Chapter 10
10
T abitha felt great for the celebration and was even up to helping clean the house. Some friends from work were coming later for the fireworks. She, Greg, and Deenie had come to Melbourne Beach a few times in the past because they were known for their spectacular fireworks display. Towns up and down the Space Coast had displays, and one was more amazing than the other. It was like they had a contest, and each year, they got bigger.
Deenie, Kylen, and Dalton staked out a perfect patch of beach for the celebration. It was on the beach next to the pier and only a stone’s throw from the house. Burgers and dogs were cooked on the deck, and folks could wander up when they were hungry.
It had been overcast for a few days, but on the Fourth, there was nothing but blue skies. The women pulled out a giant beach blanket they could all fit on. Deb still wasn’t back, so they had plenty of room.
“Are you finally relaxed after your long drive the other day?” Tabitha asked April.
“I am. Creating distance between me and Tampa was a good idea. I’m beginning to think that it’s not the city for me. After I stopped working at the hospital, I had more time to realize what was going on around me. My neighborhood isn’t what it used to be, so I’m looking around for something new,” she said.
“Join us on Merritt Island,” Mel said.
“I’m going to wait and see where Kylen ends up for college. I don’t plan on living in the same town, but close wouldn’t be a bad idea. God forbid he chooses Oregon. It’s a great university, but I could do without the rain.”
“Where’s Dale?” April asked.
“He’s firing up the grill. Being the cue master today is his dream. I doubt we’ll see too much of him today,” Mel said.
“No more questions about future plans. I just want to relax. It’s a national holiday, and it would be unpatriotic to do anything else,” April said.
Just as she closed her eyes, a volleyball fell inches from her head. She sat up ramrod straight. “Kylen, if that was you, so help me.”
April noticed a pair of well-defined legs before her. She looked up and saw a man with grey hair and blue eyes wearing a tank top. “I’m sorry. I don’t know who Kylen is, but he’s innocent. It was me. I was about to spike the ball when I stepped on something sharp, and the ball got away from me.”
“You could have taken out my eye if it was an inch closer. I’m a doctor, and that would have cost me my career.”
“I’m sorry. I’m Carmine Ventura, and I have a game going with some friends if you want to watch. We’re beach neighbors for the day, so I figured we should get along.”
“I’m April Dixon. Why didn’t you ask me to play?”
“It’s clear that you’re in excellent shape, but we play pretty aggressively, and we’re a lot bigger than you,” Carmine said.
“What about Kylen?” Tabitha asked. She heard every word of their exchange and knew April was desperate to get her son involved in an extracurricular activity.
“There’s that name again. Is Kylen your husband?” Carmine asked.
“No, he’s my seventeen-year-old son. I don’t have a husband,” April said.
Kylen went over to meet Carmine, and they arranged to meet on the beach the following day. Some of the men he was with were retired professionals, and he didn’t want to bring Kylen in until he taught him a few things. Kylen was receptive to the idea, and as Tabitha watched Carmine and Kylen together, she thought she knew what April was thinking. It was the time in his life when he would have benefitted from having a father. April did a great job as a single mother, but being estranged from Greg took away one of his only male role models. Maybe the errant volleyball wasn’t such a bad thing.
Everyone gathered on the deck for the fireworks display. Marcus stood behind Tabitha with his arms around her waist. “I won’t ever forget this Independence Day. It’s not so much about the fireworks because I see those each time I kiss you.”
“That is the corniest thing I ever heard, but I loved it. I can’t recall being this happy, standing in your arms with my daughter and her friends. Do you believe that fate brought us together? A lot had to happen to cross paths, so we are destined to be together.”
“We make our own fate. If it weren’t me, it would have been someone else. I’m glad to be right here with you at this moment. He kissed her cheek as red, white and blue exploded in the air.”
Deb and Nathaniel walked onto the deck, and she stood next to Tabitha.
“He had the nerve to come to Merritt Island and drag me back here like some caveman.” Deb smiled. “No one has ever done anything like that before. I didn’t think I was the type to fall for a grand gesture, but I guess I am.”
“Nice work, Nathaniel,” Tabitha said.
“This lady is worth it. I’m not going away, and she’ll realize that after a few more grand gestures.”
Tabitha was feeling giddy with the fireworks, her friends and family present and in the arms of the man she was falling in love with.
“I’m falling in love with you,” Tabitha told Marcus. She knew it was a risk but felt compelled to share her feelings.
The finale concluded the fireworks display, and everyone cheered.
The next morning, Tabitha was woken by a ringing doorbell. It was 8:30, and no one else was awake. Tabitha put on her robe and pulled open the door.
“I’m sorry to wake you. I thought I saw movement in here.”
“I’m up now. Who are you?” Tabitha asked.
“I’m Donny Nix with Seascape Realty. I’m your new contact until we can get a property management company in here.”
“Where’s Marcus?”
“Gone.”