Page 1 of Charlotte
Chapter 1
Charlotte
Workingmy way down the concourse of the international airport is proving to be more difficult than I anticipated. My left shoulder flies backward as a very large and obviously in a hurry businessman in his three-piece suit slams into me as he passes me, dragging his rolling suitcase behind him. I’m here three hours early for several reasons. First, I want to beat the rush hour traffic as I am on an early flight. Second, I like to make sure I have plenty of time to get through security and not have to rush for my terminal gate. Third, I just need some time to myself.
Being widowed at the age of 37 due to the unexpected heart attack of my husband in the middle of the night was not something I had been prepared for. Now at 42-years-old I have been feeling like half my life is over. What have I done with it? What great accomplishments have I achieved? Yes, I have two wonderful, successful children, but I feel like there was so much more I could and should do. So, at the insistence of a colleague, Dr. Jones, I have decided to take off work for a few weeks and go on a medical mission trip to help people in foreign countries receive much needed health care.
I have grown up and lived all my life in a small town in Kentucky, this is all new to me. Traveling out of country is an entirely new experience. Add the fact that I’m not traveling with any family is very out of character for me. My children are grown and have been living on their own for few years now. Without someone at home needing my full attention and support, the empty nest syndrome has hit me hard. I suppose that is why I felt the need to venture out of my comfort zone and seek adventure.
Dr. George Jones (yes that’s his real name) is the leader and organizer of this expedition. We have been acquaintances for a while now. He is tall around 6 feet with short blond hair and sky-blue eyes. He keeps his slightly round face clean shaven. He is a little overweight by most standards, but not to excess. He moved to our little town of Deer Run, Kentucky about 3 years ago to replace a retiring doctor. He has asked me out a few times and despite me turning him down, he has remained friendly. He’s a nice enough man, but I’m just not interested in him. If I am honest, I haven’t allowed myself to even think about being interested in anyone. Dr. Jones has been talking about taking a Doctors without Borders trip since he arrived in town. He spent several years in the Peace Corps right out of high school and goes on a mission trip with his church group every year. He has built this trip up in our minds as our life’s great work, to help those in poorer countries that would not otherwise have access to healthcare.
I’m traveling with some of my co-workers on this trip. JoAnn Walters is a nurse that works with Dr. Jones. I have known her since high school and we even attended the same nursing school. Lisa Winters is also a nurse and the last member of our party. She is my closest friend. We are soul sisters. We were brides’ maids at one another’s weddings. I was there for her during her divorce and she was my shoulder to cry on with I lost my husband. We have raised our kids together and know each other so well.
Our group left a few days early so we could take a couple of days to sightsee in California before heading south. I have enjoyed my short stay here in San Diego during the lay over on our trip to Guatemala. It might not have been a good idea to come to the airport alone, but I needed the time to myself. Other than my friendship with Lisa, I have been a bit of a loner, after becoming a widow. This group trip is going to push my limits of socialization. It’s only been 2 days and my nerves are starting to fray. JoAnn and Lisa mean well, but they are smothering me. They think we must do everything together. Dr Jones has been over the top to want us to stay together, too. Perhaps he thinks we will get into some mischief if he doesn’t keep an eye on us. I’m hoping it’s because he feels responsible for us girls since he organized the trip, and not because he is hoping to wear me down into dating him.
We did get a little crazy at Karaoke last night at a bar. I was the DD even though we were taking an Uber. Someone needed to be sure we made it back to the hotel safely and to be honest I wasn’t comfortable letting my guard down. I’ve never been much of a drinker anyway and being in a strange town drunk was not my idea of a good time. However, we had a blast singing our hearts out and since no one there knew us, we could be totally crazy. We sang several country songs from Miranda Lambert to Loretta Lynn. Aces’ Bar and Grill was very nice, and the patrons encouraged us. I think they thought we were all hammered. Everyone had a hoot at us singing coal miner’s daughter since we were from Kentucky and had that southern accent.
We got several encouraging remarks from a table of men that had to military. They were all handsome and buff. I mean we are talking major muscles, here. They all looked like predators ready to stalk their prey. There were a lot of military guys around since this is a military town.
“Charlotte, the blonde hottie with the black t-shirt at that table over there is checking you out,” JoAnn squeals loudly. “You should go talk to him.” Joann elbows me in the ribs a little harder than was necessary. Before I could formulate a reply, Dr. Jones jumps in.
“Absolutely not, Charlotte. There’s no telling what kind of diseases you would catch in this town.” Dr. Jones virtually growls at me, as if I would act on Joann’s suggestion.
“Dr. Jones, let her have some fun.” JoAnn drawls as she leans into him rubbing her breasts on his arm. “She needs to live a little.” JoAnn continues to lean on Dr. Jones and giving him a show with her low plunging neckline.
“Something Ajax won’t take off.” Lisa smirks at me and then giggles. I can’t keep the laugh from escaping my lips. Because she is most likely correct. Everyone has heard stories about women throwing themselves at military men especially around bases where SEALs and other Special Forces soldiers were located. They wanted bragging rights that they had slept with a badass military man.
After that fiasco of a conversation, JoAnn and Lisa talked me into singing Miranda Lambert’s “Gun Powder and Lead,” as the grand finale. I really got into it, dancing around while I sang. The crowd clapped when I was done, but I felt like I needed to say something about the song. So, I went into my clinic speech when dealing with someone I thought was a victim of domestic violence. Who knows there might be someone in this crowd tonight that just needs encouragement to ask for help or say something to a friend they are worried about?
“Thank you all for allowing me to let your ears bleed with my screeching. But I would like to say a little something about the theme of that song. That song is meant to be entertaining, but it carries a serious message. I would never condone the violence this song suggests unless it is in self-defense. If you are in this type of situation, I would encourage you to seek out the help of a friend, neighbor, your healthcare provider, or police officer before you become another statistic in the news. Please get out while you have the chance. And if you are sitting there thinking this will never affect me. Think again, it could be your co-worker, your child’s teacher, or even one of your relatives. Domestic violence spans all social and economic classes. So just be observant and look for signs such as change in behavior, inappropriate clothing for the time of year, and injuries with vague or unreasonable excuses. Speak up even if you feel uncomfortable approaching the subject. It could be the difference in life and death for someone. Thank you for listening, have a good rest of your night.”
There was a large group of men and women in the back and they seemed to be having a great time. After our crazy karaoke session, I headed to the ladies’ room. I had been drinking Diet Coke like no tomorrow because I knew once we got into South America that would be it for the next few weeks. While I was in the stall, I heard the door open and several women entered the bathroom. They were deep in conversation and didn’t notice anyone else is in there.
“I will never get used to them leaving to go on missions.” A female voice whined.
“I know, Summer I feel the same, but we have to put on a brave face for them. We knew what we were getting into when we got with Navy SEALs.” Replied another voice.
“I really do try not to worry, but I don’t know what I would do without Sam. Caroline, are we all coming to your house when they leave or are we going to Jess’s?” Summer asked.
“We decided that we would gather at my house that night like always. There are a couple of ladies from the base that are going to keep the kids upstairs while we have a traditional ‘get drunk cause our men are gone party’. Then Fiona and I are going to Jess’s the next night to help with the kids. She has her hands full with the 2 babies so close in age.” Replied Caroline.
When I finished my business, I left the stall trying not to be in the way of the ladies crowded around the sinks and mirrors as they carried on their conversation. I realized that they were talking to me while I was washing my hands.
“You should not go to the bathroom alone, especially in a bar. It can be very dangerous.” A beautiful blonde lady said to me. “By the way I liked your version of “Gun Powder and Lead” and the comments you made to the audience afterward. So many women suffer from domestic violence and never seek help. I am glad you brought it up tonight.”
“It is a subject that touches my heart. I have seen too many cases of unnecessary injuries and death caused by domestic violence. If I can help one person get out of a desperate situation, then I have done my job and I can sleep at night.” I replied to the women. “As for coming in here by myself, I haven’t been drinking and I have taken self-defense classes. I know that won’t prevent everything, but I try to be aware of my surroundings.”
“My name is Caroline. Let us walk you back to your group. We never let someone go to the restroom alone and one of our spouses stands in the hall. We had the misfortune for some of our group to be kidnapped from this very bar while going to the bathroom.” The dark-haired woman named Caroline replied.
“Thanks for walking me back. I’m sorry to hear about your friends. I hope they are ok.” I said with a big smile. “By the way, my name is Charlotte.”
When we exited the bathroom, I noticed there was a tall muscular man standing in the hallway watching the door. When we entered the hall, he stepped back and let us pass then followed us across the bar. The ladies walked me back to my table. Dr Jones declared it was time we headed back to the hotel before we did anything else that was too crazy. I think we must have embarrassed him. I was shocked as we walked past the table with the ladies from the restroom, JoAnn loudly said, “Charlotte I swear I don’t know why you have to be such a drama queen and make a speech at karaoke. Did you not get enough attention as a child or something?” I didn’t reply as I was shocked and a little embarrassed at her observation. I just lowered my head and followed the group out the door.
Even now after having slept a few hours her words still sting a little. Why I worry about what she thinks is beyond me and it’s not like I will ever see those ladies from the bar again. Still, I wish she hadn’t embarrassed me. There is a little café up ahead. I could use some coffee to help improve my mood. There is a line at the counter, so it takes a few minutes for me to get to the counter to order.
Once I have ordered and paid, the barista hands me my large mocha coffee. Several people are crowding the counter so when I turn to leave, I run smack into a hard wall of muscle. My coffee sloshes down the front of my University of Kentucky Wildcats t-shirt, and I would have landed on my ass if not for the strong hands that grabbed my elbows, steadying me on my feet. Once I am over the shock and first degree burn between my breasts, I look up into the most beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen.
“Oh! I’m so sorry. I hope I didn’t burn you with my coffee.” I ramble to the handsome man who still has his hands on me. Suddenly my mouth is dry, and I can hardly breath. I hadn’t been this close to a man in a very long time so I’m sure that’s why I was acutely aware of the Alpha male holding me near him.
