“I’m going to miss you, Mel. A week ago, I might not have admitted that.” John grunted when she punched him in the side.
“You big oaf, I’m going to miss you, too. You know, this end of town doesn’t look bad at all.” Mel craned her neck, looking out the car window as John drove to the airport.
“That’s because tourism is what keeps these islands alive. The harbors and airport are their main concern. They want the areas to look as nice as possible and be up and running at all times. It keeps the local economy strong. Charlotte Amalie is a prosperous city, especially with the diamond trade. Actually, all of the businesses depend on tourism.”
John parked and grabbed Mel’s bag out of the trunk. She flung her backpack over her shoulder.
“Are you sure you’re going to make it through Atlanta with that heavy backpack?” he asked, kidding with her.
“It’s a lot lighter now. I left the two mystery novels behind for you.” She gave him a wink and smiled. “Plus, I won’t be stupid this time. If I need to hurry, I’ll jump on someone’s lap on a courtesy cart if I have to.”
They both laughed as they headed toward the counter to check Mel’s suitcase and get her boarding pass.
“I really hope everything is back to normal soon.”
“It will be. I’ll email you pictures in a few weeks and let you see how fast people get things back in shape around here. They don’t have a choice. Once December hits, it will be high season again, and the madness will start all over. Well, here you are. I can’t go any farther with you.”
She stood in line at security and hugged John tighter than she’d ever hugged anyone. “Here, I have something for you.”
“What’s this?” he asked as Mel pulled a small bag out of her backpack and handed it to him.
“I bought it at the pier the day we went out on the catamaran. That was before I became a drunk idiot. I guess it reminded me of you.”
John opened the bag and held up the silver palm tree charm with the word paradise next to it. It hung from a leather cord.
He laughed when he saw it. “Thanks, Mel. What a sweet gesture. I’ll wear it every day.”
“Okay… the line is moving. I love you, John Richmond. Don’t forget your friends in Charleston. You’re always welcome. I’ll come back to St. Thomas again, just not during hurricane season.”
“I love you, too. You’re a real trip, Mel, and I mean that fondly,” he said, chuckling. “You know, when it came to bucking up, I was really impressed with you. You’re a trouper, that’s for sure. Have a safe flight and buy a phone so you can call me!”
“I will, and make sure to call Abby and let her know I’m on my way back. Tell her I’m taking the bus home from Savannah, no worries.” She waved as she made her way through the line of people leaving what had been paradise—and what would be again.
He waited and watched as she went through security and headed down the concourse. Mel looked back one last time and threw him a kiss. He laughed and waved until she was out of sight.
***
Mel found her seat and stored her backpack in the overhead compartment after taking out one book to read. Since she was on the longest leg of the flight, she hoped to make a dent in the novel she hadn’t even opened. She settled in next to the window and stared out. Two men sat to her left, talking nonstop with each other.
I feel sad to be leaving, even though last week I hated this island. What a prissy snot I was, yet John was always patient and polite. I bet he had to bite his tongue constantly. This island is tough and knows how to bounce back. I’m really impressed.
The flight attendants walked through the cabin, making sure everyone had their seat belts fastened and their tray tables stowed. The intercom came on and the pilot’s friendly voice spoke out, announcing they were third in line to depart. Mel felt the engines rev as the jet lined up on the runway. Within seconds, the plane surged forward and took to the cloudless blue sky. She stared out the window at St. Thomas. She could see much more of the scarred island and the work in progress to restore her normal beauty.
Goodbye, St. Thomas. I’m actually going to miss you. With the island behind her, Mel opened the book to page one and began reading.
“Excuse me, ma’am, would you like something to drink and a bag of pretzels?”
With sleep-caked eyes, Mel looked up to see the flight attendant addressing her. “Oh, sorry, I must have dozed off. I’ll have coffee with cream, please.” Mel opened her tray table and placed the bookmark in the last page she’d read. She peered out the window as she sipped the brew. Only the open sea lay beneath her, spread out like a shimmering blanket. The sun’s rays bounced off the deep blue palette. Ships occasionally caught her eye, looking so small they almost went unnoticed. Mel drank a second cup of coffee, then opened her book again. She smiled to herself when she realized she had only read to page three before she dozed off. I guess a week of cleaning finally caught up with me. She asked the man next to her the time.
“It’s eleven fifteen, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” Wow, I slept for over an hour. We’re supposed to land in Atlanta at one o’clock.
As Mel turned the pages of the romance novel, she smiled. They’re all the same, I guess. Nobody is really looking for a relationship, but suddenly the person of their dreams enters the scene. Next comes the conflict and, a hundred pages later, the resolution. They fall in love and live happily ever after. I wonder if that’s going to happen with me. Jax was too young, and regretfully, John lives too far away. Maybe I should steer away from guys whose names begin with J. Does that leave me with Dr. Dan? Am I actually even looking for love?
***
Mel laughed as she walked quickly through the airport. Everything she passed reminded her of two weeks ago when she and John were there. She had caused so many problems that day, and she was actually surprised John didn’t leave her in Atlanta. But today, she knew the route and how to navigate the enormous airport. She was thankful her backpack was a little lighter, too. Mel climbed up on the courtesy shuttle and told the driver she needed to get to Concourse C. Ten minutes later and not out of breath, she was comfortably sitting at her gate. The flight to Savannah would begin boarding at two o’clock.
Damn it, I wish I had a working phone. I’ll have to talk to someone at the airport in Savannah and find out when the next bus leaves for Charleston. Hopefully, there will be plenty of room for me. She opened her romance novel and continued reading until it was time to board.
An hour after the flight left Atlanta, she was on the ground and walking through the airport in Savannah. Luckily, the bus routes and ground transportation were right next to baggage claim. Mel grabbed her suitcase off the carousel and headed to the bus terminal counter. I’m getting close. I’ll be sitting on the patio with Abby and Betsy in no time. I’ll see little Lucy again, and soon, Dan DeLong, the gorgeous vet.
“Hello. Can you tell me when the next bus to Charleston leaves and if there’s available seats on it?”
“One moment, please.” The pleasant-looking woman at the counter pulled up the screen for Charleston on her computer, then turned and looked at the clock on the wall. “The bus is beginning the boarding process right now out of door three. There are six seats left. Would you like a ticket?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Mel responded. “How did I get so lucky? The timing is perfect.” Mel slid her credit card across the counter.
The woman smiled, waited for the machine to spit out a ticket, and handed it to Mel along with the receipt to sign.
“Thank you, and which way is door three?”
The woman pointed to her left and wished Melanie a nice day.
Mel walked quickly to the bus that had the Charleston sign in the front window. The driver was loading the last of the luggage in the storage compartment below.
“Wait for me,” Mel called out as she increased her pace. She handed the driver her suitcase and ticket and boarded the bus that would take her home, to her beloved city of Charleston. She found an empty seat and settled in. Life will be back to normal the minute I walk into the house. I can’t wait.