Next Week?

Articles

Holly Winter
Living The Life Of Holly

Next Week?
June 1, 2003

“I feel cheated.” Darlin-man said.

“Good. It’ll keep you on your toes.”

“Don’t you care why?” He asked, trying to pull me into his drama.

“No. But. I’m sure it’s big.” I laughed, not going there.

“There aren’t any ducks on the lake.”

“Maybe you have to look harder.” I joked.

“You promised that there were ducks here that chased little kids. Maybe we should leave and find something else to do?” He looked strait ahead while glancing sideways at me.

“Sorry. That’s not possible. You would feel incomplete. You know. From not walking the complete loop around the lakes.”

“The whole loop? You sure that we need to walk the whole thing?”

I laughed at him. “I’m sure.”

He reached for my hand. “If we’re going to walk, then let’s at least hold hands. There has to be some incentive for me.”

“Yeah. But. What do I get?” I asked, looking strait ahead, but glancing sideways.

We laughed.

It was another gorgeous Colorado Spring day where I was happily wearing shorts and a t- shirt. And could there be anything better than walking hand and hand at the park with such a darlin man? Um. Maybe. But. Not right at that moment.

“So. What are you doing next week?” He asked.

“Funny you should ask...”

“Why?”

“Do you really want to hear a run down of my whole week?” I challenged. “Cause. I could do that. Do you want it by the day? By the hour? How do you want to hear about my week?”

“Hmmm. That’s very tempting. But. Maybe I need to ask you in a different way. Do you have anything planned next week that you can’t miss?”

“Funny you should ask…”

“Why?”

“Do you really want to hear a run down of my week? By the day? The hour? Darlin-man. Where are you going with this?” I laughed at him. What was he hedging towards? This was our second date after our break up. He was a bit jumpy.

“I was wondering if you might want to go with me to the Cayman Islands next week.” He said.

I was quiet. I mean. Traveling was my addiction. But. You know. You know.

“I have the condo booked already, and I have rented a car. I would take care of everything. It would be a totally free vacation for you.”

I was quiet. I live for travel. But. But.

“If you are worried that you might need a little extra space, I have gotten a two bedroom place. So you can have as much space as you need.”

I was quiet. Travel is my very favorite thing on earth. But. But.

“I think that it would be good if we could spend some time together.”

I was quiet. Travel is the one thing that makes my eyes sparkle the most. But. But.

“The condo is in a really quiet area. We wouldn’t have to DO anything. We could read, relax. You could do some writing. We would be right on the beach.”

Ok. Was he trying to win me over with travel? He’s never wanted to go away before. How come he wants to go away now?

“I know you would love it there. Imagine what it would be like sitting under a palm tree with your laptop and writing? You would love it. It’s incredibly peaceful.”

“I don’t know.” How many hidden costs there would be? I didn’t have any money budgeted for hidden costs. And. Was he trying to manipulate me into spending time with him when I was so unsure?

He stopped walking and looked at me. “It would be a totally free vacation for you. It would be great if we could spend some time together. Time away from everything and everyone.”

“I don’t know. I’m just starting to get used to spending time with you again.” I said, slowly.

“How far can you fly on your free flight benefits?”

“I could get to Miami.”

He smiled and kissed me, slowly. Did I just agree to go? “I will look into a round trip ticket from Miami then. Ok?”

I was quiet.

“I’ll just look into the ticket, ok?”

Wasn’t it way too soon to go away with him? We were at the beginning of a new relationship, again.

“Ok. Look into the ticket, but don’t buy it yet.”

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About the author: Holly Winter is a teacher and a writer and a flight attendant living in Denver, Colorado, USA. She can be reached at her website or email: Holly@livingthelifeofholly.com

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