Page 19 of Sinful Promise

“Mm, what about this?” I say to him. “Do you have a fake ID?”

“Of course, you’re going off half-cocked. I don’t want to bust your chops, but for once, I’m the one with the plan.”

“Right. I’ve been off my game since…”

“I know. It’s fine. I get it.”

He stands in line for a rental while I stay outside to enjoy the green scenery and the chirping of the birds. This is what vacations are for, to notice the simple things in life without being rushed. I rub my hand over my chin and decide that I do need female companionship on the yacht. I run faces through my head, trying to find a woman I can live with for a week or two on the water.

Oddly, no one comes to mind.

“Aw, man, they are waiting on a car to return,” Alex says, interrupting my reverie.

“Can we walk it?”

“I don’t like it. Too risky. We need a car. Besides, how are you getting to the airport if we have to leave quickly? No, we’re doing this my way.”

“Fine. What are we doing, then?”

“We go to another rental place, or we wait.”

“Ugh.”

Alex taps out a cigarette and places it in his mouth. He lights the tip and inhales.

“You really should stop smoking,” I comment.

“I know. Women and cigarettes are vices, and they are both bad for me, but I can’t give either up.” He gives me a smirk and shrugs as he smokes.

“The women, I can understand.”

He inhales again and blows circles in the air.

“How long are we waiting? What time is the wedding?” I’m getting nervous. What if we miss the opportunity? Our trip will have been wasted.

“Eleven. We have some time.”

“I don’t like this wait. Damn, if we were home, we would boost a car.”

He snickers. “That was some time ago, brother.”

“Mm.” He’s right. It was years ago. I survey the area and ask him to check the location of the church. I can run for ages. One way or the other, I’m going to get there.

“It’s eight kilometers. What do you want to do?”

“I can run it. Why don’t you wait for a car, and I’ll meet you there?”

“You sure? It would be better if I were with you.”

I lift my knee and grab my ankle, stretching one leg, then the other.

Alex observes me as he drops his cigarette on the ground. “You’re crazy,” he murmurs.

“You have any better ideas? I need the address.”

I hand him my phone, and he pulls up the map, taps on the screen, and passes me the phone back. He points his chin in the direction of the church and says, “Get out of here.”

“See you there.” I start with a slow trot just to warm up, but I’m running at a good pace before long. I watch for cars at intersections, then glance at my phone to make sure I’m on the correct path. I run on sidewalks covered with leaves that never get swept. The only noise I hear is the chirping of birds and the hum of an occasional passing car. The sun feels good on my face, and I’m almost disappointed to reach the church and end my run.

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