"I know we’re not ready for all that yet, but what I am saying is that if my parents can get past the Iron Curtain, you and I can get past the Mississippi River."
Melina smiled and leaned over, kissing me. "Thank you. Now, I believe the proper thing to do now is to take me to your room and make love to me. Unless you want to right here on the beach."
"I think I'd prefer my room," I said. "Less sand in the butt crack."
Chapter 11
Melina
Despite the wonderful night of lovemaking and tenderness, Cam and I were still down as we had breakfast. The weather didn't help any, as for only the second day of my vacation it was cloudy and threatened to rain. Dark gray rolling clouds filled the sky as Cam carried my bags over his shoulder. "So I fly out of here tomorrow, and I'll be back in New Mexico by Tuesday," he said. "What about you?"
"I drove to Columbus for the flight to Miami to catch the seaplane. By the time I get there, it's going to be late, I have a long layover in Miami on the flight back. So I should be getting back to Lima tomorrow. After that, I don't know."
Cam understood, and we walked hand in hand towards the dock. The seaplane was already waiting, a few of the passengers having loaded up their stuff. There weren't many though, most of the guests used the ferry that came by once a day. But my vacation package paid for the seaplane, so I used it. I checked my time and saw that I only had five minutes until we were supposed to climb aboard. The pilot was already checking his watch, anxious to get everyone inside. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you don’t mind coming aboard, the weather is looking like hell. If we can take off a few minutes early, I'd like to stay in front of the storm that's rolling in from the north."
"Well, you heard the man," I said to Cam, who handed over my bags to the pilot. "I guess this is goodbye."
"For now," Cam said. “You have my number. You better call me.”
I nodded, blinking. I wiped at my eyes and choked back tears. "Come on, give me a hug and a kiss before I break down. I don't want that."
Cam pulled me into his arms, and his kiss was sad and sweet at the same time. I laid my head on his chest for a moment, before my heart grew too painful in my chest for anything else. I stepped back and wiped my eyes again, forcing a smile. "I'll call you Tuesday."
"I'll be waiting for it."
I climbed on the plane, watching through the tiny little side window as Cam stepped back. Suddenly, his face changed, and he took off up the dock, heading for the main building. I thought he was running from the rain that was starting to fall, but he came back two minutes later. The pilot, who had checked his passenger list and was closing up, turned and waved his arms. Cam spoke to him urgently, pointing at the plane until the pilot nodded tiredly, throwing up his arms. Cam opened the door to the plane and stuck his head in. "Come to T or C."
I blinked, not understanding. "What?"
"You said you didn't have a job in Lima and were tired of it anyway. So come with me. It's hot and dry right now, but it has a lot of beauty too."
He took out a piece of paper and handed it to me. "This is the phone number for Jay Winters, he's the owner of the biggest pharmacy in town. There's not a lot, after all, it's a town of only eight thousand, but he'll know how to find you a job if he doesn't have one already. And my house has plenty of space if you’d stay with me. If not, I’ll help you find a place.”
I took the paper with slightly numb fingers and looked at the phone number. "Five seven five, huh? Glad I have free long distance on my cell phone."
"Think about it," Cam said.
The pilot tapped his shoulder. "Come on man, I gotta go."
"I love you, Melina."
"I love you too, Cam."
He stepped back and let the pilot close the door again.
He stepped back to the safe zone and waved as the rain began to fall harder, watching as we taxied out and took off, skipping the circling of the island in order to save time and stay ahead of the worst of the storm.
"So, are you going to go?"
I blinked and looked behind me, where a nice looking older man sat in one of the other seats. "What?"
"Are you going to go to New Mexico?" he repeated, smiling. "Any fella who’s willing to do the whole run down the dock bit and risk looking like a fool just to ask you has to be in love."
"We are," I said. I turned back around and looked out my window. "We are."
The man smiled and sat back, leaving me to my thoughts.
New Mexico.
There's a lot of sun in New Mexico. And for the past week, I'd loved the sun.
Chapter 12
Cam
My whistle shrieked across the gym, getting everyone's attention. "All right guys, on the baseline!"