On Divit Island...Love Over Forgiveness

Chapter Seventeen

      Can climbed over the side of the boat and settled down in the captains chair.  His mind still a flurry from everything he had just heard. He closed his eyes trying to calm himself. He went through each scenario in his head...

       It all was beginning to make sense. The boat being damaged, specifically the name of the boat. "My Albatross" was definitely a term that referred only to Sanem. That and the smell of her perfume had been the anchor of their love and what had held them together all these years. So for that to be the only thing damaged on the boat was clear sign for him.

      He idled the boat out into the channel of water between the Antikythera and Divit Island. He glanced at his watch, he had been gone for over 3 hours and he knew that Sanem was probably worried beyond belief so he pushed down on the throttle and headed to the island.

      This information would have to stay with him for a while. He didn't see a reason to alarm Sanem, at least not right now. 

      Sanem had  positioned herself in the front garden to be closer to the dock. She had her notebook in hand and was trying to focus on writing,  but the fact that Can had been gone longer than expected, had her ill-at-ease. 

      Her eyes strained to look out across the channel of dark blue water, just to catch a glimpse of the the boat coming her way.  She shook her head, " I don't know why he had to go to town today," She mumbled out loud, frustrated at herself for being such a worry wart. 

      She focused back on her notebook, pen in hand and ready to write. The phone call from Ahmet earlier, urging her to finish up the next series of her book, had been a nice distraction but her thoughts were still on Can. She knew he had been acting funny since they got the news in Chania that someone had vandalized their boat, and even more so after they got home. She knew her husband well and she knew he would do anything to keep from upsetting her.

      Can was still deep in thought when he saw the island come into view. He knew she would be waiting for him on the dock so he would have to wipe that look of concern off of his face before he got there.

      He rounded the island, pulling back on the throttle and letting the boat drift into the cove. Sure enough, there she was, standing on the dock with her arms crossed. 

      " Finally, what took you so long." She blurted out. Can smiled, " You say that every time I go to the village. I'm sorry, I got into a conversation with Mr. Spanos and some of the other men at the cafe." He told her,  hoping she wouldn't ask what the conversation was about.

      Sanem tied the anchor ropes to the posts and waited for Can to step out of the boat. " Well did you talk to Mr. Argos, when does he want us to start. I hope he doesn't want us to begin before Emre and Leila come for their visit." Sanem asked, sliding her arm around his body as they walked toward the garden.

      " No, it's going to be about a month. They are still working on the classroom there in the old church building." Can explained. Many years ago the residents of Antikythera and some of the people from Chania had erected a new church closer to the beach on the other side of the island, leaving the old stone church building vacant.

       Although not perfect, the building would have room for at least three individual classrooms and was also open to the outdoors as well. Can was anxious to get started with his photography classes, he needed something to take his mind off  of their problems. Sanem was excited as well to be teaching the basic fundamentals of writing, but for her the gift came to her through her love for Can.

      " Oh Ahmet phoned while you were gone. They want the book, and I'm no where near having it done. But he wants it by the first of November." Sanem grumbled, wishing she hadn't promised another installment to the series so soon..

      " Can,...Can, are you listening to me?"  She said, speaking a little louder.  Can had let his mind wander back to the conversation with the men earlier, still trying to piece it all together. But a nudge from Sanem brought him around, " Hey, where were  you, I'm was talking to you. Are you ok?" She asked, peering into his face.

       Emre had been so busy all morning he barely had time to look up, so when he heard the tap on his door he didn't even look to see who it was, " Yes, come in." Emre said, still focusing on his laptop.

      " Hello, I hope I haven't come at a bad time" The ladies voice said. Emre looked up quickly, "Polen, uhh, no, uhh, no not at all." Emre stammered, standing to shake her extended hand. Polen smiled, " Good, I just thought I would drop by. I've been out of town for a few days taking care of some business of my dads." She spoke as she sat down across the desk from him.

      Emre tried not to act shocked, but that's exactly what he was,...shocked. " Oh really, and where was that?" He asked, as he positioned himself across from her.  Polen wrinkled up her nose, " No place exciting, just a small town in Greece. You know my father had some dealings with an old friend there, so I had to tie up the loose ends so to speak." She answered, making it sound less than important.

      Emre raised his eyebrows, " Oh really, Greece, hmm. Well I think that sounds pretty exciting myself. Did you get to enjoy the beaches while you were there?" He asked studying her reaction.

      " Yes in fact I did, one of the small little beaches there. It was quite beautiful." She replied with a hint of sarcasm in her tone. " Very quaint little beach, practically deserted, but I did find some treasures there." She said with a laugh....

      Emre winched, not believing his ears. She was all be telling him that it was her that was on Can's island. He watched her intently as she talked, he had never known her to be so superficial before, almost condescending in her manner. Had he completely misjudged her all those years that she was together with Can. Or had she become a totally different person.

      Emre was emerged in his thoughts as Polen rambled on about this and that, when his office door opened abruptly, " Emre my love, have you finished that contract yet. The finance department is waiting on it." Leila snipped, her eyes darting toward Polen. 

      Polen stood, " Sorry, I have kept you from your work." She quipped, reaching her hand across the desk to shake his. She shot a quick look to Leila as she turned to leave,  " Leila,... nice to see you." She smirked as she sauntered out the door.

      Leila felt the slow burn of anger rise to the top as she watched her walk away. " Ok my dear, what was she doing here. And please don't insult be by some lame excuse." 

      Emre was beginning to feel the heat from his wife's stare.......But he knew he couldn't let her know about Can's suspicions......