CHAPTER 18

Cornwallis Farley went out onto the balcony of her condo, which faced the beach. The ocean was a sparkling blue and the soft white sand beckoned to her, but she had work to do.

She was leaving the island the next morning and had yet to pack her bags. With a cup of morning coffee in her hand, she sat, taking a last look at the beautiful scene.

Relaxing in a comfortable lounge chair, she became aware of some movement on the balcony adjacent to hers. Looking over, she saw a brown-skinned young but matronly woman with a cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other.

“Hello,” she said.

“Oh, hi,” Becky answered. “Didn’t see you at first.”

“Did you just get in?”

“Yes, last night. My husband and I arrived about nine. Hope we didn’t disturb you.”

“Not at all.”

Reaching across the divide, Wally offered her hand.

“I’m Cornwallis Farley. Most people call me Wally.”

“I’m Becky Long.”

After shaking hands with her new neighbor, Becky turned to the sliding door to the apartment.

“John, come out and meet our neighbor.”

Her husband came out smiling as Becky introduced him to Wally.

“Nice to meet you, ma’am. Where are you from?”

“Please, call me Wally. Boston, I’m from Boston.”

“So are we! Imagine that! Where do you live in Boston?”

“I’m up near Mass General Hospital. I’m a nurse educator.”

John smiled. “Must be nice, a short commute.”

“You bet! And you, where do you folks live?”

“We live in Milton. I work for the Internal Revenue Service.” He waved his hand at Becky. “She’s a secretary to a very fine internist.”

Becky added, “As a matter of fact, he’s getting married this week, so he closed down the office and the staff all received a week’s paid vacation.”

“What kind of physician did you say he was?” Wally asked.

“He’s an internist, a wonderful doctor. All of his patients love him. Donovan Matthews. Maybe you’ve heard of him?”

“Don’t think so. If he had staff privileges at MGH, I might…”

“I believe most of his patients go to Beth Israel.”

“Still a small world, isn’t it?” Wally said. “Now I’m sorry I’m leaving in the morning. We could have spent more time together…might well know some of the same folks.”

“Let’s hope we see each other again,” Becky said.

“That would be nice. Well, I’ve got to pack. I hope you both enjoy your holiday.”

Wally went into her apartment, reflecting on what she had just learned.

So Alisha Morton has had her way, marrying Donovan Matthews.

A fierce argument had erupted between the two roommates when Wally finally had to make it clear that she did not approve of Alisha’s plans.

“You know, Alisha, your deceit in this relationship may someday come back to haunt you. You can’t expect to build a good life on lies.”

Bristling, Alisha fired back, “Look, this is my life, and I know what I want, and I’ll do whatever I need to do to get it! I will not be denied. Don Matthews doesn’t even have an inkling of how happy I will make him, especially after I have our child.”

Wally had risen from her seat in the living room and headed toward the door to her own room down the hall.

“Still don’t know how you can be such a dishonest person…to trick an innocent man…don’t see how you can live with yourself.”

Alisha flipped her hand under her chin at her roommate.

“Very well, my friend, very well. Don is an extremely successful practitioner, and I plan to be living the good life as the wife of a doctor.”

“But to lie to him, make him think…”

Before she could finish her sentence Alisha snapped, “You promised!” she spat out the words. “You promised!”

“And,” Wally said firmly before she walked out of the room, “I’ll keep my promise. Lying has never been my style.”

She went into her own room and made a call to the real estate agent who had sold them the condo. She had to find another place to live.

* * *

Alisha was nervously curious. Don had promised her an extraordinary honeymoon. He had told her, “I’ve closed my office for the week for us to spend together.”

“Oh, where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise. I think you’ll like it. At least I hope you will.”

“I know I will!”

“Good, looking forward to it.”

“I can’t wait. Will I need special clothes?”

“Don’t think so, but if you do, we’ll buy them.”

“Don, I love you so much! You’re wonderful!”

“I try to do my best.”

“Oh, I know that. Never doubted that,” she said.

Sitting in the front seat of the car, she snuggled up to him to get as close as possible and squeezed his arm. “I’m so happy.”

“I’m glad,” he said, hoping he sounded that way.

He looked over at her. She seemed to be glowing with good health, seemed happy and relaxed being with him. He felt as if he were on a new adventure…perhaps this situation might work after all. Indeed, he knew he enjoyed sleeping with her. He rather hoped the relationship might be better after the baby came. Suddenly his ego knew no bounds at the thought of the pleasure he derived from being with her. As much as he missed his family, and he did, he was energized by the fact that at fifty he was able to father a child. He could hardly wait. Even with the new technologies in medicine, he knew that there were men in their sixties able to produce healthy children.

He was extremely proud of himself, though he had not expected this outcome. His ego strengthened, he was excited about this new life.

He sensed that Alisha was tiring. They had been on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for about four hours since leaving Pittsburgh.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Doing just fine,” she said. “Might have to make a pit stop down the road, though.”

“Bladder getting full?”

“Well, yes, as a matter of fact.”

“Let me check the GPS and see if we can find the nearest facility for an overnight’s stay. Are you with me on this?”

She rewarded him with a smile.

“Absolutely!”

But disappointment nagged at her. It was apparent that there was not going to be an exotic cruise, a trip to Europe or Hawaii. Don was heading back to Boston.