So much is going on! That's what. I've focused on all that is: my health, relationships, freelance work- along with all that will be: a super exciting job lead and upcoming interview. Cross your fingers and toes for me, friends!
Right now, it's a beautiful day. I have the window opened and I can hear the birds, the traffic, and the occasional outburst or declaration of "GOAL!!!!!" It's time for the World Cup again- GO SPORTS!
Love,
Jane
We returned to the hotel, where I
grabbed my kindle and headed for the nearest hammock while Diva primped for the
rehearsal dinner. The walk to the beach was quiet and lovely. The breeze made
the palm fronds sway back and forth as it blew, and the sound in the air mixed
with the sound of the waves crashing nearby. I smiled as I recalled a
relaxation CD that consisted entirely of sounds like that. The real thing is
better, I thought.
Beyond the pool deck, across the
lawn leading up the white sand beach, I spotted a few empty hammocks strung
between palm trees. Oh hell yes, I thought, and rather ungracefully ended up in
the middle of one, with my feet facing the ocean.
I lay in the hammock reading until
the temperature around me grew slightly cooler, and I closed the kindle and
also closed my eyes for what I intended to be a few minutes. But the crash of
the water on the sand, coupled with the sound of faraway voices of people
playing in the pool, lulled me into a deep relaxation. When I opened my eyes
again, the sky was dark.
After blinking my eyes a few times,
I ungracefully maneuvered my way out of the hammock, located my flip-flops in
the sand, and started back toward our room, passing a group of revelers at the
bar along the way. My contact lenses were blurry and I couldn't see very well,
so I went back to the room, took out my contact lenses, showered, dressed in a
sweat-free new outfit, put on my stylish cat-eye glasses, and returned to the
poolside party once again.
A bartender in a gaudy orange
Hawaiian shirt, beige shorts, and flip-flops ran from side to side inside the
bar, taking care of the expanded group for Maria and Michael’s wedding.
“Where have you been?” Diva asked
as I approached. She still wore a dark pink halter-top dress from the rehearsal
dinner.
“You look like a pin-up,” I told
her.
“So do you!” she said. I wore Capri
pants, a sleeveless top, and a necklace made out of shells.
“You are the more dressy pin-up.
I’ll be the casual.”
“I know! I’d change, except there
are cameras everywhere!”
“Jane!” Enzo called out from the
bar. “I’ve been missing you!”
“Oh dear,” I said, and a few people
near me laughed, including Diva.
Soon, he was by my side and kissing
my hand again. “So where were you?”
“Yeah, Jane, where were you? I
texted you a few times after dinner, and you were just- poof- gone.”
“You’ll never guess,” I said.
“Limbo contest?” she guessed. I
shook my head.
“Don’t tell me you were working,” Enzo chided.
“I would never! I laid down in a
hammock to read and woke up a few hours later.”
“Are you serious? That’s awesome. I
am so jealous!” Diva said.
“That’s great,” Enzo added. “That
means you can stay up all night with me.”
“Oh, is that what that means?” I
asked. Diva rolled her eyes.
“Go easy on my friend, Enzo,” she
said.
“I’ll go easy on her,” he said,
raising his eyebrows and looking deep into my eyes.
“Hmmm… So you texted me earlier,
Diva?” I said, trying to change the subject.
Another couple joined the party,
and Enzo excused himself to go greet them after I wouldn’t return his gaze.
I looked at my phone. There were
two missed calls from Diva and three texts. Two were from her, and one was from
an unknown number.
I opened the mystery text and
caught my breath when I read:
Hi Jane, it’s Darren here. Want to
meet for lunch tomorrow? I have a break from 1 until 3, then I have to be back
at the ship.
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