Freeloaders

     Craig seemed distracted as he ate his sandwich.  “You know, I’ve been thinking about your life in Florida.”

    Dear God, no, Karen prayed.

     “This would be a great place to make a fresh start.  And I’ve noticed all these new colleges springing up.  You know, Florida’s the fourth-fastest-growing state in the whole country.  Somebody has to teach these kids English,” Craig went on.

     “Florida’s not for everybody,” Karen ventured.  Her stomach lurched at the thought of Craig invading her sanctuary.  She put aside the sandwich she’d just bitten into.  “It’s really hot in the summer, 92 to 94 every day, and so humid.  And some people have a hard time getting used to the bugs—you know we have to use a lot of pesticides. You know, we call our mosquitoes ‘swamp angels,’ they’re that big.  And of course, the hurricanes could destroy everything you have.”

     Breathless, her lunch forgotten, she continued.  “Alligators are protected, and they’re just everywhere—even in water holes on golf courses.  They chase golfers all the time!  And during the winter, so many seasonal people come down here from the north, it’s like Brooklyn.  And with all the construction, the snakes are all coming out of their holes and getting into contact with the people.  Just last week I heard about somebody finding a snake in their swimming pool…”

    Craig interrupted her.  “’His’ swimming pool or ‘her’ swimming pool.  The antecedent was singular.  Karen, I’d like to live near you when I’m on my own again.  I’d like to get to know the person you’ve become since you left New York.  And I know Lisa and I aren’t going to make it.  I’ve come to realize that since I’ve been here.”  Craig was eating his ham sandwich with great energy, his vegetarianism forgotten.

     “You could go back and tell her you understand, tell her you can try to meet her needs, give a little.  Marriage is all about compromise,” Karen said desperately, offering him her plastic bag of oatmeal cookies.

     “Honestly, Karen, one would almost think you didn’t want me to move down here!” Craig said with a laugh, helping himself to two cookies.

     Almost!

     If there ever was a time for the assertiveness training to take hold, this was it.

     “Craig, you know, I’m not sure you and I have that much in common except our shared past, and that was with Tom and Lisa.  I don’t know if you came down here if we’d enjoy each other’s company that much,” Karen said.

     “Let me be the judge of that,” Craig said, making Karen absolutely sure she needed to squelch his idea.  “You know, I can see you don’t have a man in your life.”

     “I don’t think it’s a good idea,” she said, fighting for sanity.

     “Let’s talk about it later.  You need time to get used to the plan!” Craig said, putting the wrappers from the lunch into Karen’s backpack.  She stood up and shook out the blanket, shouldering it for the walk back to the kayak.  She balanced the blanket with the backpack on the other arm.