More to Life ✔

Chapter 37 Samet - Arrival

Rialoves2cook: Beach vacation time! Sorry everyone, no recipes or food photos tonight, but enjoy these fire limbo and probably blurry bar shots!

#survivedtheboatride #feelinghothothot #islandlife #glowpaint

Posted: November 16th, 1:32 AM

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After a three-hour van ride through sprawling urban development, the crew of teachers arrived at a convenience store in Rayong where Mitch advised them to stock up on liquor, snacks, and drinks. With heavy bags, they walked to the dark and quiet pier. Mitch approached a boat driver who shook his hand, slapped him on the back, and waved everyone over. Two kindergarten teachers cracked open their beers while the group traversed the wooden docks to a large, white speedboat.

Maria sat at the front, wedged between Tom and Emma, who snuggled up to Shawn.

Maria leaned toward Tom. "Where's Becca? Didn't she organize this?"

"Her family is visiting, and they switched the weekends they'd be in Bangkok last minute." He leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Mitch ran the second he heard."

The boat sped into the dark ocean, and saltwater spray hit their necks and hair.

"If their relationship wasn't serious, I can't see why she'd want them to meet," Maria said.

Tom glanced at Mitch, who laughed while chatting with the driver. "She told me she asked."

Maria could tell that Becca liked Mitch, but with the way he hit on women and slept around, he wasn't anyone she'd introduce to her parents if she were in Becca's shoes. But maybe meeting her parents wasn't as big a deal to Becca's family as it was to Maria's. When the boat flew over a wave, the crash into the sea caused beers to spill and fizz everywhere. Maria grinned at the reminder of the ocean; she made it to the coast. Time to enjoy her tropical paradise.

Tom shook his head and scowled. "Couldn't they wait half an hour?"

Maria grimaced as she extracted her sticky toes from her sandals. Once her feet were free, she laughed because if beer-coated footwear was her biggest concern, life was pretty great.

"Lighten up, Tom. This week was long enough." Emma laid her head on Shawn's shoulder. He draped an arm around her shoulder and smiled. Maria couldn't help but smile.

Tom spent the rest of the ride staring off in the distance or shifting his pointed gaze from one loud noise to the next, as excited screams pierced through the roar of the motor. Anticipation built in Maria's chest as she mistook half a dozen fishing vessels' lamps for the island.

Soon, yellow and white dots illuminated the horizon, taking the shape of a coastline. The lights became more defined, identifying themselves as restaurants, bars, and tabletop lanterns. The driver cut the motor, and the boat floated ten metres from the dockless beach. Maria's heartbeat matched the party music accompanied by the rocking waves. She was actually here and ready to party it up on the beach.

After the others exited the boat, sandals in hand, Maria bunched up her skirt and accepted Shawn's help. He steadied people climbing down the ladder at the back of the boat. The thigh-high water chilled the skin but was warmer than most of Alberta's lakes. Tom passed her bag.

Emma waded alongside Maria. "I hope you don't mind I gave Tom my old reservation and found something more cozy and rustic for us."

Maria smiled as rustic fit into her budget. They approached bare-chested and muscle-tee clad men twirling and tossing flaming sticks in the air. Sparks flew in all directions, brightening the beach and restaurant tables. The fire dancers climbed on each other's legs and shoulders to form a three-tiered pyramid, still twirling flames as the captivated crowd applauded.