Call It Paradise

Chapter Three

After only a short walk, the dock was out of sight. I allowed myself to relax and took in a breath. Simon. The excitement of meeting him overwhelmed me more than it should have. But he was dreamy and I hadn't quite experienced someone like that before.

I pressed on further, trekking up the hill to our house. Here, there was a fantastic view of the green hills rolling up out of the blue ocean. The sun was nearing its decline for the day, casting heavy rays of light across the island that would soon turn into vibrant colors.

Ducking underneath the overgrowth of palm fronds, I stepped along the pathway to our porch steps. All the windows and doors were open, likely by my mother's doing, to allow the fresh breeze to flow through the house. Rocking chairs swayed slightly with the wind and the chimes hanging from the eaves jingled peacefully in the air.

After climbing the steps, I was about to enter through the front door when I heard voices. I wouldn't have stopped if it wasn't for my name catching my attention.

"You know Kathy isn't getting any younger, Carolyn," came my aunt's voice, that familiar tone in her voice indicating her superiority on certain matters. "She needs to make a choice about a man."

"Yes, I'm well aware of that, Judy," my mother said. "But I've told you many times before that she just isn't taking to him. We've talked with her--that she needs someone wealthy and stable who will support her. But with any of the boys we've known, she pushes it all away."

"Well, how are things going with that Huntington boy anyway? I thought they were somewhat steady. And he's cute--to some degree."

"Yes, but she doesn't seem to find much attractive about him. I just don't understand what girl wouldn't want a nice boy with a stable inheritance."

"You need to talk to her, dear--firmly. She needs to learn that she won't get it anywhere else."

"I know, and we've tried."

"Maybe let me have a try. I'm sure I could make her see it from a practical point of view."

I couldn't believe my ears. They were at it again.

Thomas Huntington was my boyfriend--sort of. As our families had known each other for years, we had practically grown up together. But when we entered our twenties, we began to face pressure to pursue a relationship. I wasn't agreeable to it at first and my parents allowed me to seek love elsewhere. But it was to no avail. So reluctantly, I agreed to go on dates with Tom. What do I have to lose? I often tried to remind myself. But then I reminded myself of the answer: only the family's business ties--that is, if the relationship were to fail. And that was a good possibility since I didn't really love him. Regardless, we had only been on a handful of mediocre dates when whispers of marriage began circulating between families.

So that was the big question I had been fearing. This vacation wasn't going to be a success after all. Knowing what lied ahead for me, I couldn't bear to be around them at the moment. I stepped back, trying to think of a way to sneak into my room when the board under my foot creaked. Cursing inaudibly, I knew it was too late. I stepped forward, taking a deep breath as I entered the house.

They sat in the living room, both with their legs crossed as they faced each other from opposite ends of the pastel floral couch. They looked startled but greeted me with warm smiles as if they hadn't been talking behind my back. I said a small hello before nearly dashing for my bedroom, but again, it was too late.

"Oh, Kathy!" called my aunt. "Where are you running off to? Come chat with us."

I paused to roll my eyes before turning and walking back, placing myself in the wicker chair across from them. I sat with my feet positioned firmly on the ground, ready to accept my fate.