Castaway Ch. 05

Time still marched on. Unbelievably, it was already spring, approaching the summer months, and we again prepared for a very busy tourist season.

It was one such late day, that I took everyone out to dinner. Shawn invited Kim, yes the hot woman from the resort I stayed at, and Tammy brought her daughter, Amber. We had a great time at dinner, and as we sat finishing our last drinks, I felt a sense of calm. I had my new family surrounding me, and felt more complete than I had in a LONG time.

I raised my drink, "I want to propose a toast. You all have been here for me through thick and thin, and I trust you all more than you know... To my FAMILY!"

With that, everyone joined in, almost in perfect stereo, "TO FAMILY!"

We all downed our drinks, and decided it was time to call it a night. I was just starting to get up from my chair, when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Is it too late for one more round?" I heard a very familiar voice ask.

Everyone at the table was silent, and I turned to see Tanya smiling down at me. I definitely wasn't expecting this. Why was she here, and what did she want with me now?

"We were all getting ready to call it a night, but perhaps James could stay with you for one more," Howard said it as a question, as he got up and said good night.

Shawn and Tammy both left with him, also wishing us a good night. I watched them walk away, and then turned to watch Tanya sit across from me. She held up her hand, and waved the waitress over. She ordered some whiskey on the rocks, and turned back to me after the waitress walked away.

"Hello, James, it's really good to see you again."

"It's good to see you too, Tanya. I must admit, this is a surprise. What brings you out here? Are you on vacation again?" I wanted to ask if Tyler was with her too, but didn't feel like being that big of an asshole, yet.

"Something like that. Look, James, before you say anything, I just wanted to say again how sorry I am for what happened. I really do miss you, and the connection that I felt we had. I can't explain it, but when you and I were talking, it just seemed so natural. I came here hoping we could explore that connection further."

"But Tanya, what about your big career, back in Hollywood? What about Tyler, and all your fans? I came here to start over, and don't plan on moving back. I just don't see how I can fit into your lifestyle."

"If you remember, I told you that I came from a small town. I didn't grow up with all this fame and fortune. My life wasn't always easy street, so don't you judge me!"

She was getting animated, her face and neck flushed red. Perhaps I had misjudged her, after all.

"Tanya, please, I'm sorry. I have no idea what it's like to live the life you have. I have had a really rough year, and when I came to visit you, I just felt like it was Déjà vu all over again."

She lowered her head, looked at the table for a minute, then looked up with tears in her eyes. "I would never intentionally hurt anyone I care about. That was all a huge misunderstanding. James, I came here to tell you that I would rather be here with, with you, than with a thousand of my fake friends back in Hollywood."

"Wait, are you saying what I think you're saying?" I ask in disbelief.

"What I am saying, is that I want to be normal again. I want to have the simple pleasures of life, with someone that I care about. If that means no more acting, and moving away from Hollywood, that's what I'm gonna do."

I was trying to process what she was telling me. It sounded like she was planning to give up her posh life in California. That didn't make a lot of sense to me, unless that posh life wasn't as glamorous as it looked.

"I would be lying if I said I didn't miss you, Tanya. If you haven't noticed I have some pretty serious trust issues right now."

"I know, and I've got several issues I need to work out as well, but am willing to try. Are you? With me?"

There it was. The blunt truth. She wanted to be with me, and try to work through things that we both were dealing with. I would have to question her sometime about those 'issues', but for now, I think I had made up my mind. If being over-cautious hadn't worked too well for me in the past, perhaps the opposite could work better?

"So, what's your plan, then?" I asked.

Her face spoke volumes, in total disbelief. I think she expected me to send her packing. "Well, I was hoping I could crash with you, seeing as how I put my house up for sale yesterday. I'm sure the media is having a field day with my hasty exit, but I really don't care anymore.

"I told my agent that it has been fun, but that I was done with movies. I wrapped up my last contract about a week ago, and just packed up some stuff to come out here. The rest of my stuff is in storage right now."

She was leaving everything behind, to be with me? Never in a million years did I think this would happen. Heck, I never thought I would meet a famous movie star in the first place, let alone get serious with her. Yet, here we were. She was telling me that she was dropping everything, to be with me. I had some serious doubts about anything serious with her before, but she was making the grandest gesture of all.

Now, I truly started to feel like I had finally been rescued from my wayward existence. Ever since my marriage blew up, I had been basically emotionally adrift. It all came crashing down on me, as I realized this, and I nodded my head down to cry. I had been a castaway for far longer than those few days on the island. I had friends and family around me, but I had kept myself isolated, walled off from the real feelings that I had repressed.

Tanya got up, hugged me, and just let me get it out. She followed me back to the boat, and we fell asleep together. I felt like I was finally home, wrapped up in a tangle of arms and legs, in bed with her. I slept soundly, probably the best night's rest I had gotten in a long time.

She stayed with me. We both realized that we would have to talk, a LOT, about the issues we both had in the past. We agreed to always be honest with each other, and we could make it through anything. I knew then that I loved her, and she loved me.

I eventually opened and read that letter from my ex-wife. I was sad to read it, both because of all that could have been, but also that I felt bad for her. Whether she betrayed me or not, she had been the center of my world for so many years, that my heart broke a little to hear of her pain. I called her, and told her that I did truly forgive her. We spoke for hours, and cleared the air completely. We both knew we would never be together, like we had before, but decided to give being friends a try.

Madison got engaged to Sarah, and of course I offered to pay for a Hawaiian wedding for them. Everyone was invited, including her mother. The ceremony was beautiful, as was my daughter. I gave her away, and couldn't have been more proud of her.

True to his form, Howard did his level best to keep everyone as inebriated as he was. I think he was the loneliest of all of us. At least at the wedding, he seemed to hit it off well with my ex. You might think that would make things very awkward, but honestly, I was kinda glad for them both. I just hoped that they fared better than Cait and I had.

I still operate Puddle Jumpers, with the help of Tammy and Shawn. He is dating a local islander woman now, who is just right for him. Tammy and Amber are still very close, and come by all the time. Amber is like a second daughter to me, and she still calls me 'Uncle James'.

Tanya and I now declare our love for each other, at least ten times a day. I met her family, and love them all. She is now studying to be a pilot, so we can fly together. She hasn't expressed the desire for any kids, basically loving being a step-mom to Maddy, and an Auntie to her brother's kids.

Her friend Diane and her husband Marcus make at least two trips a year out to visit us, and always enjoy poking fun of us, reminding us of how vocal we had been on that first beach trip. Tanya was approached several times, for new movies, but she always politely turned them down. She did take a few voice-over roles, for some animated films, but that was it. She was truly happy in her semi-retirement.

My story eventually did gain some popularity, but not enough to make 'Best Seller' or anything. I had added to it, to include more of my life's story, before the publisher decided to print it. It sold fairly well, but honestly I didn't care that much about the money.

All-in-all, life was great. I can't say that my life has been perfect, but who can? At least I knew that I finally had people around me that I loved, and a future that I looked forward to every day. With a smile, I kiss Tanya good morning, and watch the sun rise once again, in my own paradise.

*****

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