"Yes."

Her face went into thinking facade, then she posed an honest question.

"Di, I really don't. Would you please explain your outburst?"

Great, so I hadn't exactly come right out and said it but I thought she would get my drift. I was convinced she would or had. Now what was I going to do, lay it all out there?

"Hilly, come on. You and Jack have been at each others throats for months and months. It has bothered the hell out of me and you wouldn't share it. Today, or.... anyway, you finally tell me and now I know why you two have been angry at each other. All this time. Don't you think it's time to let go of it and..."

"Di, we have."

"You have?"

"Yes."

"Oh, well, okay. Forget I said anything then."

I walked out of the water and found a seat in the sand. Without my having to say or do anything she came over and plopped down beside me.

"They were being asses Di."

"Yeah, I know."

"What the hell were they thinking?"

"Were they thinking?'

"No, I imagine not."

"So how long do we make them stew?"

"They're probably not. Do you think? I mean have they even considered it yet?"

"No idea."

"Want to take a walk?"

"Sure."

I guessed we had been away from the guys about thirty odd minutes and walked not too far when we heard obnoxious sounds and couldn't help jogging back to where we had begun to try and determine the source. It was obvious to both of us that lights were now on in both bungalows. Faint, but visible in the dark that now had us past midnight.

"They're back?"

"Ya think?"

"But what the hell is that? It sounds like someone rummaging through trunks or something."

"Or stumbling over furniture."

"Yeah, probably."

The shoreline wasn't very far from my bungalow and we hadn't taken five steps before we heard the music start.

"Oh Christ Hilly..... I hope he doesn't try..."

But he did start before I finished my sentence and Hilly busted out laughing.

"Shut up."

"Oh, it's cute, isn't it?"

"No."

"Oh come on Di, you have to admit."

"I'll admit to nothing other than the fact I'm glad we're isolated and he's inside."

"Let's go get closer. I have to hear this."

"No you don't. Why don't you go see if Jack is in one piece?"

She knew I was just fooling around but, she also knew I wanted her gone as she headed towards the Kancil while I made my way towards the patio steps. I turned around to see her roll her eyes at me, shake her head and laugh as she closed the door and left me to deal with...... I don't know what.