A Portrait of A Tortured You and I

Chapter 4

Jared looked to Emma and then to Shayla. He honestly didn't know what I was talking about. Shayla made it clear silently that he was not responsible for my trip. Emma stopped me from getting up and in a loud enough tone so that anyone listening could hear said, "Catherine, you're at this table because there is an odd number of guests. You were the last person booked, so when I did the seating chart, I had placed you here. If you go to one of the other two tables you would be facing away from us. I didn't think that any of our guests would want that." I understood instantly and felt so ashamed.

Jared leaned in. "That's a beautiful shade of red in your cheeks." I turned even brighter. "That happens when you've been put in your spot, apparently." I said loud enough for Emma to hear. "I told you a mad Emma isn't good." I agreed with him.

"You gonna explain what your question meant?"  He asked.

"It's nothing. It's not important."  There wasn't any real reason to involve him in this.  I doubt he'd be much interested in the story anyway.  The waiter came to the rescue and started placing our food in front of us.

The dinner was a five course meal and better than anything the other island guests were encountering right now but for the price of this package, it would have to be. I wasn't really hungry, but I tried to eat everything. Jared plowed through the first three servings as if it were the last meal he was going to have. I half expected him to start eating off of my plate, but he didn't. As eccentric as he can be, he knew his boundaries.

"Are you not enjoying the food?" He inquired.

"It's very good, but I'm not used to so much food. I live on a budget. Give me a burger and fries any day. But this is exceptionally delicious."  I didn't want to sound like a snob, ironically speaking. 

Jared mentioned Shannon several times to Shayla and seemed agitated that he hadn't come to dinner yet.  After the third time, I looked up and there he was walking around greeting the guests.  "Finally!" Jared huffed.
"Excuse me, kitty cat.  Enjoy the rest of your meal."  He stood up, walked to Shannon, whispered something, then bid farewell to all the guests.

Shannon came over and sat down next to me and spoke first. "Hello darling, how's the grub?"  Typical Shannon, not one to be all prim and proper.  "It's very yummy.  You should have some." I suggested.  "No way.  I just had pizza.  I just came to say hello to everyone."  And with that he stood up and left.  He was clearly just doing his obligated duty.  I couldn't blame him.  I'm not a fancy kinda gal either.

The last two courses came out and once we had all ate, it was rather late.  Oddly enough, I was wide awake.  Everyone made their way back to the main part of the island, but I asked Emma (after apologizing for the misunderstanding) if I could hang back and just enjoy the lack of people and peace and quiet.  I wasn't afraid out here.  I came to realize that this is the area where the crew and possibly Jared, Shannon, and Stevie were staying.  I had no intention of seeking them out and Emma didn't seem to think I was a threat, either.   She said I was welcome to wander around as much as I'd like.  I thanked her and set off into the water.

I was wearing a long sundress and lifted the bottom of it up and tied it around my upper thighs.  I watched everyone cleaning up and slowly disappear, until I was the only one there. It started to get dark while I waded around in the warm Adriatic Sea.  The peacefulness was astounding.  I wanted to take it all in.  I didn't know if I'd ever have the chance to see anything like this again.

I started to drift off into my imagination and completely forgot about space and time when a voice not so far away spoke up.  "I talked to Shay.  You need to know that I am truly sorry about what happened."  I didn't know what Jared had been told so I played dumb to see.