by Cindy Adkins
“Me, either,” admitted Billy. “What if it’s personal? I mean, what if we were supposed to meet for a different reason?”
“It’s a possibility,” said Sarah. “But, I’m not sure if you would even consider being with someone other than Jessie and she’s gone.”
“Maybe I would,” Billy said looking into her eyes.
“I don’t know,” Sarah turned away. “I think that you’re only interested in being with me because you’ll hear from her through my dreams.”
“That’s not the only reason,” said Billy. “Jessie wasn’t the one who was on my mind when I woke up this morning. You were. I’ve never met anyone like you before. I just don’t understand all this psychic stuff. It’s difficult for me to wrap my brain around it.”
“Believe me, this is weird for me, too,” admitted Sarah. “I only went to eat crawfish and hang out with friends. I got pulled into a drama the likes of which I’ve never seen in my life.”
“It’s my fault that you did,” asserted Billy.
“No, it’s not anyone’s fault,” Sarah assured him. “I’m supposed to be involved or Jessie wouldn’t have come to me at all.”
“I think that she wanted me to meet you,” said Billy. “Jessie knows that I’ve avoided getting involved with anyone.”
“Well, we all have free will,” replied Sarah. “It’s up to you to make choices separate from her.”
“I think I already did,” Billy smiled.
“I wish that we had this all behind us,” said Sarah.
“Maybe tomorrow we will,” replied Billy.
Chapter Three
Searching for Answers
-
On Monday afternoon, Billy and Sarah met outside of the Hall of Records. They proceeded to look through every document they could find to see if Charla owned any of the buildings that they had seen the day before. None of them were in her name. It proved to be a fruitless effort on their part. When they walked out, Sarah was completely discouraged. “What can we do now?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” said Billy. “Maybe we could walk down more streets and try to locate it. Are you sure that there wasn’t any other detail that you might have overlooked in your dreams?”
“Not that I know of,” replied Sarah. They walked over to Billy’s truck and got in it so that they could talk awhile. “Maybe we should let go of this until Jessie gives me more information.”
“Do you think that she will?” asked Billy.
“I’m not sure. I feel like time is of the essence, but I don’t know how to make the connection between her father and the building. I worry that we don’t have time to wait for more messages. I’m not sure what to do. There’s something else that we could try. Why don’t you follow me to my apartment?” asked Sarah. “I’ll park my car and get into your truck. We can drive around and see if there are any buildings that we might have missed. I am sure that we didn’t locate them all. Like you told me yesterday, the entire Quarter is less than a square mile big. It probably wouldn’t take too long.”
“Are you sure that you’re up to it?” asked Billy. “I would rather meet you at your apartment and take you out to dinner. You’ve had a long day at work and need a break.”
“I know I do, but I feel badly about not getting on this right away,” said Sarah. She reached over and gave him a hug. “Dinner sure sounds good, though. Maybe if we get away from all this for a while, an answer might appear.”
An hour later, the two of them were sitting outdoors on the terrace of a beautiful restaurant overlooking Lake Pontchartrain. “This is so special,” said Sarah. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“I was hoping that you’d like it,” Billy smiled.
“The view is amazing,” said Sarah. “I love looking out at all the sailboats. By the way, how did you ever come up with the name of your boat?”
“Actually, I didn’t. Eddie named it and it just stuck,” replied Billy. “It’s bad luck to rename a boat. There are even special renaming ceremonies for those who are foolish enough to change them. Life on the water is dangerous enough as it is without tempting Poseidon.”
“I had no idea about that,” said Sarah. “I spent my whole life landlocked in central Texas, except when I went on vacation—and of course, moved here.”
“I don’t know if you have ever noticed, but when people name pleasure boats, they’re usually about a way of life, like ‘Takin’ It Easy.’ Of course, they get named when someone is really excited about buying a new one and do not realize how much upkeep it’s going to take,” Billy laughed. “We shrimpers name ours after women or about the realities of life working on the water. I never asked, but I assume that Eddie named his Gotcha, because he was telling the shrimp that they were his each time they were in his nets.”
“I imagine that’s why,” said Sarah.
Just then, a young blond-haired waiter with a lively personality came and asked them what they would like to drink.
“Would you like a beer?” Billy asked Sarah.
“I think I’d like a glass of white wine,” she answered.
“Why don’t we order a bottle of it, then?” asked Billy.
The waiter suggested the house wine and went to get it for them. “I will bring your wine in a moment and be back to take your order,” he told them.
“What looks good to you?” Billy asked Sarah as he perused the menu.
“I was thinking of ordering shrimp etouffee,” replied Sarah with a smile.
“Let’s make it two of them, then,” said Billy.
When the waiter came back with their wine, he poured each of them a glass. Then, he took their order and assured them that they had made an excellent choice, as it was one of the restaurant’s specialties. He promised to return shortly with their dinner salads that accompanied their meals. Then, he went back toward the kitchen.
Once Billy and Sarah were alone she said, “I can’t believe we’re here.”
“Why not?” Billy asked looking at her from across the table.
“Because I have been so caught up in this whole unfolding story that I forgot that you and I are the key players,” she answered. “It’s nice to just spend time not thinking about it at all.”
Billy lifted up his wine glass and said, “I’d like to make a toast.”
“Please do,” said Sarah lifting up hers, as well.
“This is to knowing you better,” said Billy, as his glass touched hers. Then, they both took a sip.
“This is really good,” said Sarah. “Somehow, I feel like this is our first moment of normalcy since we met.”
“I think you’re right, except for when we danced by the water.”
“Yes, I forgot about that,” she smiled.
“Already?” Billy quipped.
“Oh, that didn’t come out right,” Sarah explained. “What I mean is that we’ve been on this quest and we haven’t been able to just enjoy our time together. It has either been about the past or other people, but never us.”
“That’s why I wanted to come here,” said Billy. “Tonight is about us. Is that a deal?”
“Yes, it’s a deal,” smiled Sarah.
“I actually have some good news,” he said. “I got a call from David on my way to meet you in town. He and Dana have a timeshare in Florida. They are not using it this weekend and he offered it to us.”
“Really?” asked Sarah. “That is amazing. I’d love to go.”
“It’s in Destin,” said Billy. “We could leave Friday afternoon and it only takes about four hours to get there.”
“I’ve never been to Florida.”
“You’ll love it,” said Billy. “Their condo is right on the beach.”
“Are you sure that we’ll ever want to come back?” she giggled.
“Probably, not,” said Billy smiling.
“I think it would do us good to get away from everything and sort it out,” said Sarah. “Who knows? Maybe we will get some clarity when we’re not so close to the situati
on.”
“I agree with you,” said Billy. “But, there’s one more thing. I want you to meet my parents.”
“What?” asked Sarah. “Do they live far from here?”
“They live in Panama City, which is right near Destin,” he said. “I know that they’d love to meet you.”
“How did they end up in Florida?” asked Sarah.
“My mama is from Louisiana. Her parents moved to Panama City many years ago and opened an art gallery,” said Billy. “My daddy’s family is from here, too. He spent thirty years in the shrimping business. My mama is an artist. When her parents retired a couple of years ago, she decided to take over the gallery. My daddy helps her. That’s why they moved. They really enjoy it.”
“That is fantastic,” said Sarah. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
“They’ve got a whole new lease on life over there,” said Billy.
“In what way?” asked Sarah.
“My daddy spent a lifetime of being out on the water before sunrise,” said Billy. “Sometimes he was gone for several days at a time out in the Gulf. Now my parents have a chance to enjoy each other.”
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” asked Sarah.
“My sister Gabriella is twenty-four. She lives with them and just finished college last year. She is a speech therapist. If she is there this weekend, I know that you two would really hit it off,” he said.
“It sounds like it,” said Sarah.
“Oh, and I almost forgot,” cautioned Billy. “Don’t call her Gabriella. She was named after my great-grandmother. She just likes being called Gabby.”
“I’ll try to remember that,” laughed Sarah. “Gabby it is.”
Chapter Four
Destin
-
On Friday afternoon, Billy picked Sarah up at her apartment and they headed to Florida. “I heard that the weather is sunny and clear over there right now,” Sarah told him after she got into the truck.
“It should be great,” Billy assured her. “I even found the camera, so we can get pictures. It’s in my duffle bag in the back.”
“That’s perfect. Hopefully, we’ll get some nice ones.”
“You’ll love it down there,” Billy told her. “It was one of Jessie’s favorite getaway spots.”
Sarah felt uncomfortable hearing Jessie’s name right at that moment. She was hoping for a break from everything, including her, for a few days. Maybe she would not be so lucky, after all. “So, you two really liked it there, huh?” she asked.
“We used to have the best time. Jessie had a friend with a party barge. We’d float in the water for hours and listen to music,” Billy told her.
“Sounds like fun.” Sarah was trying to be polite. She was not sure how the weekend would turn out. She decided that at the very least, it would be possible to come back with a tan.
Billy and Sarah drove for a while and crossed the bridge over Lake Pontchartrain. After going a bit further, they hit Highway 10 East, which would take them all the way to their destination. It was a beautiful drive along the tree-lined highway. They stopped a couple of times along the way. During most of the trip, Sarah heard about Jessie, starting from when she and Billy were in Mrs. Vogel’s fifth grade class. Sarah thought of it as a Jessie travelogue. After awhile, she decided to go to sleep.
When Sarah woke up, they were in Destin. Tall palm trees illuminated by floodlights swayed in the breeze at the entrance to the condominium. They pulled into the parking lot and took their suitcases up to their unit, which was on the third floor. Once they were inside, Sarah was surprised by the pure opulence of its Country French furnishings. The living room was exquisitely decorated in gray and white. From there, she looked ahead to view the dining room. A large chandelier hung over a white distressed wood table flanked by six gray wingback chairs. It was more beautiful than she could have possibly imagined. Billy drew back the large horizontal shades in the living room to reveal the patio and a view of the beach. He opened the sliding glass door and stepped outside. “Come on out,” he invited her.
Sarah walked outside to join him. “This is the most breathtaking beach I’ve ever seen and the condo is unbelievable.”
“I told you it was,” Billy smiled. He walked over to the set of table and chairs that were outside under a gray and white striped umbrella. “Have a seat,” he said holding out a chair for her.
Sarah sat down. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything,” he smiled as he went to sit down.
“Did you stay here with Jessie? I mean, in this building.”
“No, we were never here,” he said. “David and Dana haven’t owned it but a couple of years.”
“Oh,” Sarah replied. She was relieved.
“Hey, are you hungry?” he asked.
“Starved,” she replied.
“How ’bout I go pick up some dinner and bring it back?”
“That’s a great idea. It will give me a chance to take a shower. You said I could take the master suite, right?” she asked.
“Sure,” he replied. “David said there’s a hot tub and sauna in there.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Check it out. I’ll be back pretty soon. What do you want to eat?” he asked.
“Surprise me,” Sarah said with a smile.
Chapter Five
Shaunessy
-
Sarah took a shower and Billy came back with dinner. She met him out on the patio. The table was set. He had a bottle of white wine, two large shrimp salads, and a hot loaf of French bread. “This looks delicious,” she said. “I’m starting to notice a theme here,” she smiled.
“What?” he asked.
“Shrimp,” she giggled.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said.
“Oh, not at all,” she assured him. “It looks great and I’m famished.” She sat at the table in a new light blue sundress that she bought for the trip.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you,” she smiled. “This place is completely amazing. That tub looks like it’s Olympic-sized,” she laughed.
“Really?”
“No, but it sure is huge and it’s surrounded by gray marble,” Sarah told him. “It’s exquisite.”
* * * * *
Billy and Sarah enjoyed dinner, and then went for a walk on the beach. Sarah thought it was the most unromantic “romantic weekend getaway” that she could imagine. She appreciated being able to go to Destin, but it was difficult having feelings for Billy when he showed so little interest in her.
“You want to go for a swim?” he asked.
“Sure, let’s go grab what we need.”
The two of them went back up to the condo. Sarah changed into a white bikini with a matching lace, see-through cover-up over it. Billy put on some black trunks and a t-shirt and was ready to hit the beach. They grabbed some towels and left. Once they got down to the sand, Billy took off his t-shirt, which revealed his well defined, muscular chest and headed for the waves. Sarah removed her cover-up, tossed it on one of the towels, and met him in the water. It was so warm, that it felt like a bathtub.
Sarah caught up with Billy as he had gone quite far. When she approached him, he put his arms around her. The water was shallow and they were only in it up to their shoulders when standing. All of a sudden, Sarah broke loose and said, “Follow me.”
Sarah swam a bit further and finally stopped. Billy was right behind her when she turned to meet him. “You’re a good swimmer,” he said.
“I used to be a life guard at the community pool during summers.”
“No kidding,” Billy smiled. “I think I would have had to fake drowning just so you’d rescue me.”
“Oh, better not tell me that.” Sarah splashed him. “If you ever did need help, I might think you were joking and not come to your aid.”
“Then, no joking about it, okay?”
“Right. I wouldn’t want to leave you stranded and find out that you were in distre
ss,” she said.
“Actually, I am in distress,” he smiled.
“You are?” she asked.
“Yes,” he told her. “I could use a hug.”
Sarah hugged him and Billy held her in the water. She wished that he did not feel so good to her. She held onto his neck and put her legs around his waist. He stood there for the longest time with his arms around her. “I could get used to this,” he said.
“So could I,” she told him.
Then, Billy kissed her. It was as if Jessie and New Orleans and the burgundy building disappeared when their lips met. Sarah wished that things could stay like that forever, or at least until the weekend was over. Billy held her tight against him, as time seemed to stand still. Was she the only one who felt it? She did not know. Maybe he was affectionate because of the wine, but he only had one glass. Finally, they stopped kissing and he held her for the longest time.
“I could really get used to this place, too,” Sarah smiled.
“I could get used to you,” Billy said. She wished he meant it, but Sarah guessed that it would take a lot of time. Maybe if she could help solve this mystery once and for all, he could let Jessie go. At least, Sarah could hope.
Billy and Sarah swam for a while longer. Then, she said, “Hey, do you think we could talk?”
“Sure, let’s go dry off and head upstairs,” Billy suggested.
Before long, the two of them were seated on the patio. Sarah did not want to play games. She needed to tell him what was going on.
“I haven’t slept since Saturday night,” Sarah blurted out.
“What?” he asked.
“Well, maybe for an hour a night, but not more than that. I would no sooner shut my eyes before Jessie came to me. She was getting more desperate. That’s why I wanted to come here. I needed to get away. I don’t even know how I taught my class all week. Even my little first-graders could see the difference in me. I could barely keep my eyes open.”