stranded

Chapter 18 The next day I took a taxi to the bank I wanted to use. I filled out all of the paperwork, which included letters from both companies that awarded me the money. I was to get installments over the next 40 years from both rewards, which I was to get a nice check each month. I don't feel like telling you the exact total. I wasn't going to spend it foolishly either. I picked out a duplex that had really good security, utilities, AC, washer and dryer hookups and dish TV with as many channels as I wanted. It was in a nice location and I took the petty cash I was given and bought what I need to furnish it, including a nice washer and dryer. I was going to stay on a budget, even if I didn't need to. I also went to the doctor and had blood drawn. I hate that. I wasn't going to get the test results until the next day. I also got a nice top of the line cell phone and picked out the laptop I wanted. I would get my desktop computer sometime in the week hopefully. Of course I got the fastest Internet connection I could get, which is not dialup thank you.

I emailed my family to let them know I was home. I suggested we have a get together and they should let me know when. I also went grocery shopping and got tons of food. I forgot how much I missed certain foods and so I bought what I wanted. I would have enough money left each month for anything I wanted, but instead I was going to stick it into another account for safe keeping for things I needed each month and etc. I wanted only a certain amount in the apartment to use. I dug into the carryon I didn't even bother to unpack yet. For some reason I couldn't unpack it just yet. I found Christian's cell phone number and dialed it. I got his voice mail so I left a message with my cell phone number. I told him to call me when he had time. I wasn't expecting him to not be busy. I turned on the local news and there was the story of Christian and I. "Great." I managed to whisper out loud. "Just what I need to see now." I quickly checked the door and windows, closing the blinds and making sure everything was secure. I ended up eating almost a whole carton of chocolate chip cookie dough as I watched a movie on STARZ. I missed a whole year of movies and events.

A lot has happened since we were on the island. I missed Christian already. My thoughts went to him often. I tried to push them deep down inside, but it was hard. I pulled out my journal and read the first entry. It was like stepping into time. I had to close the journal up and I stashed it the carryon as fast I could. I realized my life wasn't going to go back to what it was before. I was going to have new challenges and new things in my life. That night as I lay in my new bed with clean sheets and blankets I was going to have to make certain choices. What were they going to be? I wasn't even sure yet. Finally exhausted I closed my eyes and let myself drift off to sleep, hoping I wouldn't dream about Christian, the island or anything for that matter.

(Sorry this is a short chapter)