Charmed (5 page)

Kaiyla leaned over and gave Ella a sisterly hug. “You rest now.”

Pulling Cameron by the shirtsleeve, she said, “We better duck out and let Ella sleep. She’s been through a lot.”

“I’ll come see you later,” Cameron said, walking toward the door.

“Does your head hurt?” Kaiyla asked.

Ella nodded.

“I’ll send the nurse,” Kaiyla said before going. “I’ll come back in a little while. I have to get freshened up. I look a sight. I know you had another one of your near-death experiences, but I can’t be seen in public like this.”

Ella smiled, despite her pounding head. Seconds after her friends left, the nurse came in to check her vitals and give her some medication for the headache. Sleep, never Ella’s friend, came instantly; nothing like a heavy blow to the head to handle insomnia.

When Ella woke up, flower arrangements decorated the window ledge and the floor below. She counted more arrangements than she had friends. Checking the cards, she noted one bouquet was from Robert—certainly out of character, but sweet. The floral scent counteracted some of the sterile hospital odor.

During evening visiting hours, Cameron and Kaiyla returned. Still weak, Ella wasn’t much for conversation, and let them know she wanted to sleep. The doctor only intended to keep her in the hospital overnight, so she’d be home the next day anyway.

Alone and incapacitated, there was plenty of time to reflect. Whether it was the isolation or the bump on the head, Ella didn’t know. But everything became crystal clear. All doubt was swept away, and she knew what she had to do.

Just before visiting hours were over, Zoe came by. More than just an employer, she was a friend. Her concern for Ella was evident. Reassured that the head injury was not serious, she relaxed. Ella looked pretty good, considering. But there was something on her employee’s mind; being intuitive as women are, Zoe could tell.

Misjudging that it was concern over the hospital expense, Zoe launched into a lengthy discourse about how the insurance would cover the costs. The policy covered any emergency. And though many small employers didn’t have good coverage for their employees, Zoe did. It was her conviction that the job in the bookstore may not pay that well; after all, her store was small. However, the benefits partly compensated—good medical insurance being one.

Ella was touched by her concern, and already knew her bills weren’t a problem. That wasn’t what was on her mind. What she had to say didn’t take long, and after a short hesitation, Zoe told her she understood. Zoe squeezed her hand and told her to get some rest, leaving with a knowing smile.

The next morning the doctor released Ella, cautioning her to rest and to make a follow-up appointment in a week. The nurse gave her a list of instructions and alerted her to contact the office immediately should she experience any adverse symptoms. Kaiyla didn’t want her riding the bus, and wasn’t sure the hospital would even allow it, so she drove her home.

Ella waited until they were in the apartment before revealing her plan. The last thing she wanted was for Kaiyla to swerve off the road from the shock. Actually, her friend’s response was fairly tame, considering.

“You can’t go off to Brazil by yourself. It’s a big country.” Kaiyla held her arms wide as if to express the size of Brazil.

“I know it’s big. It has more than seven thousand miles of coastline, thus the popularity of surfing there. It’s the fifth largest country by both geographical area and by population.”

“You sound like an encyclopedia.”

“I’ve been researching. You’d be surprised at what I know.”

“Does Adam know you’re coming?”

“No, he can’t know I’m going to Rio because he would try to stop me. And he would worry. Once I get there, it will be too late.”

Kaiyla shook her head in disbelief. “You’re really doing this?”

“Yes, I am. I know something is wrong. He stopped calling me, said it was dangerous. Yeah, like I’d just stay here and wait patiently when he might be in trouble. He needs me. And I know he won’t ask me to help. He’s trying to protect me. But I don’t need protection.”

“So you’re just going to fly off to a huge country by yourself. What happens when you step off the plane? What will you do? Have you planned that out?”

“Yes, I told you I’ve been researching. When I arrive I’ll buy a prepaid taxi voucher at the tourism desk and have the driver take me to the Bianci home.”

“How do you know where they live?”

“That wasn’t so easy, but word about a child prodigy gets out. There were newspaper articles about Adam and his accomplishments. And no, I didn’t learn to read Portuguese. A few of those articles filtered into the American press. The Bianci family is known in Rio. They’re kinda famous in a way. I’m sure the taxi driver will know where the home is.”

“You’re sure?” A little sarcasm seeped into Kaiyla’s voice.

“Well, mostly sure. Anyway, I’ll work it out.”

“But you don’t speak Portuguese. How will you tell the driver anything? What if you get lost?”

Ella held up her English to Portuguese dictionary and shook it. “I have this travel dictionary. If I don’t know how to say something, I can look it up.”

“Don’t you have to see the doctor next week for your follow-up visit?” Kaiyla asked.

“Nah, I’m okay. I’ll rest in the airplane. There’s still a bump but my headache’s gone. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, if you don’t mind me asking, what will you do for money?”

“Well, I won’t have my job anymore. I talked to Zoe last night and she understood. I told her why I was quitting without notice, and she was very good about it.”

“No, I mean to travel. Airfare to Rio isn’t cheap,” Kaiyla said.

“I’ll use the money my father left me. It was supposed to be for college. He left money to Julianna and to me. It said in the will that it was for college. Well, if you look at it, I guess he wanted me to have a future. Adam is my future, so it’s perfect. I’ll use the funds to go to Brazil. Oh, and I have my passport already. Remember I got it when Doug told me he’d take me on business trips with him, only he never did? So that’s one thing handled.”

“Well, hon, you’ve got it all worked out. Just be sure to hold onto that phone you’ve got. I need to have some way to reach you. I’ll worry,” Kaiyla admitted.

“Sure, you can call me. And I’ll text when I get there. I’ll let you know as soon as I have an exact address,” Ella said to reassure her.

“When do you leave?”

“Saturday…it’s the first flight I could get. It’s a fifteen-hour flight with one layover, but I arrive in Rio the next morning. There’s no direct flight.”

“You can’t just go off with a big wad of cash in your bag.”

“Oh no, of course not, I’ll get some traveler’s checks. And I learned there are shops called Cambios that handle money exchange. So it will work out. Although I read that all the banks have security bars and are open limited hours. I even read a story about some bank robbers that dug a tunnel under a busy street in Fortaliza, busted their way into a bank vault, and stole millions of dollars. True story,” Ella said, holding her palm up as if swearing to the validity.

“I feel like you’re going off to star in
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
instead of going to see your boyfriend.” Kaiyla laughed.

Ella laughed too. The dangerous environment of Rio contrasted sharply with the calm security of Newport Beach. Already her life at the beach seemed like something from the past. Life for her was in Brazil, where Adam waited.

“I know it sounds extreme,” Ella reassured her, “but it can’t be as bad as it sounds. I think as long as I stick to the tourist areas, I’ll be all right.”

“So are you going to tell your mother?”

“Why? She’ll never miss me. She’ll never know I’m gone,” Ella said sardonically.

“I guess you have a point there. Well, you have to promise if you need me you’ll call. I can’t see myself flying off to Brazil to rescue you, but you know we always think of something.”

“I won’t need rescuing. Adam will be there,” Ella replied seriously.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“Yes, it is. We will be together again. Together we can handle the situation, whatever it is.” And when Ella said it, she truly believed it.

Kaiyla, being the good friend that she was, hugged Ella and wished her well.

Ella had a little time to pack, and what wouldn’t fit in her suitcase she gave to Kaiyla. There was no way to take her surfboard, so she left it in her friend’s care. Stuffing a few photos in her bag, she stopped to look at a family shot. Ella had her father’s brown eyes and when he was younger, he had been good looking.

In the photo, he appeared relaxed—a rare thing for him. Ella remembered him as always tense, his body taut with stress. Before sliding the photo into the bag, she mouthed, “Thank you,” appreciating the modest inheritance he’d left her. It was enough to get her to Rio, and back to Adam.

She took time to call Cameron and explain what she was doing. Zoe would have told him she’d quit, but wouldn’t have shared personal information. At first, Cam was upset, fearing for her.

“You’re throwing your life away,” he accused.

“Adam is my life,” she said simply. Cameron had no comeback for that. They parted on good terms, still friends, and Ella promised to get some pictures for him. He was a photographer, so appreciated the offer.

The last night in the apartment, Ella tossed and turned, getting little sleep. But she was used to that. At one point she got up and turned on the light. Retrieving her tablet, she clicked to open her familiar diary.

Life is going to get better. I’m on my way to see Adam. He doesn’t know I’m coming, but I know he will be glad to see me.

It’s been so hard being apart. It would be bad enough if I knew when he was coming back. But not knowing, and not knowing what’s happening, is impossible. He shouldn’t be alone to deal with his situation in Brazil.

He thinks it’s better for me to stay home. It’s his way of protecting me. That’s how Adam is. He has a good heart. And that’s why I’m going to him. I won’t let anything bad happen to him. He is my one true love.

Once we are together I know that we can handle anything. I feel so good that I’m on my way to his family home. I’m going to Brazil. I can’t believe it. Soon I’ll be in Rio.

I’m not afraid. I feel stronger than I’ve ever felt. I’m not thinking about myself or feeling bad about myself. I have someone to love. I think that’s the secret. That’s been the secret all along.

All I needed was to find the man for me, and Adam is the only man for me. Then I can pour out my love, give all for him, and risk everything. I’ll never doubt myself again. It’s not about me anymore. It’s about Adam. He’s all that matters.

Finally Ella fell asleep, but woke up easily when her alarm went off. It was an exciting day. She was going to Rio. Saturday had finally arrived. Ella took a shuttle to the Los Angeles airport, leaving her life in Newport behind. She was excited and a little scared—but mostly excited.

A bad dream haunted her, although she couldn’t remember it in detail; something about Adam saying another’s woman’s name. All that research about Brazilian men was making her imagine things. She brushed it off as that.

The flight to Brazil was long and exhausting, but Ella was energized; she was getting closer by the second to the man she loved. Flying into Rio was memorable. Never having traveled before, the whole experience was new. The sight of the expansive city surrounding the bay, with the sharp mountain peaks all around, was unbelievable.

Inside, the airport looked like any other: modern steel and concrete, with mobs of people and long walkways. Ella felt a little lost. The place was huge. Passengers crowding the airport spoke many different languages, making her glad she had her dictionary for translation. After baggage claim, her next step was the tourism desk, so she followed the bilingual signs that pointed that way. Before she knew it, she was in a taxi with her suitcase in the trunk.

Handing a note to the driver, she waited, hoping he’d understand. He read “Bianci inicio, por favor.” She thought writing “Bianci residence, please” would be enough. The driver furrowed his brow, then smiled at her and nodded. “Sim.” She knew that meant “yes,” and she smiled back. “Adamo?” he added, just to be sure, and she nodded in affirmation.

The executive taxi rolled away from the curb, and Ella was glad she’d learned about transportation choices. The special car would charge a fixed rate, so she wouldn’t have to haggle about the fee in Portuguese like she would have in a yellow taxi. Using a dictionary, one word or phrase at a time, wouldn’t work in trying to negotiate prices with a seasoned cabbie.

Looking out the window, she craned her neck to see all the sights as the vehicle wound its way out of the airport and onto the city streets. The city was unbelievably beautiful, with green hills all around. She saw groups of housing on the hillsides, knowing they must be the favelas, or slum areas. The drug lords ran the favelas and no tourist should venture there. But they were quite a sight, dotted on the hillsides.

Unfamiliar with Rio, she had no idea how long it would take to get to the Bianci residence. A bit nervous, she wondered if Adam would be there or not. He had his own place, so it was unlikely he would be at his mother’s home. It would be great if he was, though. She couldn’t wait to see him.

Unable to speak to the driver, who spoke only a little English, she looked out the windows, trying to take it all in. Adam’s native country was amazing. Words were inadequate, and she understood why he’d had trouble describing it to her. The narrow streets and curvy roads were so unlike California, which seemed a universe away.

The drive wasn’t too long. Rounding a curve, Ella spotted the modest home, up a hill from where the driver stopped, and she assumed it was the Bianci residence. The driver hopped out and opened her door before taking her suitcase out of the trunk. “Obrigado,” she said, thanking him in Portuguese and handing him the payment voucher.

The taxi pulled away, but before Ella could get closer to the home, a strong guard blocked her path. Stumped for a moment, and not knowing many Portuguese words, she didn’t know how to react. The rose-colored structure was in the distance, up a few stairs and across a lawn, but the guard didn’t know her. His glare made her nervous.