Eight Goodbyes by Christine Brae

Author:Christine Brae [Brae, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary
Publisher: Vesuvian Books
Published: 2018-08-20T18:30:00+00:00

The Santorini caldera was a submerged volcanic crater surrounded by high cliffs on three sides. Their hotel, the Andronis, sat squarely at the edge of a cliff, its rooms directly above the sea.

“Absolutely breathtaking!” Tessa exclaimed as she stood on the terrace of their luxury suite. Directly in front of her was an infinity pool extending itself into the horizon. Everything around them was white, contrasted only by the varying hues of blue—aqua for sky, blue green for land and indigo for sea. Heavy stone furniture and fixtures gave their room the much needed respite from the bright sun and the warm temperature. Cycladic architecture at its best—simple and airy, with minimal aesthetics. Whitewashed cube houses had been built on top of each other, some carved inside the hills with volcanic rock to keep them protected from the seasons.

“Sure is.” Simon sat on the stone bench directly behind her. She heard the smirk in his voice and turned around to catch his gaze. It was fixed on her and not on the view. She noticed how handsome he looked, rested and relaxed unlike any other time she’d been with him.

With every trip they’d taken together, she found herself experiencing a myriad of emotions. That evening, she refused to think about anything else but what was happening there and now. Her mind kept drifting back to the day he said he loved her. Or the day he’d signaled that he loved her. She’d seen him clearly as she flew over the clouds. Granted, he’d probably just been overwhelmed by her birthday surprise, but it didn’t matter. She had heard those words spoken to her many times but hearing it from him had filled her with joy. Simon had given them new meaning. For once, she wasn’t writing about it. She was living it.

She extended her hand and called to him. “No, come look!”

She held his hand and stood at his side, overtaken by silence and awe. The drone of the motorboats below them and the sound of merriment coming from the neighboring balconies was hypnotizing. And the wind. It constantly reminded her of its presence. In a way, that was how she saw their relationship before their confrontation the other night. Coming together and then parting ways. No more wind to pull them apart. No more doubt. They were going to try for normal.

“Penny for your thoughts,” she said, squeezing his hand.

“I beg your pardon?” He squeezed back.

She laughed. “What are you thinking?”

“Well, not about work for the first time ever. You first,” he said.

“I guess that’s a good thing, huh?” Still he stared out into the horizon. Addressing her, without turning toward her. He looked serious, eyes deep set and brows furrowed. Tessa grew nervous. Her normal paranoia set in. Will this be the time? She wondered. Will this be the time he says goodbye for good?

“I was just thinking about the wind. Everywhere we’ve gone, the wind has been there with us,” she said.

“That’s because you love high places. Of course, wind would be a factor.

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