Contemporary story
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Return to Paradise

Lisa gazed out over the Caribbean Sea, feeling the faint breeze against her face - eyes shut, the white sand warm between her bare toes. The place was beautiful beyond belief, but it was still unable to ease the grief she felt as she remembered the last time she had been here.

She had married James right here on this spot three years ago to the day. Dressed in a simple white shift dress, miniature white roses attempting to tame her long dark curls, Lisa had been happier than she had ever thought possible. James was even less formal but utterly irresistible in creased summer trousers and a loose white cotton shirt. His dark hair slightly ruffled and his eyes full of adoration as his looked at his bride to be. The justice of the peace had read their vows as they held hands and laughed at the sheer joy of being young, in love and staying in a five star resort on the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic. They had seen the years blissfully stretching ahead of them, together forever. They planned their children, two she said, he said four so they compromised on three (two girls and a boy of course); where they would live, the travelling they would do together - it was all certain, so they had thought then.

But that seemed such a long time ago now. A lot can change in just a few years - a lot of heartache can change a person and drive a wedge through the strongest ties, break even the deepest love. Three years to the day and they had returned, though this time not for the beachside marriages the island was famous for but for one of its equally popular quickie divorces.

Lisa let out a sigh that was filled with pain and regret. What could she do but move on, find a new life and new dreams? - the old one was beyond repair. How could this beautiful place, with its lush green coastline, eternity of azure blue sea and endless sands be a place for the agony she felt now?

The man stood watching from the edge of the palm trees. He couldn't take his eyes of the dark-haired woman he saw standing at the water's edge, gazing out to sea as though she was waiting for something - or someone. She was beautiful, with her slim figure dressed in a loose flowing cotton dress, her crazy hair and bright blue eyes not far off the colour of the sea itself. It wasn't her looks that attracted him though; he came across many beautiful women in his work as a freelance photographer. It was her loneliness and intensity that lured him. Even at some distance he was aware that she was different from any other woman he could meet.

Lisa sensed the man approaching even before she turned around. She had been aware of him standing there staring at her and had felt strangely calm about being observed. She looked at him and felt the instant spark of connection she had only experienced once before. He walked slowly towards her and they held each other's gaze. It felt like meeting a long lost friend - not a stranger on a strange beach.

←2→

Later, sitting at one of the many bars on the resort, sipping the local cocktails they began to talk. First pleasantries, their hotels, the quality of the food and friendliness of the locals. Their conversation was strangely hesitant considering the naturalness and confidence of their earlier meeting. Onlookers, however, would have detected the subtle flirtation as they mirrored each other's actions and spoke directly into each other's eyes. Only later, after the alcohol had had its loosening effect, did the conversation deepen. They talked of why they were here and finally, against her judgement, Lisa opened up about her heartache of the past year and how events had led her back to the place where she had married the only man she believed she could ever love. She told him of things that had been locked deep inside her, able to tell no one. She told him how she had felt after she had lost her baby.

She was six months pregnant and the happiest she had ever been when the pains had started. She was staying with her mother as James was working out of town. He hadn't made it back in time. The doctor had said it was just one of those things, that they could try again. But how could she when she couldn't even look James in the eye. She hated him then, for not being there, for not hurting as much as her but most of all for looking so much like the tiny baby boy that she held for just three hours before the took him away. All through the following months she had withdrawn from her husband, family, friends. Not wanting to recover form the pain she felt - that would have been a betrayal of her son. At the funeral she had refused to stand next to her husband and the next day she had left him.

Looking up, Lisa could see her pain reflected in the man's eyes. For the first time in months she didn't feel alone, she felt the unbearable burden begin to lift from her, only a bit but it was a start. She began to believe that maybe she had a future after all and maybe it could be with this man, with his kind hazel eyes, wet with their shared tears.

←3

They had come here to dissolve their marriage but maybe there was hope. Lisa stood up and took James by the hand and led him away from the bar towards the beech where they had made their vows to each other three years ago. Tomorrow she would cancel the divorce; tonight they would work on renewing their promises.

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Average: 5 (1 vote)

Comments

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/13/2003 - 08:15

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good!

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/13/2003 - 08:15

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I thought the story was wonderful.. It truely touch me.. At first I was thinking that she met someone else,but the story just gave me hope that there is one true love out there,and whats meant to be will be... Sometimes you just have to talk to you partner so that there wont be misunderstanding..Anyway I could go on and on about that story. I just want you to know that I loved it.......

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/13/2003 - 08:15

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You have a talent for writing. I would suggest that you develope the characters just a little bit more and try some dialogue. But the concept in the story is clearly defined and after some fine tuning has potential to be even more moving than it already is. Great story!

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/13/2003 - 08:15

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It is a good story i like it it because it is kind of a tragic-comedy. It was good that the woman forgave her husband because i think he did loved her wife. I like the beginning of the storybecause it cleary explains the mood of the woman

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/13/2003 - 08:15

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To be frank, I found the story very very plain, and boring. This story stands no where near many other stories on this site. The plot could have been conceived by just about anyone. So is the style. I fail to understand the beauty that people talk about in this.

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/13/2003 - 08:15

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I have to agree with the above comment. I found the story rather predictable: it seems like a condensed soap opera. However, what would have made for a much better ending, and the one for which I was pining, would be the "stranger" turning out to be an actual stranger, Lisa falling in love with him, but, realizing her past mistake, refusing to give in and deciding to not "start over" but to start anew. Perhaps depressing, but an indication of real growth.

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/13/2003 - 08:15

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Pretty obvious that the mystery man was going to be James--the girl wasnt likely to go from remembering her wedding day one moment and rushing into the arms of another man the next.

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/13/2003 - 08:15

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and* (oops)

Submitted by admin on Thu, 04/10/2003 - 06:16

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I can read pretty sharp comments on this story... it doesnt help ! To my view any idea can be ok for a story if the writing is ok. In this story the last part is good but it seems that the two first thirds are weaker, like writen a bit too fast. Put a little more effort in the writing to make it more equal in quality. Steph

Submitted by admin on Sun, 06/22/2003 - 16:13

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i thought that this story was really romantic and that the author set the scene realy well as it felt like you were realy there because of the way she spoke about the faint breeze on her face and the white warm sand inbetween her bare toes.

Submitted by admin on Tue, 09/23/2003 - 17:48

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Eliza, I loved your story and was relieved that the stranger turned out to be James. I have to believe that there is one particular person out there for everyone and that nothing can harm the love that they have for one another. Call me old-fashioned but thats just the way I see it. Lovely story. Thanks! Terri, 20, England

Submitted by admin on Sat, 11/15/2003 - 09:51

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I like the story. My parents had a story like this but they came back together because my mom was pregnant of me. In their case the end wasnt so happy, but Im identify with the story, thats why I like it. TCR English 3101

Submitted by admin on Sat, 11/15/2003 - 09:51

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In my opinion this story is very romantic and the specifications that the author use are very direct because the reader feel the emotion of their love. But the author not use more places, images, examples and specific descriptions. But the story is good. Adela Rivera English 3101

Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/16/2003 - 22:23

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I believe that it was a very good story. Not only did the story keep you interested, but it was also very good. The story really shows how two people can fall in and out of love with each other but just have to get back on track to work it out. The story made me think that she had found another man but she really was just gazing into her husbands eyes and falling in love again.

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