Sweet Endings Part III

Chapter III

Being in Miami was risky I knew, by it was confirmed on the fifth day.  The concierge inquired about him.  He wondered aloud why he hadn’t yet joined me.  I had never been here this long alone.  Neither had he.  Out of the country on business was my decided upon response to any questions about his whereabouts.  No one would question me or even think twice.  However, my stay in Miami would not be much longer.  I always found it impossible to manage business in this damn city.  The vibrant colors, laid back atmosphere and the weather made my lazy, but I cannot afford to be lazy now.  I needed to remain vigilant and poised and shit, I probably should limber up, because there is no telling what will come next.

Reluctantly, I visited my lawyer and accountant.  Between the trusts that I maintained for my family and various charitable organizations, I needed to review my will and get some cash money.  I set up various scheduled payments for our expenses and managed a few other matters.  Then I headed for the beach.  Determined to think and devise a plan.  I could not lay dormant in Miami.  The beach was full of tourists, so I traveled to a hotel on the beach with restricted beach access and checked in.  I purchased a yoga mat from the gift shop and headed to the beach after changing.  Once there, I meditated.  Silence, stillness, silence, cleansing.  I saw my daughter’s face and immediately opened my eyes, out loud I spoke ‘You do not belong’, again I closed my eyes and started again.  This time, I heard her laugh.  I stood.  I stretched.  It had been years since I did this; allowed this.  And whatever this was, it didn’t work for me.   I ran into the ocean, slapped my body against the water and began an awkward swim against the waves and against my memory.

I swam until I felt my lungs demand a reprieve and turned onto my back and floated.  The waves were calm unlike my heart.  The sun was bright and I could feel my entire body heat up from its external warmth and my internal turmoil.  My heart beat returned to a more natural rhythm and I could feel myself calm down.  I waited and I didn’t hear my past, so I swam back to shore.  When I emerged from the water, I became instantly self conscious of my hair, my new cut had a bang and my hair is curly.  I must look like a wet cocker spaniel; I walked quickly to my mat, dried off and returned to my room.  After showering, I turned on the television and stood in the window naked and watched a young family play on the beach.  Angered, I turned away and noticed that the television had a mail icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.  I followed the menu options to retrieve the message and to my surprise a frequent donor to one of my charitable foundations had left the message.  She was approaching me on the beach earlier when I took off into the ocean.  She wanted to meet for an early dinner tonight.  Smashing, I thought, how much of that atrocious sight had she witnessed?  Fuck it I thought as I dialed her back.  As we chatted, I stood in the mirror, still naked, I looked from my toes until my gaze landed on my eyes and I stared at myself.  At the person I created and again, the surge of anger and hatred boiled so hot and fast that I saw red.  I blinked hard and turned away.  I scheduled dinner with Julianne Esse for later that evening at the hotel steak house, and then I climbed under the covers and slept.

When I arrived at the steak house my stomach was growling, I thought people could see its disdain through my black linen dress.  The atmosphere was very masculine, yet luxurious.  Deep, dark browns accentuated by gold and thoughtful lightening gave the space the feel of a cigar lounge without the smell.  I saw Julianne Esse when I glanced over to my right and approached her slowly.  Her small hands held both cheeks of her round face, her emerald dress, clung to her body as if she had been in the ocean right beside me earlier.  When she noticed me, she smiled and stood.  We embraced and I almost cried; her smell was always the same, light peony and citrus.  We kissed quickly on the cheek and sat.  Conversation was easy for us; we caught up on family, friends and new and old ventures.  We ate and drank too much, enjoying the atmosphere and the company of each other.  Julianne asked me between shots of SoCo and Lime if she could get my opinion on a project she was asked to lead.  I of course obliged.  Anxious to hear about the project, I was slightly agitated that Julianne wanted to speak privately, ‘preferably’ she’d said in my room.  I laughed slightly to myself as I stood, inebriated, I motioned for Julianne to follow me. 

When we entered my room she was on me.  Lips against lips, her hands on my breast and hip, my hands on her cheeks, holding her close; I’d missed her a lot.  She tasted just like I remembered and she whispered that I was beautiful.  Her skin was so soft; I buried my face in places that were warm and sensuous.  I imagined for a moment being with her forever.  From between her legs, I looked up, excitement coursed through my body as our eyes met.  I felt her thighs on my cheeks and buried my face again.  Julianne moaned and whispered sounds, as they never hit my ears as words, I only heard affirmation to continue.  I pushed her legs into the air slapped her ass and grinded on her moistness.  Julianne reached up and kissed my breast, then arched her back and climaxed.  I kissed her forehead and went into the bathroom to shower.  When I came back, Julianne was still naked, which surprised me I’d anticipated that she’d be dressed and ready to talk.  She was ready to talk, but no intentions on dressing, she said she still wanted more. 

She began to tell me about a project in the Dominican Republic that she was launching but needed a marketing director.  My interest was piqued as this opportunity presented just the escape I needed.  We discussed the details of the project and agree on a transitional timeline.  At the end of our conversation, I was confident that within 48 hours, I would be reinvented in a new country.  Unfortunately for Julianne, it wouldn’t actually be in the Dominican Republic.  We fucked once more and when she fell asleep, I returned to my condo. 

The next morning, prior to departing for the airport, I called Julianne to review the proposed plan.  Under the guise of confirming what was discussed after a night of drinking and sexing.  During our call I heard my front door open.  I glanced at the clock quickly, wondering why the management staff was entering my home without prior notification.  I heard footsteps approaching and turned around to see who had entered.  I dropped the phone as the first bullet entered my chest and began to fall as the second bullet entered my right cheek and exited through my neck on the left side.  My knees hit the floor and he stood over me with the gun my dad had given me and he fired one last shot.