10 Minutes

Epilogue: "You've got ten Minutes"

The sandy beach was just as magical today as the day she first let her toes sift through it. There was nothing like it for her, even after all these years and many other beaches to compare it to. Costa Rica had become her home away from home and the place where her heart was healed. It seemed like another lifetime to her now. Every now and then a memory from that time would seep into her flow of life and would either take her breath away with the power of its hold or it would simply bring her to a deeper realization that everything happens for a reason. She turned around looking back at the house they had renovated some years back and saw the man of her heart looking down at her from the deck they laid the year before. He had done it all himself with the help of his children. Boys and girls had lent a hand and truth be told, the job was beautiful. The wood that grew here was sublime and seemed a shame to want to use it anywhere but inside the home but they would enjoy what the earth offered up and not waste a single thing. He called out to her as he held up the basket of food that their cook had prepared for them and she gave him a thumbs-up in return as he made his way down the steps. Picnic basket in hand, a towel over his broad bare chest and a base ball hat, on backwards of course covering his now slightly gray temples. His hair was still long and lush and the added silver, unlike her own simply made him that much more alluring. Distinguished, if you could call him that in his old torn-up board shorts. They had just celebrated his 43rd birthday and like wine he was just getting better with age. As he made his way down the wooden stairs and then to the first landing she heard the shrill cry of her brood running across the deck and flying past him on their way down to the beach. "Don't run-you'll break your necks-the beach isn't going anywhere" boomed his voice but his bark with no bite was lost on them. They knew him far too well to know that this tone of voice was all play. He employed a slightly deeper tone and measured words when he was really upset and they knew the difference to be sure. He hadn't really had to use it much, they were really good kids, but they were theirs and had a deadly mixture of stubbornness, enthusiasm, daredevil and intelligence within them all. They flew past her with a "hi mom", .... "hey mama" and even a "watch out mom-coming through" followed by "aunty Sanem watch out!!!". Not, only were her kids here this summer but the younger Aydin-Divit double-doubles were here too, not to mention Osman and Lina's two, Metins three and a new guest, Gio's girlfriend, who was allowed to visit, with her parents of course staying in the second casita they had built for all their family and dear friends. As her husband finally made it down to her, unscathed by the barreling bodies flying past him at break-neck speed, she felt a sudden pang of sadness while reaching for his hand. His sunglasses hid his beautiful eyes but she knew well he was scanning the beach line for his kids, all of them, making sure they were all accounted for. "Bebeck-you have to make sure not to let them get one over on you. They're too smart and way too charming for their own good". She scoffed, "look who's talking, they have you wrapped around their little fingers-especially the younger ones. Can Divit, you are putty in their hands". He smacked her behind with his free hand and she stifled a shriek as they followed at a slower pace the trail of footsteps their clan left behind. The rest of the adults would be following along with more food in tow and plenty of sunscreen and towels and whatever else was needed. They would spend a good part of the day just relaxing and taking it all in. They knew their surroundings by heart but each time they came back, there was always something new to behold. She looked up at him and smiled but knew that this year was a little different than the rest. Aziz had passed just before winters end. He had slipped away in his sleep after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. By the time they found it, it was too late to do much and he refused any treatment, prefering to spend whatever time he had left with his family. Mevkibe and Nihat moved in to offer additional support and it seemed that those days bound them evermore. He was buried next to his beloved wife as he wanted. The children missed him terribly as he was known to tell wild stories of their parents that they ate up. Of course she missed him terribly as well, he had stood for her from the very beginning and never stopped championing her. She would honor him by watching over his family with even greater care. This year her parents decided they would make the trip out for the very first time. Her father's new medications seemed to be doing the trick and he felt like a new man or so he said, but she knew it was more for the kids than for them. They were truly homebodies and loved making food and building and tinkering in their gardens. They had gotten older and she noticed it now more than before. They were still very active, and her mother seemed to only get more involved in their lives and projects but her hair had turned nearly all white, that beautiful silvery way and her father had given up trying to save the last vestiges of his come over. The lines in their faces had deepened but they were the most beautiful pair of lovebirds she could model after. Her mother had tried to take over the kitchen on their second day there and squared off with Luis the cook but after watching him prepare their meals and tasting his delicious cuisine she folded and instead asked to take some cooking classes from him so she could introduce her friends back home to this marvelous food. Her supper club would love it and she would be the toast of the mahalle. "Can-do you think we will ever stop coming back here. I mean will there come a day when we're just too old to travel here?". She looked back at him as she leaned against his warm bare chest while his hand wrapped around her waist. "Never-our baby bird is here and we won't ever leave her behind". He kissed her cheek and tightened his hold. "You're right, never. And when we're gone the children will come here and make memories of their own. Memories that will include us in stories and wild tales. Won't they my love". He didn't reply but nodded his head, keeping her tight against himself.

The day moved slowly here, everyone had eaten at least twice, taken some strolls, collected sea shells and rocks and the noise level of laughter had decreased only slightly. He stood up and extended a hand to her, pulling her up next to him and began making their way into the ocean. He then playfully picked her up and ran into the soft waves while she laughed and giggled. When he was waist deep he let her slide down his body and held onto her by her bottom letting her wrap her legs around him to stay afloat. He raised his sunglasses up and stared down into her face, marveling at how time had seemed to pass her by. She was more beautiful today than the day he first met her. "Hayatim, canim, thank you again for all of this. It's magic. It's sandcastles and princesses and princes just like you dreamed. I find myself more in love with you than the day before". Her smile blinded him as she pulled closer and kissed his lips softly. "I love you Can Divit, even though you tried to run me over with your crazy driving, I'm glad I made it to that interview in one piece". He laughed and spun them around as best he could, "and I'm glad I hired my leggy assistant that day, I couldn't have let you get away. I was determined to hire you even if you couldn't spell a single word". They laughed and played in the water like teenagers themselves. The afternoon wore on until the sun was lower in the sky. It was time to head back and see what the cook had made for dinner. "Come on Divit/Aydin Clan, it's time we head in. Your Anne Anne, will give us an ear-full if we're late". Complaints were heard all around, begging for more time". He looked at his wife who smiled and winked at him while he nodded his head and shouted back to them. "Alright-alright—you've got ten minutes".