Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Sightseeing (08/08/05)
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TITLE: St. Barts | Previous Challenge Entry
By dub W
08/08/05 -
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The little car slowed, not by choice, but because we were halfway up a steep hill on the tiny French island of Saint Barthelemy, also known as Saint Barts. “Pedal Margaret.”
My joke was lost on my wife.
“Do I need to get out.” She started to open the door.
“Probably wouldn’t hurt. Why don’t you drive and I’ll walk.” The Mokey shuttered and finally stalled. I exited the vehicle and Margaret got in the driver’s seat; I, in turn, moved to the rear of the car to push. Pushing a Mokey up the hills in St. Barts was a common sight. The little cars had the power of a small lawnmower. Tourists and locals alike often walked their vehicles up the steep hills.
Finally, we reached the crest of the hill where the island of St. Barts stretched out before us. Margaret pulled the Mokey to the side of the road. “Did God ever produce anything so beautiful?” She shaded her eyes with her hand. “Look at all of this, I need to get a picture.”
“Another gift,” was my only out-of-breath reply. Suddenly, a small aircraft buzzed behind us. “Duck.” I yelled.
The airplane’s wheels almost touched the road and the wings of the plane nearly hit the Moke. Then the small plane dove toward a landing strip on the beach below.
“Wow.” Margaret picked her head up off of the seat. “Maybe we should move down the hill a bit.”
We both laughed as I jumped into the car and we coasted to a roadside overlook.
“This is beautiful Charles. Just look at that crystal clear water.” She took her camera from her purse and began photographing the seascape.
From our perch we could see the beaches and the gentle surf - the water sparkled and seemed transparent. Windsurfers glided across the placid waves as if roller-skating on glass and colorful sunbathers dotted the sand – each with a bright umbrella casting a tiny shadow in the sunlight. Margaret pointed to the distant horizon. We could see what appeared to be small rock outcroppings – more of the tiny islands dotting the Windward side of the Caribbean Island chain. “I’m speechless.” Margaret seemed to gasp.
“We should rent one of the cabana huts sometime.” I waved at the rows of beach huts lining the sand below us.
Margaret brushed a lock of salt tipped brown hair from her eyes. “You know Charles, I’ve been thinking. What would you think about living down here, maybe not St. Barts, but one of the islands, at least in the winter. Don’t answer me right now.”
I must’ve looked worried, because she touched my sunburned arm and said, “it’s just a dream Charles – come on loosen up and dream along with me. You could start a small church tucked away on some hidden island – like you have always talked about.”
I tried to smile while squinting in the bright sunlight. “Margaret, I have thought about that too - ever since the cab ride on Sint Maarten. I suppose, for the fun of it, we could look into it. Monique would probably love it.”
“I think Monique is in love with Paris, we might get her to join us here sightseeing.” Monique and Margaret had a typical mother/daughter relationship; however, it was uncanny how alike they were. “Charles, do you still have that realtor's card, maybe we can call him.”
“Okay, when we get back to Virginia why don’t you get on the internet, make some calls, and we will look into it. You might even try the cabby’s brother realtor.” I laughed.
Margaret’s eyes brightened and a bright smile covered her face. “Oh, Charles, this place is so beautiful. Promise me you’ll scatter my ashes in the Caribbean.”
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The last line was a great finish albeit surprising.My mouthfell open.