I forgot to label part one as 'Part One', and I apologize. I received a surprising amount of hate mail for that. This is 'Part Two'; subsequent parts will be added every 4 days. (Story has 4 parts) I appreciate your vote and your comments.
Five
Mattie told Rolland about the trip that night and he was shocked to say the least. He kept asking questions and Mattie kept her story and her lies short and sweet.
"Look, she got this extra ticket from her mom who wanted her to take a friend for once. Her mom can't go, none of her girlfriends can go, and I can't go. You are the only one with a window available. If it makes you feel any better, you were way, way down the list of people she wanted to invite. The ticket and the money will go to waste unless you go with her, so go!" Mattie said.
"Why did she ask you first, and not me directly?" Rolland asked.
"Why do you think ya numbskull?" Mattie answered, "at first, she invited me, but I can't get the time off. Then she asked permission if you could go with her, as a travel buddy. If she asked you first, then you would have needed to come straight to me and ask permission anyway," Mattie said.
"Permission?" Rolland asked, eyebrows up.
"You know what I mean. If a male friend of ours wanted to take me on vacation, would you want him to ask me first, or come to you first?" Mattie asked.
"Point well taken," Rolland said.
"Anyway, I think the two of you would have a great time. I trust you, and I trust Valerie, so I think you should go," Mattie said.
"Are you up to something?" Rolland asked.
"Try not to overthink this, my caveman husband. Besides, what could I possibly be up to?" Mattie said.
Rolland just stared at her, not convinced. Mattie was always up to something.
The thirteen days went by quickly and Valerie came over to Rolland and Mattie's house twice to go over the trip itinerary. They were traveling to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. The flight was 19 hours long, and included a layover in Hawaii. Once there they would spend eleven days on the island before the long flights back home. Valerie had already booked several excursions on the island and her enthusiasm overflowed as she described them to Rolland. They had a snorkel tour in a bay with turtles. There was a bike tour of the island, with a history guide accompanying them. There was a scuba dive along a reef frequented by rays. A hike to the top of Te Rua Manga, the needle rock. There was another hike to Wigmore Falls, and the Marae, the sacred religious site. The more Valerie talked about it; the more excited Rolland got. They had some open days, and were going to ask about deep sea fishing and luau shows once they got there.
Mattie was trying not to be jealous, but it was hard. She could feel the two of them drawing closer even before Rolland knew just how close they would be getting. The day before they were scheduled to leave, Valerie was sitting in Mattie's car when she got off work. Mattie put a smile on her face and hoped there were no last-minute surprises. Valerie hugged her as soon as she got close and held her for a good long time.
"Are you sure you are ok with this? It's not too late to change our plans. I don't want to ruin a marriage on my vacation," Valerie said.
"I'm still ok with it, just a bit jealous. I wish I was going with you. You are going to have an amazing time with all those activities," Mattie said.
Valerie nodded and then turned pink. She was obviously thinking about some of the other activities at the moment.
"I want you to have a great time with those activities as well," Mattie said, making Valerie laugh out loud.
"Am I that obvious?" Valerie asked.
"Only to me," Mattie said.
"Thank you, Mattie. I think this is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me. I am looking forward to this trip more than you know. Normally by now I am stressed to the max with anxiety. Being a woman, traveling alone, fighting my fears. Having another person with you; especially a man, just makes all those worries disappear. You have a great husband Mattie, and I'll take good care of him for you. But when this is over, I will dump him in your lap and wash my hands of him," Valerie said.
"Thanks Valerie. I wouldn't trust him with just anyone. I know he is fond of you, and I know it will be worse when this is over," Mattie said.
"Don't worry, I remember your rules. This is Fantasy Island. After this, it's back to the salt mines for everyone," Valerie said.
Since Mattie was already driving Rolland to the airport, she offered to pick up Valerie as well. She got them to the airport in plenty of time and walked them as far as the security gate. Valerie went to use a restroom, leaving Mattie and Rolland alone to say goodbye. They kissed and hugged, and each said they would miss the other. Mattie pulled a sealed envelope out of her pocket and handed it over to Rolland.
"That is for you my dear husband, but not until after takeoff. Promise me you won't read it until then, but as soon as the wheels are up, I want you to open it. You should probably read it in private as well," Mattie said.
"Are there naked pictures of you in here? Something to keep me satisfied while we are apart?" Rolland asked with a grin.
"Something like that," Mattie said with a smile of her own.
They kissed once more and said their goodbyes before Mattie walked away. Rolland was standing with their luggage waiting for Valerie to return. Mattie had watched to see what restroom Valerie went into and now headed that way herself. Valerie had just washed her hands and was now checking her hair and makeup in the mirror. She blushed again when she saw Mattie watching her.
"Busted," she joked.
Mattie gave her a hug and then handed her a sealed envelope with her name on the front.
"This is for you, but not until after takeoff. As soon as the wheels are up, you can open it. It's kind of private, so you might want to read it in the lav," Mattie said.
"Got it," Valerie said, tucking it into a pocket, "are these last-minute instructions?"
"Sort of..." Mattie said, laughing and blushing.
"O boy! Now I can't wait to read it!" Valerie said, giving her friend one last hug.
They walked out into the concourse together and stopped before parting ways.
"Thanks again, for all this," Valerie said softly.
"You can thank me by having a great time. Hold nothing back, make enough memories to last you a lifetime," Mattie said. She reached out and adjusted a lock of Valerie's hair that was out of place.
"Now go, and wreck that husband of mine," Mattie said.
"A deal is a deal," Valerie said, and headed back towards the security gate, her luggage, and Mattie's husband.
Six
They got through security with no problems, and talked about the trip and how excited they both were. The overnight flight was only half full, mostly weary travelers returning home. They were in the second group of passengers called to board the plane, and they had their pick of seats with so many empties. Valerie had long legs and wanted the first row of seats behind the second bulkhead wall. This row had more room than others, and no seats in front of you that leaned back into your lap. They stowed their carry-ons, and got settled in. Most of the passengers stayed near the front, and only a few ventured into the back third of the cabin where they were seated. Nobody was in the row behind them, so they didn't need to worry about kids kicking their seats. It seemed like forever before they closed the doors and pushed back from the terminal, but at last they were moving.
When the airplane turned onto the runway and sped up for takeoff, Rolland reached over and took Valerie's hand. He squeezed it once and then held it as the plane sped up, groaned, and then lifted off. Rolland loved the way his stomach dropped out as the plane lifted off and he was pushed back into his seat.
"No turning back now," Rolland said.
Valerie laughed like it was the funniest thing he had ever said. Rolland kept a hold of her hand as the plane climbed and eventually leveled off. As soon as the seatbelt sign chimed off, Valerie jumped up and said she needed to use the restroom. That was perfect timing he thought, it would give him a chance to open the letter from Mattie.
Valerie had to straddle his lap to get out into the aisle, and she did so carefully. For the flight she was wearing a mint green button up shirt. Her sleeves were rolled up and she had already taken off her light jacket worn to the airport. She wore a deep blue bohemian style skirt with lots of pleats. It went down past her knees, and had a good flutter when she walked. Valerie walked towards the back of the plane, and the closest restroom. There were only a handful of people in this section of the cabin. The restroom was vacant and she slipped inside and locked the door. She checked her hair and makeup again, before sitting down on the toilet seat lid and pulling out the envelope. She opened it carefully, and pulled out a deposit slip from an old check register book. It was from Rolland and Mattie's checkbook, with the word void across the front in sharpie. She turned it over and found the small delicate handwriting covering the entire back.
