Renee drove by the house. She planned to go home make some calls and look that hotel up online. There was a car in her drive and one on the street and what looked to be a realtor coming out the front door. She was showing a young couple around. They were smiling and seemed very pleased with the house. She had been pleased too with the house. It was far more modern than the other ones in the neighborhood. It kind of stood out like a diamond in the stone jungle of local stone homes. It was a nice place and we had help to keep it in pristine shape. She couldn't say they had anything to do with it. Any problem was just a phone call away was always Martins answer. Far be it he lifts a finger.
She had parked on the street and watched them drive away. The wife seemed pleased but before Renee could put her car in drive another car drove up. With a sigh, she pulled her phone out and started her calls as she waited for them to leave. She wondered what happened to her receiving a warning call. They must be on the phone, but that is fine she is leaving as soon as they let her get to her computer.
Her frustration was palatable if she didn't look like a maniac she would scream and beat the steering wheel. Her luck the neighbors would see her and call the police. There is a crazy person on the street. That would be interesting to explain to a cop. "Oh, I just want to go home," Renee whined.
She was beginning to worry about her car overheating, but it was too hot outside to roll down the windows she was thinking as the front door opened. "Good leave please," she again whined.
They finally left after some more talking under the shade of the one nice tree in the front yard. She put her car in drive and pulled into the drive swinging around to the side she pulled into the garage and breathed a sigh of relief. She never thought she would be happy to be back here. She knew it was not the house's fault. It was Martin's and his bimbettes. All she wants is her stuff and the new owners can have everything else in the house including Martins to high recliners in the theater room.
Walking in the back door she noticed nothing had changed. She didn't know what she expected; apparently, they just looked around. If they opened cabinets, they closed them. She quickly checked the answering machine and she had four calls. One was an insurance salesman at 9:00 on the dot the others were for showings, and one was due in a matter of minutes. She grabbed her laptop and left the house. As she drove away another car pulled up her drive.
She went to her local Starbucks and became a cliché. She ordered a decaf mocha and opened her computer. Typing in hotels US Virgin Islands and scrolling down the site. They had all kinds of package deals for thousands of dollars a week and then the Paradise Hotel the average room rate was less than two hundred a night off-season. That was just a little bit more than she paid for her crappie room when she left Martin.
She clicked on it and a world of pictures opened up for her and to her delight, they opened up the next page of pictures quickly. The building looked like a sixties place, but the interior was beautifully redecorated. Nice rooms and the views were amazing. Before she booked a room, she checked the flight information. By booking an early morning flight she could fly out for eight hundred spend a week or longer and pray the house sells quickly.
Booking a flight out in the morning she reserved a mid-range room for the week without a problem. Relaxing back, she enjoyed her coffee excited she was getting on with her life two days after her divorce would have been settled. Dusty was working on the trust, but she had money to live on Dusty assured her. Once everything is settled, he will send her his bill. She figures he probably won't, but she will still send him money.
She looked around the coffee shop and half a dozen others sat with a laptop in front of them. None looked too happy with their plight in life. She looked up and watched David walk in the door and he smiled at her, seeming shocked to see her. She wondered if he traced her phone. That first endeared him then she got pissed. She didn't need him keeping tabs on her. Walking towards her he smiled saying, "Let me order and I'll come talk to you."
She gave him a dismissive wave and was now worried he had tracked her down.
"Hey, how are you?" He asked.
"I'm good; I had people looking at my house so I'm hiding here."
"Wow already."
"Three so far today," she said as the barista raised his coffee it was ready.
"I wish I could stay and visit but I just stopped in to grab a coffee. I have an all-night stakeout to go to. Sounds exciting but we usually just sit all night watching a door or window for movement."
"No go, I hope you're safe and that you catch the bad guy," she said. He leaned down and kissed her cheek turned and left the shop. She watched as he got in a new Mustang and quickly left the parking lot.
"And that would be my life," she whispered. But lord when he was home that would be interesting. She sighed and went back to looking at pictures of the hotel. Then started reading the information the hotel had to give and some suggestions on island life. They also gave compelling reasons to book at their hotel and not one of the all-inclusive places. The shopping section caught her attention. They claim they have many shops for casual clothes and bathing suits. They showed a number of the store's fronts and they looked fun to explore. She was excited to be going and wanted to go home and pack. The open road was calling to her.
She decided she would take a close-empty suitcase and buy it once she saw the lifestyle there. She knows she only has a few things in her closet that could be used in a tropical setting. Martin would have never allowed her to wear sundresses or shorts any further than her backyard. T-shirts and shorts were never allowed. That was tacky dressing. She was lucky to have her workout clothes. She visualized herself working out in high heels and a business suit. She dressed like June Cleaver every day whether he was home or not. She just didn't wear the pearls. Only because he was too cheap to buy them. She grunted in frustration at how controlled she had been.
"How stupid can you be woman," she mumbled packing up her mess she was sure they had to be finished showing the house. Making a mental list as she drove home, she needed to call Monica and let her know her plans in case the plane crashed. Her luck it would but she is not going to let that stop her she is out of here for at least a week. The realtor already warned her the first week a house goes on the market is the busiest time. She needs to call the realtor and make sure she knows to call her cell from now on. She will leave a note for Blanca she hates calling her house. Her husband is a jerk, and he always answers the phone. She needs to leave checks for the yard man and the pool guy in the storage building. She will attach the checks to the mower and the pool pump. What else she questioned. Oh yeah, Blanca's check and note.
No car in the drive so it looks clear. The first thing she did was check the answering machine and nothing new. She found two slices of pizza in the refrigerator and smiled she found dinner.
"Monica, I wanted to tell you…." She gave her the information and the days she would be gone. She listened to her moan and groan about wanting to come and let her go. She wrote checks put them in envelopes wrote to Blanca and pulled a suitcase from the garage.
She picked one small enough to carry on the plane; she had heard the horror stories about lost luggage and didn't want to be one of them. Picking her best bra and panties set she placed them in her suitcase. Selecting a few other things, she still had an almost empty suitcase.
"And here I thought I had too many clothes. Sure, I do if I was working in the corporate world." Again, she thought about how dumb she had been. Allowing Martin to dictate her entire life, he picked what she wore, ate, and the kind of sex they had oh yeah, and when. Whether in the mood or not they have sex if he wants it. What the hell was that? Why did she give him so much control? What is in her personality that she feels she has to be such a follower and a pleaser? "Whatever it is I'm going to do the opposite," she told the walls. "I'm going to be bold and only do what I want to do," she vowed and set that as a priority in her mind from now on.
*
She drove out of the driveway at 3:30 am to meet the two-hour check-in requirement. She was beyond excited to start her new life. She was going to be bold, assertive, and sexy, and find someone to have sex with to see if she knew what she was doing. That damn Martin left her feeling so insecure.
What the hell did a fourteen-year-old have to offer over her? She found herself getting madder as she drove the almost empty highway which was strange it was normally backed up for hours. She flew down the road exiting the construction and checking into a long-term parking lot. The young man there seemed very flustered as she approached the door.
Handing him her computer-generated ticket he unlocked his van and as she took her seat he disappeared. He came back with another man who looked like he had been sleeping.
"Sorry to disturb your quiet night," Renee told him as he got in the driver's seat.
"No problem Ma'am we are ready to serve at all times. Where are you going?" he asked and quickly Renee had to decide if she should tell him she would be gone a week or not.
"A quick trip to the Virgin Islands; I just don't want the long walk to the terminal in the other parking," She told him hoping they didn't steal her car while she was gone. Highly unlikely being ten years old but you never know. She sat back and relaxed she would be there well before the two-hour check-in. She had a book to entertain her while she waited. She checked in and carried her light luggage to the gate.
She hoped they had decent clothes on that island, or she was screwed. She would have to live in her bathing suit and the casual outfit she had on. It was the only non-dressy outfit she owned. She had only worn it once around the pool on a casual evening with Martin. He flipped the fabric as if he didn't approve so she tucked it in the back of her closet at the end of the evening. Never to be worn again. Again, she was back to what a fool she was to stay with him. The man was a control freak, and she hadn't realized until he was gone. The gate area slowly filled up with casually dressed people in small groups each one seemed happier to be going than the next. Small talk went around the seating area and she heard the Paradise Hotel twice. Collecting her stuff, she changed seats sitting next to one of the girls who said they were going to Paradise.
"Hi, I hear we'll be at the same hotel," Renee told her.
The girl smiled drawing her friends in she told her, "Yes we have been there three times in the last year. We have a great time every time and the men that come there are the best," She told Renee and the others began to compare notes on the different men and hotels. "The one good thing about that place is that it is for singles, not couples. Now you can become a couple really quick which is the way we like it.
You can spend a few days having a good time and go home feeling very satisfied," she told her as a few men around them listened. "Don't get me wrong the place is nice and you can relax if that is what you want. The place can be a party place if you want is all I'm saying," the girl told her. She was no raving beauty so Renee figured she should do just fine.
"No; that sounds good I'm looking for adventure," she told her knowing she had never partied in her life. She will have to follow their lead. "So, are all the men so young?" she asked noticing the men around were young-looking. Sure, some could be her age, but she felt so much older.
Maybe this trip will bring back her youth. She can only hope she enjoys the trip. The three friends went back to talking and giggling about the different men they met before at the hotel hoping the plans they made turned out as they hoped.
The plane loaded and they took off minutes later they landed in Dallas. They took off with a dozen more people and landed again in Atlanta. One more stop in Orlando and finally they flew to the Island. Renee hadn't checked the flight just booked it and now she has a flight back with the same three-stop return.
A number of the men she saw walk by were mighty fine-looking. Yes, she has learned that looks don't mean a thing; but lord they are fine. Her body hummed just at the thought of getting a hold of one of those sexy men. She was turning into a wanton woman, but more than two months without sex was getting to her. That Agent Parker didn't help.
"Renee come and ride with us we have room for one more," the ditzy blonde told her in her exaggerated excited way holding the cab door for her.
She approached them but didn't want everyone to think she was with them. They looked like a wild crowd it would take quite a few drinks for her to attempt to blend in with that group. Renee sat in the front seat of the cab as the girls described the sights as they drove to the hotel.
She had only been able to see the sky and a glimpse of the ocean being in the middle seat. They came around a bend and the ocean came into view, and she held her breath. It was so beautiful. The pictures didn't do it justice. The white sandy beaches the palm trees she wished the windows were rolled down so she could smell the air. They took another corner and drove along the beach the hotel came into view. Now that looked like the pictures Renee mumbled and paid attention to the entrance.
This was a start to a new life, and she hoped whomever she chose would know what he was doing. They pulled under the overhang and the girls in the back began to giggle collecting their things and getting ready to get out. Pulling up to the cab in front of them the driver stopped as a young black man opened the door of the cab dressed very smartly in khaki shorts and a Hawaiian-type flowered work shirt as were the others helping with the other new arrivals. Renee thought it was nicely done. You can tell who works here easily. Their bags were unloaded onto a cart as the others made their way to the check-in desk. They were loud and giggling, so she stood back.
Renee was so apprehensive she started to feel confident and now she was about to head back to the airport.
She stood in the doorway looking into the beautiful lobby, to the pool beyond, and the ocean beyond that. Taking a deep breath, she brought back her confidence and walked in. She made her way to the check-in following the others. Once they checked in they headed to the elevators to go up. Their plans change to hit the pool area and see what they can find. They made it sound so easy.
If she had some experience in the dating world it may be easier; but having never been a flirt nor out on dates, she had nothing to fall back on. Martin had scooped her up and turned her into his Stepford wife before she had a chance to become her own woman. She was the perfect eye candy and the dutiful wife he was looking for. Too bad she grew up and was not so eager to play that role anymore.
"Get a backbone girl," Renee chastised and straightened her shoulders and approached the check-in desk as the last person walked away with their keycard. They all seemed so excited to get on with their vacation. Early October was a strange time for a vacation, but it was perfect timing for Renee. Her biggest concern was a hurricane, but none were coming so she booked this trip.
"Hi, Renee Blankenship I'm checking in," she told the young lady behind the counter as a loud burst of laughter filled the lobby. Deep voices filtered out sounding like male rude banter making Renee smile. People were having fun that is what she is looking for.
"That is the poker players. Someone must have won a big pot. It is all for fun they don't play for actual money here. We have poker chips, and each player starts with ten thousand dollars, and they play until someone wins it all. They seem to enjoy the fact they aren't winning or losing actual money. It is just for fun," the clerk offered like it was assurance it was above board. Renee smiled and said, "Well they sound like they are having fun," as laughter filled the air again.
The desk clerk gave her pamphlets on the different things they offer and other attractions on the island. The main thing she needed was clothing. Feeling rather stupid as she picked up her almost empty bag, she took her pass key and turned towards the elevator. She has a room on the third floor and the clerk claims it has a wonderful view of the water. Waving the bellhop off she didn't want him to think she was going to steal all the towels while she was there when he picked up her empty bag.
She planned to check out her room come back down catch a cab and check out the shopping area advertised in their pamphlet. Once she has something to wear, she will check out the beach and the rest of the hotel's amenities remembering she does have the week.
As she made her way to the elevators two men came charging out of a room laughing one called out, "Now that is what I call bluffing." They continue to laugh and pat each other on the back.
"That pot was about three thousand," one boisterous man said as the other was staring at Renee as she walked towards him. She smiled at his attention he was a cutie she noted as the elevator doors opened.
Her last glimpse of him was a concerned expression as he walked towards her. Smiling she chuckled as she went up. "I had someone's attention," she said as the doors opened to her floor. "And he is cute," she said looking for the room. Yes, she saw pictures, but this was nice. Visions of the hotel she stayed in right after she left Martin came to mind and this was a thousand times better. Placing her bag on the bed she walked to the sliding glass door and stepped out on the balcony. The view and smell of the ocean filled her senses.
*
"Did you see her?" Caleb asked Dan.
"No just a glimpse," Dan said turning his attention to the elevator. Someone has his brother's attention big time Dan noticed.
"Good glad to hear that, I shall have to keep an eye out for her," he said and looped his arm around Dan's shoulder and went back to clearing the table of chips. Dan talked him into coming to this island when his long-time girlfriend broke up with him and didn't seem to be getting over it. He wanted to get married and have kids and she wanted to pursue an acting career.
She had good reviews for a local play in their city and she got the bug. She teamed up with a couple of other girls in her acting class and they flew out to California to become famous. No doubt in any of their minds, they were going to take Hollywood by storm. Caleb wished her luck, but at that point, he was tired of her crazy ideas.
He had been a fool thinking she would settle down with him. He worked with his brothers at the construction firm his father started some thirty years back and they both needed a break. He had a degree in architecture and Dan was in sales. He could sell snowballs to Eskimos. They were building new office spaces all over the Dallas area and needed some downtime.
Dan loved coming to this place and so far, they have only played poker. But Dan has accomplished his goal and gotten Caleb's mind off of Jessica. His mind was pretty close to being gone he hadn't slept since they got there yesterday but he was enjoying the game.
Lord that was a mighty fine-looking woman he thought. He knew he was being ridiculous, but he kept looking up at the entry to the game room in case she came down. He knew it was highly unlikely she would make her first stop in the game room. He did know he was the cutest one in the family. He hoped she got a good enough look at him and would come looking for him. He could make this a good vacation for both of them if she gave him a chance.
Renee stood on the balcony surveying the beach and the water. It was quite warm for October but then again it was hot still in Austin. She let the cooler breeze blow through her hair and breathed in the salty air. They were right this was paradise she decided. Stepping back inside she opened her suitcase and pulled out the only casual thing she owned. Took her make-up bag to the bath clipped her mass of hair on top of her head and set the temperature for the shower. She needs to rinse off the day and start fresh. If she is lucky that cutie will still be here for a few days, he looked interested. She may be horny but she is not a slut. She at least needs to get to know the man before she climbs all over him. She hoped his flight was not tonight. That would be her luck.