And I knew it would get worse before it would get better.
As I walked the beach in my bare feet, I clutched the phone in my right hand, waiting for the call that would change my life forever.
If I didn’t screw the whole thing up.
Now I really had to start going back to church.
Chapter 11
Marco
I was cutting it close to get to Tampa by breakfast, since the flight itself would take three plus hours. My pilot was ready but the jet wasn’t quite. That gave me time to shower and shave again, finish packing and take a car to the airport. We were wheels up in less than fifteen minutes after I arrived.
The attendant my pilot brought along mixed me a mimosa, handed me an assortment of vitamins and lots of Vitamin B, probably understanding the condition I’d been in when I booked the flight. I passed on any further alcohol, took my pills and promptly fell asleep.
I landed just as it turned seven AM. The bright sun was scalding my pupils. It had been a few very grey days in Boston, with light drizzle occasionally, so coming into the moist warmth of Florida’s Gulf Coast was very welcome indeed, but an adjustment, nonetheless.
I tried to remember the conversation I’d had with Shannon just a few hours ago, but I did remember she agreed to meet me for breakfast and dinner later on, and she wanted me to call when I landed. I did so now.
“I’m in Tampa. Just landed.”
She hesitated, sounding a little nervous. Well, I was a little nervous too.
“I’m sorry about last night. I had a few too many, and…” she began.
“You too? I hope you didn’t have the kind of day I had.”
“I’m not sure you could have. It wasn’t one of my finer moments. I don’t think you’d believe me if I told you.”
“All forgiven. I’m here now. I can’t remember what I said last night, but I believe I did invite you to breakfast and you agreed. And dinner too, is that right?”
“Yes.” She giggled. “That part I remember.”
“I hope I wasn’t too—well I was pretty wasted.”
“So you want to reconsider the whole thing then?” she said sharply.
“Not at all. As a matter of fact, I was looking forward to it, dreaming about it too.”
She didn’t say a thing and I got worried.
“Marco, I have an appointment at the office at ten this morning, unless I can get out of it, and I’m going to try but can’t reach anyone there. So, if you’re not up to it, we can skip breakfast.”
“Are you saying you’d just rather meet me in my motel room?” Before she could answer I abruptly cut in. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t very respectful of me. You seem to bring out both the best and the worst in me, Shannon. I promise to be on my best behavior.”
I began to exit the plane as she replied.
Her raspy voice instantly got me even harder. “I don’t mind your bad behavior. Was sort of looking forward to it, but I was just saying that I don’t mind if we skip breakfast and just have dinner, if you’re too busy.”
I decided to tell her the truth. “I came here to see you. This is not a business trip for me.”
“But your project—?”
“Will still be there after breakfast and probably after dinner as well. I want to see you.” I hoped I didn’t sound too desperate, but I was beginning to feel some hesitation on her part. I meant it when I told Frank that I was going to hang on until she’d let me rock her world, and I meant every word of it.
“I want to see you too.”
It was music to my ears.
“Where should I meet you?”
“I could fix some eggs if you’re not too picky, Marco.”
“Your place. You’re inviting me to your place?”
“It’s not fancy. Just a little bungalow at the beach, about a half mile from your project.”
“Ah, so you’ve checked up on me?”
“Of course I have. You wouldn’t expect anything less, right?”
“I’m flattered.”
“So how do we do this, Marco? You tell me.”
“Text me your address and I’ll be over there in about a half hour, depending on traffic.”
“It’s Saturday. No traffic. I’ll see you then.”
My driver took me to a local florist shop inside one of the supermarkets, the only place open, and I selected a bright bouquet of flowers, which I thought safer than roses. I knew I’d bring her roses at dinner, but for today these would have to do. The clerk wrapped them in green tissue and placed a pink bow on them.
She lived off the main Gulf Blvd. on a side street that served houses that fronted the beach itself at Indian Rocks. Her house was one of the more modest structures, but it was surrounded by McMansions.
I heard music coming from her frosted glass front door. I knocked and found her fresh face even more beautiful than I’d remembered, and I’d remembered a lot. I extended the flowers to her, but before she could take them, I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her into me. She arched backwards, slid her arms up over my shoulders and pulled my head down to hers where we ignited the flame of our past encounter. The long lingering kiss could have easily led to something more, right there in the doorway to her little house, in front of the eyes of my driver.
I turned my head and nodded, indicating he could go, and he did
