"There must be some other option." Mickey was doing his best to mask his frustration. He knew the woman behind the desk hadn't caused the delays, nor could she fix them. But she wasn't being particularly helpful either.
He glanced across the gate area to see Kate, questioning him with her eyes. He shook his head. They had gotten to JFK in plenty of time for their scheduled flight to Montego Bay. "Equipment problems" delayed and then canceled their original flight. Two hours later, they were moved to standby for the next flight, but that flight was also pushed back. Finally, a supervisor moved them to a Miami flight, leaving just late enough that they couldn't make their connecting flight.
"I'm sorry sir, but there's only one more flight tonight, and it's already over-booked. I can give you a voucher for a hotel and rebook you on the 6:14 tomorrow morning."
Mickey nodded numbly and took the paperwork, only half listening to her instructions.
Kate was standing behind him when he turned from the counter.
"I heard."
Mickey hated to hear the dejection in his wife's voice, but he knew they had been beaten. As they made their way to the terminal exit, he spotted a sign for a smaller carrier that specialized in service to the Caribbean. On a whim, he approached the smiling gentleman at the desk.
"Is there any chance you can get us to Montego Bay tonight?"
The smile disappeared quickly, replaced by a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, I cannot. But you may have better luck at gate A4. I believe they have two more flights this evening." His eyes turned to Kate and after a gaze that seemed just a beat too long, he added, "I think luck is going to be on your side."
Kate smiled at him as they quickly turned and made their way up the terminal.
They were given the last two seats on a flight that was boarding as they arrived. Literally, the last two seats. The aircraft bounced as passengers formed a steady line, waiting to use the restroom, bumping Mickey for the entire 90-minute flight.
The airport was quiet, so they moved through immigration and customs quickly.
"I wonder where we can find a hotel?" Mickey asked. "There's no way there will be a shuttle to the resort this late."
"And food," Kate added. "I'm starved. Do you know that we haven't eaten all day?"
"That would explain my headache. Hopefully, there's a hotel with room service. I'm not sure I want to try finding a taxi, even if we could find a restaurant that's still open."
They pushed through the doors into the main terminal area, hoping to find someone to direct them. Surprisingly, there were two men holding signs for resort hotels. Gratefully, one of them was driving to theirs.
"Mr. and Mrs. Carson?" he asked as the couple approached him.
"Yes," Mickey beamed, extending his hand. "And are we happy to see you!"
"I am Ronny. And I am very happy to see you, too."
Mickey thought that perhaps he was only imagining Ronny's eyes draped over Kate as he spoke.
"You are my only passengers tonight. I had almost given up on you but thought I would wait for this plane before going home."
"You just doubled your tip, Ronny." Mickey laughed.
"And if somehow you could find us some food, we might even double it again," Kate said. "It's been a long time since we've eaten. Even a snack at a gas station would help."
"No, no. That won't do." Ronny shook his head, thinking. "All the tourist restaurants are closing now. But I know a place with excellent food, very close to here. Very Jamaican. Very warm."
Ten minutes later the small van left the main road, turning into a dark neighborhood. Kate watched as the buildings became smaller and more cramped. Mickey tried to peer through the darkness as he felt his pulse quicken.
Suddenly, the van slowed. "Here we are." Ronny's voice was cheerful. "Don't worry about your tings. It's very safe here."
There was no restaurant. Only a house, slightly larger than the others on the street, filled with light and the strains of gentle Reggae music. Ronny opened the door and waved his arm, nearly bowing like a coachman as he urged his passengers to step down.
Kate gripped Mickey's hand as they followed their host. He considered calling Ronny back for just an instant, but before he could, the door to the house swung open and a tall, lean Jamaican woman stepped outside, laughing at something that she had just been told.
"Ronny! Welcome!" She embraced the driver in a warm hug. "I thought you were working tonight."
"I am, but my friends, the Carsons, need food. And where else would I bring them but here?"
She looked at the bewildered couple. "You just come to Jamaica now? This late?"
Mickey nodded. "It's a long story."
"And a long trip" she laughed again. Her spirit was disarming, and so was her hug. Kate received the first one, then Mickey. "I am Angela, and thank you for coming to see me. I am going to take very good care of you!"
As they stepped closer to the light Angela stopped and looked at Kate. Her expression was suddenly serious.
"You are a goddess! Sir, where did you find this beautiful creature?"
Kate felt herself blush.
"You are a very special person." There was a gravity to her tone that slightly frightened Kate. Your husband, of course, is a very handsome man. But you are extraordinary!" Her eyes lingered on Kate.
After a slight pause, she spun to Mickey, taking his hand. "Come! Let us feed your beautiful wife!"
The food was delicious, served to them quickly, and they were largely left to themselves as they ate. The room was large, with tables and booths set around the edge of a worn dance floor. A few couples moved to the rhythm of the band playing in the opposite corner of the room. The vibe was low-key but warm. Laughter spilled across the floor as their hostess chatted with her guests.
"What is this place?" Kate asked. "She called it her house. Do you think that's just what she calls her business, or does she live here? I mean, it looks like a house."
"It's probably both. And at the moment, I really don't care. The food is good, we seem to be among friends, and you have a new fan!" he grinned.
"She's a businesswoman". Kate could feel herself blushing again. "She says that to everyone."
"I wasn't talking about her. Ronny seems to be taken with you." Mickey never looked up from his plate as he spoke.
Kate glanced across the room to see their driver, leaning on a small table, talking to someone else, but looking directly at her as he chatted. She remembered the man in the club last year. The circumstances were different. Or at least her mindset at the time was different, but the look in his eyes was the same. She suddenly felt warm and quickly returned to her food.
Despite the late hour, more people spilled into the room. Most received the same attention from the hostess that they had. They all seemed familiar with the place and with one another. Smiles and hugs came easily, and while it would have been easy to feel like outsiders at a family reunion, nearly everyone who came in stopped by their table to say hello, or at least acknowledge them with a wave. The welcomes were warm and sincere.
They watched as the dance floor filled, the music growing louder, and the laughter filling the room between songs.
"I guess we need to get going," Mickey said, as his eyes lingered on a woman with particularly sensuous moves. "We still have quite a drive before we get to the hotel, and our driver is probably eager to get home. We should probably find him" He didn't see Kate immediately avert her gaze as he spoke.
Kate, of course, knew exactly where he was. She hadn't really taken a good look at him in the airport. He was pleasant, courteous, and overtly helpful, but she wouldn't have described him as particularly good-looking. Although, as she looked at him now she realized that even though he was lean, he was fit. His chest filled his slim button-up shirt. His arms were well-defined, though not overly muscular. She blushed and turned away when she realized he was making eye contact with her.
"I think I should hit the restroom," Mickey continued. "Then we can go."
"That's a good idea," Kate agreed, rising to follow him.
As usual, Mickey was back at the table before Kate.
"There you are!" The woman startled Mickey as he approached their table. "Are you ready to dance?"
"Oh, I uh... I think we need to hit the road. I don't want to keep our driver out any later than we have to. It was very kind of him to bring us here, but I'm sure he's eager to get home tonight."
"Nonsense. I know him well. He lives in Negril so he will be close to home when you get to the hotel. Besides, he would expect you to dance! It's Jamaica! You came to party! Dance with me."
Mickey glanced across the room to see Kate leaving the bathroom.
"I'm not really much of a dancer, and I hate to leave my wife alone," he protested.