Balefire by Barrett Page A

But think about my offer to spend time with us this winter. We’d both love it. I’ll be back when Kenrick arrives.” She pushed in her chair and laughed.
    “Thanks, hon.” Silke watched Diane walk past the pool and speak briefly to Kirin who was climbing out of the pool. Kirin picked up a towel and dried off as she walked back to the table.
    Silke tried not to stare.
    “That really felt good, you know, to just move your body freely after being cooped up in an airplane for so long.” Kirin sat on a chair opposite and squeezed some sunscreen into her palm and smoothed it across her shoulders and arms.
    Silke smiled. “I know what you mean. I’ll probably lay out by the pool this afternoon.”
    Flora returned and cleared the table. “More coffee?”
    “Not for me. Kirin, you want something?”
    “Yes, I’d love a diet soda.” Kirin pulled her shirt back on. “See that woman at the bar?”
    Silke turned in the general direction. “Not very well. Could you be a little more specific?”
    Kirin laughed. “I’m sorry. That was kinda mean wasn’t it? I meant the tall woman with that skirt type wrap around her waist, like the one you wore last night. What do they call those? I’ve seen several people wearing them and they look comfortable.”
    “Oh, I see the one you mean. They’re called pareos . They sell them on the beach in San Pedro. I have a couple if you’d like to borrow one. They are comfortable.”
    Flora set down the glass and the diet coke. “Will there be anything else?”
    “No thanks,” they said in unison.
    Kirin leaned back and folded her hands behind her head. “I’m begin ning to understand what you find so appealing. It’s beautiful here. Too bad about the storm damage but it doesn’t look like they suffered anything too serious.”
    “Thankfully no one was hurt and they only lost power for a couple of hours before the generators were up and running. They’ve become quite electrically self-sufficient over the years.” Silke pointed to block building behind Kirin. “That’s their generator.”
    Kirin turned around and nodded. “I’m surprised that all of the buildings are fine, even all the little thatched casitas. It looks like the big gest problem is the debris that washed up on shore along with the downed palm branches.”
    “Tropical storms are nothing new. This resort has been here for almost fifteen years. When you go back to the condo, look around at the build ing’s construction. I watched some of the initial work on the newer buildings, which are all concrete block with specially made doors and windows. The exterior thatching can be easily replaced if necessary.” She noticed Kirin was actually making notes on the placemat.
    “This has the makings of a very interesting story.”
    Silke’s cheeks burned with embarrassment, and she lowered her head. “I’d just as soon not appear in your story.”
    Kirin paused, confused. “Of course. I would never use your name with out your permission. Is there a problem?” She folded her hands in front of her. A slight breeze blew over her hair.
    For just a moment, Silke shuddered against her resistance. She wanted to tell Kirin the truth about her deliberate escape from Rachel to Belize. Another breeze stirred the palms beside them and the moment passed. “Not especially. I’m a little shy. Diane and Mark can tell you much more of the history.” She pushed back her chair and unfolded her cane. “I think I’d better leave you to your work. I have a date with an audio book. Let me know how your meeting with Kenrick goes.”
    “Will do. And, Silke, thanks again for making all this happen.” Kirin touched Silke’s elbow as she passed.
 
    “HEY, GUESS WHAT?”
    Silke looked up from the iPod she was fiddling with to see Kirin loping across the sand toward the condo. Sporting a teenage grin, she clutched notes under her arm.
    “You won a Pulitzer?”
    Laughing, Kirin dropped onto the lounge chair next to her. “Not yet.