The breakup had been hard, so she ran away – across an ocean. 

Yesterday tears welled in Jane’s eyes as her plane touched down on Sint Maarten.  Today, on the French side of the island, her composure was more upbeat.  After all, she was lying on a beach.

The late morning sun felt warm on her face and body. She’d almost dozed off to the sound of lapping waves when a shadow crossed her closed eyes. Looking up she saw a living Greek statue, his head blocking the sun.

“Ça va mademoiselle.  May I interest you in a jet ski or kayak?”

His body was chiseled and tan.

“Not now, maybe later. Thank you.”

She heard a girl’s voice as Adonis walked away. “Oh my god.”

“Cloris, why don’t you say that a little louder.  The gal will be scared to rent a jet ski.”

Jane held up a hand to shield her eyes as she examined the nearby chaises.  A young couple was gazing back at her.  The girl had highlights in her hair and a bright smile.  The boy stared out from under a sun hat with an air of indifference, but seemed friendly enough.  Jane noticed the smell of their sunscreen on a wisp of breeze.

She responded, “It’s okay. I have a six month rule. Six months between relationships.  And I just broke up with my ex last week.”

“Who said anything about a relationship?”

This last question came from a man unnoticed at first. He was partly obscured behind the nearby couple, but poked his head around them to wave.

“Have some fun!” he continued. “It sounds like you have no entanglements now, so all is fair game.”

The woman who must be Cloris responded, swatting her hand playfully in the direction of the speaker.  “Never mind Billy, he is our third wheel and doesn’t shy away from sharing his thoughts with friends and strangers alike.”

“As you’ve heard I’m Cloris.  This is my fiancé Frank and his bestie Bill.  Tell us about this six month rule.”

“Nice to meet you all.  I’m Jane.”

“It is a reminder to rinse the palate between relationships,” she continued.  “Otherwise one codependency is replaced by another. Instead, we can take time to love ourselves again.”

“Oh wow! I would have never met Frank with a six month rule. I fell out with my ex and immediately fell in with Frank. And it has been great!”  Cloris exchanged smiles with her fiancé.

Billy had repositioned his lounge chair and was now looking at Jane through sunglasses. He raised them before speaking again.

“Say we are going to sup at a new place tonight. It’s in a little cove on the north end, maybe fifteen minutes up the beach. The food is supposed to be delish. Join us, and I won’t be a third wheel.”

“I’ll think about it. Thank you for the invitation,” Jane replied, giving what she hoped was her most charming smile.  

Her eyes left Billy to look east over the bay, for which the strip of sand was named:  la plage de la Baie Orientale.

She leaned back on the chaise.  Her eyes had just closed again when the beach boy’s lilting voice rose above the gentle wash of the surf.  “Mademoiselle, there is a party at the disco tonight.  Just a ten minute walk south from here, easy for you?”

“Merci. It seems I have options tonight.”  

“In the meantime, you would like a paddle board lesson?  Dites moi.”

As he walked away Jane glanced over her shoulder at Cloris, who giggled and rolled her eyes.

Shutters on the bar behind them began to unfasten noisily as the establishment opened.  Jane peered over. “Hot Date Café” was painted in faded 80’s neon on a wood slat above the patio.  Soon a girl brought a laminated English menu. There were the usual finger foods.  On the back was a cocktail selection called “Hot Date Drinks.” 

These drinks didn’t remind her of hot dates.  More like bad ones, at least some of them. There was the Narcissist, the Cougar/Old Man, the One Night Stand/Hit and Run.  Near the bottom were more agreeable names – the Keeper and a non-alcoholic drink called Self Love.

“Avez-vous décidé?”

“Non.”  Jane pursed her lips in indecision.  “Either the One Night Stand, the Keeper, or Self Love.” 

“Why don’t you bring me your favorite. Don’t tell me which one, surprise me.”

The girl raised an eyebrow. “D’accord.”

“Moi c’est Simone.  Tell me if you want anything else.”

The drink came.  It felt good in her hand, the glass refreshingly cold.  The cool liquid passed her lips, heavy on scotch. Must be the Old Man. She watched Simone walking away. 

“I wouldn’t have guessed, but to each her own.” 

She didn’t like it. Oh well.

Adonis brought an umbrella and set it up. In its shade Jane realized a decision awaited.  She could go south for an evening of partying with the beach boy. Or she could go north for dinner with new friends, one of whom held promise of something more. 

A third option would be to spend the evening in her room just off the beach – reading a book which had been by her chaise all morning but hadn’t yet come out of the bag. 

Torn between the thrill of new adventure, the promise of genuine connection, or the tonic of her six month rule, Jane closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Mademoiselle you did not like my drink. Would you like a different one? No charge.”

Jane looked up and smiled. “Thanks.  Let’s try Self Love.”

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 © 2024 by Dean Jen