Then I packed my own things and moved them into the balcony suite.

At 4:00 PM, the ship’s horn blew, signaling departure.

I stood on the private balcony, the ocean breeze blowing my hair. I looked down at the pier.

Thomas and Beatrice were standing by the gangway, surrounded by security officers. Their keycards had failed at the boarding gate.

Thomas was red-faced, pointing an accusing finger at the security team. Beatrice was clutching her hat, gasping in shock as they pointed to her suitcase sitting on the concrete.

Thomas looked up. He saw me standing on the balcony.

He frantically pulled out his phone and called me.

I answered.

“Linda, what is going on?” he screamed. “Our cards are dead and they won’t let us board!”

“I canceled your tickets, Thomas,” I said quietly.

“You can’t do that!” he yelled. “We don’t have enough money for flights to get back home.”

“You have the $1,500 you st*le from our emergency savings,” I said. “Use that.”

I hung up. I watched the ship slowly pull away from the dock, leaving them standing in the Mexican heat.

6A: VILLAIN’S CONSEQUENCE

It took Thomas and Beatrice 3 days to get back to Savannah. They had to pay for emergency flights and hotel rooms out of pocket. By the time they arrived, I had already met with a d*vorce attorney.

6B: EMOTIONAL RESOLUTION SCENE

I had my brother, a locksmith, meet me at the Savannah bungalow. We changed every lock on the doors.

We sat on the porch afterward, drinking sweet tea.

“Are you okay, Linda?” he asked.

“I am better than okay,” I smiled.

6C: THE FINAL IMAGE

The blue vinyl folder is back in my dresser cabinet. But the saving tracker has a new line.

I am saving for a new trip. Just for me. And the view will be beautiful.