Chapter 5
"Well, Tash Zac shouted from the landing of the second floor where he had finally finished the frame holding the railing. Ready for a speed test?
She nodded and he released the handle and down the rope to her.
The idea came to him while in the grocery store. Would not be able to upload the groceries up the stairs to his apartment on the second floor. And Tasha, but trying to help when they escaped from there, could not climb the two flights of steep stairs, loaded with all the food they needed. It could take maybe one or two bags light but nothing more.
He was an expert in unconventional warfare tactics. Could invent alternative solutions for almost any situation, including that. Naturally, this was not the war, which made it all much easier. Whatever it was what happened to him was not going to have to carry it out under fire.
not cost him much time to find a solution. Tasha and he had gone through the neighborhood hardware store and purchasing what is necessary to make a homemade pulley. He could have easily uploaded things to the second floor using a rope, but with a crank and pulleys, Natasha also could.
plastic bags full of food were on the floor, just under the rope which was attached a hook Zac.
-Hook the string to one of the bags ordered his nephew, leaning over the railing. Put it by the handles. That's right. Nessa Hudgens
was watching him. Zac
had noticed their presence from the moment that Tash and he had dropped out of the taxi with all purchases. Nessa was back in his garden, doing God knows what, and I looked out the corner of my eye.
I had seen while he changed the frozen and perishable foods to a backpack he had bought and brought it inside.
I had observed while doing the same with what she had bought at the hardware store, and as I put everything on the second floor landing.
I had observed as she bent to sit awkwardly on the stairs with his toolbox and put to work.
had taken no eye but had tried at all times that he's not surprised at him.
However, he felt his eyes following him. And smell your presence.
God, whatever it was what had happened on the beach ... Zac shook his head full of disbelief. Whatever it was, I wanted more. More. Nessa I had seen and he had felt trapped in a whirlwind of amazing animal instinct. Had been unable to resist touching it, I kept thinking where would have landed that drop of sweat that was lost under his shirt. It did not take much imagination to see it slip slowly between her breasts, until the soft hollow of her navel.
After that, he had been eager to throw all out. Almost had wondered if there would be seriously underestimated the little notes with smiley faces.
But he saw the puzzled look on Vanessa. The attraction that had arisen between them had caught her off guard. Not wanted, or wished him. Certainly, not a single sexual encounter, for it was passionate, and even less for something longer term.
This was not a surprise.
- I can not! Zac cried Natasha with a worried face. Nessa
had stayed away since they had come home. He had not offered to help. But now she stood, unable to ignore the note of anguish in his voice of Tasha.
- I can help with that, Natasha? Directly asked the little girl. Not even bother to look at Zac.
He wiped the sweat from his face as he looked back to Nessa Tasha and hang the bag handles plastic hook. Should have about thirty degrees in the shade, but when Nessa finally looked up at him, seemed to blow a blast of cold air.
She tried to behave as if he had any interest in it. However, he had spent the previous hour and a half watching. Why?
Maybe whatever it was that attracted to Zac keep looking at her, which caused him to hit his thumb with the hammer many times, making tense every muscle in your body when you thought it was what was that feeling of control ... maybe she also felt. Lust and desire was multiplied per thousand and transformed into something much more powerful. Zac
wanted nothing to do with it. I did not want to complicate your life, did not want trouble, would not suffer. Yet at the same time, desperately wanted. He wanted more than he had ever desired a woman.
If it was scary, I would have panicked.
"Better," he warned us to depart when Zac Nessa Tasha began to turn the crank. The stock rose
easily, swollen and tense with the weight. But then, as if in slow motion, the bottom gave way and the contents hit the floor. Zac
cursed when a six pack of beer bottles shattered and their contents mixed with cranberry juice in a bowl of two liter, four crushed tomatoes and avocado never see the light of day. Fortunately, the Italian loaf was also in the stock market had rebounded and was saved from disaster. Nessa looked
this mess and then Zachary Efron. He, who had cut short his litany of insults, rose in silence, his mouth tight and his eyes full of despair far deeper than the situation demanded. Nessa
understood, however, that, looking at the curbside patio above the rail, Zachary Efron looked much more than that blight. I knew he was seeing his life as shattered as those bottles of beer. Still, he took a deep breath and forced herself to smile at Natasha, who watched with wide eyes.
"Come right," while the rope down again. We are about to get a stunning success, started down the stairs, leaning on his cane. What if we try to put two bags, one inside the other? Or a paper bag inside a plastic?
- What cloth bags? "Suggested Nessa.
-Stay away from broken glass, Tash-Zac said his niece. Yes, some bags fabric would be great, but I have none.
"Zachary" thought Nessa. When there was no longer to become Zachary Efron? When he looked at his niece and, despite his pain, he smiled, or had been before, in the parking lot of the beach, when he had been about to make it burn with a glance? Nessa
went upstairs and passed him. Was suddenly acutely aware that he had removed his shirt for almost an hour. Even from afar he had found it hard not to notice his smooth, tanned skin and hard muscles. Up close, it was impossible not to watch. He had only
a swimsuit loose, brightly colored, that he had fallen on the narrow hips. The muscles in his stomach looked like a washboard, and clammy skin glistened. The other tattoo on his bicep was a sea serpent, not a mermaid, as Nessa had thought at first.
"I have a bag," she said, and fled to the freshness of her apartment. He paused for breath, trembling. What was the man who made his heart beat twice as fast? Zachary Efron intrigued her: that I could not deny. And exuded sexuality and barely tamed wild I was getting constantly captivate. Yes, it was sexy. So what? It was gorgeous. Struggled to overcome a lot of serious problems, and that gave him a fascinating and tragic air. But those were the criteria we used to use it to decide whether or not to initiate a sexual relationship with a man.
The fact was that he would not sleep with him, he said firmly. Probably not, of course. He rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Probably not?
had to be a full moon that made her feel that way. Or, as his mother said, maybe the planets have aligned to form a strange combination that became increasingly reckless. Or maybe it was that, as she was approaching thirty, her body was changing and hormones released in quantities she could not safe to ignore.
Whatever the reason, mystical or scientific, it certainly did not lie with a stranger. What happened between them, would not occur until he had had the opportunity to learn more about the man. And he had the impression that when it came to know and was aware of his vast collection of physical and psychological problems, it would not be very difficult to stay away from him. He pulled out of the closet
their cloth bags and went out again. Zac was crouched on the sidewalk, trying to collect waste.
"Wait, Zachary. Do not pick the windows, "she said. I have work gloves and a shovel you can use to clean, did not dare to offer to do it instead. I knew he would refuse. I go for it. Here, take this.
threw the bags over the railing and grabbed him the little effort as she re-entered.
Zac looked at the message printed on the bags that had thrown Nessa and rolled her eyes. Of course, had to be something political. He shook his head, sat on the grass and began to put the food that was left intact in cloth bags.
- "Would not it be nice if education was fully funded and that the government had to organize a cake sale to buy a bomber? "he said, citing the message of the bags, when Nessa came back down the stairs.
She was wearing a plastic garbage bag, a pair of work gloves and something that looked suspiciously like a dog faeces collector. She gave him a sideways smile.
"Yes," he said. I knew you would.
"I would get happy in a long discussion about the ignorance of the average civilian about military spending, 'he said, but right now I do not want.
- What do you think if I do as not just call me ignorant and you do like I do not believe you're a stupid, militaristic? She replied too sweetness.
Zac had to laugh. His voice was deep and serious. I could hardly remember when was the last time I had laughed so. He was still smiling as he looked.
"I think it is fair," he said. And who knows ... you might mistake the two-Nessa smiled, but her smile was hesitant and suspicious. I have not thanked you for helping me this morning, "he added. I'm sorry I put ... Nessa
looked at him and waited for it to end the sentence. "Nasty? Nervous? "Angry? "Inopportune? Too sexy? He wondered what exactly was apologizing.
-Rude-ended he finally, and looked at Natasha.
The girl was lying on her back in the shade of a palm tree. I looked at the sky through his fingers extended and leaves singing a song improvised and probably unintelligible.
I do not know what to do, "agreed another lopsided grin. I do not know how to take care of a child y. .. He shrugged his shoulders. Even if I knew, psychologically I'm not at my best, you know?
"You're doing very well. "The look he gave her was full of good humor and disbelief.
"He had half an hour to my office and I almost lose it, changed his position, trying to get more comfortable, and made a little grimace as he felt pain in his leg. As we returned home, I said we had to establish a few rules, basic things, like let me know if I was going to leave the floor and play in the yard. I looked as if he were talking in French stopped and looked back at the girl. Sharon has not set any standard. He has let her go wherever and whenever you want. I'm not sure what I said has helped.
Joined leaning on his cane and wore a cloth bags filled to the hook and rope, avoiding the puddle of broken glass, wet cardboard and cranberry juice mixed with beer. "You
Give him time, "said Nessa Zacchary. Remember to live here without her mother must be so new and strange for her as for you.
He turned to look at her while holding the handles on the hook material.
- Do you know? "He said, people do not usually call me Zachary. I'm Zac. Years ago, I called and started up the stairs. Well, Sharon, my sister called me Zachary, but everyone else knows me by Zac, from my dive buddy for my CJ. - Looked at Nessa. It was still standing in the yard, watching without hiding. His work clothes in the garden was almost as dirty as yours, and several strands of her long dark hair had escaped from queue. How could he feel like an outcast soaked in sweat and she was so beautiful?
- Does your CJ? "She repeated.
Commander in Chief "he explained, and started cranking.
The stock market rose, and this time, reached the second floor. Nessa
clapped and Natasha went and did several flips in the grass to celebrate. Zac
stretched his arm over the railing, lifted the bag and left on the landing, at his side.
-Low
rope. I'll hook the left, "said Nessa.
The second came up with the same ease.
"Come on, Tash. Upload and help me keep all these things, "said Zac, and small ran up the stairs. He turned to look at Nessa. Then on to clean all that.
- You know, Zachary?, I have nothing better to do and I can ...
-Zac "interrupted he, not Zachary. And I'll clean it myself, not you.
- Do you mind if I call you Zach? I mean, after all, is your name ...
"Yes, I care. It is not my name. Zac is my name. I became Zac to join the SEALs, his voice became softer. Zachary is none. Zac
despaired when he heard a bloodcurdling scream.
rolled out of bed, fell to ground and groped for his gun before fully awake. But he had no gun hidden under his pillow, and bedside: the had kept all locked in the closet. It was not in the jungle on a dangerous mission, taking a nap before going into battle. He was in his room in San Felipe, California, and the noise he had gotten out of bed came from the powerful vocal of his niece five years, which supposedly was fast asleep on the couch in the living room. Zac
came stumbling into the wall and turned on the light. He picked up his stick, opened the door and walked down the hall toward the room area.
Natasha saw the light of his bedroom, dimly lit corridor. I was crying, sitting on the couch, between the rumpled sheets, his hair matted with sweat.
"Hey," Zac said, "what demo ...? What, Tash?
The girl did not answer. He kept crying. Zac sat next to her, but Natasha did not stop mourn.
- Do you want a hug or something? He asked and she shook her head and continued sobbing. Mmm, "said Zac, not knowing what to do or say. At that time, the doorbell rang. Want to go to open? She asked Natasha. She did not answer. So I guess I have to go to me, "he said, and drew back the bolt and opened the heavy wooden door.
Nessa was on the other side of the mosquito. He wore a white robe and her hair around her shoulders soil.
- Is everything OK?
"No, I'm not killing or torturing my niece," said Zac sharp tone, and closed the door. But then open it again and opened the screen door. Do not know where it happened to Tash switch on and off, right?
"This is very dark," Nessa said as she entered. Maybe you should run all the lights to see where he is. Zac
lit dome light ... and realized he was ahead of his niece and her neighbor wearing only underpants new, white, tight and skills he had bought during his second visit to the supermarket yesterday. Luckily had bought, or certainly would have been naked.
Whether by sudden clarity or to see him in his underwear, the case was left to mourn Natasha immediately. He was still sobbing and still had tears in her eyes, but her moan, like a siren, had ceased. Nessa
was stunned to see it, but decided to behave as if visiting a neighbor who was in his underwear was the most natural thing in the world. He sat on the sofa, next to Tasha, and gave him a hug. Zac apologized and returned to his room to put on shorts.
actually was not bad. Lucky O'Donlon, his diving partner and best friend in the SEALs unit, had bought at the Costa Azul a thong bathing that covered much less than those underpants. Although, of course, not dead he would have put that tiny piece.
He put on shorts and went into the living room.
"It must have been a horrible nightmare," she heard him Nessa said Tasha.
"I fell into a big black hole," said Tash with a voice, between hiccups and hiccups. And screaming, yelling and screaming and saw my mom up, but could not hear me. He looked like angry and left. And then the water began to rise and covered my head and I knew I was going to drown.
Zac began to curse under his breath. I was not sure how to alleviate the fear of abandonment Natasha, but would strive to make sure not to be afraid of the sea. He sat beside her on the couch and she climbed onto his lap. Zac felt her heart skipped a beat when her niece was around his neck with your arms.
"Tomorrow morning we will start your swimming lessons, right? "He rasped as he tried to hide the emotion that suddenly her throat.
Natasha nodded.
"When I awoke, it was very dark. And someone had turned off the TV.
-La turned off when I went to bed, "said Zac. She looked up at him. Her pink nose tip and face wet with tears.
"Mom always left on. So do not feel alone.
Nessa Zac looked over the red curls Tasha. Trying to restrain his tongue, but it was obvious he had something to say.
- Why do not you give a run to the latrine? "He asked Tasha. This nodded
and jumped to his knees.
"The toilet is the bathroom in a boat reported the girl Nessa wiping his runny nose with his hand. Before going to bed, Zac and I played at that we were on a pirate ship. He was the captain. Nessa
tried to hide her smile. So that was the origin of the strange sounds he had heard Zac's apartment at about eight.
"We have also played with the Russian princes," added the girl.
Zac blushed, her cheekbones prominent stained a delicate shade of pink.
"It's after two in the morning, Tash. Hurry. And wash your face and blow your nose as you go to the bathroom.
- "Rum, rum, rum, bottle of rum" intoned Nessa when she disappeared down the hall.
The color did not disappear, but Zac stared into her eyes.
"I am sentenced, right? "He said resignedly. You're going to make fun of me until the end of time. "Nessa smiled.
"I have the feeling of having a powerful weapon," he admitted, adding: "Your Majesty. Or do you let Natasha out for once the princess?
"Very funny.
"What would have to be a fly on the wall ...
-He has five years She tried to explain it, and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. I have no one toy at home. Or any book other than that I'm reading ... that are not very appropriate. I have not even paper and pencils to draw ... "She had gone too far with his jokes.
-No need to explain. The truth is that I find incredibly tender. Only it's ... surprising. You do not look very fancy.
Zac leaned forward.
"Look, Tash will return immediately. If there is something you want to hear us say no, you better say it now. Nessa
stood back in surprise. Zac did not seem particularly intuitive. In fact, always seemed self-absorbed and wrapped up in his wrath. But he was right. There was something I wanted to ask about the child.
"I was wondering if he said you talked to Natasha's where his mother now," he shook his head. Maybe you should.
He changed his position. It was obvious he was uncomfortable.
- How do you talk about things like alcoholism and addiction to a five year old girl?
"Surely she knows more about than you think," said Nessa easy.
"I suppose so," he said.
-may well feel a little less abandoned.
Zac looked at her and looked into her eyes. Even at that moment of quiet conversation and serious, when their eyes met, there was a powerful burst of desire. He slid his eyes to the open collar of his robe and she saw him look at what little we saw of her nightgown. It was a white nightgown, with a narrow wheel and draft of the same color.
Zac wanted to see the rest, Nessa understood by the expression of their longing eyes. Do you lead a disappointment if he knew that her nightgown was simple and practical? It was an ordinary garment, not sexy, made of lightweight cotton.
He returned to meet her eyes. No, not take a disappointment, because if he ever see her in her nightgown, Nessa would take place only three seconds before he removed it.
The bathroom door opened and Zac finally looked away when their small rifle went back into the living room.
"I'd better go," Nessa rose. No need to accompany me.
"I have hunger," said the girl. Zac stood up.
"Let's go to the kitchen to see what we find to eat," he turned to look at Nessa. I feel like I have woken up.
-Nessa It's all turned to the door.
"Hey, Tash said Zac, "she heard when she walked out the mosquito net," your mother told you where he went? Nessa
closed the door and returned to his apartment.
He took off his coat and went to bed, but could not sleep. I kept thinking about Zac Efron.
was funny: the fact that she knew he was capable of playing fantasy games with her niece made her blush, and instead opened the door in shorts without showing the slightest sign of shame. Although, of course, with a body like yours, what would be ashamed?
Anyway, the pants I wore were very small. The cotton knit set White left little to the imagination. And Nessa had a vivid imagination.
opened his eyes and wanted to avoid being influenced by it. Those were great games. I could try to imagine that did not bother him that Zac would have been truly professional soldier and Zac could pretend that he endured his physical limitations, he was psychologically healthy, not fight against depression and resorted to alcohol to dull her unhappiness. Nessa
lie face down and lit the lamp for your bedside table. I was wide awake, so I could read. It was better to be lying in the dark, dreaming of things that never happen. Zac
covered the sleeping child with a light blanket. Television emitting a flashing light and a soft murmur of voices. Tash had not fallen asleep until she had on, and Zac had realized that it was off.
went into the kitchen and poured two fingers of whiskey. The burning of alcohol and numbness sensation accompanying him were good. God needed him. Talk to Sharon Natasha's entry into a detoxification center was not fun. But if necessary. Nessa was right.
Tash had no idea where her mother was gone. He believed, in fact, that Sharon was in jail. I had heard snippets of conversations about the accident in which Sharon had been involved and believed that they had arrested someone run over. Zac
had explained that the driver of the car he had crashed his mother was wounded in the hospital, but was not dead. He did not elaborate on what would happen if he were to die: the girl did not need to hear that. But he said it was a detox center and why Sharon could not leave him to go visit, and Tash could go see it.
She had not seemed very satisfied to hear that, when out of the clinic, her mother did not drink again.
Zac shook his head. A skeptical of five years. "Where I was going to stop the world?
took the bottle and glass, crossed the living room and out into the dimly lit landing. The sterile atmosphere and monotonous that the air conditioning gave his floor always bothered him, especially this time of night. He breathed deeply of the salty, humid air, filling his lungs with the warm smell of the sea.
He sat on the steps and took another sip of whiskey. I wanted the liquor made him relax and sleep, to pass without feeling the long dark hours that remained until morning. He cursed to himself to think that it was almost three o'clock in the morning and there it was, wide awake. That night, lying in bed, he was convinced that fatigue would seize him and keep him asleep until the next day. Tasha had not had a nightmare at two.
He finished his glass and poured another cup.
Nessa door just made a noise when opened, but he heard in silence. Still, did not move when she came out, or say anything until he was standing by the railing, watching him.
- How long ago did your dog? He asked quietly not to wake the neighbors.
She was very quiet for a few seconds. At last he laughed softly and sat beside him on the stairs.
"About eight months," he said. His voice sounded velvety darkness. How did you know that dog?
"I'm a good guess," he murmured.
"No, seriously ... Tell me.
"For the collector who left me to clean up yard waste," he replied. And your car was ... how could I put it delicately?, Uh, some dog perfume.
He called Zu. I had like a million years to be a bitch. Gave me when I was eight.
- Zu? Zac asked.
"Yes, Zu-gave her. He was a diminutive of Zuzu. The girl named after a movie ...
"What a Wonderful Life," he said. Nessa looked at him with surprise.
- Have you seen?
He shrugged.
- Have not seen the whole world?
"Probably. But hardly anyone remembers the name of the infant daughter of George Bailey.
"It's one of my favorite" Zac looked at her askance. I like surprises you, eh? All scenes of war are secondary.
"I have not said that ...
"But you were thinking," Zac took another sip of his drink.
was whiskey. Nessa noticed the pungent odor from where she sat.
-Sorry about your dog.
"Thank you Nessa. Knees surrounded himself with his arms. I still miss her.
"It's too early to have another, eh? "He said. She nodded. What race was it? No, let me guess, moved slightly to her. Nessa noticed that he watched in the dark, as if I could help you to see the response.
She kept her eyes closed. Suddenly look fear in the face. Why had he come from? Was not usual to tempt their fate and sit there in the dark and feet of the man, was sought problems.
-spaniel mix labrador and Zac said finally, and she looked up. "You
half right, although I really only had some cocker spaniel. Sometimes I felt that it was also partly a golden retriever "He paused. How do you know it was mixed?
He lowered his eyebrows with an expression of mock disbelief.
"As if you were to adopt a dog that was not in the kennel. And surely about to be sacrificed, right?
She had to smile.
"Okay, you guessed it is perfectly clear that I am. Since there is no mystery in our relationship ...
"Not at all. There is one last thing I need to clarify.
Zac smiled in the dark. He was flirting with her, allowing a casual conversation and seductive. Nessa would have been surprised if it did not already know that Zachary Efron was full of surprises.
- What are you still up? He asked.
"I could ask you the questions," she said.
"I am recovering from my conversation with Tasha, looked at his drink and good humor dissipated immediately. I'm not sure there helped. It is quite skeptical in regard to his mother laughed, but there was no joy in his voice. And rightly so.
Nessa looked Zac floor. He saw the glow of the television through a hole in the curtains.
"It'll be awake, right? "He sighed and shook his head. He needs
-TV is set to sleep. I wish I could find a simple solution for insomnia. Nessa
looked at the cup in his hand.
"I do not think that. Zac
said nothing, just looked at her. Nessa did not say a word. She missed no sermons, no reproaches made, or give lessons. But after a few seconds, seeing that he did not respond, he got up.
"Goodnight said.
He did not want to leave. Interestingly, the night did not seem so overwhelming if it was close. But did not know what to say to him to stay. He could have said it was not like Sharon, he could stop drinking whenever I wanted, but would like the statement of an alcoholic.
I could have said he had enough will to stop ... but, at the time, had no strength to face the fact that the Navy had dispensed with him.
said nothing, however, and she entered the house quietly and closed the door. Zac
And poured himself another drink.
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