“Too late. They’re well into the five stages of grief over me leaving my financially secure career. In fact, I think they’ve gone through all five and have landed back in denial permanently.”
“I understand their concern. They worked hard to provide over the years. Plus, you’re the baby of the family…but they also have to come to terms with the fact that you’re an adult now. You’ve always been so focused on your education and then your career. It makes sense that you’d snap and want to see what else is in the world.”
I nod along to Aunt Val’s words.Is she right? Did I snap?
I must have dozed off because I jump when Aunt Val says, “Welcome home!”
I blink my eyes to make sure I’m not dreaming. As my vision clears, my mouth drops open. “This is yourcottage?” I am staring at a four-story, light blue beach house.
Aunt Val nods proudly. The few times we FaceTimed she was in her favorite reading chair, so I never saw the house in all its grandeur. She told me that her job was managing Airbnb rentals for a family, and that one of the perks was living in their vacation home for the summer. But, she failed to mention she was working for the likes of Jeff Bezos.
“So you like it?”
I blow out a laugh. “I mean, I haven’t seen the inside, but I think it’ll work.”
As I open the car door, I hear Aunt Val’s phone ring. She answers it as I grab my suitcase from the trunk.
I hear her say, “I’ll be there in ten minutes,” and then she hangs up. “Oh Chloe, I wish I could help you get settled in, but I have to run. Apparently, there’s an American oystercatcher with a possible broken wing down by the fishing pier.” She steps up to the door and unlocks it. “Your room is up the stairs to the left.”
As I walk inside, my eye immediately goes to the windows that have a gorgeous ocean view. After a moment, I peel my gaze away and scan the decadent interior. It’s basically an upscale beach hotel. “You really under sold this place. It’s not a cottage, it’s a mansion!”
She smiles. “I’ve found it to be a very nice place to live. I hope you will too.” After a brief pause, she says, “Sorry to run, but nature calls.”
My mind feels frozen, but I register that she isn’t using that phrase how I usually hear it. I robotically reply, “Okay, thanks so much…for everything.” She turns to exit when my brain finally catches up to her reason for leaving. “Wait, you help birds?”
“Well, not by myself. I’m on the rescue team for the Sunshine Shores Seabird Sanctuary.”
“Wow, that’s a mouthful. And very…benevolent of you. Is there anything you can’t do?”
She slides her straw tote up her forearm and then winks at me as she reaches for the door. “I’m sure there is, but I haven’t found it yet.”
After the door clicks shut, I stand in stunned silence. Slowly, I begin to rotate in a circle to take in my surroundings. There’s a beautiful open kitchen with white cabinets and a grand island. Marble countertops spill over the flat surface. Next, there is a cozy, living space. Beyond that is a large rectangle pool, which I can see through the sliding glass doors. The beach sand comes up to the pool fence and stretches out to the teal sea.
My senses feel overwhelmed, and when that happens, I turn to accomplishing tasks. It’s the best medicine for an anxious mind I’ve found.
I grab my rather large suitcase and attempt to pull it up the stairs. I make it about three steps when my arms start burning. I really should work out more. As I attempt to catch my breath, my eyes travel to the backyard and land on a hammock between two palm trees. It’s swaying slowly in the breeze, calling to me.
Without thinking, I slip off my high-heels and give a little squeal as I make my way to the hammock. I have always wanted to lay in one. It seems so idyllic and peaceful, the perfect way to start my new life in Sunshine Shores.
After awkwardly navigating myself into the cocoon of fabric, I take a deep breath. This is just as amazing as I imagined it would be. It’s like floating on a cloud. Closing my eyes, I let myself finally relax.
A minute later, my Zen moment is interrupted by what sounds like a splash.What in the world?I gingerly peer out of the hammock and glimpse a dark figure underneath the water.
My heart starts racing as panic sets it. I slip my phone out of my pocket and hit Aunt Val’s name.
“Hello, dear.” Her voice is muffled by the ocean waves and wind in the background.
“Someone is swimming in the pool. What should I do?”
“Of course you can swim in the pool. That’s totally fine. Make yourself at home.”
“No, I don’t want to swim.” I peek out again and see the mystery person doing what I think is the front stroke.
Holding the phone as close to my mouth as possible, I whisper, “Someone. Is in. Your pool.”
“Oh, it’s probably Leo.”
“Who’s Leo?”
