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Beaches, Boats, Hurricanes and Hemingway’s Rum

Chapter Two by Raissa Urdiales

Pauline and Raissa were tending to the future of the Writers Café. They imagined a place where all creatives could come and thrive. A place with words and imagines would combine into a more complete expression of the human spirit. A place where freedom to be unique would be quietly celebrated. A place that would have areas where people could gather or be alone with their own thoughts. The smell of coffee brewing and the sweet aroma of pastries mixed with bacon sizzling on the grill accompanied by farm-fresh scrambled eggs. A place where all the senses could come alive and explode into what it means to be human. First, before all they imagined for the Writers Café they had a trip down to Key West planned. Raissa was getting her things together when she came across an old picture of her with her friend Heidi Lynn.  A journey that seemed like a lifetime ago.

The snapshot reminded her of when she first locked eyes on the man with the wavy brown hair and deep blue eyes. She remembered the gravitational pull into the sparkling blue pools of water lined with long curly eyelashes. Her heart raced, and face blushed at the thought of the memory that had long passed.

Some say they have experienced love at first sight. For Raissa, it was not so much love at first sight that she saw. It was a connection. She looked in the mirror at her own eyes. Many had told her they were like chameleons changing with her mood and her surroundings. Sometimes they were emerald-like evergreen trees, and other times they resembled the dark blue sea filled with mystery. When sad, they would turn grey appearing to have a fog covering her inner soul.

She had a few times in her life where she remembered that exact moment that her eyes had connected with another’s. It was a surreal feeling as if that person was somehow a part of her inner being; something in those eyes that created a pathway to the soul that lived within. That through those eyes, she could feel their feelings, both good and bad. It left her feeling naked and exposed. As if that person could see her for who she really was. There could be no hiding and no secrets. Secrets that she kept perfectly tucked away.

Somehow, those secrets can only stay hidden for so long. Raissa has always looked for the truth, but the fact was sometimes secrets are best left hidden between that connection that forms between those two sets of eyes.

Raissa put down the picture and turned. Pauline was standing behind her with tears pooling in her violet-colored eyes. At least they looked violet just then. What did Raissa see in Pauline’s eyes that seemed so familiar? She grabbed her hands, gave her a wink, and pulled her close to give her a big bear hug, as Theodore always loved to do. She whispered in her ear. “Let’s hit the road…the boys are waiting, and you know how they get in trouble without good women around.”

They packed their last things in Raissa’s red Jeep, looked at each other, and said, “Let the journey begin.”

____________________

Coming Soon… Sailors, Sails and The Hermitage  

This is the Seventh Installment in a series called “The Long Journey Home”

Larry Tyler
Larry Tyler
Awaken the possibilities … then unleash them. After 55 years of successful retail management, I have returned to my passion of writing. I write Poetry, Storytelling, and Short Stories. As a child, I grew up on front porch storytelling. I would sit and listen to my Dad and his brothers tell these great stories that were captivating, and I always wanted to hear more. I wanted to experience the things they talked about. I started writing at a young age and reading everything I could get my hands on. At twelve years old I started a storytelling group and several of my friends became writers or poets. At 16 I hopped box cars and worked the tobacco fields, orange groves, picked cotton, and spent many nights around a campfire listing to life stories. Someone once asked me why I wrote. It consumes an amazing amount of time and I assure you it is not going to make me rich. I write so that my children can touch and feel my words telling of the ones that came before us and the stories they told me. These are the chronicles of our family and even though they come from my childhood memories and are deeply rooted in a child’s remembrance at least they may feel what it was like in the time before them and cherish the things the elders left behind. I am a Columnist & Featured Contributor, BIZCATALYST360 and I have The Writers Café, a group on LinkedIn that features Poets, Writers, Artists, Photographers, and Musicians . On Facebook I have two groups and one page; Dirt Road Storytelling, From Abandoned To Rescue Dogs And Cats, and About Life, Love And Living. As writers, it is true that we honestly do not know what we hold within us until we unleash it. When our words inspire others only then will inspiration return to the writer. I will spend my twilight years in search of the next story, the next poem, and the next image. I will take the time to enjoy my Wife, our Dogs, and Cats, and our amazing new home and I will always find the time to walk down a dirt road I truly hope is that I never have to read another book on Leadership, be on a conference call or see another plan o gram as these were the tool for what I did in life and not about who I am.

DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF? If you’re ready to share your wisdom of experience, we’re ready to share it with our massive global audience – by giving you the opportunity to become a published Contributor on our award-winning Site with (your own byline). And who knows? – it may be your first step in discovering your “hidden Hemmingway”. LEARN MORE HERE


12 CONVERSATIONS

  1. You amaze me, my Dear Friend, Larry! The magic you weave with a never-ending imagination can pick anyone from the most profound slumber and take him or her on a ride of a life-time. Of course, your ‘Dirt Road’ has its enticing secrets that keep throwing up treasures, one after the other.

    Now, the surprise of all surprises, you have so beautifully drawn me into this story, without even letting me know I was a part of the developments. Some mesmerizing technique indeed!

    I consider myself truly fortunate to have such a select company of progressive Thinkers, Writers, Change-makers, and above all else, caring individuals.

    Thank You, my Dear Friend, Guide, and Mentor!

    Warm Regards, with A Prayer for All
    BM

    • Thank you my dear friend. I did ask you By either messenger or LinkedIn messenger. I admit it was a few months ago. You’ve always been there for me and I am eternally grateful

    • I ain’t complaining, Dear Sir; on the contrary, I intend to compliment you for the incredible power of imagination you command. On my end, anything, any day, for such a dear friend!

  2. Larry, thank you for taking me on such an adventure this morning. It was a lovely way to welcome the day and a perfect companion to my first sip of coffee. You are such a great storyteller, and there is nothing I love more than getting lost in a good story. This one fits that bill to a tee.

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