Finally, she stirred and he pulled her closer. “Are you feeling better?”
“I think so; maybe something I ate just didn’t agree with my tummy. How far out are we?” she asked.
He looked at his watch, “About two and a half hours.”
“I gotta pee,” and as soon as she stood up, she sat back down.
“What’s wrong?”
“I feel like I’m all swimmy and going to throw up again,” she whispered.
“Does it feel like flu or something?”
“No, not really,” she replied in a hushed voice. “I’m gonna sit here another minute.”
Matthew felt her forehead and decided that he didn’t think she felt feverish. “When you are ready, I’ll walk with you. I’m gonna call the flight attendant to see if they have something to give you,” and he reached up to push the button.
When the attendant arrived, Matthew asked, “Do you have anything for nausea? I think we have some motion sickness going on here. She needs to go to the restroom but starts feeling sick when she gets up.”
“Happens all the time,” the attendant said. “If you need assistance getting to the restroom, I’ll walk with you. I have Dramamine in the back.”
Carlee rose slowly, smiled and said to Matthew, “Gimme the bag thingy - just in case.”
When they returned, Carlee slid into the seat. “Thank you, Fran,” she said as she did.
Fran turned to Matthew, “I told her it may make her sleepy.”
“Thanks for everything,” Matthew said as she walked away.
“I hope it helps,” Matthew said as she curled closer, and he kissed her forehead.
She slept for about an hour and felt better when they landed.
~ ~ ~
As they packed and got ready for their trip, Carlee made lists of things they needed; things to take, and things the owner of the apartment told her they may want to pick up in town before going to the villa. Matthew took one of the lists and ran to ASDA. When he returned he had a small bag and handed it to her.
“A surprise!” she said in a happy voice. She peeked inside and laughed. “Oh boy, my very own supply of Dramamine!”
“Just in case!” She hadn’t had a repeat of the vomiting, so they figured that it was just motion sickness, but he wasn’t going to take a chance.
Saturday morning, they were on their way to Florence. Carlee took the Dramamine, before they boarded. Once on the plane, they settled in, anxious to reach their destination. She’d spoken with the owner of the villa several times, getting details and directions. They arrived in Florence around one in the afternoon. Matthew rented a convertible and put the top down to enjoy the beautiful day. Carlee slipped on sunglasses, a large scarlet-red floppy hat, and they were on their way. As they drove, Matthew looked over, noticing that Carlee seemed lost as she took in the scenery. He watched closely because the nausea and the fainting spell at camp remained on his mind.
“You look like Marilyn Monroe,” he observed. “Carlee, your profile in that hat is gorgeous.”
“Wasn’t she beautiful? Matthew, do you see all these beautiful poppies?”
“I see something beautiful, but I’m not sure it’s just the flowers. I’m gonna pull over a minute. I want to take some pictures,” he said with a big smile.
She was wearing a soft yellow-colored sun dress, large dark, ‘Jackie O’ sunglasses, and the wide-brimmed hat, her red hair cascading beneath it.
As he opened her door, he reached for her hand, and they walked along the side of the road a short distance. He stopped and began taking pictures of the flowers. When he turned, Carlee was squatting down to get a closer look. She’d tipped the brim lower to shield her face from the afternoon sun. Matthew smiled at the image before him and started snapping pictures, rapid-fire. She looked up and he snapped more. When she started to laugh, he continued.
“These are gonna be good. Let’s go.”
They continued on to the villa, still about an hour’s drive away. The scenery as they drove was spectacular. Their reservation was for check-in at five that afternoon. The owner told Carlee of a little village and a market before they reached the road to the villa, so they stopped, explored, and shopped for a few things they wanted.
Following the directions they were given, they made their way from the village down a long, winding, tree-lined dirt road. The villa sat in the middle of acres of vineyards, and olive groves. Carlee looked ahead at the old stone buildings covered with crawling ivy.
“It’s beautiful!” she said as they pulled up. There was one large building and three smaller ones nearby. Beautiful gardens surrounded it all, and the flowers were in full-bloom. The dwellings were on a rise, and the pool was a level lower; both looked out over the vineyards. Off in the distance were several other buildings. From what Carlee had read, she figured they were the winery and the building where they packed olives and pressed and bottled olive oil.
The caretaker, an older woman, met them as they got out of the car. She introduced herself as Magda and showed them to the apartment. Excited, Carlee looked around; she’d looked at the pictures on the website over and over. It was exactly as the pictures showed it. The apartment was two-story, and Mediterranean. There was a small sitting and eating area, with a tiny kitchen downstairs. The bedroom and bath were upstairs.
“This bed looks like a big’ol marshmallow!” Carlee laughed. It was king-sized with a high dark wood headboard, and covered with a puffy white down-coverlet. The floors were terra-cotta colored stone; the ceilings we’re rustic wood with open beams. Outside the bedroom was a covered porch with a bistro-style table and chairs. The view overlooked the pool, and vineyards.
Magda showed them around, and informed them that there was only one other apartment rented that week. They pretty much had the place to themselves. She told them that dinner was at seven, “After you see sunset,” she said, and left them to settle in.
They carried their things in and headed out for a walk around the grounds, which were landscaped beautifully. When they returned to the apartment, Matthew opened a bottle of wine and they sat together at the little table on the porch outside their room, taking it all in.
“Happy honeymoon,” he said, leaning to her for a kiss.
“I can’t believe we’re here!” she replied excitedly. “It’s all so beautiful.”
Later, after they’d experienced the sunset, they went to the main house for dinner. They explored a little before going to the dining room. The main room, as they entered, had large windows that looked out over the vineyards, and an old stone fireplace that was filled with flowers this time of year. Beautiful landscape paintings of the villa, representing different seasons and views, hung on the walls.
When they entered the dining room, they found one large table, set for four. The table was deep, dark walnut with high-backed burgundy leather chairs adorned with brass tacks. The center of the table contained a large glazed bowl filled with fruit. It was quaint and candle-lit. A moment later, the other guests arrived.
They were an older couple, his mom’s age, Matthew guessed. “Carlee and Matthew Davis,” he said, extending his hand to the man. Magda came in and invited them to have a seat. The two couples sat at the table and continued the conversation.
“Reta and Arno Willis; we’re here from New York. I just retired, NYPD,” he said proudly. “Reta’s been crazy to come here for years. It’s beautiful isn’t it?”
“It is. We’re here from London. It’s our honeymoon a few months late,” Carlee said with an easy smile.
“You don’t sound British,” Reta said with a heavy New York accent.
“We’re from Florida, actually,” Matthew grinned. “I teach at the University of Westminster in London. Carlee will be a student there in January.”
Magda and a younger woman returned with a large bowl of salad, another small bowl filled with olives, and a plate of fresh bread with two saucers of olive oil sprinkled with freshly-chopped, fragrant herbs for dipping the b
read. The younger woman returned with a bottle of wine. “My daughter, Adriana,” Magda said, introducing the younger woman, who filled their glasses.
“Chianti from our vineyards,” the young woman told them. The two women left them to enjoy their salad.
“I’m a retired teacher,” Reta said, “elementary educator for forty years.”
“I teach photography,” Matthew said.
“What are you going to school for, Carlee?” Reta asked.
“I have two semesters left to get my degree in psychology. I’m in the process of transferring to Westminster College in London from Flagler College in St. Augustine.”
“Oh, we’ve been there, love St. Auggie!” Reta said. “Be-u-ti-ful school,” she said emphasizing each syllable, in her heavy accent.
“Honeymoon, hunh?” Arno said with a big grin.
“Yes sir,” Matthew smiled. “We married in March and Carlee had to return to Florida to finish her semester. She came over when it was complete, and I finished out the school year. We just returned from a trip to the states to see our families, so we are just now getting away.”
“Newlyweds…” Reta smiled. “Me and Arno, thirty-five years and still honeymooning, God love ya!” she said, and lovingly pinched his cheek.
Magda and Adriana reappeared with homemade pasta, tossed with fresh spinach, garlic, olive oil and Italian sausage, and then another bowl with pasta, red sauce, and meatballs.
“Mmm… This all smells heavenly,” Carlee said, as she loaded her plate with a little of everything.
They enjoyed the meal and the time with Reta and Arno.
The next morning, Carlee made the coffee they’d purchased in town. It was a local roast, rich and bold. They took it, along with pastries to the little porch and talked about the day. Matthew had the camera taking pictures of their view.
“Let’s just stick around here, do you mind?” Carlee asked. “It’s just so beautiful that I kinda don’t want to leave. Magda said we can visit the winery anytime. It’d be a nice walk. If you’d like, we could go early, before it gets hot. After that, we can go to the pool a while. They’re serving lasagna, and a beef and mushroom dish tonight for the meal. What do you think?”
Matthew listened as she chattered away, smiling at her excitement over everything. “I think I’d like whatever you want to do, but are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, I feel fine!”
Later, they set out across the field to visit the winery. Matthew snapped off many pictures as they made their way. The view of the dwellings from the field between them, and the winery looked like postcard pictures. He stopped to take several shots in all directions, adding a panoramic shot to stitch together, from a natural little rise in field. They visited the winery and tasted samples, choosing some to ship home.
When they exited the building, a big black cloud loomed overhead. The apartment was about a quarter of a mile away. Matthew decided if they were quick they could make it back before the rain came. They’d made it about halfway when the sky opened up. There was nowhere to take cover. They tried to run, but it didn’t help. Carlee wore a longer skirt, and it hindered her ability to move, clinging instead to her body. The rain drenched them, and they laughed as they made their way back. Almost to the dwelling, it eased up. Matthew had her by the hand and they turned to find a rainbow. He pulled his camera out and snapped off several shots, and then looked at Carlee.
“Don’t move,” he told her and smiled.
“What is it?” she asked.
“It’s good, just stay there, just like that a minute,” he said, and snapped off several more shots.
“Come on, we gotta get you inside,” he said. “I’ll show you why in a minute, but for now we should hurry.”
Once inside, they took off their wet clothes, got towels to dry off, and Carlee slipped into a robe. Matthew slipped on a pair of dry shorts and sat on the sofa with the camera. “Come look at these with me,” he said, and Carlee snuggled close as he showed her beautiful images of the grounds, the winery, the rainbow…
And then pictures of Carlee.
“Oh, my gosh, Matthew! You can see right through my clothes!” What she wore was a gauzy, light blue fabric. Wet, it clung to every curve of her body, leaving not much to the imagination.
“Yes I could! The light was just right,” he smiled.
“I don’t waste my money on bras,” she laughed. “Thank goodness no one was around!”
“I woulda had to charge for that peep show,” Matthew laughed.
The sun reappeared, and they were wet anyway, so they dressed for the pool and went out to swim and lounge a while. Carlee slipped out of the cover-up she wore and dove into the water. Matthew joined her and moved close, pulling her into his arms.
“I remember this swim suit,” he smiled. “Have I told you that I love yellow with white polka dots?” His fingers moved from one dot to another, teasing her through the fabric. Carlee laughed and snuggled closer. They stayed a while before heading in to dress for dinner.
Her clothes were dry so she slipped back into the skirt, but she made sure to put a camisole on under her top. “Just in case,” she told Matthew, and laughed. They joined Arno and Reta in the dining room for dinner and talked about their day’s adventures.
Later, in bed, Matthew was looking at the photos he had uploaded to the iPad. Carlee snuggled up against him. He came back to the shots of her, wet in the field. “I could make big money on that one,” he smiled. “It’s beautiful...”
He put the tablet aside, and she rolled into his arms. He framed her face with his hands, kissing her. She slipped the nightie she wore over her head and snuggled closer, pressing her body against his, skin to skin. He slipped out of his shorts and rolled her on top of him.
“Carlee, I want to make crazy love to you,” he whispered in her ear in a breathy voice.
“Then stop talking…”
The next morning, they had coffee and made their way into Panzano. As they drove into town, the road wove its way through hillsides dotted with old villas. They parked and walked through the small, old town holding hands. Suddenly, Carlee stopped in her tracks as they came upon a garden.
“Matthew, look!”
There was an old stone building with blue shutters and a big red cat sunning on the windowsill. He snapped a few pictures, but he turned and noticed Carlee’s eyes focused on the old stone wall. A closer look and he saw what she was showing him. He turned to look at her and saw tears spilling from her eyes. There were calla lilies growing along the wall and he snapped off several pictures.
“They’re so beautiful,” she said aloud. But in her head she heard the words from the song that always made her mama feel closer.
And as I float along this ocean
I can feel you like a notion that won't seem to let me go
They continued a walking tour, taking in the architecture and history of the area during the early part of the day. After lunch they drove to The Church of San Leolino nearby. They toured ruins and old historic tombs before entering the church. The outside showed different architecture - growth of the church through the centuries, but the inside contained beautiful art work. Matthew had his camera capturing pictures. When they exited, he was busy getting images of scenery all around the old church as the sun was setting.
“What a beautiful peek of the past,” Carlee said as they headed back to the villa. Magda told them that the meal that evening would be bleu cheese and mushroom ravioli, pasta with olive oil, broccoli and borlotti beans.
“I wanna be back by dinner time just so I can see what the heck a borlotti bean is! Oh Matthew, what a beautiful day!”
“It’s not over yet,” he told her with a sly grin.
They shared their evening meal with Reta and Arno, Arno telling them of their day-trip to Castellina. “Not a lot to do – I mean shop and such,” Arno told them. “But while we were walking I saw lots of interesting things that were picture-worthy. I just wish I was better at it,” he l
aughed.
After dinner, the two couples met on the patio for more wine. Arno brought his camera. Matthew scrolled through the pictures he’d taken since they’d been there to explain lighting and angles, offering Arno some tips. Carlee had a panicked look but noticed that the pictures of her were not in the folder Matthew was sharing. He looked up at her, and smiled, knowing her fear. After seeing Arno’s photos, they decided to get up early and go to Castellina the next day.
Narrow streets, with old buildings crammed together, greeted them as they explored. Interesting colored doors and shutters and window boxes spilling with bright-colored flowers were a beautiful welcome to the town. They toured more churches and finally found a little trattoria for a bite of lunch. They were back at the villa in time for dinner. Matthew showed Arno and Reta the pictures he’d taken of the beautiful architecture and scenery.
“I see the difference,” Arno said of the photos that Matthew had taken from different angles so that lighting was better.
The following day, they awoke to a big rain. “It is our honeymoon,” he said lifting the tank top she wore over her head. He slipped his shorts off and then her panties. Carlee lay naked and breathless waiting for him. His fingers lightly brushed the skin from her hips to her breasts.
She pulled him to her. “Matthew,” she whispered. He nuzzled and kissed behind her ear, and then down to her breasts. Her fingers hungrily combed through his hair as she wriggled with anticipation below him. He kissed first one, and then the other breast and she held her breath.
“Matthew,” she said once more...
They stayed in bed most of the morning. Later, Carlee rolled into Matthew’s arms. “Can we stay here just a bit longer?”
“Mmm hmm. You feel OK?” he asked.
“I feel fine,” she said. “But you feel better… I love this,” she said curling closer. She felt that nauseous feeling again, but didn’t say so. She knew he still worried about her since the fainting spell. Wrapped in his arms, they slept a while longer.
When I Look to the Sky Page 34