“Well just make sure you are the one to deal with them,” Nicole said, “I don’t like being around those guys by myself. Most of those guys are pretty crude and they make me feel uncomfortable.”
Adam tilted the can and finished the last of the Coke, “I’ll make sure you won’t have to deal with them. Do you know if Shirley has finished cleaning units six and seven? I believe two guys from the construction crew are checking in tonight to enjoy the weekend before they start work.”
Nicole looked at the log to see what units had been cleaned today.
“It doesn’t look like she has made it to those units yet,” Nicole replied. “I’ll go tell her to do those units next.”
“Don’t forget we are to give those envelopes to the guys that check in tonight,” Adam added, “I think it is some kind of pay advance.”
“I have them right here,” Nicole replied as she started looking over her desk. “They were here a moment ago.”
Nicole started to panic when she didn’t see the envelopes.
“I had them right here on the corner of the desk so I wouldn’t forget to give them out,” Nicole said nervously as she moved papers and invoices to look under them.
“Everly, No!” Nicole shouted as she jumped out of her chair and dropped down to the floor. Her two year old daughter looked up and started to giggle as she chewed on two envelopes, stuffing them in her mouth before Nicole could grab them.
“Adam help me,” Nicole said in a panic, “your daughter is trying to eat the envelopes.”
Adam dropped down and stuck his fingers in Everly’s mouth, “Ouch, your daughter bit me. Her little teeth are sharp.”
Everly giggled.
Nicole pulled out the drawer in her desk and pulled out a lollipop.
Everly’s eyes lit up.
“Give mommy the envelopes and I’ll give you a lollipop,” Nicole smiled.
Everly spit out the envelopes and reached out with both hands towards the lollipop.
Adam scooped up the two soggy and wrinkled envelopes.
“Yuck,” Adam said wiping the saliva off and smoothing out the envelopes. “I hope whatever is in these things are OK or we could have a couple of very unhappy tenants tonight.”
“The envelopes don’t look like they got torn or anything,” Nicole laughed, “If it’s a check, I don’t think those guys will refuse a check just because it is soggy.”
Everly giggled, put the lollipop in her mouth and reached for the envelopes with both hands.
Adam pulled back the envelopes. “No,” he smiled, “You just leave these alone. You’re just like your mother.”
Nicole playfully smacked Adam over the head with a tablet.
“I think she acts more like her dad.”
Adam set the soggy envelopes back on the desk as he stood by the desk.
“I’m going to go tell Shirley to clean those two units before it gets any later,” Adam grinned, “and before you two decide to gang up on me.”
Nicole smiled as she picked up Everly and settled into her chair as Adam walked out the door.
Dave slowed down and put on his turn signals to turn right off of Route 75 at exit 217 for Bradenton.
He watched Carl carefully to be sure Carl had seen his signal and would follow him off the exit.
A few miles back when they decided to make a pit stop at the interstate rest stop, Carl wasn’t paying attention and passed the exit where Dave and Maggie had pulled off.
He didn’t notice they had pulled off until after he had passed the exit.
Carl went to where the traffic leaving the rest stop reentered Route 75 and backed up the ramp into the rest area.
Dave held his breath and hoped that a state cop wouldn’t see Carl coming into the rest area the wrong way and give him a ticket, or worse yet ask to see his driver’s license.
It would have certainly put a damper on what they were all hoping would be a good weekend.
Carl followed Dave this time and they both merged onto Route 72, the route that should take them the last fifteen miles over to Anna Maria Island.
Maggie and Joey were both taking a nap.
It was Joey’s regular time to take a nap.
Maggie didn’t have a regular nap time, but after two hundred miles of playing games with Joey, so he wouldn’t get cranky, Maggie was beat.
Dave put his arm around Maggie’s shoulders. She was sitting close to him and had her head resting on Dave’s shoulder.
Dave moved his finger in next to her ear and tickled her ear.
Maggie moved her head away from his finger.
Dave smiled and moved his finger and tickled Maggie’s ear again.
Maggie jerked her head.
Dave smiled and was about to tickle her ear again, but when he glanced down at Maggie she was staring up at him.
“Tickle my ear one more time,” Maggie smiled, “and chances are you might have a hard time keeping this car on the road.”
Dave laughed, “We only have a few miles to go before we get to Anna Maria Island and I just wanted to wake you up.”
“You could have tried saying, Hey Mag, wake up,” she smiled, “instead of tormenting me.”
“Sorry,” Dave replied.
“No you’re not but you will be,” Maggie grinned.
“You should have been an elephant,” Dave joked, “they never forget anything either.”
Maggie laughed, “OK you’re forgiven. How close are we?”
“About five more minutes and we should cross the bridge to the island,” Dave replied.
Maggie sat up and pulled the map down from the sun visor. She opened the map and began to study it closely.
“On the map the island looks like it is about seven miles long and is about a mile off the main land. It looks like it is only a quarter to a half mile wide. We should be able to see the Gulf and the inter-coastal waterway both at the same time.”
“I hope you like water,” Dave said.
“I love water,” Maggie smiled.
They drove for a few more minutes and stopped behind a long row of cars.
“It looks like the draw bridge is up,” Maggie said.
“I can see it from here,” Dave replied, “I think the draw bridge is starting to go down now.”
“I can’t wait,” Maggie said bouncing in her seat.
“I think now is the time I should say that you shouldn’t get too excited,” Dave said. “The island will probably be crowded with homeless people, the water will be brown and smelly and the motel we will be staying at won’t have any doors and it will be crawling with bugs.”
Maggie laughed and walked her fingers up Dave’s leg like a bug.
“I like to squash bugs,” Dave said.
Maggie pinched his leg and quickly jerked her hand away before Dave could smack her and laughed.
The traffic started to move and they started up onto the bridge.
“My God this is beautiful,” Maggie said.
“Pinch me so I know I’m not dreaming,” Dave added.
“I already did,” Maggie laughed, “you’re not dreaming.”
As the neared the end of the bridge, Maggie looked at the map and said, “Turn left at the end of the bridge. The Pelican Post should be down that way about two blocks.”
Dave put on his signal and turned left.
He and Maggie stared as they drove down the street.
On the left was Oma’s Pizza, The French Table, a few gift shops and the library. On the right was The Beach House Restaurant on the beach, the rest was white sand and calm blue water.
“There is the sign for the Pelican Post;” Maggie interrupted, “turn left here.”
Dave turned left and after a half block, pulled into the Pelican Post parking lot next to the sign for the office.
“Wow, it has doors and even windows,” Maggie laughed.
“I have to say I’m really surprised,” Dave said. “I really thought it was going to be a dump.”
“Let’s go get
our key, I can’t wait to see what it looks like inside,” Maggie said excitedly.
Dave got out and pulled Joey out of his car seat.
Carl pulled his truck next to Dave’s Focus.
Dave was happy to see Carl was right behind him. After he saw the view from up on the bridge, Dave had forgotten all about Carl.
Dave picked up Joey as Maggie walked up next to him.
“Some place, hey Carl?” Dave asked.
“I think I’m going to like it around here,” Carl smiled.
Dave and Maggie led Carl over to the office.
Nicole was talking on the phone when they went inside and they waited until she got off the phone.
Everly sat on her lap and kept pulling at the phone cord.
“Hi, welcome to the Pelican Post, can I help you?” Nicole asked.
“I’m Dave Kelly,” Dave said. “I believe my wife and I have reservations for unit seven.”
“You’re with the construction crew?” Nicole asked looking surprised.
“Yes,” Dave replied, “I was told I could bring my family with me. That’s OK isn’t it?”
“Of course,” Nicole smiled, happy to see that a nice young family would be staying in unit seven instead of some crude guy.
“It has been paid for, right?” Dave asked, overwhelmed with everything he had seen today.
“Your unit has been paid in advance for two months,” Nicole smiled.
Dave and Maggie looked relieved. They had to be sure everything was as they had been told. Dave’s last twenty dollars would not have come close to paying for the room. Everything just seemed to be too good to be true. They kept waiting for something to go wrong.
Nicole placed a form in front of Dave.
“Just fill out the year and make of your car and sign here,” Nicole said and pointed to the places on the form.
Dave completed the form and handed it back.
Nicole picked up the form and held up a damp wrinkled envelope, “I am supposed to give you this. I’m sorry it’s damp and wrinkled. My little girl tried to eat it when I wasn’t looking.”
Dave took the envelope, tore it open and pulled out the check.
“No problem,” Dave smiled and pointed at Joey, “I’m used to soggy envelopes.”
Nicole laughed, “I’m glad you understand and aren’t upset.”
Dave showed the check to Maggie.
“We’re not upset at all,” Maggie smiled.
“Hi, I’m Carl,” Carl said. “I’m staying in unit six.”
The smile on Nicole’s face faded but she managed to remain pleasant. This guy was more like what she had been expecting.
She handed Carl the form to complete.
After Carl was done with his form, Nicole handed him his envelope and gave each of them the key to their unit.
“I hope you enjoy your stay,” Nicole said.
“I’m sure we will,” Maggie said, “this is the best trip we have ever had.”
“Shirley is our housekeeper. Just put your towels on the chair outside your door each morning and she will give you clean towels,” Nicole smiled. “If you need anything, feel free to come back and see me.”
“I sure will,” Carl said.
Nicole looked nervous.
“Where can I get some beer?” Carl asked.
“Just follow the street behind the motel. A block down that way is the Bridge Tender. You can buy beer there and they also have good food,” Nicole replied slowly as she stared at Carl.
Carl turned and left the office. They could see him heading towards the Bridge Tender.
Maggie looked at Nicole and smiled.
“He’s harmless,” Maggie said. “If he bothers you too much, just let us know.”
“Thanks,” Nicole said looking grateful, “I will.”
Dave and Maggie walked down the sidewalk in front of the motel.
Their unit was the last unit at the far end of the building.
Dave held Joey in one arm and used his free hand to unlock and open the door.
They both stood at the door and stared inside.
The unit was painted tan. Right inside the door was a large tan striped couch and chair to the left. A large flat screen TV sat across the room on the right.
The entrance to the bathroom was on the wall behind the couch. A small kitchen with a table and four chairs was on the right past the TV. The door to the bedroom was straight ahead after the kitchen. The cold air from the air conditioner hit them as they stepped inside.
“This is nice,” Maggie said as she looked around.
Dave sat down on the couch, “I love air conditioning!”
Joey ran back into the bathroom, a second later they heard the toilet flush.
“I think Joey likes the bathroom,” Maggie laughed.
”I like the air conditioning,” Dave said again.
Joey ran out from the bathroom and hopped up on the couch next to Dave and Maggie.
“This is so amazing,” Maggie said, “This is more than I ever imagined it would be. Everything is just perfect.”
“Well our check is a little soggy,” Dave laughed.
Maggie sat up, “Let’s go take a walk on the beach.”
“I like the air conditioning,” Dave smiled.
“We have a lot of time to enjoy the air conditioning,” Maggie replied, “I want to go over to the beach.”
“OK,” Dave laughed as he got up, “Let’s walk up to that pizza shop we saw on the way in and have a pizza then we can go for a walk on the beach.”
Maggie ran over and hugged Dave. She had tears in her eyes.
“I really can’t believe this,” Maggie smiled, “This is the best thing that ever happened to us. It makes what we went through the last two years all worth it, a great job and a great vacation on top of it all.”
Dave smiled and hugged Maggie. He was glad she was so excited.
Dave couldn’t believe their luck either.
But he hadn’t started his new job yet.
The only thing that kept running through his mind was an old saying his dad always repeated.
“If something looks too good to be true, then it probably is.”
But regardless of how the new job worked out, they had a beautiful island, a great place to stay, a check for five hundred dollars and at least an entire weekend to enjoy it.
This part at least was real and he intended for him and his family to enjoy every minute of it.
To top it all off, he could use the air conditioning as much as he wanted.
Maybe his luck had finally changed for the better.
At least it had for the weekend.
It all reminded him of another saying, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
Dave didn’t know who said that, but he still intended to follow that bit of advice.
“Let’s go get pizza,” Dave said.
“I want pepperpony,” Joey said.
“Pepperoni it is,” Dave said as he scooped up Joey. “And you can have as much pepperoni as you can eat tonight.”
Maggie smiled and took Dave’s hand.
“I hope I don’t wake up from this dream until I get my walk on the beach,” she thought to herself.
Chapter 3
The alarm went off.
Dave sat up and hit the button to turn off the alarm.
It was now six thirty and Monday morning.
They had enjoyed a beautiful weekend.
They ate pizza and had hamburgers from the Bridge Tender. They had taken at least two walks a day on the white sandy beach that stretched for miles along the west side of the island.
They didn’t have bathing suits, but their cut offs gave them the opportunity to enjoy the warm ninety degree Gulf water a little. Joey enjoyed it a lot.
Each evening they had walked down to Joe’s Sweets and Treats for ice cream, which they took out to eat on the beach as they watched the sun set into the Gulf.
It had been the type of vacation that they had only e
ver read about or seen in some travel magazine.
To top everything off, they had slept all night each night in the comfort of the unit’s air conditioner.
During the times when they took a break from the beach, Dave and Maggie sat in the recliners outside of their room under the palm trees and just relaxed.
Maggie talked with Shirley as Shirley made her rounds to bring out fresh towels and clean the rooms.
Dave was worried that Shirley was going to get in trouble because with Maggie around, Shirley seemed to be doing more talking than cleaning.
While Maggie talked to Shirley and Nicole, Dave kept an eye on Joey who had spotted the stray cat that hung out around the motel.
Joey seemed to be on a quest to catch the cat to make a pet out of it. Dave was glad the cat was a lot faster than Joey. For one thing Dave didn’t need another mouth to feed, even if it was only a cat.
He also knew if Joey did manage to corner the cat, the end result probably would not be pretty.
Dave and Maggie started to feel like they had felt when they first met back at Ohio State. They started to have hope that the future was once again full of possibilities for a better life.
It all was almost enough to make them forget about the last two years in Starke.
The weekend had been an amazing experience that made them feel like real people again with real lives.
Living day to day, worrying about having their power shut off or not having enough money to pay the rent or having a decent meal, had not been a very satisfying way to live.
This weekend had given them a chance to once again look to the future with hope instead of desperation.
When the alarm went off this morning, the feeling of the unknown once again brought Dave back to reality.
Today he would start his new job.
He had a lot of unanswered questions running through his mind.
The project required a dozer operator and that was him.
The unit he was staying at in the Pelican Post had been rented for two months, but that didn’t mean that he would be here for all of that time.
Now It Begins Page 3