Abandon My Sinking Ship

Chapter 18

Pearl

I watch the carousel from the top of the London Eye. I’ve visited London at least eight times, and I’ve had the opportunity to ride the London Eye each time. It’s one of my favorite places. I’ve learned how to navigate through the tourists and get in line by purchasing a ticket prior to arriving in London.

I listen to the oohs and aahs from the first-time tourists in the bubble with me. I felt the same way the first time I viewed the city from the height of the London Eye. I was in London for a graduate school class. I wanted to study aboard, and the experience was wonderful, even though it was for only a short time. Now I watch the double-decker buses drive across the Westminster Bridge and over the River Thames. I’ll grab the Jubilee Tube to London Bridge and walk back to my hotel. I’m excited and ready for authentic fish and chips tonight. They’re always the best in London pubs.

Kelton is meeting me at the hotel. He had a business appointment today. He didn’t tell me what it regarded since he retired a few years ago. Our plan is to go to Paris. When Kelton told me that he was in London, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to visit my favorite places, then we could catch the Eurostar to Paris.

I didn’t want to leave the mess that I was dealing with in New Jersey, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to escape from the craziness for a little while. It would be exactly ten days. Ten days of smiling and laughing with Kelton. Every storm cloud disappears when I’m with him. He brings the sun, and the sun makes me smile. I also need his professional eye to review the financials of three of my clients. I’ve removed the names from the documents for confidentiality. His expertise in accounting is an asset to me in determining whether something shady is going on. In the past, I’ve never encountered so much theft and money mismanagement with small businesses. It’s become the norm, and I don’t like it.

“Hello, lovey.” Kelton’s voice comes from behind me, then I feel a soft kiss on my right temple. I close my eyes and let his voice soak into my psyche. I don’t want to admit it to myself or to anyone else, but I miss Kelton when he’s not around. A smile spreads across my face as I turn around.

“Hello, sweetheart. I’ve missed you.” I place my arms around his neck and push to my tippy-toes as he leans down and our lips meet. A soft and needed kiss that caresses my lips and my heart. I want more, but I remember that we’re in the hotel lobby.

“I’ve missed you too,” he whispers into my ear as he pulls me close.

I push back from Kelton to admire his cool and comfortable outfit. “You look dapper today.” Kelton smiles. He’s dressed in blue pants and a yellow short-sleeve polo shirt. He doesn’t like sandals, but a version of boat shoes is always on his feet. I’m wearing yellow capris and a yellow striped button-down blouse. My hair is pulled up off my neck with a clamp. I love washing my hair every morning and applying leave-in conditioner while styling. Then I twist the length and add a decorative clamp. This allows a few curls to fall around my face. It usually dries within four to five hours in hot weather, but the clamp keeps it in place. Kelton rolls a few of the curls around his finger, then lets them spring back near my cheek.

“I love your hair.”

“You love washing my hair.”

“Yes, I do. I plan to do just that tomorrow morning in the shower.” He smiles deviously.

“Is that all you’re going to do in the shower with me tomorrow morning?”

“No. I have other plans, but we will get to washing your hair.”

“I also see you’re in sunshine yellow today.”

“I wanted to match you. My woman in yellow is always beautiful.” I smile and squeeze him around the waist. “What’s the game plan for the next few days?”