Prologue

Fire torches burned along the walkway in the vast darkness of the night, illuminating the beach and casting eerie shadows across the gentle coastal waters.  The warm breeze brought with it the faint taste of sea salt and smell of fish.   Thousands of tiny stars dotted the cloudless evening sky.  Anthony and Jazmine strolled, hand-in-hand, through the sand towards the hut with a palm-thatched roof.  The inside of the hut buzzed with activity.  As they neared the entrance, Jazmine smacked Anthony in the side of the head with an open palm. 

“Ouch!” he exclaimed, “Why’d you do that?” 

Jazmine snickered, “There was a mosquito the size of a humming bird on your ear.” 

Her innocent smile and playful wink were irresistible to him, and Anthony quickly forgave her.  The newlyweds entered the hut together, grabbing a table facing the water.  Part of the all-inclusive stay with the hotel was the buffet-style cuisine and local evening entertainment.  After collecting their food, the couple returned to their table and began eating. 

Jazmine shoveled heaping bites into her mouth; in-between mouthfuls she managed to say, “I can’t wait for our ATV trip tomorrow.  It’s gonna be so much fun.  I’m most excited about snorkeling on the reef.” 

Anthony agreed, shaking his head, “Yeah, it’ll be fun - if you’re not sick from eating all this food.” 

Jazmine’s response was quick, “The food is fine, babe.  It’s the water you have to worry about.”  The conversation was cut short as the mariachi band approached their table. 

Neither one of them understood Spanish, but they could tell the song was about love.  Anthony rose, grabbing Jazmine by the arm, and pulled her unwillingly to her feet.  He scooped her into his arms and swayed to the beat of the music.  As the song concluded the other tourists in the hut gave a round of applause for the impromptu dance.  Jazmine was mortified, and sunk as low as she could get into her chair.  Her cheeks were flushed and her ears glowed bright red. 

She glared at Anthony, “What the hell, why did you do that? That was so embarrassing.” 

Now it was his turn to chuckle, “Just relax.  You don’t know any of these people, and won’t ever see them again.” 

Knowing he was right, Jazmine took a deep breath and sighed, “Let’s get out of here.”

They exited the hut and walked out onto the uneven cement of the pier.  At the furthest point, they sat together with legs dangling over the edge.  For a while the couple sat in silence, watching the methodical lapping of the waves.    Light from the full moon reflected on the water, constantly changing shape as the water rippled to and fro. 

Anthony finally spoke, “Three more days of paradise, then back to reality.” 

Jazmine grabbed his arm and hugged it tightly, “I know.  Time flies when you’re having fun.” 

They sat a moment longer, before Anthony pointed into the night sky, “Look - a shooting star.  Make a wish.” 

Jazmine smiled, and declared, “I wish we could stay here forever.”