15/07/2026
Happy Wednesday. We hope you enjoy this short story.
Island Commitment
By
Patricia Shannon
Debbie stared at the crystal-clear blue water of the Pacific Ocean. The bow of the water taxi pushed the wavelets aside, dividing the water. This brought to mind the parting of the Red Sea by Moses in ancient times. Then her thoughts went back to Armando. The bronzed island Adonis from the rental agency, with his amazing white smile! He knocked her off her feet. She forced herself to behave coolly and distantly. There was no time to indulge herself in a love affair just yet.
She looked forward to her island retreat. For years she saved her money to get to this point. A tropical hideaway from the busy metropolis of Los Angeles. Leaving the stress and deadlines of breaking news behind. This time around, she committed herself. To finish the novel that she worked on during her scarce free hours. A bestseller for sure, if only she permitted herself to take leave from her job.
And now, after five years, she reached her dream location to do so. The tropical island of Santa Catalina, 22 miles off the mainland. Where she rented a tiki hut for two years. With only a few neighbours. Far away enough to enjoy the much-needed tranquillity to write her book.
She pulled her large suitcase over the sandy track leading to her new home. The tiny wheels got stuck along the way. By the time she saw the first glimpse of the bamboo walls and roof, sweat drops trickled down her face and body. Out of breath and energy, she threw herself onto the wooden porch swing on the veranda. Thankful she didn’t have to carry this load along the path every day.
A tiny salamander fled into the corner. Stopped in its tracks and gazed at her. She giggled.
When she recovered, she opened the cabin door. She entered the one large room with a ceiling fan and louvre windows. A small kitchen was at the far end. The fridge came filled with supplies from the agency. The furniture looked colourful, befitting a tropical retreat. On the right, she found her bedroom. A mosquito net covered the bed. The en-suite bathroom was simple yet stylish and rather modern.
She poured herself a drink and enjoyed the lush greenery and bird songs for a while. When she began unpacking her suitcase, she felt watched. She turned around, and someone or something took off in haste. “Perhaps just an island animal,” she thought and shrugged her shoulders.
During the following months, she concentrated on her writing. More than once she kept experiencing strange occurrences. Again, she felt someone watching her. But she never got the chance to get so much as a glimpse of whoever or whatever it was. It inspired her to use more suspense in her romance novel.
One night, a shadow passed along the bedroom louvres. This time, the contours of a man. Debbie forced herself to remain calm. She took her flashlight in her hands, ready to strike if need be. Yet nothing happened. Hours later, she fell asleep.
The next morning she got a surprise visit from Armando. Her Adonis! He handed her an abundant bunch of red lilies. “Island life becomes you,” he said. “You look gorgeous!”
He sat on the veranda railing. His muscled legs hung sideways. With butterflies in her stomach, Debbie remained silent. She adored the main character in her own romance. Then she wondered whether he’d been watching her during the past weeks? He gave her the answer before she got the chance to ask.
He strode toward her and touched her hair with his fingers. Gentle.
“I have a confession to make,” he began. “I fell in love with you the moment you booked your getaway with us. My heart filled with joy. But you seemed so driven to finish your book that I did not dare approach you. I hope I didn’t scare you too much when I admired you from a distance. But today, I had to come. To touch you, to feel you. Do you think you can give me a chance to be your island romance?” She nodded. Lost for words. She closed her eyes when his lips touched hers. Her book came to life, and she committed herself once again. This time to her own island God.
