“Don’t be mean, I’ll be fine,” she said, forcing a smile, but could already feel the butterflies whirling in her stomach.
“You seem to be relaxing. I like this attitude. Does this mean you’re ready to party?”
“Yes, as long as we commit some time to talk about our relationship.” She flipped mindlessly through the in-flight magazine from front to back.
“That’s why we’re going to Jamaica. I think it’s in the doing, not the talking, but I’m willing to talk about it as well,” he conceded.
“Glad you added that last part,” she said. She felt the sudden revving of the engines and reached over to clasp Jack’s hand.
The jet engines effortlessly propelled the winged giant onto the tarmac where the pilot maneuvered the nose of the plane toward the east. Mottled streaks from the heavy rains formed on the tiny oval windows as the plane waited its turn to depart. The engines whirled with increased power, causing the jet to swell with energy—suddenly, the pilot released the brakes and the jet dramatically sped up.
Jenna felt the forceful flow of adrenaline through her body as the buildings and in-coming planes whizzed past in the opposite direction. She closed her eyes tightly against the dire images in her mind, feeling her stomach sink right at the moment the plane lifted from the ground.
“Are you doing all right?” Jack asked.
Jenna felt out of control and squeezed his hand as the nose of the plane angled toward the sky. She finally felt the jet gently leveling out, seemingly suspended in the ocean of air. Her fearful experience gave way to excitement the moment she opened her eyes to her new surroundings. She peeked cautiously out the window at the earth moving slowly beneath. The expansive blue sky, coupled with the churning white-capped waves in the Atlantic, and a few white wispy clouds calmed her nerves.
“So picturesque,” she whispered.
The plane titled to the right, then, leveling out again, began the one hour and forty minute flight to Montego Bay. The seatbelt light dinged off just as a flight attendant suddenly appeared.
“Yes, can I help you?”
“I pushed the button,” Jack said, pointing to the overhead. “I thought it might help if she got some cold water.”
“Good idea,” Jenna said.
“Well, here’s to good friends and new adventures.” He raised his hand as if holding a drink.
“Speaking of which,” Jenna said as she hesitantly stood, “I’m going toward the back to see if I can find those two.”
“Okay. Send Marc back here when you find them. Tell him I’ll have a Red Stripe with his name on it.”
Jenna made her way to the end of the aisle and slid by the service cart. She looked back down the rows, and spotted Summer and Marc huddled together.
“What’re you reading?” she asked as she drew near.
“Hey there. Wow, there’s so much to do at the resort. We’re just trying to figure out how to fit it all in,” Summer said, holding up the brochure for Jenna to take a closer look.
“Oh cool. We didn’t get one of those or at least I don’t think we did.”
“They’re tucked into the…” Marc rummaged through the seat pocket. “Right here. Here you go, take this one.”
“Thanks. Jack wants me to send you back to our seats for a beer. He was just about to order one for you.”
“I’ll leave the beer to the boys,” Summer said. “I ordered a mimosa for myself. What did you get?”
“Water,” Jenna said meekly. “Way too early for me to start drinking. Besides, my stomach is never very happy on planes.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. I ordered water too, but somehow they spilled some scotch in mine,” Marc said, glancing up at Jenna with a smile on his face. “I was upset at first,” he continued, “but Summer reminded me that we’re here to have a good time and it’s not right to get upset over such trivial matters.” He lifted his drink in her direction. “It’s good. You should try one.”
“Get out of here and go see Jack,” Jenna said, chuckling at his humor. “Let Summer and me have some time together and we’ll come up with a plan.”
“Guaranteed to blow your mind,” Summer said, winking at Marc.
“I like the sound of that.” He leaned over and kissed her fully on the lips and then Jenna on the cheek. “I’ll see you lovely ladies, in a bit,” he said, raising his eyebrows to Jenna and making eye contact that she felt in places she’d rather not think about. “I’m going to leave my drink here.”
*****
“Hey, mon. Have a seat,” Jack said, patting the cushion next to him.
“Is this your first time to Jamaica?” Marc asked, ducking under the overhead compartment to sit next to Jack.
“Ya mon. This be me first time.” He held out a Red Stripe.
“Nice. Thanks,” Marc said. “I’ve been a couple of times, years ago.”
“Where did you guys stay the last time you were there?”
“I was with a bunch of guys from med school. We had a crazy time.”
“Oh, so not you and Summer?”
“No, a long time ago. We stayed in this dive at the end of the island, not far from Negril. The beds were horrible. No phones, no TV, not even a radio. The first shower I took there was in light brown water. It was wild,” he mused, stroking his chin. “We found this little bar on the beach—we practically lived there. We went from the water to the bar and then back into the water. We’d smoke up and go scuba diving or sailing until around three o’clock and then pile into hammocks for a nap. If we hadn’t run out of money we’d probably still be there.”
*****
“I’m so glad you invited us along,” Summer said.
“Yeah, ah … me too,” Jenna said.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes and … yeah it’s going to be fine,” Jenna said. “We were supposed to take this trip alone—kind of a second honeymoon—to reconnect, but Jack … you know how men can be. First-time couples get a huge discount if they bring another couple along and Jack can’t pass up a deal.”
Summer held up the brochure. “Listen, we can schedule everything so you two have plenty of private time. We certainly don’t have to hang out together.”
“I know I’m just being silly. It’s just that so much has happened recently, I feel like I need a break.”
“A break from what?” Summer asked, shifting in her seat to face Jenna.
“A break from life.”
“A break from life? That sounds serious. You seemed fine in yoga class. Is it something you want to talk about?”
“I don’t know. Part of me feels like I’m being dramatic and another part of me—a bigger part of me—feels overwhelmed.”
They sat quietly for a few moments, Jenna lost in her thoughts.
“I thought my mother was going to die,” Jenna said, breaking the silence. “She had a mild heart attack and while in the hospital she contracted an infection. I’m not particularly close with her, but it made me feel like life is too short. You know what I mean?”
“That must have been very scary.”
“And then there’s the fact that I can’t get pregnant. I found out about a month ago.” Jenna leaned her head back against the seat. “I thought if we had a baby, Jack and I could work out our problems. I thought if Jack became a dad, he might grow up and be more responsible. Instead of being devastated like I am, he’s relieved. I think that’s why Jack decided to plan this trip, as a sort of pick-me-up for me. On top of all of that, I don’t like the person I’ve become and—I’m sorry,” she said, shaking her head, “I don’t—”
“Don’t sweat it. However, I do have to say that having a baby rarely works to bring a relationship back into focus. If anything, most of the time, it adds to the stress. This vacation sounds like the very thing you need.”
“That’s what Jack says.”
“If you don’t like who you’ve become, maybe opening yourself to new experiences is exactly what you need.”
“Yeah, try something
new. I was a lot more liberal in college.” Jenna slapped her thighs with both hands. “Enough of this morose crap, let’s see what adventures we can plan.”
“Are you sure?”
She leaned over toward Summer to share the brochure. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. So what shall we schedule for the next ten days?”
“Look at this list,” Summer said, running her French manicured fingernail down the page. “I have no idea where to begin.”
“It says here we need to make dinner reservations for Le Gourmet as soon as we arrive,” Jenna said. “Must be popular. Oh my, it’s stunning. On the other hand, we could go to the Bayside. That looks yummy, too.”
“The Bayside is Italian. I don’t eat out a lot, so when I do, I want it to knock my socks off,” Summer said. “But I imagine you must be the same way. By the way, how’d you get ten days off from the paper? Are they having you critique the restaurants at the Couples Resort?”
“No, the paper’s only interested in local fare. Nah, it’s not too hard to get time off there. I write for the Sunday paper and my intern is going to write for the next couple of weeks. She’s very excited and besides, I had some vacation leave saved up,” Jenna said and then looked back at the brochure. “This is going to be a task working out our schedule. Should we get the boys involved?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Summer said, laughing. “We should take care of it and tell them when and where to show up.”
“Right. Let’s see … we can go snorkeling, but I’ve always wanted to try scuba diving.”
“Marc would probably be into that but not me,” Summer said. “I prefer being above the water. Too many Jaws movies, I think. Oh look at this, a sunset cruise, I definitely want to do that.” She placed a check mark next to it.
“They also have tandem bicycles,” Jenna said. “Oh my gosh … the horseback ride through the plantation sounds wonderful. Put a check mark for us.”
“Do you mean us as in you and me or you and Jack?”
“Hell, whoever wants to go,” Jenna said, finally giving into the excitement of the vacation. “Did you check out the Couples website? The place looks incredible.”
“Like this?” Summer asked, turning the page to show her the pictures in the brochure.
“Exactly,” Jenna said. “Listen to this—”
Couples Ocho Rios resort is nestled in a cove of shimmering cyan waters on the shores of the Caribbean Sea in front of a beautiful pristine beach peppered with sun worshipers. West of the main building, a wooden dock extends a third of the distance to the nude island offshore. Broad-leafed banana trees, tall grasses, and shady palms provide a sense of privacy as the island lies directly in view of everyone on the big island beach. The large brick buildings, painted brilliant white, reflect old English boarding school architecture with windows and balcony doors flung open to allow the Caribbean breezes to caress sunbaked bodies while they enjoy an afternoon nap.
“I didn’t realize the resort would be so huge,” Summer said, expanding the brochure to its full size.
“Excuse the interruption,” a male voice announced. “The captain has turned on the ‘fasten your seatbelt’ sign because of upcoming turbulence.”
“I need to get back to Jack,” Jenna said nervously. “We can finish the schedule later.”
“Okay. But let’s definitely check out the resort tour and see if it’s worth our time.”
“Yeah. Okay. I really need to get to my seat.” Jenna quickly made her way to Jack and sent Marc on his way.
“I hate this,” Jenna said, snapping her seatbelt around her waist and pulling it tight.
“Try to relax, honey. We’re probably halfway to Jamaica,” Jack said, lightly touching her hand. “Not too much longer now.”
*****
“That’s Montego Bay,” Marc said, pointing out the window.
“Oh, I can see the ocean,” Summer murmured. “I can’t wait to take the bus. I like the idea of seeing the country-side up close.”
“I can’t wait to get you alone in our hotel room,” Marc said, and then captured Summer’s lips in a salacious kiss.
When they broke away to catch their breath, Summer said, “Too bad this isn’t a longer flight. I have always wanted to join the Mile High Club.”
*****
“We’re not landing on that little strip down there, are we?” Jenna asked.
“Honey, close your eyes and I’ll let you know when we’re on the ground,” Jack said, taking her hand in his. “We’re taking the bus to Ocho Rios. It’s supposed to be a very interesting ride from what I hear.”
“Okay. I can do this,” she whispered, aware of the pounding of her heart as her hands moistened. She could hear every sound and sensed even the slightest change in altitude. The whirl of the engines slowed and the jet seemed to float momentarily, and then nosed down slowly to descend. The plane rolled to the left, which exposed Jenna to a full view of the runway and the Caribbean Sea. She felt the urge to jump into Jack’s lap, but then the wings leveled out again.
“It’s sunny and mild today in Jamaica, as it is most days,” the pilot said in his thick Jamaican accent. “Thank you for flying Air Jamaica and have a wonderful stay.” The pilot paused and then said, “Mon.”
Laughter broke out throughout the plane.
The giant wheels of the jet touched the runway with a rumble, the nose of the plane fell dramatically forward followed by the loud rushing of the reverse thrust. Moments later, the jet taxied lazily toward the terminal. Anxious tourists filled in the center aisles in an orderly fashion and shuffled forward to disembark.
“This is awesome,” Jack said. “How much trouble do you think you can get into on this tropical island, mon. Wait, that didn’t come out right. I mean, how can you get into trouble on this beautiful island? That’s not right either.”
“Just don’t,” Jenna said.
CHAPTER THREE
“Hey, customs is over there,” Marc called out.
As Jack and Jenna stepped from the plane onto the tarmac, a man wearing dark sunglasses and dreadlocks asked, “Do you need anything, mon?”
“No. I’m fine for now,” Jack said. He turned to Jenna. “Can you believe they would hit me up before going through customs? Do I look like a pothead?”
“They’re asking everyone who departs the plane. And I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that it might incriminate you,” Jenna said, laughing. “Besides you said it’s legal here.”
“Right. I did, didn’t I?”
“Jack, forget it. Let’s catch up with Summer so we can sit together on the bus.”
Buses had gathered from various locations around the island and sat ready to transfer the tourists to their respective destinations.
When leaving the lobby of the airport, after a customs check, a dark-skinned man wearing black sunglasses, a crisp white buttoned down shirt and khaki shorts sauntered up to the group and asked Summer, “Would you be going to Couples or Ciboney in Ocho Rios, my lady?”
“Yes, we are. Couples,” Summer said.
“Not to worry. We will take care of everything,” he said.
“How long of a ride is it?” Jenna asked.
“It all depends on how you feel about riding in a bus through the countryside of Jamaica.” He smiled. “We will be making a stop for refreshments about halfway to the hotel. If you’d like, I can keep letting you know how far it is until we get there, but I want to encourage you—this is not a time to worry, my lady. Irie?”
“It’s Jamaican time … kind of not time,” Marc said. “No matter the circumstances ‘it’s no problem, mon.’ Even a problem is considered ‘no problem’.”
“Well then, that is no problem. Oh my gosh, this weather is fantastic,” Jenna exclaimed as she reveled in the sunshine and blue skies. “I wonder if I have time to change. Hang on a sec, Jack, I’ll ask.” Jenna caught up with their bus operator. “Sir, excuse me, do you think I have time to make a quick change of clothes?”
“We have
all the time in the world, my lady, but if you can do it in the next ten minutes or so, that would get us to your destination in plenty of time for you to have lunch. Which is your bag?”
After changing into blue shorts and a fitted pale blue tank top, Jenna settled into her seat and stared out the window at the people walking by from all over the world. She could relate to their smiles and looks of joy to be on the island at last. Jenna glanced at Marc and again wondered if he had indeed made a pass at her or as Jack said, she’d only imagined it. Her stomach twisted at the fact that Marc’s flirtation still occupied her mind. In an effort to stop the direction of her thoughts she blurted, “I thought he said we would be leaving in ten minutes? All those buses are pulling out. What do you think is going on?”
“Or so…” said the bus driver as he sat down across the aisle from them. “My cousin works at the hotel and needs a ride. He should be here any moment. In the meantime, can I get you anything?”
“No thanks,” said Jenna.
“What’s the chance of a cold Red Stripe?” Jack asked.
“Ya mon. No problem,” he said with a big pearly white smile. “You in the spirit of the islands now. I’ll be right back.”
The other passengers seemed oblivious to the delay. Twelve strangers gathered on a bus for a ride from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, bound by island time. After another five minutes, the driver and a young man boarded the bus and greeted everyone, apologizing for the slight delay. The driver delivered the cold beer to Jack and graciously accepted five dollars with no way of making change. Jack smiled.
The bus bolted into traffic with abandon, joining a caravan of other buses and local drivers in a chaotic scene of speed and lane changes. On the island, if a bus is full of tourists, it’s up to the local drivers to yield. However, that small bit of information failed to register to some whose cars skimmed so close that the group collectively gasped each time at the near misses.
The Demarcation of Jack Page 2
