Surviving His Memory

Chapter 2

I didn't cry in the shower today. That is the first time in a year that I didn't fall apart under the water. No. Instead, I kept catching myself thinking about the handsome stranger on the beach. My mind kept reenacting our encounter over and over again. I tamed my hair with a blow dryer and put some curls in it with my flat iron. I'm visibly flustered as I peer at myself in the mirror. I shouldn't be thinking of a stranger this way. Even if he does look somewhat familiar. The more I think about him, the more I think I've seen him before. It is impossible though. We are in Maui and if I knew him, I would definitely remember how. He doesn't look like someone who's easily forgotten, but I still can't shake the familiar feeling.

A knock on my door startles me out of my thoughts. I had just pulled on my black sundress, that falls just past my knees, with white flowers and red swirls. My silver/white hair is falling in waves over my shoulders. I may only be twenty-eight, but my hair has been silver since my late teens. Good old genetics, I guess.. I made my way to the door, wondering who on earth that could be. I am supposed to meet everyone in the lobby in twenty minutes.

As I swung open the door my eyes widened. Now this lady, I know her. She's one of the receptionists I have spoken with at my late husband's attorney's office. She has always been kind to me. It didn't take them long to find me. "Hello! I am Cheryl. I have something for you, from mister..." I interrupted her before she said his name. "I heard someone was bringing me something. Thank you for bringing it all this way." I try to stay upbeat as I speak but my mood has shifted again. The depression once again latching onto my heart.

"Are you kidding? I get to spend at least a few days in paradise! My flight home has been canceled due to inclement weather back home. I'm going to try to enjoy being here. I should really thank you for the opportunity. I've never been here before." Cheryl's enthusiasm is palpable. It brought a smile to my face. "Well good! I'm glad you have some free time while you're here. Did anyone come with you?" I asked her. It's not exactly easy to be alone in a place like this. "No, unfortunately, I'm here alone. I lost my husband almost two years ago now, so I'm used to being alone though." Her words brought hot tears to the back of my eyes as I attempted to keep my composure. "Well, would you like to come with me and a few local women to dinner and girls' night?" I asked her. Hoping she agrees. It might be nice to get to know someone who has been through a similar heartache as I have. June keeps telling me that there are support groups for women like myself, but I've never wanted to join one. Maybe having Cheryl here will be therapeutic. "Oh absolutely! That sounds like a great time. Here's the letter that needs delivering." She hands me the letter from him before she continues. "I have to go drop my bags in my room and freshen up from the flight. What time are you leaving?" "We have about fifteen minutes before we have to head to the lobby to meet everyone." I tell her as I sat the letter down on the small kitchenette counter in my room. I'll read it later...or maybe not. I'll figure it out. "Okay. I'm just at the end of the hall. I'll hurry and be right back!" Cheryl's enthusiasm is contagious. I'm actually getting more excited about tonight. She's right, it should be fun! "Alright, see you in a few minutes. I'll leave the door open." I bid her farewell for now and flipped the little metal bar at the door to keep it from closing and locking.

My feet carry me back to my closet where I try to find shoes to pair with my outfit. I pick up a pair of black flats and then I see them. The red high heels that I purchased before I left for Tennessee. I bought them on a whim. I had decided that I needed a new pair of statement shoes. It seems like I'm technically single again.

I must have gotten lost in thought again because when Cheryl speaks from behind me I jump out of my skin. "Definitely the red ones! Oh sorry I didn't mean to scare you. I'm just so excited. I haven't had a girls night in what seems like forever!" I smiled at her enthusiasm, immediately forgiving her for startling me. I'm pretty excited as well, thanks to Cheryl and her huge personality. I think she and I will become fast friends. I opt for the red heels. If there's a day that I need statement shoes, today is it. They will bring the color, even if I can't.

We made our way out of the sliding doors in my room and down the walkway toward the hotel's lobby. I can see Diane with another woman, through the open backside of the hotel. It is truly a beautiful resort, flanked by the ocean, sand, and luscious palm trees blowing gently in the breeze that seems to always exist here.

When she notices me, Diane lets out a squeal. "Yay! You made it! Girls night!" She says as she envelops me in a warm hug. "I'm actually pretty excited too! I hope you don't mind that I brought another lady along. This is Cheryl. Cheryl, this is Diane. Cheryl was brought here for business and her flight home was canceled." I told her, avoiding telling them that I was the "business" that brought her here. I'm doing my best to not think of him or that stupid letter. "Not a problem at all! The more the merrier! We are just waiting for one more. Then we can take off. This is Sally, she is one of my closest friends. Sally, Ellie and Cheryl. We are waiting for Emery. She is another friend of mine..." "...and she is always late." Sally finishes for Diane and we all giggle. Wow, how long has it been since I actually giggled? It felt strange.

The four of us fall into an easy conversation after the introductions are over. When Emery joins us about ten minutes later, we all begin walking toward the doors. Diane is telling us about the place we're going to. Apparently, Diane, Sally, and Emery are all regulars at the restaurant we'll be dining at and it has the best food on the island. If three locals all agree, who am I to disagree?

"Thanks for letting me tag along. I think I needed this, more than I care to admit." Cheryl tells me softly. "I know exactly what you mean. I needed this too! I'm glad you could come!" I told her with an easy smile. Just being with these women has boosted my spirits. We walk into the restaurant and people from the bar are greeting Diane, Sally, and Emery. I guess they weren't kidding, they must come here often for everyone to know them like this.

I took a look around the room. It's not a huge restaurant but there's plenty of room for our little group. Then I noticed him. He is here with all his buddies from earlier. He's wearing more than swim trunks and he still looks like a freaking God. My mouth dries out but seems to water at the same time. What the hell is wrong with me? No one has ever impeded my thoughts this way. Then again, I've never met anyone that looked like him before. He is well over six feet, probably around six feet five or more. The man's legs looked like tree trunks. He is massive and visibly muscular, all over....well, everywhere that I can see anyhow. My face gets hot at that thought. I shake the thoughts from my head and pretend not to see him. That is, until Sally comes and whisper-shouts in my ear. "You seem to have a fan in the room..." She chuckles as she looks over my shoulder and continues, "..that didn't take long. Here he comes." She winks at me as she turns to follow the rest of the women to our table. I tried to do the same.

"Ellie?" I tried to ignore how his voice sounded. I don't want him to get any ideas. "Ellie, that is you right?" He continues to call my name from behind me and I can't just walk away. I don't know if it's his voice or if I just want another good look at the God that calls himself Ethan. I turn around quickly and try to smile a little but I lose my footing and stumble...you know, because Grace is my middle name..but I have literally zero of it. "Yea it's me...and all of my coordination too!" I joke. He let out a loud laugh and I swear I can feel my heart pound in my chest. He is definitely some kind of God. "Can you believe that my middle name is Grace? I think my parents jinxed me." I told him, with a little flair. A flair that I had forgotten I had inside of me. It felt good and so did the smile on my face. His laughter is brilliant. I feel like some of the weight on my shoulders has lifted off.

"Well, Ellie Grace, its nice to see you again! I don't want to keep you from your friends. I just wanted to say hello and tell you that you look beautiful." God Man says with a smile on his face. That's what I'm going to call him, God-Man. That has to be how he has this effect on me. My late husband's face flashed before my eyes and it is as if a bucket of ice water was thrown in my face. I try to hide it but I'm pretty sure God-Man noticed, by the dip of his eyebrows. "It's nice to see you too! One can only hope that I look better than I did after my, oh so elegant, face planted in the sand." I said with a small laugh...hoping to skip over the drop of my facade. He laughs again but this time, his smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. Crap.

"You looked great then too." He winked at me and I swear my heart did that thing again. He has to be a God. "What are you?" The words are out before I can stop them. I cover my mouth but it doesn't stop the reaction I have to the look on his face. I just burst into laughter. "I'm...I'm sorry. That was rude. If you had heard my thoughts..." I dissolved into another fit of laughter. He chuckles at me. "That's quite alright. You look even better when you laugh, Ellie Grace. I find myself intrigued by you and very much excited to hear your thoughts." He whispered in my ear, causing my laughter to stop abruptly and every nerve in my body to buzz. Holy cow! God-Man is far too close to me! He must have come closer while I was laughing.

I took a step away from him and in the spirit of staying true to myself, I tripped. Once again, I am who I am! He catches me just as I stumble and he smirks. "Thanks for your assistance again..." I say as I look down at where parts of our bodies are touching. I had to look away from his eyes. I am tiny compared to this brick house of a man. Something about that fact made my stomach flip. "Your friends are waiting impatiently to question you, but I will catch you anytime, My Grace". This time he was, once again, looking directly into my eyes and I was as awkward as ever. I stuttered, yes I said stuttered "y..you t..too." ugh.. That has to be the dumbest thing I have ever done. What is wrong with me? It's his turn to laugh and it is glorious, causing me to giggle at myself. "I'll see you soon, Ellie Grace." He winks again and I only nod as we both begin making our way in opposite directions. Both headed for our own groups. It takes every bit of self control I have, to keep from turning around. I want to watch him walk away but I dig deep and refrain. Holy crap, God-Man has me all twisted up.