When Bees Sing - Part 1

Chapter 3

Waves crashed down on the white sand, smoothing the tiny pebbles and sea glass caught in the sea's current. Soothing the hurt inside Sadie's soul.

This was it. One last good cry. She had promised herself that today. One last major sobbing ugly hyperventilating fit, then she would not allow the tears to dominate her life anymore. The only salt water she wanted on her face after this moment was a splash from the Caribbean Sea.

She'd come to the island to escape. To let go of the pain, the loss. To leave behind the daily reminders, the constant triggers and have just one week when no one looked at her with that "Oh, you poor thing" expression. A few days when she didn't have to carry the baggage that suddenly came with being Sadie Sims.

And now she was ready to let it all go.

She stretched her arms toward the rolling waves. With the tears drying on her face, the weakness, like she'd donated blood and someone had withdrawn five units instead of one, no longer resided in her body. She felt stronger. Lighter.

A new day dawned as the sun appeared on the horizon.

Always an early riser, she had watched many mornings begin across the Mississippi River, but that sight paled in comparison to what lay before her. Pastel pink gave way to bright red and orange, as the shining light burst free from its nighttime slumber, screaming, "Look at me! Here I am!" And each moment, every tint reflected off the changing waves, giving life to the colors and refueling her soul.

When the sun shone above the horizon, it replaced the predawn coolness with heat and humidity. She took off her beige cardigan, loving how the rays warmed her exposed shoulders and banished her internal chill.

As if responding to her reconnection to life, her stomach rumbled with intense hunger. She pressed her hand to her abdomen. The instinctive move brought another round of tears to her eyes, but this time she didn't let them fall. Instead, she rose, brushed the powdery white sand from her backside and walked the half-mile back to her hotel for breakfast.

Belgian waffles. Sadie's nose identified the hint of vanilla and buttermilk before her eyes read the white board outside the hotel's restaurant. Her favorite.

Moments later, with her plate heavy on the whipped cream and strawberries, she chose a table overlooking the rolling waves. At this hour, a few enthusiastic joggers skimmed the edge of the warm water scaring off the sandpipers darting about in their endless search for delectable morsels. Soon the spacious stretch of talcum powder would be inhabited by lazy sun worshippers, oiled up with SPF 50, and she planned to be one of them.

A soft breeze through the palm trees blew the pesky strands of her curly blonde hair off her face. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deep, smelling the blend of the surrounding hibiscus and oleander. Her limbs light and free, her mind clear of pain and frustration. She could get used to this.

Maybe she should sell her condo back home and move here. That new life she promised herself this morning on the beach could be real. No reminders of the losses she'd accumulated. No pitying looks from loved ones. An honest, fresh start to be whomever she chose to be. How amazing would that...

"Don't you look relaxed."

"What?" She jerked and knocked over her water. Using the cloth napkins, she cleaned it up before the liquid reached the open book on the table.

The deep male voice chuckled as he wiped at the water dripping off the edge. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to startle you."

Sadie's hand paused. It was him. Clark Kent. In her hotel. With a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon. "Um...Hi."