The vacation she needed.
Have had this one in my head for a long time, and it just spoke to me saying it needed writing. A tale of woe and of rebirth that can speak to a lot of us. Enjoy and as always reach out with your comments or even emails as I rather enjoy them.
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Wendy sat in her first class airline seat looking out at the bluest ocean as the plane descended. Just two weeks ago her boyfriend had gotten angry with her again, but this time instead of just bruises he had put her into I.C.U. and an induced coma. When she was brought out of it the police detective, Andy Plum, was there sitting in a chair beside her bed. Probably the nicest guy she had met in such a long time he wanted to bring the guy who hurt her to justice.
Wendy pressed charges and got a restraining order and once home new and heavier locks but none were enough. Three times she called 911 for a noise and three times the police came. Oh they were nice enough but she could tell they were tiring of it. Then she found the tickets and reservations. She had forgotten that in another week her and Kurt were supposed to fly to the islands for a beach vacation at an all-inclusive resort.
Wendy's mind worked fast that day. She called the travel agent and yes she could change everything to a single with a first class ticket but there would be charges. Wendy didn't care at this point, just idea of getting away to the sun and the sand cheered her up a bit. Over the next week she notified Detective Plum of her plans and packed. Now she watched as the island grew larger and her heart calmed.
After the weeks she had endured recently the warm atmosphere of the resort was a welcome change. Everywhere she looked there were pretty people in meager swimsuits smiling and enjoying life. "Why shouldn't I enjoy it too?" she asked aloud to no one.
"Pardon me miss? I didn't catch that." The desk person asked her in an awesome English tinted accent.
Wendy got checked in, changed into her most awesome sexy bikini but frowned as she looked in the mirror. She could easily see where she still had traces of bruise on her arms, her side and hip. At first the tears started to well up but "dammit it's my life and you have no control over me anymore." Wendy wrapped and tied a bathing skirt around her hips that had a nice uneven edge to it. Then she slipped on an almost sheer ¾ sleeve top. Happy she grabbed her bag and made for the beach.
Her entire afternoon was spent soaking up the sun, taking in the awesome sights, fending off the advances of several very handsome men and one attractive lady and partaking in the all-inclusive drinks and food. Her waitress for it all was a mocha skinned local with an almost lyrical accent that made Wendy melt. She reminded Wendy that dinner would start at 5pm but it's got busy after 6. She could dine at any of the restaurants on the small island as it was all one big resort, so if she walked either direction on the beach she would come to somewhere to eat.
Wendy's mood had cleared as had the negative thoughts that normally bombarded her head. The advances from the guys were nice, but she wasn't really here for that, the flirting from the girls was different, and new as she had never had any experience in that arena. "Let's work off some of those drinks and food with a walk shall we?" again asked of no but herself.
She walked right at the edge of sand and surf often taking waves up to her calf and loving the warm sand and water on her skin. The breeze carried with it the smells of the sea and as it cascaded over her making her hair feel as it were alive Wendy felt exactly that, alive.
The sun was touching the horizon when she realized she had walked far further than she had anticipated. It was getting late and she didn't want to miss dinner when she saw lights ahead. Her waitress had mentioned other dining spots down the beach so ahead she strolled coming to a very period looking structure. Spanish influenced with a stucco building that had arched top windows and doors and a walled courtyard from which she could hear soft violin music and smell delicious food cooking.
Torches burned proving light as she walked through the arch way into the court yard. Here a fountain splashed water softly among many green and colorful flowers and plants. She stood taking in the sight when an older man who looked very much like he was an extra from one of the pirate's movies approached with a smile. "Ah my lady, we have a table for you right over here, and you companion will be along momentarily."
She smiled and apologized. "Oh I'm sorry; I don't have a reservation, just a guest from up the beach." Wendy tried to explain but he stopped her.
"No no, mistake my dear. Please sit, enjoy the music and I shall fetch you a drink." He made to hold out a chair at the only table she could see but everything stopped when another man entered.
Tall and dressed in the most perfect pirate outfit since Jack Sparrow in the pirates movies. His leather pants of brown; with knee high bark boots were awesome in her eyes. His off white cotton shirt had actual leather strips tying it closed. He had both a pistol and saber hanging from or tucked into his belt and from his neck hung an odd symbol carved from some white material. This tall handsome man with tanned skin strode in with a purposeful stride.
"I do believe I have it from her Mr. Jeffers." And with that he pulled out the chair and with just his deep blue eyes motioned for Wendy to sit. "My dear lady may I say without causing you concern that you are by far the most beautiful dinner companion I have had in....... at least a fort night." He laughed a devilish laugh as she sat. They seem to have gone all out on the theme of this place she thought as Mr. Jeffers returned with a very old looking bottle. "I have brought a fine wine captain, unless the lady would prefer the spiced rum?"
Wendy had never really been into wine but spiced rum was good, and she was here to have a little fun so. "The lady would prefer the spiced rum actually." This brought a wicked smile to her dinner companion as Jeffers turned and left.
"A lady after my own heart you are, allow me to introduce myself, Captain Alex Arnette of the Dawn Rose, and you are?" He had taken her hand as he spoke; his rough hand well used hand gentle to her.
"I m Wendy, well actually Gewndolyn Richards but everyone calls me Wendy." Alex smiled again still not having released her hand, his warmth flowing into her.
"A fine name, but I think I would prefer if I called you Gwen. It has a more noble sound to it, and more befitting of such a ravishingly beautiful soul."
Wendy, Gwen grinned but inside was thinking ok, laying it on rather thick for a resort but she went with it. Mr. Jeffers returned with a wax sealed bottle of rum and poured into two average looking glasses. Gwen held it aloft and toasted "To new friends, new adventures and to the Dawn Rose." She downed the first glass and instantly felt warmth spread through her body. "Wow that's some strong rum Captain"
"I am quite sure a lady that has seen the battles you have can handle whatever comes her way." Gwen pondered this for only a second and let it go. Alex poured them each more rum as Mr. Jeffers brought them each a bowl of soup as well as a plate with bread and cheese for the table. In the back ground Gwen could still hear a violin playing as well as the water fountain as the sky darkened.
"I count myself lucky to have made port just this day, and have the chance at a dinner and perhaps a dance with such a lady?" Gwen smiled as she finished her second rum which she noticed the captain refilled immediately. "From where do you hail sweet Gwen?"
She again smiled because the charm just oozed from Alex and he was playing his part perfectly. "New York my good sir." She answered very much feeling the drinks and trying to get into character.