Chapter Four
“Darby, I feel like I can’t breathe,” I said with surprise.
Stepping out of the airplane into the hot Florida sun took my breath away. I knew it would be hot, but I had forgotten how oppressive the heat could be. Above the terminal door was a sign welcoming us to Saint Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. Beneath the sign was a time and temperature reading. The temperature was ninety-eight degrees.
“I know. Isn’t it wonderful,” he exclaimed. “I love Florida during the summer months.” He was grinning from ear to ear, and I half expected him to break into a jig.
We were both carrying one small bag, but we had each checked a larger suitcase, so we headed for the baggage claim area.
Our flight from Ohio to Florida was nonstop and took less than three hours. We spent most of the time talking about what had happened between Mick and me. An elderly woman seated in front of us stood to walk back the aisle to the restroom. She stopped beside us, looked into both of our faces, and creaked, “You know, they never leave their wives.”
“Excuse me?” I asked. I was astonished she had spoken to us. Darby’s jaw dropped.
“It’s my experience they always say they’re going to leave their wives for you, but they never do.” She leaned in toward me and creaked more softly, “But, honey, your situation sounds different. Forgive him and give him another chance.” She reached across Darby to give my hand a little pat and then moved on down the aisle to the restroom.
Darby’s mouth was still hanging open. I burst out laughing and told him, “We’re going to have to learn to keep our voices down.”
I watched him now as he pulled my suitcase off the conveyor. I had put an X with pink tape on one corner of the bag to make it easier to spot. He was still watching for his bag.
I looked around and let out a sigh of satisfaction. This was a good idea. Darby always cheered me, and I was already feeling better. I would probably call Mick later in the week. Maybe I had overreacted. It would be easier to talk with him over the phone anyway. I wanted to hear what he had to say, but I wasn’t ready to see him yet.
My phone. Where was my phone? I started digging through my purse. I had turned it off Sunday morning after making several calls. The first call was to Darby to let him know I was going with him and to get the details of our trip. I then called Samantha to let her and Larry know I was leaving for the week. Angela was ecstatic when I asked her to take over the center. I had a hard time getting off the phone with her. My last call was to make my airline and hotel reservations. I turned the phone off so I wouldn’t have any distractions. I didn’t want anyone trying to talk me out of going, and I definitely didn’t want to talk with Mick.
I fished it out of the bottom of my purse, turned it on, and saw two missed calls from Samantha, both of them from yesterday. I could only surmise she wanted to say good-bye and wish me well on my trip. I would give her a call this evening to let her know we arrived safely. There were three missed calls from Mick, one from yesterday and two already today. I would call him when I was ready, and that wouldn’t be today. I turned my phone off again and tossed it back into my purse.
Darby finally had his suitcase in hand. “Come on,” he said. “Car rental is next.”
After picking up the car, we headed south on I-275. The air conditioning was off and all four windows were down. My hair was blowing up, around, and into my face. I started digging in my purse again, this time looking for an elastic band to pull my hair back. Darby glanced over at me with a big smile and said, “It feels really good, doesn’t it?”
I had to admit, the warm air rushing into the car did feel good. It was hot in Ohio this time of year, too, but not this hot. This was a different kind of heat that warmed you clear through to your bones.
We exited onto the Pinellas Bayway and headed west toward the beach. The Don CeSar resort was ahead in the distance. I was amazed by the lovely pink hotel. I had read about the pink castle but had never seen it. It was originally a hotel, then a military center, and for a time a convalescent home. Now it was once again an elegant hotel. I craned my neck to see as much of the building as possible as we turned north onto Gulf Boulevard.
“Why didn’t we book at the Don CeSar?” I asked. “Look how pretty it is, and it’s huge.”
“Don’t forget,” he said with a laugh. “I was originally planning to come down here by myself. I don’t need opulent accommodations just for me. We’ll stay there the next time we come to Florida.” He gave me a wink.
I couldn’t help smiling. “I’m not complaining,” I said. “I know the Hilton is nice, and I’m glad to be along for the ride.” I settled back into my seat.
A few minutes later, we pulled into the lot at the hotel, grabbed our luggage, and checked in. We had adjoining rooms and immediately opened the door between them so we could talk back and forth while we unpacked.
“What should we do first? Late lunch or the beach?” I called over to him.
“Yes to both - in that order,” he called back.
I laughed. “Ok. Give me fifteen minutes to change out of travel clothes and freshen up.”
After washing my face, applying fresh mascara, and a swipe of lip gloss, I pulled the elastic band from my hair. Even after pulling it back, my hair was still tangled from the wind in the car. A few extra minutes with my brush and it was finally smooth with my bangs under control. I changed into a pair of tan shorts, a pink t-shirt, and flat sandals.
I went over to Darby’s room. I stood for a moment and admired him. He was actually a very hunky guy. He wore his sandy-colored hair in a permanently tousled state, and he was lean, but not skinny. He had changed into plaid shorts, a white t-shirt, and sandals and was sitting on the edge of the bed surfing the television. He smiled and said, “I’m looking for the cooking channels.”
“I checked the menu for the hotel restaurant, and it looks really good,” I told him. “They have Reuben sandwiches. We could make it easy on ourselves and eat here. That will get us to the beach sooner. “
“Ok by me,” he said, turning off the television. “Let’s go.”
The hostess seated us at a corner table. Windows on both sides of the room afforded a spectacular view all up and down the white sandy beach. The glistening blue-green water of the gulf was enticing. The dining room was bright and airy with white walls. Light blue linen tablecloths added to the room’s oceanic atmosphere.
I felt relaxed. This was a welcome change from the fast pace of Slimmers and the racquetball club.
I glanced around the room. There weren’t too many diners at this time of day. A family of four was at a table in the opposite corner of the room. The children were somewhat noisy, but it was an excited noisy. Their happiness brought a smile to my face.
A man in a business suit was seated alone a few tables from ours. I could see why this would be a great place to slip away from the office, relax for lunch, and read a newspaper.
The only other diner was a skinny guy with curly, shoulder length hair. He sat with his back to us. I didn’t get a look at his face, but noticed he slumped when he followed the hostess across the room to his table. He was now hunched over his menu.
An attractive waiter arrived to take our order. Darby smiled broadly and ordered for both of us. “Two corned beef Reuben sandwiches and raspberry iced tea.” He leaned back in his chair and sighed, “Ahh. This place is beautiful. Isn’t this fantastic? I’m glad you decided to come.”
“I am, too,” I said. “I have to ask you though,” I shook my head as I wondered, “do you always take vacations by yourself? Who does that?”
“Lots of people take vacations by themselves,” he said. “It’s a great way to see new places and meet new people.”
I had never thought about it like that before. “What do you have planned for the week?” I asked.
“I think there are boat races in Sarasota tomorrow, and there are a couple of good restaurants I want to check out.” He paused befo
re saying quickly, “And I have plans to meet someone on Thursday. You’re welcome to come with me anywhere.”
“What did you say?” I asked. I think he tried to sneak something past me. “Plans to meet someone? Do you have a friend here? A girlfriend?”
“Promise not to laugh?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
That could only mean one thing. “Oh, Darby, don’t tell me! You met someone online!” The man in the suit looked our way. I lowered my voice and said again, with emphasis, “You met someone online.”
“I’m not the first person to meet someone online,” he mocked. “We’ve been talking for a while, and Florida seemed like a great place to come and meet someone new. See, like I said, you travel and meet new people.”
I laughed. I knew he wasn’t sure if he should laugh with me or be annoyed. “Well,” I said, reaching over to touch his arm and reassure him, “I think it’s great. Tell me all about her.”
“I don’t want to say anything just yet. I don’t want to jinx it, but I want you to come with me.” He saw my doubtful look. “We’re meeting at a Polynesian restaurant, and I would be more comfortable if you came along. If everything goes well, you can take the car after dinner and head back to the hotel. If not, we’ll come back together.”
That made sense. “Ok, if you’re sure,” I said.
“I am,” he said definitively. “Now that that’s settled, what do you want to do while you’re here?”
“I promised Sam I would run on the beach to stay in shape, and I definitely want to do some shopping. There has to be a racquet club somewhere in Saint Petersburg, and I’d like to get a couple of games in. Beyond that, I’m open to anything or nothing. The beach is a good place for me.”
Our food arrived, and we spent the next half hour chatting and eating Reuben sandwiches that, according to Darby, were almost as good as mine.