^^TotS^^
BPOV
**Incoming text message from Cap'n Crunch**
2:30pm
Hi.
2:32pm
Hi back.
2:33pm
Whatcha doing?
2:33pm
Right now I'm giggling.
2:34pm
What's so funny?
2:35pm
I labeled your # as Cap'n Crunch…and it's cracking me up!
2:35pm
The cereal guy? May I ask why?
2:36pm
LOL, yes! Cap'n for your rank & Crunch cause I almost broke your nose. And it made a crunching sound.
2:37pm
Very creative & quite graphic. Thanks for that walk down memory lane. Now I have to think of a better nickname for your #.
2:38pm
Can't wait to hear it.
2:40pm
So… aside from giggling, what're you doing today?
2:41pm
Lounging at the base pool, getting some genuiiiiiiine Hawaiian sun.
2:42pm
Lounging at the pool, huh? Crowded?
2:43pm
Nah. There were some swim quals when I first arrived, but they ended at 1. Open to the public since then.
2:43pm
Airmen have to learn to swim? That doesn't make me feel warm & fuzzy about flying Space-A anymore.
2:44pm
Bahaha. Better safe than sorry, I suppose. They always mention water landings in the safety brief before take-off.
2:45pm
Yeah, still not helping, Bella. Anyway, how're those legs of yours today?
2:45pm
Pardon me?
2:46pm
Your legs. Are they sore like you said they'd be?
2:47pm
OH! Yeah, no. I'm good actually. Guess it helps that I live on the elliptical machine at the gym, huh? I was more prepared than I thought!
2:48pm
Guess so! I'm okay, too. Helps that I just spent the last 7 months trudging through the sand. Always a good workout.
2:49pm
Good point. So, what're you up to today/nite?
2:49pm
Hanging out with Riley. He owes me a night of drinks after using my car so damn much.
2:50pm
Aww. Don't be too hard on him. It was very sparkly when we arrived from Cali.
2:51pm
That it was. How about you? Plans for tonite?
2:51pm
Sorta in a dancing mood. We'll see.
2:52pm
You danced quite a bit at the zoo yesterday!
2:53pm
That was nothing! It lit a spark…now I think I need more.
2:54pm
And you'll go dancing all alone? I don't like that.
2:55pm
Lucky for you, you don't hafta like it! ;) I'll be fine. I'm a big girl. I'm this manys *holds up 27 fingers* When are you getting me in the AM?
2:57pm
Well, the memorial opens at 7. Tours & programs start at 8.
2:58pm
Major crowds, I'm sure, being Memorial Day Weekend.
2:59pm
I can handle it if you can.
3:01pm
Ok, Sir. Come get me at 7. I'll be ready.
3:02pm
I'll be there. And if you do go out, be safe, k? Doesn't matter how "manys" you are.
3:03pm
Sir, yes Sir! *insert sarcastic grin*
3:04pm
O_O -that's me rolling my eyes at you. Night, Marcie.
I smile, slip my phone back in my beach bag and sit up to stretch. Jeebus, it's hot out here. Time for another dip in the pool. I can't wait to be done with this ear infection. The doctor said I needed to avoid submerging my head in water while I'm using the ear drops. Thankfully, I only have to use them for a few more days. I refuse to have anything dampen this trip…I have too much to see and do!
Speaking of seeing and doing, I want to look into plane tickets for Kauai for Tuesday. The receptionist at the front desk of the base lodge said I have to check out at the beginning of next week because PCS season has officially descended and the hotel is booked solid for the next six weeks. She said it usually dies down a bit as July comes to a close, so she advised me to take advantage of the lack of availability on Oahu and see the other islands now. Once I'm finished, I can come back here and there will be a better chance of vacancies in the military hotels at that time. I appreciated her advice and thoughtfulness in wanting me to be able to save money wherever possible.
I suppose this weekend will be goodbye for Edward and me. It makes me a little sad considering the fun we had yesterday and the bonding we've been doing this past week, but my original intention for this trip was to be brave and branch out, seeing as much as possible without the obligation to family and friends, who expect me to sit around and wallow with them. I've craved this freedom; now that I have it, I want to take full advantage of this incredible opportunity. I think Edward gets that. He's a good egg, that Captain Masen.
Once I smooth out my towel on the lounge chair after my quick dip, I hear my cell ringing with a familiar tune. Alice.
"Yellow!"
"Well, hello there! It's so good to hear your voice, Bells. We miss you!"
"Alice, I've been gone for less than a week. You and Jasper probably still have leftovers from the night before I left," I chuckle and settle into my chair, with my shades now protecting me from the blinding sun.
"HA! Shows you what you know, we finished the bar-b-que and sides two nights ago, so there!"
"Okay, okay. You win. So what's up?
"Psshhh, nothing here! I'm calling to find out how things are going with you. How was it, traveling on your own? What have you seen, where have you gone since you arrived?"
"Hahaha. Okay, slow your roll there, sister. Traveling was fine. No problems getting the flights. They weren't crowded at all. Oh, and I ran into…like, literally rammed into Captain Masen on the flight to Hawaii."
"Captain Masen? Why does that name sound familiar?"
"Because he was the guy who helped me after Mike died, remember?"
"Oh, my God! Of course, Captain Masen," she gasps. "So wait, were you okay? That must've been devastating."
I squint my eyes, listening to her dramatic response. "I was fine, Al. Why would I have been devastated?"
"Well, because seeing him must've brought all those horrid memories to the surface. You must've been a wreck."
This, right here. This is what I'm talking about. Drama.
I shake my head and continue. "No, I wasn't a wreck until I realized I bashed him over the head with my heavy back pack and bloodied his nose."
"Oh, wow. That must have been awkward."
"Yeah, but he was cool about it. We sat with each other on the plane. Then he drove me to the hospital to get my ears checked out. I'm just getting over a double ear infection."
I hear her 'tsk'ing' in the background. "Talk about omens. You shouldn't have ever taken this trip, Bella. At least not alone."
"Omens? What the heck are you talking about?"
"I just mean all these signs that point to you needing to be surrounded by people who care about you...who want to keep you safe."
"Alice. I'm safe and I'm happy. I know you care about me, but that has nothing to do with me flying to Hawaii and getting an earache."
"I don't know, Bells," she sighs, dramatically. "I wish you had just stayed here this summer."
"Actually, I'm pretty happy with my decision to come to Hawaii. I've been having a great time. I got over my jet lag after a couple of days and Edward and I went hiking together yesterday."
"Edward?"
"Edward Masen…Captain Masen, Al! Sheesh, keep up, wouldja?" I laugh. "Anyway, he took me out to breakfast and we ate the most incredible pancakes. Oh, man… to die for. I'm not kidding even a little bit. Then we hiked up this crazy mountain—"
"Wait a minute."
"…and the views were incredible. We snapped some pictures. I haven't uploaded them to Facebook yet, but they're stunning. We went to the zoo and—"
"Bella, WAIT!"
"Oh, sorry, what?"
"So you went out with Captain Masen? Like out-out? On a date?"
"What? No! Well, I mean, yeah, we went out together, but it was just hanging out. Nothing major," I clarify. "Anyway, the zoo was great and tomorrow he's taking me to see the USS Arizona and all the memorials at Pearl Harbor. And then who knows what we'll do later?"
And then all I hear is silence for about fifteen seconds. "Alice? Still there?"
"Yes, I'm here," she says kind of—I don't know—curtly?
"Ohhhhh-kay." I furrow my eyebrows. "Everything all right?"
"I guess, Bella. I just have to say I think it's odd that it sounds like you're dating this guy."
I inhale sharply, feeling my nostrils flare. "Leave out the fact that I'm not dating Edward…but honestly, would it be that bad if I were?"
"Bella, what about Mike?"
I pull the cell from my ear and stare at it for a second. I know I didn't hear her correctly. I take another breath and put the phone back to my head and very calmly state, "What about Mike?"
"Wasn't this trip supposed to be all about you and Mike? And how things would've been for the two of you had he lived? I think it's pretty inappropriate to be going out with the man who came to tell you your husband was killed."
"Okay, back up. First of all, were Mike and I always interested in seeing Hawaii? Yes, of course. And if you must know, I've thought about him quite a bit since my arrival. But I'm taking this trip for me. I needed to get away from North Carolina and the cloud of sadness that descended three years ago and NEVER left." I stand up, rip my towel from the lounge chair, stuff it in my beach bag, shove my feet into my flip-flops and start heading for the parking lot. "Alice. My husband died…MY husband. I've mourned him and I'm trying my best to move on, yet this attitude I'm hearing from you only solidifies the feeling that's surrounded me for all these years. It's like you don't want me to get over him."
"Bella, that's simply not true."
"Well, it feels true. It's felt true for the last three years. I know you and Jasper and my parents and all my other friends and family love me, but you've made me pick up the cross of Mike's death every single day since the moment he died. Like the only way I could keep his spirit alive was to constantly mourn him and be miserable for the rest of my life." My eyes are stinging with tears right now and my heart is racing as adrenaline fuels this outburst.
"Bella—"
"No, you need to hear this. Do you know that we've never had a fun conversation remembering the good times we all spent together? Never… not once. It's like we can't mention Mike's name. Like if we talk about him, reminisce about all the fun memories…silly times we shared…it's like you'll have to admit that he's really gone."
"I can't listen to this right now. I have to go, Bella."
I'm nodding. "Yeah okay, go. Let's sweep it under the rug like we usually do. Hate to tell you this, Alice…but he's still gonna be dead tomorrow, and the next day and the next. It's time for you to let me move on. It's time for YOU to move on. And this trip is about me. I deserve this. I know Mike would've loved to be here, too, but…. like Edward said to me yesterday, Mike is seeing it with me as well. He's cheering for me. I wish you would, too."
I listen for a few seconds and hear nothing in response. "Hello?"
Still nothing.
"Alice?" I look down at my phone and see the home screen. Unbelievable. She actually hung up on me. She probably didn't even stay to hear the end of my speech.
I rip open the door to my car, fall down on the seat, slam it shut and scream at the top of my lungs. I'm so angry right now that my hands are shaking like leaves. I can't believe she did that. A thirty year-old woman actually hung up the phone instead of trying to have a rational, intelligent albeit somewhat uncomfortable conversation. Oh, this is rich.
I shift the car into gear, pull out of my space and flip the radio on. Almost poetically, my ears are met with the lyrics from Jimmy Eat World:
Hey, you know they're all the same
You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in
Live right now, yeah, just be yourself
It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else
Suddenly, it's no longer a question of "we'll see." I have massive amounts of energy and frustration that need to be channeled. Dancing it is.
^^TotS^^
EPOV
"Seriously Ri? We couldn't have just gone to Rock Rose or Mojo's? All I asked for was a night for you to foot the bill," I say as we pull up to a valet ready to take Riley's piece-of-crap car.
"Hey! Quit whining. I'm still footing the bill, but it's a better ambience than those dives back at K-bay. We're gonna have a good time. You need to unwind as it is." Riley slaps his hand on my shoulder as he comes around the front of his car.
"I don't need the ambience, just the alcohol, thanks." The bouncer sizes us up after checking our ID's (thank you very much for that ego boost) and Riley pays our cover charge. Then he finds a waitress who directs us over to a booth marked VIP.
"VIPs, huh? Pretty swanky, my friend. Again, you're going all out when we could've just hung out locally, watching the game on the big screen, you know?"
"Fuck that. This is so much better," he says, getting comfortable on the cushioned seat of the wrap-around booth. "Plus, you needed a true night out: alcohol, ladies and no responsibilities whatsoever. Seven months in the sandbox and coming out alive with all your limbs intact — including your dick — is definitely something to celebrate!" We clink our bottles together and drink.
An hour comes and goes easily, as do the beers we're consuming like champions. Addiction— the name of the club— is hopping, even though it's only just after ten. Apparently, everyone in Honolulu needed to unwind, because the dance floor is packed and there are people standing all over the place waiting for tables and bar stools.
"Have you heard from the very fine Lieutenant Clearwater since you got back?" Riley asks, his eyebrows waggling obnoxiously.
I swig my beer again and nod. "She called me yesterday, actually. But I haven't called her back yet."
He stares at me incredulously. "What are you waiting for? She's your sure thing. I'd have been all over that after checking out of the command on Monday, dude."
"Yes. We know perfectly well that YOU would've been making a booty call ten minutes after your leave started. I, on the other hand, went to the commissary to stock up on food. I came home to a box of very stale Apple Jacks and a science experiment in my fridge that I think was formerly a head of broccoli," I cringe, remembering the leaky, wet greenish-black mess that was thankfully contained in a plastic bag, but was disgusting nonetheless. "Anyway, I'm about to pin on, Ri. I'm not gonna flaunt my thing on the side and get us both into trouble. It's not worth it."
"Maybe you should find a local girl. My special friends have plenty of hotties to choose from, you know. They're always asking about you, too. I could hook you up!" He says, flagging down the waitress to order the pu pu platter.
I chuckle as Riley winks and tips his beer at a group of twenty-something ladies walking by. "As tempting as that sounds, I'm good for now."
"You're good, huh?" He cocks his head to the side and his left eyebrow slowly rises to a point. "Care to elaborate on that one?"
I shake my head. "No, thanks." And I top it off with an obnoxious smile, knowing it'll drive him berserk.
"WHAT? Oh, come on…no holding out. Who's caught your eye now, if it isn't Leah?"
I shrug. "Honestly, Ri, I don't know what she's caught. It's somebody I knew from years ago. Ran into her on the flight home from Pendleton. I don't even know what to think about it. I just know that I'm thinking about it…about her."
Riley's eyes widen and his jaw goes slack. "Somebody's actually gotten under Masen's skin," he laughs after chugging the last of his Stella. "This is a conversation I never thought we'd have. Holy shit! Talk about a new development!"
"Yeah, well… you're not exactly the expert to go to for advice on anything more than a quickie; talk about old news!"
"Touché."
One waitress arrives with more drinks and another waiter approaches with the appetizers; meanwhile, I'm looking off toward the dance floor. It's clogged in a purple haze. That sweet-smelling fog machine has been working overtime tonight. Bodies are coming together and pulling away in a rhythmic congress that oozes sex. I'm a people-watcher through and through, again, always aware of my surroundings. A threesome of ladies approaches our table and Riley slides closer to the middle of the semi-circle booth to make room for them. I'm cordial, but disinterested, much to their dismay. My mind is wandering.
I pull out my phone to text Bella just to say hi, but Riley elbows me saying he's going to dance. Two of the girls give me these, "please-won't-you-join-us-so-we-can-grind-on-you," looks, but I just smile and excuse myself to hit the restroom and wander a bit.
After my head call, I make my way through the crowd to the bar and order a shot of Jack. If I distract myself enough, I won't be tempted to text her again. We spent a solid half hour texting earlier this afternoon. I spent the entire day with Bella yesterday. I'm spending the entire day with her again tomorrow. What the fuck gives? Why can't I get this girl out of my head?
After another shot, my chest is burning properly and I walk away from the bar and head toward the sunken dance floor to look for Riley. Unsurprisingly, he's happily sandwiched between two petite blondes…different girls from the ones who sat at our table, mind you.
He spots me standing near the steps and waves me over. I acknowledge him with a single nod and come down the first step when my eyes are instantly drawn to the very familiar brunette dancing about three feet to the left of Riley.
Of all the gin joints…
Bella's got one guy who appears to have his chest glued to her back and his mammoth hands wrapped around her waist; in comparison, she's so small that his fingers are practically touching. Then there are three other behemoths who have their eyes on her— the different moving parts of her. They seem to be drooling and it triggers something inside my chest.
Moments later, I find myself sidling up next to her and reaching for her waist. "There you are, baby. I thought you were just going to the bathroom. Why didn't you come find me when you were done?"
Bella turns to me and her face lights up. Oh, that look she gives me. Pow, right in the kisser.
The giant raises his head and cocks his brow. "S'cuse me?"
I gaze at her in earnest, hoping she'll play along.
"Sorry, guys! My fiancé is right." She turns to me with sugar dripping from her tongue, "Honeeeeey, you know how much I love this song, I just couldn't resist. But now that you're here," she pulls herself into me with a brilliant smile, our bodies flush, her chin tipped up so that her sweet breath is wafting up to my mouth, "now we can dance…just like you promised we would!"
In the background, I see the pack of Neanderthals lumber away, but my eyes are glued to Bella's. I can't help but mirror the happy look she's directing at me. I'm glad she was on board with ditching the clan of Sasquatches. She certainly didn't look like she needed the white knight to come running, but it was a gut reaction I had to seeing her surrounded by other guys.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in," she croons. "Cap'n Crunch…how the heck are ya?" she whispers as close to my ear as she can get, now that she's up on her tiptoes. I have to close my eyes after feeling the heat of her breath so close to my neck. I can tell she's been drinking; at this point, I'm not complaining, but I'm even more relieved to have stepped in between her and the pack of vultures.
"Nice to see you too, Clementine," I grin back, wrapping my arms around her lower waist, a beer bottle in my hand that's now basically tucked into the small of her back.
"Oooo, Clementine, huh? My FAVORITE! I like my new nickname." She wiggles her eyebrows and runs her hands up my arms, perching them on top of my shoulders. "Care to share the meaning behind it?"
I shake my head. "Maybe later…right now I—" The music shifts and suddenly the familiar Jamaican beats flow through the sound system. Kevin Lyttle's, Turn Me On has the crowd cheer and morph into a group that has almost choreographed their moves, like one of those flash mobs.
Everyone seems to be swaying and bouncing in time. I've never been afraid of dancing, and now with all the alcohol flowing through my system, I'm even less inhibited.
Bella and I lock eyes and move in perfect time. My right leg is tucked between hers, to the point that every time she dips down, I can feel her heat through our clothes. Side to side we move, her hands now gripping my biceps; mine however, are still quite comfortable sitting on her ass. My caveman is rearing his ugly head.
I'm watching as Bella bites her bottom lip and turns in my arms. Her ass is now planted firmly into my upper thighs and we continue to rock back and forth. I press against her; she presses back. My head hangs down allowing me to inhale her intoxicating scent of oranges and coconut…a perfectly tropical combination.
"What are we doing here, Bella?"
She turns her face to the side, her nose pressed to my cheek and murmurs, "We're dancing, Edward. Just go with it."
Which is exactly what I do. Instead of overthinking and analyzing, both of which I've made into a career, I sway my hips in time with Bella's…and it makes me feel free.
My hands don't wander from her small hips, but my knees do buckle when she lifts her arms above her head to wrap them behind my neck. It's such an intimate move, it has me breathing a little bit harder.
After another minute, Bella turns back around to face me and we just concentrate on the beat of the song until it flows into the next crowd-pleaser. She pulls back for a minute and we lock our gazes. I watch her swallow tightly and then she blinks herself out of our little trance, saying, "I'm ready for another drink…you?"
I follow her off the dance floor and tap her on the shoulder, pointing her in the direction of our booth. When we arrive, we find Riley with the two girls he'd been dancing with when I spotted him out on the floor.
"Well, look at you!" He shouts and motions to his chippies to move over. "And who do we have here?" He stands, ever the gentlemen and extends his hand.
"Bella, this is my good friend Major Riley Biers. Riley, this is Bella Newton."
"Ms. Newton, it's my very great pleasure." He raises her delicate hand to his lips and kisses it, which earns a groan and roll of the eyes from me. He's laying it on nice and thick. "Any chance you just flew in from California?"
Busted, dammit.
Bella's smile shines as she looks between Riley and me. Nodding happily, she says, "Yeah! I met up with Edward on the flight over! Damn near broke his nose, too!" She giggles and pats my arm. "Thankfully he's not suing. He knows I'm only a teacher, so there's no pot of gold at the end of my rainbow."
There really is no question, here. She is the rainbow; she is the pot of gold. It's a jackpot any way you look at it. Everything I know about her is, in a word, lovely.
We all laugh and I just stare at Bella with what must look like a dumb grin; Riley catches it and smiles at me. In turn, I roll my eyes knowing, the third degree will commence moments after we say goodnight to my unexpected dance partner.
^^TotS^^
"Shooooeeey! That was a late night, Cap'n! How ya feeling this morning?" Bella asks while climbing into the car and buckling up. I have my Ray Bans on to block out the God-awful bright sunlight. I smile tersely and then put my index finger to my lips. Her eyes widen in understanding. "That good, huh?"
"I'm more tired than anything. I was pretty buzzed at the beginning of our night, but I was definitely sober before it all ended." We both chuckle as I pull away from the curb, pointing to the cups of coffee I bought for us. "I didn't know how you take your coffee, so I brought a little bit of everything." I flip open the little caddy in the center console to reveal several creamers and three of every type of sugar. Bella erupts in a fit of giggles, which only makes me do an inner fist pump, knowing I picked up some cool points for the coffee condiment selection.
"You rock, Sir!" She goes to work preparing her coffee. "Wonder how Riley made out last night."
"Well, it was the first time in ages that he didn't go home with a girl. So that's definitely one for the record books. He was still passed out on my sofa when I left to come pick you up this morning."
She blows some of the steam off her cup. "Gotcha. So what's in store for us over at Pearl Harbor?" she asks, taking a tentative sip.
"It's a pretty quiet place, maybe not as quiet as a library, but damn close. Tourists are very respectful for the most part…and those who aren't are immediately dealt with. It's essentially a graveyard." I swallow, tightly. "I deal with stuff like this all the time, but to see the ship sitting below the surface of the water, and knowing there are over nine hundred men's bodies trapped there forever," I shrug and let out a big breath. "There's not much that's more moving than that, you know?"
She nods pensively. She gets it. Most people affiliated with the military do. Civilian tourists tend to understand, but ultimately, it's a tough concept to grasp.
But we know. It's never about you. It's about the guy beside you. He's your brother; and you lay your life down for your brother. That's all that matters, when it comes down to it.
^^TotS^^
The line to get into the USS Arizona Memorial is extremely long and tedious. Bella and I make the best of it by laughing about our previous night and the silly conversation we had with Riley. After that, we talk about some of the other things on Bella's sightseeing list for Oahu and before we know it, we pass through the entrance into this solemn lesson in history.
After viewing the thirty-minute movie on the attack at Pearl Harbor, we wander through the outdoor memorial and read inscriptions on tablets listing facts about where people were stationed when planes from the Japanese Navy pounded the island of Oahu for just under two hours on the seventh of December in 1941. This is my third visit to the memorials here at Pearl and hearing the stories of military and civilian heroism still gives me chills to this day.
We eventually board the boat that sails us across the harbor to the structure built over the sunken ship. Bella and I go from diagram to diagram, studying the displays inside the memorial that show the ship before the attack as compared to today. The pictures clearly point out what is still visible from the railing of the platform we're standing on and we peer over the edge to see the truncated and severely rusted gun turrets.
Bella is quietly looking out on the oil-slicked water, so I take that opportunity to relay something I'd heard the first time I took this somber tour. "They say that when she sank, the Arizona could have held up to one point five million gallons of oil. About nine quarts of oil continue to rise to the surface daily. See the oil spots?" I point out one rainbow streak and she nods, looking at me with glassy eyes. "The survivors and guides I've met call them 'black tears'. They say that once the last survivor of the Arizona dies, she'll stop leaking oil. Those who survived the attack have the option to have a full military funeral here and then have their ashes interred with their shipmates. Divers place the small urns inside one of the gun turrets, I believe. Last I knew, there were still thirteen known survivors of the Arizona."
Bella nods and grips my hand with hers. "Thank you for sharing that story. I'm a sucker for tales like that. I'd like to believe that once all of the crew of the Arizona has passed away, the oil will stop leaking. To me, that would be beautiful."
We walk toward the back of the platform in the shrine and observe the wall with the names of the 1,177 crewmates who were killed on this ship that day. Bella is surprised to see the small section dedicated to Marines who also perished on board the Arizona. There are close to a hundred names listed with the letters USMC next to them on the marble wall. We stand there for a few minutes, absorbing the enormity of what happened here over seventy years ago. No words are spoken. I just turn to her when the time feels right and we know we're ready to leave.
^^TotS^^
Unfortunately, the Mighty Missouri is closed for maintenance on the memorial, so we decide to drive over to Waikiki for a late lunch. We choose Duke's Waikiki, where I've been a few times. A waitress seats us on the deck and Bella orders a Mai Tai while I ask for a Corona with lime.
"I took my mom and sister here a couple of years ago when I first got stationed at Kaneohe. When we got word from the monitor that I was going to be stationed in Hawaii, I think they were more thrilled than I was." I laugh, remembering how easy things were for Lauren back then. Eric's illness certainly changed everything.
"Has your family been out here since then? With Bailyn, I mean?"
I shake my head. "No, Bailyn was barely a toddler when they came to visit. Eric— that was my sister's boyfriend—and his parents took care of her while my mom and Lauren came out for a visit." Our beverages arrive and we toast to another good day together before taking a drink.
Bella cocks her head to the side. "So…I hope you don't think I'm being nosy, but… your sister isn't with Eric anymore? Bailyn's father?"
"No," I shake my head. "Eric passed away after a short but horrible battle with pancreatic cancer."
Bella exhales harshly, her eyes pinched shut. "I'm…I'm so sorry to hear that, Edward."
I pick at the lime with my fingers, before squeezing it and poking it into my bottle. "Thanks. It was pretty awful. He was perfectly healthy one day and the next he had cancer-of-the-everything and was dead within a month."
Bella is wringing her hands and fidgeting with the necklace she's wearing. "My God. I just don't understand how that stuff happens in this day and age. How can you go from what seems like perfect health to your deathbed in only a few weeks?" She shakes her head, dabbing her knuckle in the corner of her eye.
I nod, resigned, and take another gulp of beer. "I agree. It was devastating for all of us. Lauren and Eric were high school sweethearts and had plans to get married right after college. Bailyn was a surprise, but they knew how much they wanted and planned for kids. It took Lauren an extra year to get her degree, but she finished with the help of my mom and Eric's parents."
We stop to order our lunches and as the waitress walks away, Bella speaks up. "You were saying about Lauren and Eric?"
"Yeah. I was stuck out here, so I wasn't there to witness his downward spiral, but essentially, he had stomach pains one day. The doctors ran a battery of tests and, within a few days, he was told that he had stage four cancer, which originated in the pancreas. It was in his lymph nodes by then and really aggressive. I spoke to him on the phone a couple of times in those first few days, but by the third week, he couldn't hold a conversation." I pause, feeling a sting in my nostrils that will lead to tears if I don't tamp it down, and I won't do tears. "I was able to get home for his funeral, which helped with the closure, but it was pretty terrible. He was like my little brother, too. His older brother, Emmett, is my best friend."
Bella wipes a tear from under her eye and takes a long sip of her drink.
"I'm sorry to have brought the day down," I apologize, taking a swig of my beer.
"Edward, we spent the morning standing over nine hundred bodies entombed in a ship; it's not like we were partying at Mardi Gras. Don't apologize. I asked, and as horrible as the story is; I like knowing more about you. It's helping me to figure you out."
My mouth pulls up into a slight grin. "You're trying to figure me out, huh?"
She smiles, rocking her head back and forth in a silly shrug. "It's just nice to know where you're coming from. I'm understanding a little bit more now."
Our food arrives and we dig in. My mango baby back ribs are fantastic and Bella is moaning over her mac nut chicken katsu.
Again with the moaning.
Bella's on her second Mai Tai and enjoying every bit of it. I love watching the heat rise in her cheeks when the rum warms her and the lime juice gives her that potent pucker, causing her to suck in her cheeks.
"So… I've decided that my next stop is Kauai!" she announces happily, much to my sudden disappointment.
I try to play it as cool as possible. I knew she wasn't going to be here forever. Oahu was just a stopover. But…but…but…
Bella looks confused. "Why do you look like I just stomped on your baby hamster?"
"I'm just surprised. I thought you had a whole bunch of other places you wanted to hit on Oahu before you took off." My voice gets a little loud at the end. Easy, Edward.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you, I'm getting kicked out of the hotel after the long weekend. Too many people PCSing. The receptionist suggested I start island hopping now and come back to Oahu at the end of July and there would probably be vacancies by then."
My heart starts hammering in my chest a little faster knowing she's coming back to Oahu, so I'll still get a chance to see her then. But…nine weeks from now? There aren't enough synonyms in a thesaurus to describe how much this sucks donkey ass.
"Edward? You spaced out for a minute," she says, smiling and sipping her fruity concoction.
"Yeah, I'm listening, sorry. Anyway, that sounds like fun. I'm sure you'll have a great time. Your adventurous spirit knows no bounds," I'm trying to sound cheery, but I feel like there's a neon sign flashing above my head that says, "I'M A BIG FAT LIAR".
She furrows her brows for a split second but then recovers. "Good. So umm, any chance I could ask for a couple of rain checks on surfing lessons and dinosaur tours?" Her eyes are sparkling and she's pulled her bottom lip between her teeth waiting on my answer. I need to suck up my pissy attitude and be happy for this girl.
This incredibly brave, intoxicating, addictive, bewitching…ugh, all of a sudden my stomach hurts.
"Definitely. You've got it. Just let me know when you're back on the island and we can hang out again!"
^^TotS^^
BPOV
The ride home has been really quiet. Actually, Edward's been silent ever since we finished our lunch. Maybe he's relieved that I won't be around anymore. He's been working in a war zone since October. The last thing he probably wants to do is shuttle me around and play tour guide on this island.
I guess I was just hoping for a little bit more of a reaction…happiness that I'm coming back…sadness that I'm leaving…at this point, I'd take either.
Dancing with Edward last night was the best surprise I've had in a while. He was funny and handsome and the dance we shared was electrifying. I felt myself pushing closer to him, maybe a little too quickly. He was just rescuing me from that group of guys. I wasn't annoyed by them, but it was fun to "play house" for a minute when he cut in to join me on the dance floor.
Laughing and drinking with his friend Riley was like a breath of fresh air. To be around people who weren't treating me like a porcelain doll that could shatter at any given moment. I revel in it. I want more of it, to be honest. More time with him and his friends. But, we're about two minutes from the door of the hotel. Time's up, Bella.
Edward pulls his car up to the front curb and turns to look at me.
Before he says anything, I go for broke. "Are you okay? You've been pretty quiet since we left Waikiki."
He scrunches his eyes. "Yeah, I'm just tired. I think the long night and early day is catching up with me," I watch his Adam's apple bob as he swallows. "I just need to sleep it off. I'm good."
My chest rises, I take in a deep breath and put on my best smile, even though I'm suddenly feeling pretty crappy. "All right. Listen, thanks for everything you've done for me this week. From the conversation on the plane, to the hospital and to the dance last night… just everything in between. I've had a really great time. I wanted you to know that."
He's nodding. "I agree. It's been fun showing you around. And you should definitely gimme a call if you come back to Oahu to check out the other places you missed this time around."
"If? Oh it's not "if" but "when." I'm totally coming back. I'm counting on those surfing lessons." I smile, trying to lighten the mood.
He chuckles. "You got it. I'll be here. Be safe, okay?" He reaches across the seat and wraps me up in a hug that takes me by surprise but feels like...well hell, it feels a lot like coming home. I close my eyes for a few seconds as he gives me a final squeeze and pulls away.
"Thanks. I'll see ya later." I step out of his car as he holds up his palm like he's high-fiving the air.
"See ya, Bella."
^^TotS^^
By eight, I'm sprawled out on my bed in the hotel, too exhausted to even peel the orange that's been sitting in my hand for the last twenty minutes. What a rockin' Saturday night this is! I can't help it, though. I've been in a blue funk ever since Edward dropped me off. It felt abrupt and cold and just…wrong. I didn't like it one bit, so here I lie…tired, irritable and bummed out.
The phone on the nightstand rings, but by the time I roll over to reach it, the ringing stops. I shrug, assuming whoever was trying to track me down will just leave a message on the voicemail system.
Less than a minute later, there's a knock on my door. I sit up quickly and look at myself. Barely presentable, but it will have to do. It's probably just a front desk clerk.
I peer out the peephole and my eyes bug out of my head. I unlock the bolt and chain and am greeted by Edward. He looks even more exhausted than I am and his five o'clock shadow looks like it's checking in at about midnight.
"Hi. You okay?" I ask, pulling the door open wider to invite him in.
"I am now. I just…I needed to see you again, Bella." He passes by me and starts walking in circles around the little coffee table. "I'm sorry I was such a cold fish earlier today when I dropped you off. I don't know what my problem is. But my behavior was shitty and you didn't deserve that from me."
I'm hoping the look on my face reveals that he didn't hurt my feelings, even though on the inside I had been hoping for a more enthusiastic and emotional goodbye from him. "It's okay. We're both really tired. No big deal." I shrug, feigning indifference.
And the Academy Award goes to…Isabella Newton!
Edward exhales and stops pacing, turning to me with his hands on his hips. "Well, I have a proposition. I want to know if both you and I...if we can travel together to the other islands...together."
My eyes widen for the second time in ninety seconds but I can't say I'm not intrigued…or over the moon…y'know, whichever.
He continues. "I have the whole month off and don't even have to check back into work officially until after the July 4th holiday weekend. The calendar worked in my favor, so I have almost five weeks off. I know you probably wanted more time at the other three islands than the next four weeks will allow, but, I just—"
He breaks off mid-sentence looking conflicted. I want to slow him down for a second, but I'm really loving the fumbling speech that's unfolding so far.
"Look. I know we've only known each other for a week…well, a week and a few other really intense ones years ago, but…you're safe with me. And I want to be there for you. As a friend…as a travel partner…we could split lodging costs, maybe aim for places that have a couple of bedrooms and a kitchen to cook in so we don't always have to go out to eat. We could split rental car fees…and we'd be able to have the adventure together. I had planned to visit an island or two while I was on leave anyway…why don't we just do it together?"
I feel giant bald eagles flapping around inside my belly. And I know that I'm blushing, 'cause I can feel my cheeks getting warm. Before I have a chance to respond, he clears his throat.
"Okay…that all sounded really good, and logistics officer-like…but what it basically comes down to is…I'm not ready to say goodbye yet, Bella. I…I don't want to say goodbye yet."
He gets a huge grin on his face, most likely in reaction to the thousand-watt smile I'm showing off. I don't think I've ever heard a more nervous, rambling speech as well rehearsed but totally heartfelt as that one. How could I possibly say no? The blue funk I was feeling has completely blown out to sea.
And it's because of him.
I don't know what's about to happen here, but I can almost hear Dean Martin singing, Ain't That a Kick in the Head in the back of my mind. Of course in our case, it would be a backpack to the head.
"I don't want to say goodbye either," I say, feeling like a giddy schoolgirl. "Pack your bags, Captain Masen. We roll out on Tuesday."
Military Terms:
Swim quals- swimming qualifications; Service members must meet certain qualifications in all areas of physical strength, swimming being one of them.
PCS/PCSing- permanent change of station; the location where a service member is placed for a specified amount of time; can be sent with or without family members, depending on the service member's choice
K-Bay– nickname for Kaneohe Bay area of Hawaii where Marine Corps Base is located.
"pin on"– phrase used for when a Marine is getting promoted. In this case, Captain Edward Masen will be "pinning on" his gold oak leaf, which is the rank insignia that symbolizes a Major.
"head call"– a visit to the bathroom
A/N: Woohoo! Road trip...err...AIR trip! Hope you're looking forward to seeing Spearward and Adventurella have lots of fun island hopping, I know I am. Thank you to everyone who is reading, reviewing, tweeting, favoriting, alerting and pimping. Last Call has gotten a ton more followers and reviewers. Callward is flattered and so am I! Come join the fun on FB at The Cabanaboy's Playground to talk all things Last Call and Tip of the Spear. And make sure you still have Last Call on STORY ALERT! Two outtakes will be hitting your inboxes in January!
Leaving for Jersey this afternoon, woohoo! Christmas in the COLD...BRING IT! I will do my best to respond to reviews as well as write as MUCH as possible for the next chapter, but please keep in mind I will be away with my family until December 31st. So it might be at least the two weeks if not a smidgen more before I can post the next chapter.
I love you all. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Season's Greetings, Happy Winter Solstice and every other holiday I didn't mention...whatever you might be celebrating, enjoy every moment. Hold your families close and your babies closer. Life is too short to do anything but.
xo, Jen