Sammy in Bali (Single Wide Female Travels #7)

by Lillianna Blake

  When we’d finished lunch, Wayan spent some time herding the kids into clean clothes. Then we headed out together in her car.

  I sat up front with Wayan, while Max sat in the back with the two children. When I glanced into the back seat I found him playing thumb war with the kids. His easy-going nature seemed to meld with their rambunctious energy just fine.

  Wayan pulled into the parking lot of a small building. It was painted colors similar to the décor in her home.

  When she opened the door to the shop, two women walked toward us. She introduced them as her mother and her grandmother, though neither looked much older than me. It surprised me that both her mother and grandmother were named Wayan also. It was a sweet family tradition—one that touched me even more, as it showed the strength of their feminine bloodline.

  I spent the rest of the afternoon learning about what the shop offered and meeting the regulars that came in and out. They were greeted as family, instead of customers. No one I met there treated me as a foreigner. Instead, they embraced me into their community and offered me tidbits of advice about places I should visit and places I should avoid.

  When the kids grew tired of exploring the shop and making up games to play, they curled up for naps on a mat in a corner of the shop. No one hollered, no one made demands. Everyone spoke with smiles and kindness in their voice.

  Max had his nose buried in the computer some of the time, but when Wayan’s husband offered to let him behind the bar, he jumped at the chance. His focused attention on the smoothie recipes showed me that he was serious about turning over a new leaf when it came to health as well.

  The happiness and well-being of all the people we’d met so far was a testimony to just what healthy living could do. Of course it didn’t hurt that they also lived in paradise.

  “People will start arriving for the book signing soon. I’m going to set up an area in the back of the store for you.”

  “Great. Let me help you with that.”

  “Oh no, you shouldn’t have to do that.” Wayan smiled.

  “Please, I want to. This entire afternoon has truly inspired me. Being part of such a beautiful place must be very satisfying for you.”

  “It is.” She smiled. “But it’s not the place that satisfies me. It’s my family and the community.”

  Chapter 4

  As I set up the chairs with Wayan I thought about her words. Maybe that sense of family and community was missing from my life.

  Max was my family, but beyond him I wasn’t that connected with the rest of my family. When I’d worked at the laundromat, I’d been pretty connected with my local community. Since my writing had taken off, I hadn’t been as immersed in a community of any kind. My travels had taken me to so many different lands, but of course we’d not stayed long enough to become part of any of those places.

  I made the decision that, along with focusing on a healthy lifestyle, I would make more of an effort to connect with others, starting with the book signing.

  An hour later, I stood in front of a seated audience that looked up at me with expectant expressions. They were there to hear me speak, to find out what insight I might have to offer them and to receive some kind of inspiration from our time together.

  No pressure there.

  I looked out at the people before me and wondered what I could possibly say to them that they didn’t already know. Their eager smiles and warm personalities drew out a sense of longing in me.

  When I began to speak, the words flowed from me as if a faucet had been turned on. I talked about the lessons I’d learned in all the different countries I’d visited. I mentioned how different every culture could be and how unified women’s issues were despite our differences.

  “We all want to live our lives to the fullest. We face different stumbling blocks, but they come from the same core issue. We, as women, sometimes struggle to find our voice—not the voice learned from our environment, our family’s tradition, or even the culture that surrounds us, but the voice that is born from a very deep and hidden part of ourselves. We all hear the whispers now and then, but once in a while we hear the scream. It spills out of us and we realize that there is no reason for it to be silenced. Women are full of passion, of love, of ideas that can change the world. I think if we give ourselves permission to truly speak in our voice, we can live the freedom that we long for.”

  After a smattering of applause a woman in the audience raised her hand. “What have you found most interesting about our culture so far?”

  “Well, I’m not sure that it’s a cultural thing, but the strength of feminine tradition in my host’s family is very impressive to me. In American culture, it’s not that common to find a woman’s name passed down through a family. So when I discovered that Wayan’s daughter was named Wayan and then that her mother and grandmother all share that same name, it was very surprising and inspiring to me.”

  The laughter that filtered through the audience surprised me. I wondered if I’d pronounced Wayan’s name wrong.

  The woman who asked the question laughed and shook her head. “Will all the Wayans please stand up?”

  One by one several women in the audience stood up, as well as a few men.

  My cheeks burned as I wondered if they were playing some kind of joke on me. Had I done something to offend them? I looked over at Wayan for help.

  She grinned as she walked up to the microphone. “Sorry for the confusion, Sammy. I should have explained this to you. The name Wayan is not just a family tradition, it is a cultural tradition here in Bali. In our country, children are named by their birth order. The first born child, male or female, is named Wayan in just about every family.”

  “Incredible.” I shook my head and laughed at myself. “I guess that is a lesson in not making assumptions.”

  “Not to worry.” Wayan smiled at me. “I think any chance to get to learn about a different culture is priceless. I’ve heard that Americans often live apart from their relatives. Is that true?”

  “Yes, that is true. American culture is hard to define, as we are a melting pot of many different cultures, but in most cases, children are expected to leave the home at eighteen, either for college or their own residence.”

  “What about when you have children? Isn’t your mother or grandmother there to help you?”

  “Sometimes, but in many cases grandparents live quite far away from their grandchildren.”

  “Fascinating.” Wayan smiled and looked out at the audience. “I’ve learned something new too.”

  As she walked away from the podium I was relieved by the way she’d diverted attention from my mistake. In the past I might have melted down over such a mistake, but instead, I focused on the good that had come out of it.

  I continued to take questions from the audience. The more I got to know the interests of the people in the crowd, the more connected I felt to them. I let go of the image I thought I had to present and allowed myself to make mistakes or to admit that I didn’t know the answer. It was then that I realized these people hadn’t come there to receive from me, they’d come there to exchange with me. It was a give and take of both energy and ideas that quickly morphed into an open discussion of topics ranging from the existence of time to life after death.

  Hours passed before Wayan placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned close to my ear. “It’s getting late. We should probably wrap things up.”

  I came up from that discussion like I’d taken a breath of pure fresh air.

  As people filed out, I signed their books and looked into their eyes. For the first time in a long time, I was meeting new people and claiming them as my friends, instead of viewing them as readers or fans.

  It touched me to the core to think that I had their support and the support of so many more people that I’d never had the chance to meet. I didn’t have to be face-to-face to recognize my community. My community was spread throughout the world—tucked away in small cities, nestled high on mountains, and lost in the chaos o
f bustling places.

  I might not be able to see it, but it was there.

  Chapter 5

  After the book signing, Max and I headed back to the hotel. It wasn’t easy to leave the joviality of the shop behind. The hotel room seemed stiff and cold compared to it.

  “I’m starting to miss home, Max.” I sat down on the end of the bed. “This trip has been amazing, but it’s nice to think of only one more country ahead of us.”

  “I’ve been feeling the same way.” He crawled onto the bed behind me and began to rub my shoulders. “But I am really happy to be here in Bali. I’ve planned something for us—to liven us up a bit.”

  “What is it?” I tilted my head in an attempt to look at him.

  “It’s a surprise.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “And no, you’re not going to get it out of me. But we have to leave tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, I’m looking forward to finding out what you have up your sleeve.”

  “Are you saying you want me to strip?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  “I wouldn’t be opposed to it.” I stretched out on the bed and folded my arms beneath my head. “Let’s see.”

  “Sammy, you’re going to make me blush.” He pursed his lips.

  “Okay. You’re adorable when you blush.”

  “Am not.” He crawled on top of me and looked down into my eyes. “Let’s see if I can make you blush instead.”

  “Too late.” I laughed as he kissed the side of my neck.

  When we woke the next morning Max was still tangled around me. I slipped out from under him and disappeared into the bathroom for a shower.

  As the water washed over me I imagined it washing away any concerns that I was having. It was a practice I’d gotten out of over the past few months.

  As the water washed away my concerns, I visualized a lightness in my heart and my thoughts. I focused on joy, on all the beautiful things that I’d experienced and could experience in the future. By the time I stepped out of the shower, my entire body buzzed with excitement.

  Max caught me at the bathroom door with a lovely kiss. It was the perfect culmination of my optimistic morning.

  “Pack what you’ll need for a few days, the taxi will be here in an hour.”

  “Okay.” I smiled as I recalled the surprise he had in store for me. Normally my need for control made it impossible for me to enjoy a surprise, but I’d begun to accept that most surprises were good surprises and much more fun when I relaxed and embraced them.

  By the time I was packed Max was out of the shower. He threw a few things in his own bag, then packed up the electronics. We grabbed some smoothies from the hotel cafe and waited for the taxi at an outside table and chairs.

  I watched the activity of fellow tourists as they drifted around the area in search of entertainment. Although it was a busy environment, no one appeared to be in a rush. Maybe the sunlight coaxed everyone into a calm state or maybe the impact of being in Bali was enough to mute the need for instant gratification. Either way it was refreshing to see the wandering pace.

  A few minutes later a taxi pulled up.

  Max loaded our bags in the trunk, then we climbed inside.

  “It’s about a four-hour trip to Amed.”

  “Amed!” I smiled. “I’ve been hoping that we’d have a chance to go there.”

  “Well, we are.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of earbuds that he plugged into his phone.

  I was a little disappointed at the thought of his tuning out to listen to music for most of the trip.

  “I got us an audio book.” He grinned as he handed me one of the earpieces. “I thought it would be a good way to pass the time. Four hours can get pretty boring in a taxi.”

  “Perfect idea.” I popped the ear bud into my ear, then snuggled close to him.

  As the voice began to speak into my ear I knew right away that there was something familiar about the words. A few more minutes in and my eyes widened. “Max, is this what I think it is?”

  He looked over at me with a wide smile.

  “Hot off the press.”

  “I thought it was going to be another month before the recording of Becoming Zara was finished. This is incredible!” I pressed the earbud into my ear and couldn’t stop smiling.

  As the story continued—the very first book that I’d published—I began to be drawn into it. So much that I’d written felt foreign to me, as if I were hearing it for the first time.

  I tried to imagine what it would be like for someone to hear the story for the first time. Each subtle hint about being empowered struck home with me. It was easy to see how I’d become disconnected from my own writing. I’d been too focused on what there was to be afraid of, instead of moving forward with courage.

  It was as if Zara herself were speaking to me through the story, and though I’d created her, I considered her advice with the same reverence that I would advice received from any friend.

  Max wound his hand through mine and looked into my eyes. “You did this, Sammy.”

  I smiled at his words and nodded, but my eyes misted with tears. I had done it. I had given voice to what had been hidden inside of me for so long. Now that it was out there for everyone to hear, it was hard not to think about how others might react to it. Being so exposed left me feeling vulnerable, but at the same time, it was a beautiful experience.

  “Thank you for such a wonderful surprise, Max.”

  “I thought you might like it.” He winked, then kissed me.

  Chapter 6

  The taxi stopped in the parking lot of a small motel. The paint was chipped and the pavement was cracked, with sprouts of grass growing up through it.

  “Are you sure this is the right place? It looks abandoned.” I hoped that my face didn’t give away the slight disappointment I was feeling at my first impression of the place.

  “I hope not, I already paid for the reservation.” Max turned back to ask the driver but he pulled away before Max could speak.

  Our bags were by our feet as we both looked at the rundown building again. I glanced around and noticed that many of the other buildings around it were rather dilapidated as well.

  “Should we even be here, Max? I’m not sure this is the right place for us.”

  “Let me just call the number.” He hit a button on his cell phone then put it to his ear. A moment later I heard a phone ringing inside the motel. “Yes, I’m trying to confirm a reservation. Well, we’re here, but this motel is nothing like the one in the brochure.”

  A woman poked her head out through one of the open windows and waved. “Hello! Come inside.”

  Max grimaced as he hung up the phone.

  I took his hand and smiled at him. “Don’t worry about it, Max. We’ll make it work—no matter what. All that matters is that we’re together.”

  “That’s sweet, Sammy, but I wanted this to be special. Let’s see what she has to say.” He picked up the bags and we walked into the motel together.

  The woman who had waved to us from the window greeted us in what might have once been a lobby. Now the space was filled with old patio furniture, some rusty fishing gear, and an assortment of bicycles.

  “Don’t look so glum.” She smiled at Max. “This is not where you stay.”

  “But it’s the address from the brochure.”

  “It’s the starting point.” Her bright smile made me think that she was very amused by Max’s sour expression. She gestured for us to follow her.

  We walked through the motel to the back of it. Right away I noticed the water that extended from the rear of the property and the boat that was tied to the end of a dock.

  “We take the boat to your room.” She pointed out toward a small island.

  “Oh.” Max smiled. “That sounds a little better. Right, Sammy?”

  “It sounds fabulous.”

  We climbed into the boat and the woman steered it in the direction of the island. It was a short but beautiful journey that
allowed me to take in the sights of the water and foliage that surrounded us.

  Once we reached the island I detected many different aromas from the plant life around us.

  She led us down a thin trail that opened up into a courtyard. There were four cottages, each with a view of the water.

  “You are the only ones here right now. You’ll have your own private island.” She smiled. “I hope you like it.”

  “Oh, I do.” I gasped as I turned back to face Max. “This is incredible. What a wonderful surprise.”

  “This isn’t all of it.” He grinned. “Like she said, this is just the starting point.”

  “If you need to get back to the mainland, you can use those.” She pointed to two kayaks beside the cottage. “Or you can call me and I’ll come to get you.”

  “Thank you so much.” Max handed her a tip. “Sorry for the misunderstanding.”

  “Don’t worry, everyone is a little confused at first. I could tell the whole story in the brochure, but I think the surprise is much more fun. Don’t you?”

  “Yes. For once I do.” I laughed and grabbed Max’s hand. “Let’s go check it out.”

  “Alright. Thanks again.” He nodded to the woman, then let me lead him to the cottage.

  The cottage windows were as wide as the sky that spilled in through them. Inside were a queen-size bed, a small table and chairs, and a mini-fridge stocked to the brim with fresh fruit, vegetables, and juices.

  “This is perfect, Max. We’re going to have a great time here.”

  “Yes, we are.” He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. “Any place I am with you is home to me, Sammy. I wanted to make sure that we had a chance to not just reconnect with a healthy lifestyle, but also with one another. It’ll be so easy to be swept up into a routine when we get back home. I want to be completely in this moment with you now.”

  “Me too, Max. Here we are.” I kissed him and he smiled through it as he returned the kiss.