10 Years, 12 Nights, 6 Hotels, ONE LOVE - April 2012 Trip Report

[Hubby-man]

Day 11



We woke up in a sweaty confusion. Above the fan of the Pisces cottage spun slowly. It was early, but through the daze a feeling of urgency crept in. Something was happening. I glanced across Daisy’s shoulder at the clock radio.

Me: “Man, when are they leaving?”.

Daisy: “Dunno, about now? … I think.”

Me: “Oh man! … Wanna say good-bye?”

Daisy: “Oh, no! I can’t. I promised not to cry …and I would.”

Me: “I can’t lay here with them right out that door! I have to go say good-bye again.”

I tossed some water in my face in the bathroom and grabbed clothes of the floor. With my shirt inside out I slipped through the front door and stared into the bright sunlight reflected of the sedan waiting there. Ben at the center of the early action wagged his tail and slowly wobbled towards me.



Crouching down to pet his wiry fur I spotted Marley and Ninja at the front desk. I ran back inside to report to Daisy, but saw the water built up on her lower eyelid. She waved off and I went back outside without a word.

Ninja came out of the office and sauntered over. We managed a cool hand shake and braved the moment as if it were any other. I asked if everything was going smooth, if they were on time and such. He nodded and we wordlessly looked at office entrance waiting for Marley to come out. Just two men standing there and chatting on the surface undisturbed by the happenstance of one party’s departure.

Then behind me the cottage door squeak open and Daisy emerged hesitantly, asking to be allowed to show her teary face. Marley finally joined and we discussed emphatically all the opportunities we would not miss to see each other, the trip reports we would write.

“It’s the beginning of something beautiful, not the end! “

“You are right. This moment is a joyful one! Good things are in motion.”

“It sure is, isn’t it?”

“Bah, yes of course it is!”

We were so brave.

When the car turned the corner though and the gate was closed and everything continued as if nothing happened: the birds still sang, the security guard smiled at us with no sign of loss or grief, when all the world just pretended that nothing at all had occurred it stung so badly that I could finally not hold back the tears and to my surprise broke out into a full on ten second sob fest. Daisy had already been at it for a while. We took turns. She wiped my tears off and repeated: “It’s just the beginning, honey. You’ll see them ALL again!”

“That’s right my love! That’s right.”