Read Online Distractions by J. L. Brooks - Free Book Online

mind of a scientist.”
    He laughed while gently chastising me
    for my endless loop of mental analytics.
    I nodded in approval before
    stopping at what he had said.
    “How do you know how I feel?
    What makes you so sure?” I was
    relieved at his comments, but at the same
    time a little confused.
    “You talk in your sleep, Violet.
    You say some pretty strange things.
    However, last night in bed you rolled
    next to me and told me that you loved me
    and you thanked me. You told me how
    much you miss me and how you dream
    about me. I thought you were awake for
    a moment, and then you started mumbling
    about a hard drive. It was really quick
    and then you were out again.”
    His arms tightened around me as I
    nuzzled into his neck. The thought that I
    verbalized my internal thoughts even in
    sleep scared me more than falling in
    love. I had too many secrets that couldn’t
    afford to come out. Once again, I pushed
    the consequences aside and allowed
    myself to succumb to the present. I
    focused on the smell of his skin; with
    hints of earth, it was fully masculine.
    Sweat and salt created a fine layer
    between us, permeating every sense.
    “I do love you, Shepard. I know it’s
    soon, I just can’t help it. It’s been so
    long since I have let anyone in; I don’t
    know what to do. I am going to need
    some help, okay?”
    “Just be yourself, Violet. That’s all.
    The rest will take care of itself. Now
    sleep.” His lips found mine, signaling
    the conversation was now over. Despite
    the revelation of my unconscious
    musings, I fell deeply into a dreamless
    void.
    The morning sun created the
    slightest outline through the dark shades.
    Only the sound of the captain’s notice
    coming over an intercom let us know
    what time it was. Both of us refused to
    move, except towards each other to
    touch hand against arm or leg. Sleep was
    a luxury neither of us enjoyed often; the
    world could wait on us for once.
    Chapter 8 - Into the
    Deep
    The week had flown by without
    warning. Days of sunning on the deck
    and exploring the colorful seas left us
    hesitant to return to reality. We had two
    more days before landing in San Juan.
    Reminiscing about certain fish we saw
    while snorkeling or shops we enjoyed
    filled most of our interactions.
    One of our favorite stops so far had
    been to Williamstad, Curacao. The
    guidebook I purchased ahead of time
    told me about the western hemisphere’s
    oldest synagogue. I was not Jewish, but
    we both shared a deep respect for
    history. I mentioned it to Shepard the
    first day and he was eager to explore the
    vibrant town with me. After crossing the
    Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, we wove
    our way through the brightly colored
    buildings and found our way to the house
    of worship. Upon entering, Shepard was
    instructed to cover his head with the
    traditional kippah.
    The floors were covered in sand,
    surrounded by white plastered walls and
    blue stained glass windows. The
    furnishings were a gorgeous polished
    mahogany, while gold and glass
    chandeliers hung from the ceiling. It was
    not elaborate, but it was beautiful.
    Outside,
    an
    ancient
    stone mikvah
    remained intact although no longer
    functional. The practice of cleansing
    oneself spiritually and physically once a
    month or during certain celebrations
    while honoring the very being of a
    woman appealed to me. This age old
    ritual continued even today among those
    of the faith. A friend of mine once
    explained how she would visit an
    inconspicuous
    building
    after
    each
    menstrual
    cycle
    and
    immaculately
    prepare herself for the water, which was
    ever flowing. Each of her nails had to be
    clipped a certain way, her body
    scrubbed clean, and she could not be
    wearing any makeup or jewelry. A
    woman inspected her to make sure she
    had properly prepared herself to enter
    the sacred pool. She told me the feeling
    she got once she emerged from the brief
    submersion in the water was similar to
    what Christians might equate a baptism
    to, except she