Tom Simpson - Sink

Billy, staring at the back of his mother’s ash blonde head whined for the second time in fifteen minutes. “Mom, when are we going to get there? We’ve been driving for days.”

Lisa Forham, slightly irritated, but realizing the impatience of a nine year old, settled herself more comfortably in the leather bucket seat and without glancing back answered in an even tone. “I hope you understand young man we’ve only been on the road for seven hours. I know it must seem like days to you; but that’s only because you’re bored. We’ll be there in less than two hours. Just think of all the fun you’re going to have with your friend Jack. You haven’t seen him since last Christmas and I’m sure he has lots of neat things to tell you.”

“Yeah, pipe down pipsqueak. You’re interrupting my daydreams of all those good-looking boys I’m going to see at the lake, especially that hunk Brandon Miles. He’s totally awesome isn’t he mom? Beverly Forham at sixteen was already showing the mature beauty she would radiate in her later years. Dark haired like her father, the classic lines of her satin smooth face and long shapely legs were inherited from her beautiful mother.

“Yes, I guess he is dear. At least all the girls in America think so. I just hope he’s as nice as he acts in the movies. It would be a shame if he really is a spoiled actor like a lot of them. That, success generally goes to their head.”

“Don’t worry mom. He’s a dreamboat in real life according to all the magazine articles I’ve read. He’s supposed to be really polite and very humble around his fans. That’s the guy for me.”

“Aw Beverly, he’d throw rocks at you. He’d tell you to get lost. Wouldn’t he mom?”

“Okay you kids. Be nice to each other. I want you to be on your best behavior when we see your father. You haven’t seen him in two weeks and I want him to remember wonderful children he has.”

“Mom, I am not a children. I’m a teenager. Besides, I’m adorable.” Beverly fluttered her eyelashes and pursed her lips in a mimicking gesture.

“You’re a goon Bev,” Billy chanted. “You’re the bride of Frankenstein.”

“That’s enough guys.” Their mother warned. “Enjoy the scenery and we’ll be there before you know it.

Lisa Forham was looking forward to seeing her husband, Bill, again. They had been separated many times over the course of their marriage and each mini-reunion was better than the one before. Their love for each other was very deep, based not only on deep compassion for each other, but also a deep commitment to please the other. It didn’t take that much work, both being very sensitive to the other’s needs and desires. Their happiness was reflected not only in their children but in their friends as well. Kevin and Sue Backlin, their closest friends, had a similar commitment to each other. The two couples with two children each strived over the years to spend every major holiday and vacation together. There was never the arguments and yelling matches that many families seem to have as a core to their relationships. Even though the parents sometimes had slight disagreements with their individual spouses, these minor arguments never surfaced in public and especially in front of their offspring. The families got along so well that, they all looked forward to the many rendezvous they had over the years. The men had such a deep respect for each other not only in business but, in their personal lives that, even if one had a little too much to drink at their many family affairs and holiday parties, the last thing on either one of their minds was to make a pass at the other ones wife. It was an almost perfect relationship, achieved by the steadfast commitment to one another.

Lisa and the children had left their house, fifty miles north of Atlanta, Georgia at a little after one in the morning. They planned to be at the resort a day early to enjoy some of the many activities that Bill had told them about before the grand opening on Saturday. Bill, accompanied by Kevin Backlin would be arriving from Chicago after a two weeklong seminar on worldwide environmental destruction. They would take an airport limo from Tampa International Airport over to the resort. Sue and her children would be driving in from southern South Carolina and would be arriving at approximately the same time. Their reunion, always pleasant, would be another delightful experience to add to their already filled photo albums and home video libraries, but as always, they expected this one to be more exciting than the one before.

Tyrone Washington looked up at the camera and watched as it rotated slowly back and forth. He looked at the molding at the edge of the ceiling where the wires disappeared from view and made a checkmark on the sheet of paper on his clipboard. Tyrone gave a thumbs up sign into the camera lens and started walking toward the check-in desk. Tyrone loved his new job, he didn’t really have to do much of anything and they paid him quite handsomely. Some life! His wife Lucy also was really proud. Trying a lot of jobs in the past, nothing really suited the man inside of Tyrone. This job was entirely different. It was aces.

Tyrone approached the front desk, nodded to the blonde haired desk clerk, and stared up at the ceiling mounted camera. After watching it revolve back and forth twice he looked at the wiring where it ran behind the desk and made another check on his paper. With a thumbs up sign again to the camera he walked across the lobby to the two main doors.

Tyrone’s stint in the army had taught him discipline and how important a good appearance was. With spit polished leather shoes, freshly ironed khaki shirt and trousers, Tyrone cut a fine figure as a security guard. Looking good, was probably what landed him this job. Tyrone had dressed to kill on the interview, making sure his nails were clean and nicely manicured. A friendly smile also helped. Nobody wants to hire a somber puss, even though the manager Dilford Bailey was. Yes, being proud and doing an excellent job for the corporation, was what mattered.

Checking the three remaining cameras Tyrone headed out to the pool to see how the twin brothers that the company had recently hired were doing. Mark and Mike Summers were identical twins, six foot tall, dark, and ruggedly handsome. Mark, older by seven minutes, seemed to obtain a grasp on situations slightly faster than his younger brother Mike but, both were obviously quick learners and were not afraid to tackle any job, large or small. Both of the twins were leaning over the main pool pump, looking at the motor with a perplexed look on their faces. “Hey, what’s happening guys? You break the pump or what?”

“Hey Tyrone.” Mike answered. “No, we’re just checking everything over to make sure everything’s okay for the big grand opening tomorrow. What’ve you been up to?”

“Not much. I just finished checking all the security cameras with Chief Morgan monitoring me on the monitor. No privacy huh?”

“You know he’s a big teddy bear Tyrone. I bet you could really screw up and he’d just nod his head and say that you’ll do better next time. Chief Morgan is a neat guy to work for.

“You’re absolutely right. He is the nicest boss I ever had. He is a real pleasure to work for. This whole resort is that way. Everyone seems really happy.”

“Yeah, except that old sourpuss Bailey. Nobody likes him. I’m glad he’s only in charge of the inside of the resort and that the corporation runs the rest. I don’t think I could work for him.”

“Me neither.” Replied Tyrone in a whispery voice. “Me neither.”

Tyrone Washington waved goodbye to the two boys and headed toward the manmade mountain. He was almost at the front of the mountain and he looked up at the majestic waterfall. Man that’s beautiful he thought. This place is paradise. Nothing could ever disturb it.