Free Rekindled by Nevaeh Winters Page B

you.”
     
    “I don’t know what to say.” I whined.
     
    “Don’t say anything. Come down here and free yourself from that son-of a-bitch—I mean no disrespect to his mother, but really he’s a toad.” She giggled and it made me crack a smile. She had a way with words...which explains her success.
     
    “Thank you so much, Lexi.” Tears filled my eyes.
     
    “You are my favorite cousin Veroni ca. I want you back in my every day life. I love you so much. Oh, I have one rule while you are down here.”
     
    “Sure, what is it?” I hesitantly asked.
     
    “You have to have fun. Promise me!” Lexi giggled into the phone.
     
    “Yes, I will make sure I have fun.” I laughed, a smile beginning to form.
     
    “Well, I have to run. I am going to Paris the city of lights! I can’t believe I am going to Paris my love.” The phone clicked and she was gone. Boy, she was something else.
     
    As I hung up the phone, I began laughing out loud. My cousin was so full of life. I felt inspired to reclaim mine. She didn’t even let me say good bye. Lexi had always been funny about good-byes. She didn’t like them and always hung up suddenly.
     
    Bouncing up the stairs like a gazelle, I burst into my room. I ravaged my dresser, stripping it of panties, bras, swimsuits and t’s and shorts. I grabbed my favorite outfits from my armoire and threw them into my Louie suitcase and then into the small trunk of my red 328i BMW convertible. It took the law-abiding driver about four hours to get from Orlando to Naples. I planned on getting there in two in a half.
     
    When I made partner at Brooks and Morrison Law firm, I bought myself the convertible which I promptly named, Lola. I had always driven her like an old grandma. But today, I was going to let her purr…
     
    Two hours and forty-five minutes later, I pulled into my cousin’s condo. True to her word, she had stocked the fridge: sirloin, chicken, avocados, grapes, romaine lettuce, spinach, carrots, Swiss cheese, brie, bottled water and a twelve pack of Michelob Ultra. On the marble counter rested four bottles of 2007 Pinot Noir, Domaine Serene Willamette Valley; it was my absolute favorite wine.
     
    A pink envelope leaned against a beautiful bouquet of pink roses. A giant V graced the cover. Of course, beside the card, there was an ivory letter opener. Lexi was such a classy lady that she never over looked the small touches. I smiled as I grabbed the opener, inserted it into the corner, slit and pulled up on the paper.
     
    I carefully slipped the delicate Hallmark out of the envelope. My eyes scrolled the cover of the card. It was a little girl on the beach with her toes in the sand. The entire photograph was in black and white. The only color in the photo was the girl’s pink toenails and her pink cloche hat. The child had a huge grin that looked hauntingly familiar.
     
    I slowly opened the card. Inside, Lexi had penned a sweet and short note:
     
    Veronica. I love you so much. Find the inner siren. Let go of the past. Live for today. Love Lexi. PS Enjoy the food, wine and let loose, and most of all have a blast!
     
    Having fun is exactly what I planned on doing. I couldn’t remember the last time I let my hair down literally and enjoyed myself, save for the car ride down here; putting the top down, getting behind the wheel and gunning it down to Naples felt exhilarating. Thank God the police didn’t catch me or my vacation would have turned into incarceration.
     
    “Hmmm, what is a girl to do at seven pm. on a school night,” I mused aloud. I knew exactly what to do. I was going to the beach to purge. I was going to scream at the ocean, stride down the beach, drink two bottles of Domaine Serene and slumber on the beach. Maybe it’s not the most wild of things that I could do, but it’s a start.
     
    So here I am on the beach. “Damn him, Damn him,” I laughed feeling the warm gulf breeze blow through my hair and tickle my face. I was buzzed on my first