The Newly Divorced Resort
Day One
The excitement of taking this trip today had made it difficult to sleep last night and I hoped I'd be able to catch a nap on my flights. I still wasn't sure what to expect at the Resort, but decided that I was going to do my best to enjoy myself and not overthink anything this week. Go with the flow I told myself and let's see what happens.
The past week at work had been difficult because I was so distracted by my anticipation and now I could leave my phone and that part of my life behind for a few days at least. Double-checking that I had my travel documents and packed everything I would need for the trip, I rode the elevator down to the lobby to await the shuttle I had booked to take me to the airport.
After making it through security and finding my departure gate, the fatigue from the restless night dropped on me as I sat there waiting to board the plane.
As I considered shutting my eyes for a few minutes, a voice beside me said, "Are going to Miami for fun or work?"
I turned to my right to face the elderly woman sitting next to me and smiled politely as I responded, "This time it's for pleasure. I deserve a vacation and decided work won't miss me for a week. How about you?"
"I have a granddaughter getting married in a few days. We were quite close when she was a child, but then her parents moved to Miami for better jobs a few years ago and I don't get to see her as much as I'd like anymore. I can video chat with her so that's at least something to be thankful for with all this technology nowadays," she replied.
"I'm sure she's happy you'll be there," I replied.
"You bet she will be, I'm bringing special cargo with me," she said and patted the garment bag on the seat next to her.
"I have kept my wedding dress all these years and she used to play dress up with it as a young girl. She has always loved it and because she is about the same size as I was back then, asked if I would allow her to wear it for her wedding. I of course said yes and told her I would make any alterations it might need when I get there."
"I'm looking forward to meeting her young man and being with her at this happy moment in her life. The fact that she'll be wearing my dress is an unexpected bonus. Listen to me going on and on like the old woman I am," she laughed.
"Thank you for sharing that story, ma'am. I'm happy for you and her as well," I said with a smile.
"Oh stop with the ma'am, I'm Georgina," she said as she waved her hand dismissively.
"Nice to meet you Georgina, I'm William," I returned.
We chatted amiably until boarding started and wished each other well as we parted. I smiled when she asked the flight attendant to hang her garment bag in a safe place as she boarded and held up the line in an attempt to offer an explanation about its importance. I decided that paying attention to other people could be quite enjoyable at times.
I was in first class and seemed to be the only one in that section not on a business trip. The suited young man sitting next to me had his eyes glued to the screen of his laptop working on a presentation from the look of it and didn't seem to notice I had sat down next to him.
I smiled inwardly as I remembered my early days with the firm and being in his situation quite often. I settled back in my seat and took it as a good sign that I would be able to rest without interruption from a chatty seat mate.
This leg of the flight was the longest portion of my journey and I was able to sleep for a bit after having a meal and a couple of drinks. An announcement that we were beginning our descent woke me from a pleasant dream that I now struggled to remember.
The part that had stuck with me was a pair of feminine hands helping me build a sandcastle on the beach, but struggle as I might, I couldn't remember a face or other details. I wasn't sure what to make of it and decided that I was just excited about visiting the Resort.
Feeling a bit more rested now, I pulled my carryon through the Miami airport to my next terminal. There wasn't likely to be a meal on the next flight so I stopped for a quick lunch along the way.
My anticipation grew as I boarded the next flight and wondered if any of the other passengers were also going to the Resort. I looked around and assumed that many were here for a vacation given their attire and behavior, but only a few of those looked like they were flying alone like myself.
This flight was on a smaller plane and I had a window seat, which gave me a great view as we finally descended from the clouds for landing. The Caribbean was as beautiful from the air as it was from ground level, perhaps more so in some ways.
The plane landed on time and I was meet at the baggage claim by a driver holding a sign for the Resort. Apparently my guess about some of the other passengers was correct as many of the single travelers also gathered near the driver.
She checked each of us on her list and asked for our baggage claim tickets, saying that there were Resort staff that would take care of the luggage and that it would be waiting in our rooms after checking in and taking the welcome tour.
Her bus was waiting at the curb and after completing her list, asked us to board after which we pulled into the light traffic. It took about 20 minutes to reach the ocean where a few other guests were waiting on a pier for the next boat to the Resort and my name was once again checked against a list.
The day was pleasantly warm and the different blues of the water and sky were like something out of a Hollywood movie. I looked around at the others waiting on the pier. Most had a sense of anticipation about them, but a few appeared as if this were just an ordinary occurrence, so I guessed they might be staff headed to the Resort for a few days of work.
The boat arrived and we left the shore behind. After 30 minutes or so, I could see the top of the island mountain on the horizon and then as we got closer, the tropical trees and sandy beaches of the large bay straight ahead. There were several low buildings set back from the shore connected with paths.