Hey girl,

I was sorry to see all of that shit that went down on Twitter. And I know it’s old-fashioned and hipster of me to write you a letter on paper, but, well here we are. Maybe I am a little bit old-fashioned?

The breakup with Jimmy was harsh. They had no right to rake you over the social media coals like that. And living in the spotlight’s hard on anybody, but I know it’s really really hard on you. Anyway, I hope you’re not taking it out on yourself too much, like I know you can sometimes. And I hope that you’re still seeing your therapist. I haven’t heard you talk about them in a while.

But, hey! I didn’t go through all the trouble of writing you so that we could talk about all that. So why did I? Okay, I’m kind of nervous. Do I seem nervous? I probably do. I guess I just really really want you to say yes. Yes to what? Right. I’ve gotta ask. Duh. Okay, here it goes. I want you to come here, to Monterey. I want you to see the island and feel the healing powers this place has to offer. I mean, you’ve seen what it’s done for me, right? And I know it seems a million miles away and people can’t ever seem to know which Monterey I’m talking about, but it’s great! You totally won’t care once you’re here. Promise and pinky swear.

Either way is okay, of course. But I just really really had to ask you. I hope you say yes. I miss you, girl. Write me back or hit me up on Twitter soon, okay?

Love,

Ali

Jeny held her jacket loose, over clasped hands. She kept her head low, casual. Didn’t want to look like she was trying to go unseen. That would only help them spot her.

She thought back over the past eighteen weeks and what a fucking nightmare it’d been. There seemed to be nowhere to go without phones and cameras pointed at her, and seconds later it’s all over the Internet. She’d considered ending it all, but knew that, too, would go everywhere. And she wouldn’t let them have the satisfaction.

Jeny started at the sound of his voice.

“Ms. Arbogast?” he asked.

“Yes?”

“I’m Tatenda. Your driver.”

“Oh, right.”

Jeny looked around.

No one seemed to notice. Baggage claim was very light for an island that claimed to be a major destination.

“Are these your bags?”

“Two of them, yes,” Jeny said. “There are two more that haven’t come around yet.”

Tatenda nodded. “Very good. They should be out in just a moment. Baggage is fast here.”

Jeny looked at Tatenda’s genuine smile and able posture. “That’s nice,” she said.  She worried her tone was bitchy, so she added, “A nice change, I mean. Most places are a nightmare.” She gave a faint laugh and ran a hand through her long hair.

Tatenda’s smile held steady, and he nodded. “I hear that. But I think you’ll find that everything’s different on Monterey!”

Jeny looked around again. Still no one.

“I hope so,” she said.

Tatenda pointed. “Are these they? Your bags I mean?”

Jeny smiled at the way he said it. “Yes, they are. Thank you.”

Tatenda nodded again and grabbed both bags, then scooped up the other two and started off. “Right this way! Your chariot awaits!”

Jeny left the smile on, put sunglasses over it.

They walked outside into the island breeze. The weather was perfect. Mild and sunny with a breeze but not strong wind. The humidity was enough to keep some feeling to it but not muggy.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Jeny said.

“Every day is beautiful.”

He loaded the luggage and opened the back door for her.

“Could I ride up front with you?” Jeny asked.

Tatenda’s smile widened, and he shut the door, then opened the front passenger.

“Thanks. It’s a thing with me.” She climbed in.

“Quite all right, Ms. Arbogast! However you like!”

He closed the door, got in, and they were off.

“We’re going to the Hernbach, yes?”

Jeny nodded. “Yes.” Then added, “Please.”

“That’s a most historic hotel. Rich history.”

Jeny let on a sly smile. “It’s stuffy, isn’t it?”

“I would say quaint. Old-fashioned. But there’s a younger crowd around on Thursdays.”

“Hipsters?”

Tatenda laughed. “You know people, don’t you, Ms. Arbogast?”

“Call me Jeny.”

Tatenda nodded. “Yes, okay. Ms. Jeny.”

“Just Jeny, please.”

“Okay. Jeny it is then.”

“Where do you go, Tatenda? You know, when you’re looking for something.”

Tatenda’s smile took on some worldliness. “If you are looking for something on Monterey, Jeny, it will find you. Don’t you worry.”

That excited Jeny. “All the same … where would you go?”

Tatenda’s smile snapped back. “I would go to Diamond Digs.” He leaned over some and lowered his jaw line. “But only if someone like you asked me.”

Jeny heated up some. “And if not? Like, if you were on your own?”

“Then I would go to Lemure. It’s very peaceful there, and I know everyone well. Like family.”

“Oh. Would it be intrusive of me to stop in, then?”

Tatenda startled her again with his enthusiasm. “No! No! No! We must each find our family in this life, Jeny! And how will you know them if you never seek them out!”

Jeny smiled nervously and pulled her arms close. “Right. Thanks for the tip.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

They pulled up in front of the Hernbach.

Jeny peered out. “Yeah, it looks stuffy.”

“I can take you somewhere else,” Tatenda said. “The Epi perhaps?”

Jeny sighed. “No. My friend is here. And she’s the reason I’m here, so …”

“Ah. Yes. Well, see to your friend, and if you want me to pick you up, you just hit me up, okay?” He waggled his smartphone.

Jeny smiled. “Yeah, okay. I’ll do that.”

She stepped out of the car. “Thank you, Tatenda. I’ll be seeing you.”

“Wait! Wait! Wait!” Tatenda said, rattling her nerves again.

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Oh right. The tip. How rude. I’ll pay with my phone, okay?”

“Of course, but I meant something far more important than that.”

Jeny got warm again. “Yeah?”

“Your bags!”

She felt dumb, but laughed a little and pushed back her hair. “Right. Duh.”

Tatenda hopped out and pulled her bags, set them down next to the door worker. “Take good care of these my friend.”

The door worker smiled. “Of course, Tandy. You know I will.”

Tatenda turned around. “Well, Jeny, we are at our first goodbye. I enjoyed our first hello, and I cannot wait to welcome you again!”

Jeny smiled at the feelings of warmth and kindness from his face. She kind of wanted to hug him, but felt awkward. So she put out her hand. “Me too.”

He clasped it with both hands and sank down a little as he shook it, smiling. “Peace be with you!” He let go and threw his arms out wide as he walked back to the car. “Enjoy Monterey!”

Jeny gave a small wave from the wrist. “I will. Bye!”

“Goodbye, Jeny Arbogast! Until next time!”

Then he hopped in the car and drove away.

Jeny looked at the entrance to the Hernbach, aside the door worker. She took a deep breath, then said to herself, “Here I come, Ali.”

Ali’s heart sped up at the knock. She glanced in the mirror at her hair and glasses. Cute but not hot, she thought. A surge of downward energy spiraled in her chest. But the second knock sent that away, and she smiled and two stepped to the door. She opened it, letting one foot step behind the other with a little toe rise.

Her heart fell some.

“You requested some extra towels?” It’s the hotel clerk, Amaury.

Ali nodded and took a step back, gestured into the room. “Yeah, thanks.”

Amaury smiled and went in, took the towels to the dresser.

“On the bed’s fine,” Ali said.

Amaury kept his smile and changed course. He set the towels down on the foot of the bed.

“Anything else I can do for you?”

Ali wanted a bit more, yeah, she could feel it. “Do you have champagne?”

“Yes, we do. Quite a selection. Would you like our steward to select one?”

“Sure,” Ali said. “Just make sure it comes quick, okay?”

Amaury smiled. He folded one arm in front of him, the other behind, and bowed. “As you wish.”

He remained bowed.

“Oh right,” Ali said.

She went to the dresser and pulled some cash. She saw she was running out, fast. She sighed.

“Here you go.”

Amaury took the money. “Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome.”

He turned to go.

“Hey,” Ali said.

Amaury paused and looked back. “Yes, mademoiselle?”

Do people still say that? Ali wondered. She shook it off. “Can I put the champagne on the room bill?”

“Oui, of course.”

“Thanks,” Ali said, “let’s do that.”

Amaury smiled again. “As you wish.” Then he left, closing the door behind him.

Ali flopped on the bed next to the towels. She twirled a strand of hair with her finger, thinking of how long it’d been since she’d seen Jeny. She wasn’t sure where to start or what to say. She couldn’t believe Jeny had taken her up on her offer.

The feeling in her chest returned, this time launching a doubt.

What if Jeny didn’t? Ali wondered. Like, what if she changed her mind at the last minute and …

A knock came at the door.

Ali rushed to the mirror and checked her hair, her glasses. Cute not hot, yeah I got it, she thought, then rushed to the door, opened it.

Her heart fell, though still kept beating fast. It’s a porter. Rachael, Ali thought it was, but couldn’t quite remember for sure.

“I have the champagne, ma’am,” Rachael said.

“Yeah, okay,” Ali said. “Just put it out on the balcony, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Rachael did just that, then returned.

Ali looked at her for a moment, studying her angular features and olive skin. She realized Rachael was waiting, patiently.

“Oh, right!” Ali went and got more money, gave it to Rachael.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Rachael said.

“Oh sure.” Ali gave a little wave.

Rachael smiled around the edges of her mouth, then left.

Ali threw herself on the bed again, this time on her stomach. She smashed her palm against her eye, up and under her glasses and said, “My life …”

The feeling returned to her chest, along with a barrage of thoughts. What if Jeny got back with Jimmy? What if Claiborne finally got her? Or her father … Jeez, he’s got so much money he could do anything really and no one would know … or what if …

Then a knock came at the door.

Ali leapt up and went for the door, stopped halfway, went to the mirror and checked her hair and glasses. I’m sexy as hell, she thought, then jumped to the door and flung it open.

Her heart lit up and went aflutter.