“Geneva!”
Geneva turned toward the voice with a big grin on her face. “Isabella, what are you doing here?’
Isabella approached, wheeling her carry-on. “I couldn’t let my girl go to Jamaica without me. Somewhere there’s a lonely but legal cabana boy.”
“Oh, goodness. I love you.” Geneva hugged her friend. Her body shook as the tears fell. “I can’t tell you the relief I feel not going to Jamaica alone.”
“You’re worth the price of the ticket,” Isabella said. “At least this time I was camera ready. I can’t believe the press showed up.”
“I’m glad they couldn’t go past the checkpoint. Having them watch me do the walk of humiliation was torture. But I kept my head high and a smile plastered on my face. Of course, I had Gloria Gaynor blasting in my ear buds.”
The stewardess began calling the first class passengers and parents with children for boarding. Geneva and Isabella waited a small distance from the throng.
“Yes, mon, I’m feeling irie. Time to get one love and feel all right.”
Geneva cracked up. “Leave that Jafakan accent here on U.S. soil.”
Isabella pulled her straw hat down on her head. “I gonna be jamming with an island boy.”
“Whatever. Just don’t come back with an extra passenger on that plane.”
“I’m not bringing a man up here.”
“I didn’t mean a man,” Geneva said, staring at Isabella’s mid-section.
“I rebuke that lie.” Isabella patted her belly. She pulled out her boarding pass. “Where are you sitting?”
“I’m in 8F.”
“Goody. I lucked out. I’m in 9B. Maybe someone will switch seats so we can sit together.”
“It doesn’t matter. We’re going to the same place.” Geneva hugged her again. “I’m just grateful you’re coming with me.”
Once onboard, Isabella sweet-talked a bulky man to exchange seats with her. Geneva stifled her grin watching the man squeeze into the smaller seat.
“Have you heard from Joshua?” Isabella asked her after they were at thirty thousand feet and she could breathe again. Once the captain lifted the restriction, her seatbelt came off. Isabella suffered from severe claustrophobia.
Geneva chewed her gum to keep her ears from popping at that altitude. “He hasn’t called, but I didn’t expect him to either. When Joshua left, things were kind of up in the air.”
“What about you? Have you reached out to him?”
She nodded. “I sent him the Scripture on the parable of the rich young ruler to read. I believe Joshua loves God, but his one hesitation is the thought of giving up all he’s worked hard to achieve. He doesn’t know how much he’ll actually gain.”
“Exactly. And not just spiritually.” Isabella gave her a pointed stare.
“Thanks, girl. I love him, but I can’t sway from my principles. I did with Josh and look where that got me.” She studied the clouds for a minute. They looked so beautiful. Who knew they could hold so much rain? “I have poor taste in men. One was double-minded and wanted everything but me. Another wants me—I’m sure of that—but he wants to hold me, God and everything else.”
“What did Joshua say about the Scripture?”
“He hasn’t answered me yet. I think it’s because he has had performances every night.” She swallowed. At least that’s what she hoped was the reason.
Isabella bit her lower lip. “Do you think it’s because he didn’t feel the same way?”
“We didn’t mention love, but there’s no way he could’ve kissed me like that and not felt a deep emotional connection. Because every time I remember, whew.” Geneva released a plume of air. “That chest-to-chest breathing was the most erotic experience of my life.”
“Yeah, it turned me on and I wasn’t even there.” Isabella cracked up. “When I find the man God has for me, I’m trying that crap. Bet. If we can’t breathe together, we can’t be together.”
Geneva chuckled. “It’s so much better sharing Jamaica with you.”
Isabella’s eyes softened. “I have to admit that the thought of leaving the cold and relaxing in the tropics was an extra push. It’s negative ten degrees.” She pulled on the hem of her shorts. “My legs are freezing in this altitude.”
“Why on earth would you wear shorts?”
Isabella pursed her lips. “I’m going to an island. Besides, I had my long wool coat on outside.”
Geneva shook her head. “I wouldn’t trade you for the world with your crazy butt.” She gave Isabella a quick squeeze.
Isabella yawned. “I’m going to catch a nap because from the minute I get off that plane, it’s on.”
Geneva gave her a blanket. “We have to get through customs first. My first plans include eating a beef patty.”
“My first plans include getting la—”
“Isabella!” Geneva slapped her on the wrist. “I hope you know we didn’t leave God in Ohio. He’s coming with us on this trip.”
“You’re a killjoy. And I was going to say getting laid out on the beach.”
“Sure you were.” Geneva joked, knowing Isabella was mostly talk.
“Whatever, girl. I’m getting my nap. Jamaica isn’t ready for the wave known as Isabella. Just watch me.”
Geneva had no doubt they would have a lot of fun. She would just make sure they kept it clean fun.
Isabella drifted off, but Geneva was wide awake. She closed her eyes and conjured up an image of Joshua. She missed him so much she ached.
She hadn’t eaten or slept well. Geneva had replayed every conversation they ever had. It was sad that during their entire time together, they hadn’t taken any pictures. She hadn’t captured a single memory of them together. She sighed. Over time, the memory would be a blur, a story to tell her children one day. As she yearned for him, she grew teary.
How could Joshua have moved on so easily without her?