Island Girl

The crystal blue ocean waves crashed one on top of the other, stretching far up onto the white sand beach, washing over my toes as I walked along the never-ending shoreline on my morning stroll. Palm trees swayed in the warm tropical breeze as the sun rose above the horizon. The dress code for the day was the same as every other day: sunscreen, sunglasses, and a large, brimmed hat. This sure was a far cry from the cold, windy streets of Chicago that I was used to.

Welcome to the tropics, where relaxation is a way of life. Where the world slows to a snail’s pace. Where the only things you can count on being on time are sunrise and sunset.

A trip to the islands was something my husband, Rocco, and I had always dreamed of, but hectic everyday life always seemed to get in the way. Then tragedy struck while Rocco was on a business trip.

A drunk, driving a tractor-trailer, crossed over the center of the road and struck a car head-on. Rocco was one of the four people in that car. The police report indicated that the vehicle burst into flames on impact; no one survived.

The driver was convicted of vehicular manslaughter, and the three other families and I sued the trucking company. We won our lawsuit. With that and Rocco’s life insurance, finances will never be a concern for me. A small consolation for losing my husband, but I can now afford to do whatever I want, whenever I want.

It was difficult to accept this new life that was forced on me. I couldn’t get out of bed for three weeks. My best friend in the whole world, Natalie, came to my house every day to see to my well-being, whatever that constituted. She never said more than was necessary and just let me wallow in my sorrow.

By the end of the three weeks, Natalie had morphed into a drill sergeant, ordering me around and forcing me to do the everyday things people take for granted.

I played hooky from my job for three more months. Then I got the apologetic phone call, sorry for your loss, but we really need you to come back to work. Fortunately, that same day, I received the first installment from the lawsuit settlement, and I was able to inform work that I was ‘retiring’ from the world of employment.

Natalie finally convinced me that I truly needed an escape from reality, and urged me to take the trip that Rocco and I had talked about forever. Doing it alone was not in the game plan, but here I am.