Chapter 1

My son James was home from college, and I had missed him terribly. I wasn’t happy about him picking a college halfway across the country. But that’s what he wanted, and his grades are excellent, so I really can’t complain.

I decided the best way to spend time with him was to book a two-week island vacation. I told him it was his present for getting good grades. That way, he couldn’t refuse. I didn’t think two weeks was too much to ask. He would still have the remainder of the summer with his old friends who were still around town.

Much to my surprise, he was enthusiastic about going with me. He hugged me and said, “He would love to spend a couple weeks by the ocean with me. It would be a welcome change after the flat and dusty southwest.”

The flight from Boston to Atlanta, then Miami, was uneventful. It’s the final hop to the islands that always bothered me. I never recognized the airline’s name, and for some reason, the flight always felt rougher, even though the weather was clear. James, much to my chagrin, slept right through it.

After we landed and retrieved our luggage, we went through customs and took the courtesy van to our hotel. I had booked a double instead of getting two rooms. I didn’t think we would spend time in the room for much more than showers, sleeping and changing clothes.

It was about two o’clock in the afternoon when we checked in at the front desk. “You have a reservation for Mrs. Sara Connelly and Mr. James Connelly?” I asked the cute desk clerk James was smiling at.

“Yes, of course, Mrs. Connelly. Room 622. I will have your luggage sent up immediately.”

“Thank you”

The room was nice. There were two double beds, a dresser with a mirror, a nightstand and a closet. I opened the sliding glass doors that led out to the balcony overlooking the pool and the ocean. I checked everything, including the bathroom shower. When everything met my approval, I tipped the bellhop and started unpacking.

I took out enough cash from my wallet for tips. James and I put our wallets and valuables in the wall safe. I reset the code to James’ birthday.

James was anxious to get down to the ocean. He went into the bathroom and put on his swim trunks, and then it was my turn. I put on my new one-piece bathing suit that was nicely patterned with red and blue tropical flowers, a white beach robe and my sunglasses, sun hat and sandals.

James put a towel around his neck, put on flip-flops, placed his sunglasses on top of his head and was ready to go.

I grabbed the sunscreen and a towel.

We commandeered two lounge chairs between the pool and the bar when we got to the pool area. I couldn’t help but remark on the bathing attire of the young girls and many of the older women. “Well, James, it looks like you will be getting an eye full. I have handkerchiefs with more fabric than what that girl is wearing.” It was a bit of an exaggeration, but I was trying to make a point.

“You get used to it after a day or two,” James assured me.

James was anxious to play in the surf, “Come on, Mom, let’s get wet.”

“Not before I put some sunscreen on your shoulders and back. You will need some on your face and legs too.

After putting sunscreen on James, I took off my beach robe and put it on the lounge chair. I handed James the sunscreen and had him put some on my shoulders and back. I put sunscreen on my legs, chest, and arms. Then put my sandals and the sunscreen with James’ flip-flops and towel on the other lounge chair to reserve it for him. Of course, I kept my sun hat and sunglasses on.

We ran down to the ocean over the hot sand into the surf. We held hands and stood in the salt water to let the chest-high waves flow over us. I had not been to the beach for a few years and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The weather was beautiful, the beach was lovely, and I had my son back again. James steadied me when a wave threatened to push me over. We played in the surf and walked the beach for about an hour before returning to our lounge chairs.

We were sitting by the pool while I drank my Margarita. James sipped his beer while we applied more sunscreen and people-watched. We quietly made remarks about the other guest if we saw something interesting or funny. “Look at that one, James, she must be sixty, and she is wearing a bikini. My God, she is hanging out all over the place.”

“I bet if you wore a bikini, you could get that bartender to follow you to our room.” James teased.

“Cut it out, James. He would do no such thing even if I were naked.” I thought it was cute the way James was teasing me. It was something he has always done to try and get a reaction from me. The bartender could not be more than twenty-five years old. I should be so lucky.