Neptune's Ring

by Ali Spooner

  I did have occasion to meet one Codi Clarkson, a quite outgoing young sea faring woman that I know you will like immediately. She owns her own dive shop and has offered to provide all diving and snorkeling trips for the resort in lieu of us buying the equipment and staffing the service. I asked her to develop a proposal and drop it by this week. Depending on her costs, it may be a good idea for us to consider.

  It seems the whole town is convinced the island is haunted. Codi also wanted to know if I had run into any ghosts yet, while we were talking. I haven’t seen any ghosts yet, but there are some things that have happened that leave me with an eerie feeling and at times I get the strangest chill run through me. I am completely safe though, so no need to worry my love.

  The hardest part of being on the island so far is being alone. I miss you terribly and cannot wait to be back in your arms again. I love you so dearly, Vanessa, and I hope that one day soon I will be able to find the right words to express my love for you. For now, a simple I love you, will have to suffice.

  I look forward to tomorrow and construction beginning. It will be nice to see the accomplishments each day as the workers prepare the resort and I will try to document the progress daily with photos to share with you, Liz and Nat. Staying busy will also help the day pass quickly and hopefully take my mind off missing you.

  Levi’s thoughts were interrupted by a crack of thunder in the distance and when she looked up from her writing, she could see a rainstorm approaching from the south. She picked up her untouched bottle of beer and her journal and walked inside. She set the beer and journal down on the desk and opened her cell phone.

  This time Vanessa answered the phone on the second ring.

  “Hello, my baby,” she said. “How are you?”

  “I am great honey, just missing you,” Levi said.

  “I am sorry I missed your call earlier and when I tried to call back all circuits were busy,” Vanessa said.

  “I understand,” Levi said. “By the way, if I lose you, it is probably because a storm is rolling in.”

  “You are safe and sound inside I hope,” Vanessa said.

  “Yes dear, I am inside, although you have given me an excellent idea for some more photographs,” Levi said with a chuckle.

  “For goodness sake, please be careful,” Vanessa said.

  “I will baby,” Levi said as a clap of thunder rattled the windows. “I better get off this phone now. I will call again if the weather passes quickly. Love you.”

  “Love you too and stay safe,” Vanessa said, but Levi had already ended the call.

  The storm was rolling in quickly and lightning was flashing all around the island. Levi sat the camera on top of the tripod and positioned it just outside the front door, sheltered from the rain that had begun to fall in earnest and set the timer for every thirty seconds. Levi would let the camera shoot automatically for a few minutes and then bring it back inside, sooner if the storm worsened. If she was lucky she might get a few nice shots of lightning as it rushed from the heavens to strike the ground or the lightning rod that was attached to a tree behind the resort.

  After several minutes, the wind increased dramatically and Levi brought the camera equipment inside, just as a clash of thunder followed right behind a bolt of lightning. The storm was in full rage as Levi closed the door. The lights flickered and then went out completely. Levi stood frozen in the dark, her back pressed against the door as her eyes adjusted to the darkness.

  Ten seconds passed before the stand by generator fired up and the lights came back on inside the house. At least the weather provided a good test of the generators capacity, Levi thought as she carried the camera to the office. She placed the tripod next to the door and sat down in the chair to look at the images the camera captured. Most of the frames were of the dark filled night, but Levi did have two very nice images of lightning bolts streaking down from the sky, lighting up the night sky with purple and white or green light as it struck the earth.

  Levi deleted the other images from the camera and sat it on the desk. She picked up the beer and took a sip. Warm but not too bad, she thought as she turned toward the desk and her eyes came to rest on the journal. Levi was puzzled when she saw a lone droplet stain on the left hand column of the page, barely reaching and smearing part of the first letter of the line. The beer was nowhere close to the journal and Levi had brought it inside before the rain began to fall. It was almost as if someone had stood over the journal reading her words and a solitary tear drop had fallen onto the page.

  Levi looked around the room, only to find she was all alone. She wished at times that if there was a ghost present, it would make itself known, so she wouldn’t think her mind was playing tricks on her. Nothing had happened that would make Levi scared if a ghost would appear, no ghastly noises or smells and no bumps in the night, just things moving and appearing unobserved. But still some kind of sign might put her at ease.

  On a whim, Levi spoke out loud. “Celeste, are you here with me?” she asked, and then felt completely absurd, talking to thin air.

  Smiling, Levi turned back to the journal and picked up her pen to continue.

  The storm is still raging outside and I can attest that the stand by generator works. It was not long after the storm began that I lost power, but within seconds the generator fired up and restored the power. I think I would have been slightly unnerved to be alone in the house without power, but I was saved from that experience.

  The flare of the lightning against the window pane reminds me of the way your eyes flash with excitement when we are making love. You must think me nutty for comparing our love to the weather, but so much of what happens or I see during our days apart reminds me you. The soft breeze on my skin reminds me of the way your fingertips caress me and the sweetness of the water reminds me of the taste of your lips. Have I gone crazy alone on this island, I ask? Yes, I am crazy for you my love.

  Tomorrow is a very big day, so I will end my ramblings here tonight and wish you sweet dreams, my love. Levi

  Levi placed the cap back on the pen and quickly read over her entry, then closed the journal. She walked to the kitchen and poured the warm beer down the drain and dropped the bottle in the garbage. She looked at her watch and saw that it was nearly nine. Levi locked the front door and walked into the bedroom. She wanted to be up early, dressed and ready to meet the day when Carlos and his men arrived. She slipped out of her clothing and set the alarm before sliding between the cool sheets. The rain had slacked off some, but Levi could still hear the rhythmic dancing on the roof as the rain continued. The peaceful sound quickly captured her attention and carried her into a land of dreams.

  Levi had set the alarm for six and when she awoke, the sounds of construction reached her ears. She could hear hammers being pounded and saws busy cutting in the distance. She looked at the clock to verify that she hadn’t overslept. Two minutes after six it read. Carlos and his men must have been excited to start back work this early.

  Levi walked into the kitchen to start the coffee and then returned to the bedroom to shower and dress in jeans and a pull over shirt. She stepped into boots and then finished in the bathroom. Levi poured a mug of coffee then located a small thermos. She poured the remainder of the coffee in the thermos while her bread was toasting. She was excited to go down to the site, but knew she had better eat at least something light.

  When the rye bread popped up in the toaster, Levi spread a thin layer of butter across it and drank a glass of apple juice with her light meal. She rinsed her dishes and placed them in the dishwasher, then walked to the office to retrieve her camera and notepad.

  Levi picked up a kitchen towel and walked out to the golf cart. The seat was still wet from the night’s storm and she thoughtfully wiped it off before sitting down. She unplugged the charger and was off for the resort.

  Men were busy downloading cartons from a flat keel boat and carrying them into the night club for temporary storage. They looked up and smiled to her as she drove
by and Levi waved a friendly hello.

  Carlos looked up and smiled when he heard her approach. “Good morning, Boss,” he said with a huge grin.

  “Good morning. Your men are much earlier than I expected,” Levi said.

  “We have been here working since five.”

  “I will definitely need to set my clock earlier then if this will be your routine,” Levi said.

  “There is no need for you to be here that early. I would think seven would be adequate for you to join us,” he said. “The first few minutes of every morning will be setting up and reviewing what we accomplished the previous day.”

  Carlos took Levi and walked her through the various sections of the resort that were being worked on, introducing her to the workers. She was amazed that the team of painters already had a dozen or more rooms textured and another crew was beginning to install the crown and floor molding.

  Men seemed to be moving about everywhere as toilets and other bathroom fixtures were installed and another team of men were carrying in cartons of the hardwood flooring and removing the pieces to allow them to stretch and breathe. When the painting and fixtures were installed in the rooms, they would begin laying the flooring, Carlos told her.

  “I need your assistance with something,” Carlos said as they walked toward the front desk.

  Carlos had brought color samples out for the carpet and he needed to know which color to choose so an order could be placed. He and Levi flipped through the samples and came up with a dark camel color together.

  “I will call and make the order later this morning,” he said. “I have also drawn up plans for a small pool bar, if you are ready to review these with me.”

  “That would be great,” Levi responded as she watched the bustle of men.

  Carlos led her over to a small makeshift table and seats they had arranged in the front lobby area. He pulled out a notebook and reviewed the basic measurements of the proposed bar with Levi. She made a few adjustments based on her bar tender’s experience and after a short review they were in agreement of the floor plan.

  “My Uncle called me this morning and he has arranged a deal to purchase fifty Serta pillow top mattresses for fifteen thousand, but he needs a deposit of five thousand to lock in the price and secure the order.”

  “I guess I had better go to town then and make arrangements for a bank account then,” Levi said. “Tell him he will have a check later today.”

  “Very well,” Carlos said.

  “Are you in need of an advance as well?” Levi asked.

  “I should be set until we make our first construction draw next week,” Carlos said.

  “Let me know if you run tight and we can arrange an advance if needed,” Levi said, as she poured a mug of coffee from the thermos. “Would you care for some?” she asked.

  “Thanks, Levi, but I have already had two pots this morning,” he said.

  “Did you sleep at all last night Carlos?” Levi teased.

  “Barely,” he answered with a warm smile. “I am so excited to be back on this project.” He looked at Levi and asked, “Did you manage to get all set up in the house?”

  “Thanks to your lovely golf cart, it was a breeze,” Levi said.

  “Are you ok with being up there by yourself,” he asked rather shyly.

  “It gets very quiet, especially at night, but I am doing fine,” Levi assured him.

  “Nothing unusual or scary happening to you then?” he asked.

  Levi thought for a moment about the mist, the chills and most recently the tear drop on her journal. “Nothing scary, “she said. “I haven’t been haunted by any ghost yet, if that is what you are asking Carlos,” Levi said.

  “Good then, maybe the spirits are finally at rest here,” he said.

  “Hopefully so,” Levi answered. “What are the plans for completion today?” she asked, to change the topic.

  “I hope we can get at least half of the rooms textured today and maybe a third of those trimmed out,” he said. “We only have half of the bathroom fixtures on delivery but hopefully the installation of those won’t take more than a couple of days and then the rest of the order should be in.”

  “That sounds very promising,” Levi said. “I guess I should start across the water and be there when the bank opens at nine,” she said as she stood. “Is it ok to leave my stuff here?” she asked, pointing to her camera and thermos.

  “Yes, it won’t be in the way at all here,” Carlos answered.

  “Fine, I will see you later in the morning then,” Levi said, as she left the lobby area to walk to the boat house.

  “Be safe,” Carlos said, as he walked her to the door.

  “I will,” Levi answered.

  “Good morning,” she said, to the men who were steadily carrying cartons off the boat.

  “Good morning Senorita,” they replied and offered warm smiles to her as she passed on her way to the boat.

  She dropped the mooring lines and stepped into the boat before slowly backing it from the boathouse. On her way across the water, she passed another flat keel boat delivering supplies to the island and the men waved enthusiastically as they passed. She guided the boat across the water and waved at Codi who was leaving the port with a small group of divers on her boat. Codi smiled and waved back at her.

  She tied the small boat and stepped onto the pier a few minutes before nine. There was only one bank in town and while she waited for the doors to open, she glanced over to see Cat’s office open. She walked over and stepped inside the office.

  “Hello,” she called out when she didn’t see Cat.

  “Be right there,” Cat called out from somewhere in the back of the office.

  Levi waited and Cat came walking up from the rear. “Hello Levi, how are you this morning?” she asked.

  “I am doing fine thanks, Cat and yourself?” Levi answered.

  “Great, thank you,” she said. “What brings you to town so early this morning?”

  “I am here to set up a local bank account, for the corporation,” Levi said.

  “I know the bank President and could go introduce you,” Cat suggested. “It may help to speed up the process some,” she said.

  “That would be great,” Levi said as she accepted Cat’s offer.

  “Let’s do it,” Cat said as they walked from her office across the street to the bank.

  An older gentleman stood when he saw Cat approach. “Good morning, Ms. Martin. How may I help you today?” he asked.

  “Max, this is Levi Johnson, one of the new owners of Neptune’s Ring and she needs to set up a new corporate account with you.”

  “I am very pleased to meet you, Ms. Johnson,” Max said. “If you ladies will follow me we will get you taken care of right away.”

  Cat and Levi followed him over to his large desk and he sat down at his computer. “Did you bring a copy of your articles of incorporation?” he asked Levi.

  She smiled and took a file from the package she was carrying and handed it to Max.

  “Fantastic, this should have all the information I need to set up the account,” he said.

  “There is also a cashier’s check to open the account,” Levi said.

  Max opened the envelope and pulled out the check for two hundred fifty thousand dollars. “Yes, this will do nicely,” he said with a smile. “If you ladies will excuse me, I will get this started. May I offer you some coffee while we wait?” he asked.

  “No, thank you,” Cat and Levi said.

  “Very well, give me a few minutes and I will be back then,” he said and left the office area.

  “Nice man,” Levi said.

  “Max is a pleasure to work with,” Cat said. “I hear you also met Codi yesterday on your trip into town,” Cat said with a grin.

  “My, my word travels fast in these parts doesn’t it?” Levi asked.

  “Very little goes unnoticed in such a small town,” Cat said.

  “We had a very nice chat and she offered to provide all our d
iving services for us,” Levi said.

  “Yes, I know. Codi stopped by my office this morning and asked me to review her proposal,” Cat said. “She has come up with a fantastic offer and I hope you will give it some serious consideration. Codi was very disappointed when she left though,” Cat said.

  “Why was that?” Levi asked.

  “Because I broke her heart when I told her you already had a girl friend,” Cat teased.

  Levi blushed profusely. “Good lord, Cat.” Levi shook her head. “We will take a close look at her proposal. It makes good sense to me to use a local business versus starting up our own.”

  “Yes, and it will be very good for the economy here,” Cat added.

  “True. Well, when Codi comes out to make her pitch I will call the others for their opinions and hopefully we can make a decision quickly,” Levi said. “I think it would be an excellent move on our part to utilize local goods and services whenever possible to enable the community share ownership in the success of the resort.”

  “No wonder Liz and Nat think so highly of you, that is an excellent philosophy to have,” Cat said, causing Levi to blush again.

  “By the way, do you happen to know Carlos’ Uncle’s name?” Levi asked.

  “I know everyone in this town,” Liz chuckled. “It is Julio Chavez,” she said. “Why?”

  “I need to have a check cut for him as a deposit on some mattresses he will be ordering for us,” Levi said.

  “When we get done here, we can go deliver the check and I will introduce you,” Cat said.

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  Max returned with paperwork for Levi to sign and Cat advised him of the check she needed for Julio.

  “That is not a problem, give me ten more minutes and we should be all done,” Max said, as he took the stack of signed papers and walked behind the teller counter.