Someone I can trust with all my heart. Someone who will never share my deepest, darkest secrets.
5
Valerie
As I sat at the breakfast nook, the late morning sun streamed through the window, warming my bare shoulders. Still dressed in my pajamas, I searched the internet while drinking my third cup of coffee. Cindy had just gone to pick up a few groceries since I was out of almond milk, and she was craving waffles. I had the whole house to myself and reveled in those moments.
Cindy, the extrovert, always had to be doing something with someone and frequently invited people over when she wasn’t working. I had been surprised to find her home alone that night, when David sent me flowers, and even more surprised by her interest in him.
Scrolling the site on my laptop, I found the photo Cindy must have seen. David standing among a few other men, surrounded by tall, dense trees, somewhere deep in the jungle. I zoomed in for a close-up of the photo. One of the men appeared to have a machete attached to his belt. I shuddered at the sight of it.
The website for Limón Export was colorful yet simple and had articles about coffee and tropical fruits. As I sat, sipping my coffee, I scrolled through numerous photos of banana and coffee plantations. Pausing, I glanced at the empty fruit bowl on the kitchen counter, wishing we had some bananas and hoping Cindy had written them on her shopping list.
Toward the bottom of the page was another photo of David. He was feeding a toucan perched on his arm, something orange and cubed. Mango maybe? It reminded me of the toucan photo in his condo, and I wondered if it was the same bird.
I clicked on the word ‘gallery’ and my screen filled with beautiful photos of lush greenery, rolling hills, volcanic mountains, and cloud forests. As I momentarily gazed over my shoulder out the window at the arid brown desert behind me, I saw a lonely cactus next to a dried out shrub in desperate need of water. I closed my eyes to imagine a different scene like the one on the screen—one with greener palm trees and sparkling blue water. I couldn’t remember the last time I enjoyed a tropical vacation.
Years ago, when I lived on the East coast, my girlfriends and I would make our annual trek to the Caribbean Islands. It was our way of surviving the long, cold New England winters. We needed something to look forward to for a week, someplace to swap our snowsuits for swimsuits.
Each year we chose a different island and took turns deciding our destination. Back then, I had fallen in love with St. Martin, my dream island getaway.
One memorable trip had tempted me to pack my bags and book a one-way ticket to the island. I figured I could find a job bartending at a thatched-roof bar and run around barefoot in the sand. Live a simple, carefree life.
I gazed back at my computer and opened a new browser tab. This time I searched for beaches in Costa Rica. As the pictures loaded, long stretches of sand and aqua blue water appeared with swaying palm trees lining the shore. Closing my eyes, it took me back to another place, another time. What I’d give for a vacation right about now.
My cell phone buzzing along the table interrupted my brief, online, virtual vacation. I glanced at the screen.
David.
I watched as it buzzed three more times while inching its way toward me. I decided to answer.
“Hello.”
“Val? Hey, it’s David.”
“Hey,” I replied, leaning back on the bench.
“You busy? Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No, what’s up?”
“I was calling to see how you’re doing and ask if you received the flowers I sent.”
“Yes, thank you.” I reached for a throw pillow, stuffing it behind my back for support.
“Listen, I owe you a beach and a sunset,” he blurted out after a moment of silence.
“You don't owe me anything.”
“No, really, I do. I have a proposal.”
I couldn't imagine what he was about to say.
“I'm heading down to Costa Rica in two weeks, and I'd like you to join me.”
I stared at my computer screen, the blue waters and beaches tempting me. He can't be serious.
“Val, you still there?”
“It sounds nice but, umm, we just met. We hardly know each other.”
“I realize that but you’ll be safe with me. You’ll have your own private room. No pressure. You can relax at the beach during the day while I work. In the evening, we can have dinner and watch sunsets together. All expenses paid. What do you say?”
I didn't know what to say. I glanced around the kitchen, looking for hidden cameras. It felt as though I was being set up for a reality TV show, and ‘Strange Coincidences’ could have been its title.
“It would be great to get away, but I’d have to find someone to cover my shifts.”
“Well, think about it and let me know. I’d love the company and the chance to make it up to you.”
“I appreciate the offer.” I wondered if he sensed the smile growing on my face.
“Listen, I gotta run. I have a busy day ahead of me. I hope to hear from you soon.”
And just like that, my tropical vacation appeared out of thin air and onto the table, awaiting an answer.
Moments later, the front door opened and closed, and the flapping of flip flops headed my way. Cindy appeared in the kitchen with four plastic grocery bags hooked on her arms.
“Remind me never to go shopping on Wednesdays,” she said, setting the bags on the counter. “It was jam-packed. I waited in line forever.”
Rising from the bench, I helped her unpack the food items.
“So, you’re not going to believe what just happened,” I said, removing a bottle of maple syrup from the bag.
“What? What did I miss?” Tearing open the flap of a box of waffles, she
