Shores of Truth

Ch. 12, Pain of Blind Love

Travis

The rest of the day went with the lovebirds in flirtatious bliss. Travis and Nyxeria had spent the rest of the morning knowing each other in the biblical sense. The afternoon was used to complete the roof. The work took longer than expected due to horseplay and the fact that neither one had much building experience. In the end the battered warriors laid on the floor with minor injuries. An assortment of snack food was scattered around them as a make shift dinner.

 "I can't believe you are a detective. You are the most oblivious person I have ever met."

 "I notice things. Just not the things other notice."

 "Why that line of work anyway?"

 "The people. Profiling. Getting to see the world as others do. That's what I was good at. Taking the evidence and predicting the person." She missed it.

 "People are far more complicated than what they seem in print."

 "True. Have you ever read 'The Sound and the Fury'? He does a great look into people perspectives. We are all seeing the world so differently to grasp the essence of another person... it invigorating even addicting."

 "I know what you mean. Even though 'The Sound and the Fury' gave me permanent ulcers in all honesty."

 Nyxeria rolled her eyes, "Who would you rather read?"

 "Shakespeare. The expression of humanity in his works. It is breath taking."

 "You're so adorably British."

 "Oh Helena, goddess, nymph, perfect, Devine! To what my love shall I compare thine eyne? Crystal is muddy, O, how ripe in show Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow! That pure congealed white, high Taurus snow, Fann'd with the eastern wind, turns to a crow When thou hold'st up thy hand: Oh, let me kiss This princess of pure white, this scal of bliss!"

 "Did I emphasize adorable?" Their eyes locked. Both entwined in the emotional rush of each other's presence. A faint breeze danced through the house. Neither of them looked up. It was hard to say when the spell was broken. Perhaps it never was.

They went about eating and cleaning up the house with a dreamlike focus on the task, which was unsurprising due the meaningful glances the lovers were constantly throwing to each other. After a time Nyxeria recommended they have a bonfire on the beach. Due to the lack of supplies she headed home to gather what was needed. Travis made the decision to give Don a call.

 "Don? It's Travis."

 "Of course it’s you. Caller ID," Don gruffly answered.

 "Just calling to say hi, and see how things are going."

 "I've scheduled your plane for the day after tomorrow."

 Silence.

 Don continued, "Did you really forget?"

 "Just slipped my mind for a bit," Travis felt unsteady with the idea of leaving, "You really can't delay a few more days?"

"And after a few more days are you sure you won't ask for a few more?" Don told him.

Once again reality came crashing down. "Shit."

"You know you have to break it off with the girl."

Travis defended himself, "She's not some girl."

"So you're falling for her. What the fuck Travis? Are you even softer than I thought? You've known the chit for what two whole days? There is no sane way for it to work."

"Maybe..."

"No. You are not going to move for her. Is she going to move for you?"

Travis sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "No, her mother..."

"So what then? Try to visit each other every once and awhile? And all this is not even factoring into the press and public image. Christ it would be a bloody nightmare."

"I think she could be worth it."

 "You're addled in the head. You're not thinking clearly. You can't know someone in 48 hours."

 "You're right, but the chance..."

 "Have you even told her?"

 "Told her what?"

 "Like you're leaving and I don't know like you have a major public image essential to your career with crazy fans, relentless reporters, and the entire bloody world's eye on you!"

 Travis took in what he was saying. He had spent the last few days separating his realities. Wasn't that the point of the trip, to remind him that he can just be Travis? He did that. He had just forgotten the realities could not remain a part of his life forever.

 He made a decision, "I'll tell her tomorrow. We can have a lovely night. I'll do something special tomorrow then we'll each go our ways."

 "And that won't hurt you more?"

 "Maybe I want to hurt myself."