LECHAIM HAD FOUND the peace that he so badly needed in the company of his friends. Carlos' family was a delight and Lechaim felt completely at home with them. Memories would flood back from time to time, but unfamiliar surroundings, wonderful fellowship, and life in an enchanted place helped him push the dark thoughts to the back of his mind.
In his position as the president of an American semiconductor company, Carlos enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle even by expatriate standards. The house was spacious, furnished tastefully, and designed for elegant living.
Despite his newfound happiness, however, Lechaim soon realised that he couldn’t stay long. It had only taken hours after his arrival, two weeks before, for the Press to get wind of his presence in the Philippines and his exact location. Now, the outside of Carlos' house was under siege by the Press and the public alike. Eight Filipino security guards, that had been hired to keep out intruders, were patrolling the gardens. Life, Lechaim decided, was becoming intolerable for the Regas although they would never complain. The pool to the rear was the focus of their family gatherings, and it was here one evening, whilst they were sitting around the pool, the boys in bed, that he decided to tell them of his decision.
“Oh, no, Lechaim. Surely not!” Eva responded in dismay. Next to her husband and her father, there was no man on earth that she loved more than this powerful, gentle, placid, companionable man. The children also adored him and they would all feel a great loss when he finally went. Now, he intended to do just that.
“You've both been wonderful but it's time to leave.” Eva went to object but he silenced her by saying, “This circus outside will give you no peace.”
It was true that they couldn't go out and Carlos' position as the head of his company was being affected by the constant attention but they would never have told Lechaim so.
“I thought I'd take a trip up North. See some of this beautiful country”. He had read much about the island of Luzon and the other many wondrous places that go to make up the Philippines, and he was eager to explore the country for himself. “I'll travel around for a while and return here before I leave. That's if it's all right with you both?”
Eva rose from the plastic banana chair where she had been reclining and walked around to the back of his where she placed her hands on his shoulders. “Lechaim, it's been wonderful having you here. As far as we are concerned, this is your home anytime, and for as long as you want.”
He placed one hand over hers and looked up at her. “Thank you, Eva. I'll remember that.”
“Make sure you do!” Carlos added with an edge of sadness to his voice, which he tried to hide with his next remark. “At least I'll get my wife back now!”
Eva made a playful run at him but he rose quickly, hopped on his one leg for he had taken off his prosthetic limb, and plunged awkwardly into the pool.
“I have a good mind to run away with him, Hoppy!” she called after him. She would often call him that when she wanted to stir him up - it was always said with fondness, never with malice, and he knew that.
“I'll take you up on that!” Lechaim responded loud enough for Carlos to hear.
Both Carlos and Lechaim knew that Eva loved her husband with a passion and would never leave him. Yet, Carlos also knew that if ever a man could fill his place in her eyes, Lechaim was that man. He also knew that both his friend and his wife loved him as much as he did them and the joke they now shared would never become a reality.
“Take her!” Carlos shouted from the safety of the pool. “She'll make your life a misery! Mark my words!”
Eva snorted with indignation and dived into the pool after him.
“I was only joking!” he laughed as she began chasing him around the pool in mock anger.
Looking at the love that emanated between husband and wife, Sinead’s beautiful face swam before Lechaim's eyes again, and the memories of their days together filled his mind. How he envied the ardour that existed between the pair in the pool. It would never matter to Eva whether Carlos had one leg, one arm or whatever. He would always be Carlos, the man that was the centre of her world. Lechaim could only covet what they had and grieve for the love of his life that was no more.
Carlos' voice broke through his transitory melancholia. “Come and help me, you coward!”
“You must be joking!” he responded. “She's dangerous!”
Eva stood up in the pool and waved her fist at Lechaim as she adopted the tough guy look. “Come on! Come on!” she taunted.
.....”You wait till I get you upstairs!”
“Oh, yeh! I'm not scared of you!” and Sinead held one of her small hands clenched under his chin. The “tough guy” look she adopted as she wrinkled her face made him laugh out loud .....
Someone was shouting at him. “Come on! Come on!” and he was back.
“Okay! You’ve asked for it!” Lechaim exclaimed and jumped into the pool after her. Eva let out a little girlish scream and went to get away from him, but he caught her in a moment and held her up above him in his powerful arms. The sensual feel of this beautiful woman had stirred his manhood - a feeling he hadn't had since Sinead’s death.
“Well, are you sorry?” he said seeking to disguise the huskiness in his voice.
“Yes! Yes!” she panted and he lowered her tenderly.
Carlos joined them in the centre.
“We'll miss you, Lechaim!” Eva said softly with feeling.
“We will that!” Carlos agreed.
He looked at them both. “Not as much as I'm going to miss you!”