Divine Affinity

43

Throughout her flight, Eiry was consumed by conflicting feelings. She had signed her divorce papers, and the weight of that hung heavy in the air as she sat on the plane, watching the city of Seattle disappear beneath her. Maybe she should have fought. Maybe she should not have just accept it. Eddie had been such a big part of her life for so long, and now he would be nothing more than a painful memory. As the plane soared through the clouds towards her chosen destination, Eiry couldn't help but wonder if she would ever truly be able to escape the ghosts of her past. Would leaving Seattle be enough to erase Eddie from every corner of her mind and heart? Only time would tell. Her thoughts consumed her, killing any chance of rest. As the tears welled up in her eyes, she tried to push them away, but they flowed freely down her cheeks several times. The pain was too much to bear alone in the confines of the airplane cabin. Despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on her eyelids, sleep eluded Eiry. She tossed and turned in her seat, unable to find any comfort or solace. The hours dragged on as she stared out the window at the dark sky below.

After six long hours of flying, Eiry finally arrived in her destination. However, instead of feeling excited and rejuvenated as she would normally be to finally be there, she felt a deep sense of sadness. As she left the plane and made her way through the airport, she couldn't shake off the heavy feeling within her. The bustling airport only served to amplify her emotions as she searched for her luggage among the sea of bags on the carousel. Each passing minute felt like an eternity as she anxiously scanned the crowd for any sign of her belongings. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Eiry spotted her suitcases and let out a sigh of relief. She grabbed them, put them on a push cart and turned around feeling lost. What would she do?

Taking a deep breath, Eiry started pushing her pull cart through the airport, the bustling hub of activity filled with travelers from all corners of the world. It was a maze of shops, restaurants, and gates, with the sound of announcements echoing through the halls. Eiry navigated through the crowds, her eyes trying to take in the sights and sounds around her, but her mind and soul were killing her inside. She knew she was not seeing anything properly, but she kept walking. As she reached outside, she was greeted by a rush of warm air and the sight of palm trees swaying in the breeze. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a golden glow over everything. Eiry made her way to a cab waiting at the curb, its driver smiling warmly as he helped load her luggage into the trunk.

"Where to miss?" The man finally asked her.

"Oh..." She opened her purse and pulled the address of the beach cabin she rented through the agency in Seattle. "Here... this address." She handed to paper to the cab driver. "Is it far?" Eiry asked because she wanted to lay down and hear nothing. See nothing.

"It's on the other side of the island." He pointed out. "But it's a beautiful spot." He smiled, opening the door for her. "It's a round of wooden houses with nothing around but the beach and mountains."

"Good..." She breathed as she sat on the backseat. "That's what I need..." She said low as the man closed the door.

"How long are you staying?" The man asked as he put on his seatbelt.

"I don't know..." Eiry shrugged. The man watched her through the rearview mirror. Her gaze seemed so distant. "Maybe forever..."

"Are you alright, miss?" He then asked. Eiry forced a smile and said what she had been saying for the past weeks.

"I am."

The man said nothing else and started the car. As she was taken to her beach cabin, Eiry gazed out the window at the stunning landscape that surrounded her. The lush greenery of the forest enveloped the winding road, with sunlight filtering through the canopy of trees and casting dappled shadows on the ground below. Birds chirped melodiously in the distance, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. That was their plan B. If all failed they would go there. Her heart would be throbbing if not for the event that took her there, but she hoped to heal. As they drove closer to the coast, Eiry could see glimpses of sparkling blue water peeking through gaps in the foliage. The salty scent of the ocean wafted through the open windows, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil and pine needles. The rugged cliffs rose majestically against a backdrop of clear skies, their jagged edges softened by tufts of wildflowers swaying in the breeze. She felt a sense of peace wash over her as she took in the beauty of nature unfolding before her eyes, a moment of serenity amidst life's chaos. That was their plan B, and she would live it alone.