The Waters of Turtle Cay

CHAPTER 1

I

t was early December in New York City when I got the phone call that would change the course of my life. It was a cold, rainy night that promised to turn into a freezing morning, covered in ice. I was working late in the business my parents had started and nurtured into the top interior design company in the country. We covered every aspect of a remodel from design plans (my specialty) to tearing down walls, rebuilding, and finally furnishings and accessories. We were known for taking any space and transforming it into a showplace. We worked on anything from movie sets to warehouse lofts. From large mansions to city penthouses. We even worked on old barns and turned them into beautiful wedding venues.

Currently I was working on the finishing touches for a client who was going through a divorce. Unfortunately divorce was good for business. I had worked on many projects for my parents, but this was the first one that I was in charge of. I didn't want to let them down.

I knew they hoped that one day I would take over the business. However, they never pushed me toward that because they wanted me to do what made me happy. This made me happy!

I think they could see early on that I had a talent for it. I was the only eight-year-old who would rearrange her room on a regular basis. As an only child, I was fairly overindulged. But I did appreciate everything I had, and I took care of my things. My stuffed animals had a hammock hung in the corner that they would lounge in until the next time I rearranged them to the foot of my bed. And then again later to an open drawer to watch over my slumber. I would change out my lamps to give another version of high design. Mom and Dad were good sports. Sometimes my pink animal-print lamps could be found in the living room because I was feeling a bit more grown up and would bring in the glass lamps with the silk shades to sit on my nightstands. Mom would just come in and say, Those are lovely, sweetie. She never changed them back out, even when guests were coming over, until I was ready.

Sometimes, when I needed help with the heavy furniture moving, I would wait for Dad to come home, and then I would smile sweetly. He would know I was ready to move things in my room. He couldn't say no, and he never complained.

One time I said, Daddy, I want to corner my bed so when Zinnia comes to spend the night, I can show her how to change things up.

He smiled at me and hugged me. Baby girl, you are going to be a force one day.

Now my beautiful parents were gone. In the blink of an eye. Oh God, that phone call! If I just hadn't answered it, maybe it wouldn't be real. I just saw them four hours ago. They left early because they had tickets to see a play. The last words they said to me were Jilly, please don't work too late. Then big hugs and I love you. I was actually irritated. When did parents stop parenting? I was working late to finish up this project that needed to get done. Now I will never have them to worry about me again.

How could this happen? They had the best driver in the city. He had been with them since I was a child. God, no! A cold rainy night and a drunk driver. I hung up the phone. I was in shock. I stood there and should have called Jayson, but instead I texted him and just said, My parents are dead. I started to run. I ran down five flights of stairs and past our security guard, Ray, and out the front door. I vaguely heard him calling after me. It was pouring rain and freezing, but I just kept running.

Finally, I stopped in front of a closed storefront and slumped down to the ground. The sobs racking my body would not stop. I don't know how long I stayed like that, but I heard Jayson's soft voice say, Oh God, Jilly, I’m so sorry. He bent down and wrapped his coat around my shivering body. He put his arms around me and held me while I cried.

They are gone, Jayson, just like that. They are gone. I can't live without them. They are my life! I just can't! If he felt hurt by that, he didn't say. He knew what my parents meant to me. I was their world, and I knew I would never be loved that much again.

CHAPTER 2

T

he next two days were a blur. I slept a lot. I cried a lot. Jayson took off work to take care of me. He gave me the space I needed. He sat with me when I needed a shoulder. He brought me wine when I thought it would help me forget. He kept all the devastated employees abreast of the latest news. He took the calls that continually flowed in. My parents were very loved in the city. They had worked with important clients and had been involved with many different causes. They had been extremely wealthy but were also the most down-to-earth people you would ever meet. They had been passionate about so many things. Their friend list was long and loyal. Their contributions had always been generous and meaningful. It was time for me to pull myself together and help plan the tribute that they deserved.

Grandma and Grandpa arrived a few days before the memorial. I knew this was going to be hard. I could barely take care of myself, and they had just lost their only son. They were devastated. We fell into each other's arms and took comfort in our shared grief. We cried and vented our anger at the injustice of such good people taken too soon. Jayson took over the role of looking out for my grandparents too. He made sure their luggage was delivered to Mom and Dad's and that Stella, their cook, was staying on to make sure we all ate.

Mom and Dad's help were all very loyal to our family. Stella had been cooking for us for as long as I could remember. Cecil had been our driver for so long that I don't even remember when he started.

That thought brought home that Cecil was gone too. I hadn't even thought about Cecil's family! I didn't even know if he had one. He had just always been there.

Cecil was the one who took me to my first birthday party. Zinnia had been turning six. I went to a private school, and she was the first friend I met there. She was the most exotic girl I had ever seen. Her mother was Jamaican, and her father was French. I had never seen hair that fell in such perfect, tight ringlets. I wanted my hair to be just like that, and I did try.

One night, when Mom found me in my room trying to make my perfectly straight blond hair curl into submission, she smiled and said, Zinnia is beautiful, but so are you. She walked me over to a vase of flowers that Daddy had sent her earlier. See how all the stems look different? We are a big garden with many different kinds of flowers. That's what makes this world so beautiful. Appreciate every flower, but mostly appreciate your place in this garden.

When Zinnia's mom told her she could invite six girls and four boys to her birthday party, I was the first girl she invited. I don't know why that was so important to me, but we have been best friends ever since.

Cecil took me to so many things and was at most of the big events of my life, but I think the time I realized he was more than just our driver was the morning after a high school party that he drove me to.

I had been so excited about this night, but Mom and Dad had not been feeling comfortable with it. A boy I had a huge crush on had invited me, and I was ecstatic. I begged to go. I made promises I probably wouldn't keep and cried about how they were ruining my life. Mom and Dad finally gave in but insisted that Cecil drive me. I was good with that. He could drop me a block away, and I wouldn't look like the little rich girl with the personal driver.

Zinnia couldn't get her mom to let her go, so I was on my own. But that was okay. This was my big chance with Mitchell Gooding. She knew I was totally in love and to finally get his attention was a big win. I had plenty of guys who would have loved a chance with me, but Mitch? He was the one. Sure, he always had lots of girls, but this time he had asked me!

Cecil understood when I asked to be dropped off a block before the house. He didn't even argue. He did, however, follow behind me to make sure I got there safely.

I was so excited to arrive and walk in the front door looking like a million bucks. I had dressed for Mitch, but I felt every guy's eyes on me as I entered. My heart was beating a million beats a minute. All of the last school year and half of this one I had tried to get him to notice me. And now he had.

That's pretty much all I remember of that night. That and Cecil driving me home.

The next morning I woke up and all I could think about was finding Cecil. I found him washing the car in the driveway.

Cecil, what happened last night?

He said, Don't you worry about last night. You are safe.

I asked if he was going to tell Mom and Dad about what happened.

No, you and I are not going to talk about this again, but everything is okay!

How could I not have thought about dear, sweet Cecil through all of this? I really needed Jayson to find out if he had a family. If he didn't, then we needed to plan a second memorial.

CHAPTER 3

W

e chose the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. My parents had not been Catholic and I don't have a single memory of attending a service. But I knew they had often supported the church and volunteered with the St. Francis breadline. It was the oldest breadline in the country. Every day since 1930, it had fed the poor. Volunteers helped make this happen. My parents felt that giving of your money was very important, but giving of your time would save your soul.

On Easter Sunday and Christmas morning, my mom would wake me early, and we would be at the church before six thirty, handing out food. It was a very different world than I was used to, but it was important to them that I knew the difference and that I had the compassion to give. I think they were also drawn to that church because Saint Francis of Assisi was thought to be the patron saint of animals and the environment. Both had been very important to them. Thinking back, I realized that my parents had been very complex. Things that I hadn't really thought of suddenly became important to find out more about.

We are gathered here today to honor the extraordinary lives of John and Beth Samuels. They will be missed by many people, as is evident in this room. They have touched many lives with their friendship, wisdom, and compassion…

As I was listening, I couldn't take my eyes off the giant mosaic at the front of the church. It was called The Glorification of the Mother of Jesus. I tried to understand and find some meaning in this tragedy. Nothing came to mind but mind-numbing grief.

The turnout as expected was large, and I was humbled by that but also overwhelmed. When the service ended, I didn't stay to accept condolences because I just didn't feel I could. I would have to hold it together at the house reception, and that would take the rest of my strength. As I was slipping out a side door, I caught a glimpse of a familiar face in the crowd. A local woman from the island of Turtle Cay.

Turtle Cay was a private Caribbean island that my parents acquired when I was little. It was roughly 450 acres of hills, palm trees, and white sandy beaches. The sea had always been a place where my mom was her most peaceful self. Some of my best family memories come from Turtle Cay. When I could take Zinnia, we would spend hours and hours walking the beach, picking up shells, and talking about our latest crushes.

In high school Zinnia had a crush on a boy who wouldn't give her the time of day. We spent a long time once on the backside of the island sitting near a small cave, thinking of ways to get his attention. I thought if beautiful Zinnia couldn't get a guy's attention, then who could? After six months of her trying our well-thought-out plans, we finally caught a rumor that he was gay. Well now! That made sense. I just started laughing. Oh, Zee, of course he is.

Lots of memories had been formed on that island. But why had a local come all the way to New York for my parents' funeral? I didn't think she knew them that well.

CHAPTER 4

W

hen Grandma and Grandpa left with promises that I would join them for Christmas, I decided I had to go to work and face the employees. I knew it would be hard, but the company had to be figured out, and there were clients waiting for their projects to be completed.

As soon as I walked in, everyone stopped what they were doing. I could see tears on their faces, and I broke down. This had been their place. Who was I to come in to try and lead? I didn't know what to do. So I turned and walked into my office. I closed the door and took deep breaths and thought about what they would do. They would want to reassure everyone that they would still have a job and things would go on, but would they? I didn't know.

There was a knock on the door, and JJ entered. He was the lighting specialist on my team. He didn't say anything but just came over and hugged me. We both cried, and somehow I felt stronger.

JJ, I have to go out there.

Yes, you do, he said. You know everyone out there has your back. We all feel this loss, so you are not alone!

With new resolve I called everyone together and told them the truth. I don't know what will happen next. I have a lot to figure out. Please be patient with me while I navigate my way through this. Please stay and continue on with your projects. Clients are counting on us. Mom and Dad loved you all like family and had so much respect for your talents. We have projects to finish up and new ones ready to go.

I looked around the room, and I knew in an instant that they would be here for me. I continued on. I haven't given the Christmas party much thought, but they have put so much effort into it, and I know they would still want us to enjoy it. Maybe we should try to salvage a bit of the season.

So it was agreed. The company would continue for the near future, and the Christmas party would go on. How was I going to get through that?

As it turned out, there were two things I was thankful for that night. I had already bought a dress for the party, and I had Jayson to help me get through this. I came out of the bedroom and did a little spin for him. The look on his face was worth the effort I had gone through with my hair and nails and the perfect pair of stilettos that my feet were going to pay for later. My black dress was cut so low in the back that Jayson couldn't help but run his hand slowly down my spine. Jay! I know I haven't given you much attention lately and I appreciate your understanding, but we have a party to get to. I smiled and attached the diamond drop earrings Mom had given to me last month. She had loved my dress and had thought they would be the perfect way to accessorize it. When I finished, Jayson was staring at me with appreciation. At that moment I was reminded that I had a lot to be thankful for. I couldn't have gotten through this without him.

Jilly, I was gonna wait, but you look so beautiful tonight and I really want to see this on you. With that, he took a box from his pocket.

Jay! What are you doing?

"Jilly, I love you! I especially want you