No More Wasted Time Read Online Free PDF

face as she chuckled remembering the moment.
    Memories replayed through her mind like a movie. The passion
they shared still filled her heart. She missed him, his touch, his kisses, his
smell, the feel of his hand in hers and his arms around her. She wanted to hear
his deep voice and feel the warmth of his body next to hers.
    Relieved to finally be there in the moment, but overwhelmed
with sadness, Tess wanted closure yet didn’t want to let him go. Allowing him
to slip out of her hands would feel so final, as if she were letting him slip
away from her forever. Richard wouldn’t be at home with her anymore. I can
do this. I need to do this. I have to do this .
    Tess waded into the lagoon with Richard for the last time,
talking to him aloud. “I miss you so much, baby. You were the best husband,
lover and friend I could’ve ever asked for in life. I know everything happens
for a reason, but I don’t understand why you had to leave me.” She opened the
manta ray box, scattering his ashes into the gentle surf.
    She sat in the warm sand, sobbing while the waves washed
over her.
    Gazing out over the ocean, serenity and peacefulness fell
over Tess, certain Richard would be happy here. She stood up, forcing herself
to leave. She blew a kiss toward the lagoon. “I love you and I miss you,
Richard. Have fun here, baby.”
    Mr. Rene’s face showed relief to see her trudging down the
beach. “Come eat. Please, Mrs. Blue Eyes, lunch is delicious. I have a fresh
drink for you, too. Come, come, sit,” he said with a tender smile.
    She tried to eat, but wasn’t hungry, so she laid a towel
down on the sand and nodded off. The sound of Mr. Rene’s guitar woke Tess. She
sat up wondering how long she dozed off for. It wasn’t Mr. Rene playing the
guitar; it was Tom. Mr. Rene touched her shoulder. “Are you ready to go, Mrs.?”
    “Umm hum.”
    Tom handed the guitar to Mr. Rene and followed behind Tess
as she climbed back on the boat.
    Tess sat dazed and numb, watching the scenery pass by. Tom
joined her on the bench, tears immediately rolled down the tip of her nose as
she tried to hold back sniffles. She couldn’t bear to look at him, so she bowed
her head clasping her hands between her knees.
    He rubbed his hand across her back. “I’m sorry Tess. Mr.
Rene told me about your husband.”
    “Thanks.” Without thinking, without hesitation, and without
explanation, she leaned back resting her head against his shoulder and the
tears came again. Tom didn’t move. He kept his arm around her, softly stroking
her shoulder, holding her fingers with his other hand.
    They stayed that way, not saying a word, until they reached
the coral reef. “We don’t have to snorkel here. I’ll understand if you want to
go back to your bungalow. You probably need some sleep.”
    “I’m fine, really. Go ahead.”
    She appreciated his kindness, but didn’t want to ruin his
adventure. Tess lay numb on the bench, attempting to pull herself together
while Tom and Riatia snorkeled. She wondered what amazing creatures Richard
would see on his journey. Have you found the manta rays all ready? Are you
swimming alongside the boat right now? Sitting upright, she leaned over the
edge of the boat, peering into the lagoon. Are you right here with me now?
    Mr. Rene blew his conch shell. It was time to go.
    Silence filled the boat ride back to the resort. Not an
awkward silence, but an exhausted silence. The lagoon reflected a mirror image
of blue glass, as motus passed them by. Tom lightly stroked her
shoulder. The feelings that had stirred within her earlier subsided and it was
nice to have his arm around her for comfort. It wasn’t the day she planned, but
it was a beautiful day.
    As they approached the dock, Tess didn’t quite know what to
say. In a strange way, it seemed as if they’d been on a bizarre blind date. “I
hope I didn’t ruin your day. I’m sure this wasn’t what you bargained for on
your first snorkeling trip. A complete stranger