The Island Flamingo: Chapter 17

I look up to see Jessica in front of me; she holds two tall glasses of iced frappe coffee with straws in her hands. Her left hand extends to offer one of them to me, which I accept in silence.

She sits in the hammock chair opposite mine and sips her coffee with a smile. Fizz lays down on the floor space between us like a lazy cat.

While I stir the coffee with my straw, I try to find the words to say to Jessica.

Where have you been? How do you know me? Why have you brought me here?

“Tongue-tied, are we?” Jessica asks me.

After I gulp down a mouthful of frappe, a sentence finally comes out of my mouth.

“W-What the hell is going on?”

I immediately bite my tongue when I realize the harshness of the words, then regain my composure and try again.

“I’m so sorry, Miss Jessica, this is confusing. The truth is that I have so many questions it’s hard to find where to start.

“First, let me introduce myself, although you probably know my name by now. I’m Tamara Ferlin from Los Angeles. I remember the interview you gave me when I was a little girl. It’s so nice to meet you after all these years, Miss Jessica. You’re the inspiration for my career as a journalist.”

For the first time since this morning, I notice that Jessica loses the twinkle in her eyes when I mention ‘journalist.’

Remembering my interview instincts, I dropped the subject and continued to talk to her.

“I’m on vacation right now with an um… acquaintance back on the mainland. You have a beautiful home here.”

A slight twinkle comes back into Jessica’s eyes, and I proceed.

“The olive trees below are beautiful. You’re lucky to live on this island.”

“I suppose so,” Miss Jessica chuckles, “It’s only a home, that’s all.”

“Fizz seems to enjoy exploring different areas.”

“Yep, she’s a curious bird.”

“The beach here is…”

“Okay, what’s really on your mind?”

I stare at Jessica; her eyes tell me she knows something inside me that wants to come out.

“I-I don’t want to bring down the mood, is all.”