ADVENTURES IN PARADISE
Justine awakened early and gazed through the picture window near the foot of the bed. She saw that the sun had begun its ascent. Streaks of orange, yellow and dark blue accented the Gallup sky. She smiled. Yes, she could get used to a life like this—rising to beauty, lying in comfort and being serenaded all night by her lover.
Her joints still ached from climbing hills and descending valleys at El Morro. Once they returned to his house, they had barely made it to the bed before making love again. There was probably clothing strewn from the front door to the bedroom. Justine remembered looking up at the Koshari painting as they made love, seeing the 3D movements of a fast and furious clown. Then they both fell into a dead sleep.
Darrius stirred next to her, yawning. He turned and stroked her exposed leg. However, the expression on her face concerned him. “Hey, where’s that smile you had a second ago?”
“You saw that?”
“I see everything when it comes to you.” He sat up, letting the sheet fall to his hips. “What are you thinking about that’s making you so sad suddenly?”
“Tomorrow.”
“What about it?”
“Don’t you remember what tomorrow is?”
“Yes, Monday.”
“I go home day after tomorrow, Darrius, and I don’t want to.”
“Do you have to?”
She slumped against his shoulder. “Yeah. They’re expecting me back now that the powwow is officially over.”
He wrapped his arm tightly around her, as if hoping a loving caress would take her mind from going home. “Well, let’s not think about it right now. Let’s grab some breakfast, get your things shipped off and then go to the golf course for a round or two with the guys. We’ll take things from there. You don’t mind watching a few rounds of golf, do you? It’s the last round after the ceremonies.”
“No. I don’t mind. I’d love to see you play again.”
The look of sadness persisted, and Darrius held her tighter. “I’ve got a surprise for you after the golf outing.”
A smile finally appeared. “What is it, lunch at the El Rancho? You know I’ve wanted to go there.”
“Sure, we’ll do that, but it’s something else I won’t tell you about just yet.”
“I love you, you know that?”
“Yes, I know that, and believe me, the feeling is mutual.” He pushed the sheets aside and jumped from the bed. “Let’s get this day rolling. We’ve got to go back to your room, pack your goodies and have them all set for Wednesday. I remember now that you’re leaving at an ungodly time; 6:50 from the train station.”
“If I left any sooner, I’d miss the plane in Albuquerque.”
She got up and they held hands in front of the picture window. “Boxing my trinkets and other tokens and sending them on ahead of time is a good idea. Everything goes other than my squash necklace and bracelet.” She jingled it, hearing the stones dance against the silver. “This always stays with me no matter what I wear. It’ll remind me of you when you’re not with me.”
“I’ll always be with you, Justine.”
“I mean in person. When I’m on the train, I won’t be able to see you. I don’t know when I’ll be able to see you after I leave.”
“We have today and tomorrow, my love. Today we live life to the fullest, kiss, dance, eat, golf, take more pictures. Whatever you want to do.”
“I want to stay in bed all day with you. Well, maybe we could visit your parents and then back to bed. Sound good to you?”
“Maybe tomorrow we can meet them for dinner. Would you like that?”
“Sure. I would love to see everyone before leaving.”
“Come on, let’s go pack, get breakfast at Michael’s and have a good day.”
“You’re not cooking me more raccoon links!”
“No, but if you like snake, I have some!” He smiled and pulled her arm. “You’ll like Michael’s. He’s got the best blueberry flapjacks imaginable. Let’s go shower. Together.”
* * *
They were at the golf course by 11:45 that morning, and Darrius couldn’t wait to get started. He looked so handsome in his white polo and dark blue Dockers.
Like a proud girlfriend, Justine sat on the cart cheering him on, watching him and his friends playing. It was a beautiful day for the golf finale. The golf finale was traditionally the end of the powwow. The air was still, the sun shining and the heat, as sweltering as it was, still felt good. New Mexico felt good, and the idea of leaving it made her sick. She would miss the fun times she had there.
She picked her camera up and took a few shots of Darrius in mid-swing. Several shots caught him with a swirl of long, dark hair circling his face. Beautiful. She shot the rolling greens, the well-manicured landscape and other natives playing their rounds of golf, some on the back nines. Still, there were places in midtown she hadn’t had time to photograph. She wondered if she had time before lunch to get in a few more photographs of town. She could take the truck and be back in time to pick him up.
Darrius approached, his hair blowing in the wind. “You’re a little bored watching me golf.”
“Really, I’m okay.”
“Justine, you’re bored.” He reached into his pocket and took out his keys. “Take the truck and go to some galleries or something. Shoot more things for the paper.”
“They have enough.”
“Then shoot them for your own photo album. These are your last couple of days here, and who knows when you’ll be back? Of course, I’ll try to make that as soon as possible.”
