Facing Redemption (4 page)

             
The division in the class was obvious.  Those who were more serious started separating from the less studious in a matter of a week.  And it was clear to Chastity which of the group was there to truly take on the challenge that lay ahead.

             
Two of Chastity’s fast friends were a married couple, who were on their second trip.  They had an apartment they rented, when in town, but sadly had to leave due to a family emergency.

             
David and Terri Turner, were in their mid twenties, like Chastity, and had been together since high school.  Their southern accent gave them away from the very first day. 
Native to Texas, but traveling the world
, is how Terri described them when they first met Chastity.  The two would save all year to come for the summer in Venice.
             
With the Turner’s early departure from Italy they were out three more weeks on their lease, to which they’d already paid.  It was a no-brainer they would offer the duration of their lease to Chastity.  Now she’d be able to enjoy the rest of her stay with a view of the Rio di San Polo canal, where light literally beamed in all directions. 

             
For Chastity it was too good to pass up.  Today she was going to move some of her things out to her new place just in time for Timothy’s visit.  It would give them a little more privacy than a hotel, and that was exactly what Chastity needed at the moment … some quiet time with her boyfriend, with no interruptions from a hotel staff.

             
Timothy and Chastity talked almost every day.  She did most of the calling, as she was the one who could afford to.  After the inheritance her mother left her, she could afford almost anything, but was still frugal enough to be mindful of it all.

             
Although in the last few days, she’d almost fallen off the grid and slacked off to minimal texting instead of talking on the phone.  She knew the first day wouldn’t be a red flag for Timothy, but knew by the second or third he’d be worried - especially since he’d already called and left a few messages.

             
Chastity sighed, and turned the knob to shut off the shower.  Her small bathroom, warm and filled with steam, was the sanctuary she needed for the moment, so she drew a few last deep breaths in and dried off.  She swiftly wrapped up her hair in a towel, like she’d done since childhood.  It felt good to be clean after days of sulking in her room. 
             

Stepping from the shower, she felt energized and breathed a sigh of relief. 

I’m ready world.
  She thought, trying to convince herself.

Walking from the bathroom with only the towel on her head, she caught glimpse of herself in the mirror.  It took her mind to Timothy.  She wondered what he’d think if he ever saw her naked.

             
Chastity was a strikingly beautiful woman, with a trim athletic build.  She never had a problem attracting the opposite sex, but wasn’t the type who reveled in it.  She was a modest beauty.  So modest in fact, she still couldn’t get used to the way the Italians openly clapped in awe of her as she walked down the street.  Knowing that an 86 year old lady, who held herself well, would get the same response still didn’t help her get past it.  Italians just appreciated beauty and wanted to thank those that portrayed it well, like Chastity.

             
Even with her looks, her charm hadn’t always won men over.  She was too short in patience to deal with the games or the politics of love…until recently.  Timothy was someone who took her for complete surprise, and not just because he delivered the news about Chastity’s mysterious inheritance after her mother’s passing.  He was a complete surprise, because of who Chastity became when she was with him.  He gave her peace about her past and hopes for her future.

             
Although she desperately missed her man, she wasn’t interested in rehashing the last few days with him.  She wasn’t ready to discuss the letter and what it did to her.  But she also knew she needed to hear his powerfully deep but smooth voice.  It would give her the comfort she needed to move past the last three days … or so she hoped.

             
She slipped on her robe, lounged in her chaise chair, and grabbed her cell to dial.

             
“Hey you,” Timothy softly answered.

             
“Hey,” she paused.  “I bet you were ready catch an earlier flight to see where I was, huh?”

             
“Well almost.  I figured you had your reasons.  Maybe you were running away from all those Italian men, who are mesmerized by those haunting green eyes of yours.”

             
Chastity chuckled, “Nope, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about.  All these eyes care about is looking into yours.  I can’t wait till you get here.”

             
“Me neither.  I leave tomorrow night.  Did you get my flight info?”

             
“Yup. Just remember … look for the vaparrio when you get off the train and ask the driver to take you to Hotel al Ponte dei Sospiri, near the San Marco Square.  I’ll meet you there.  Got it?”
             
“Yup.  I’ll remember. I guess we’re set.  Sure you’re okay?”

             
“Yeah,” Chastity sighed.  “I’ve just had a lot going on.  I’m sorry if I was out of touch for a couple days.”

             
Relieved, Timothy said with a question in his voice, “As long as you’re alright, it doesn’t matter.”

             
“I’m fine.  I just miss you.”

             
Fine?  That’s a typical female response. 
“Me too Chaz.  I will see you soon then.  I’ve got to run.  I’ve got to be in court first thing in the morning, before I pack and head to the airport … got a lot to take care of between now and then.”

             
“See you soon,” Chastity said softly.  “I miss you.”

             
“Me too babe.  Bye.” 

             
Timothy hung up extremely relieved, but still knew something was going on that Chastity wasn’t revealing.  He didn’t pry though.

             
She’d have told me if she wanted to.

             
He knew her well enough by now to know that Chastity brought up what she wanted whether he expected it or not.  And when she had a cordial conversation with no clues to why she flew off the radar for a few days, he didn’t push her too much.

             
She’ll tell me when she’s ready.

             
Initially part of him wondered if she was with another man, until he heard her voice.  She missed him that much he knew.  No, Chastity wasn’t the type to cheat.  Whatever this was, it wasn’t someone else – at least not romantically.  What Timothy would lay money on was the other man being John Mikale.

             
I wonder if she opened his letter.  Oh Chastity,
Timothy breathed out shaking his head. 
What do you have in store for you now??

Chapter 5

Chastity plopped her bags down, on what was now her new bed in Terri’s apartment.  It was small, but quaint and reflective of when it was built in the mid 1700’s.  However it still had a few modern conveniences installed.  The real plus was it was on the second level, so she wouldn’t have to endure the tiny cramped elevator for more than one floor.  Although she liked the idea of being snuggled in close with Timothy.  She smiled at the thought.

             
“You’re sure you’re okay to stay in a hotel your last couple of nights in town?” Chastity asked.

             
“Are you kidding?”  Terri laughed.  “You’re buying us out of our last three weeks and we’d pre-paid this thing before we flew over.  Now we have a little extra cash…trust me, its fine.” 
             
Terri grabbed Chastity by the wrist.  “Besides, you need some place special for your romantic weekend with Timothy.  We can’t wait to meet him.”

             
“You’ll love him.  We’ll probably get a bite to eat when he gets in, so we won’t be here for a while.”

             
“Okay, we’ll have all of our stuff out by then.  Are we still meeting for the last night of Carnevale?”

             
“Absolutely! That’s something Timothy needs to experience.  It’ll be the one night he will experience a party.  It’s usually so low-key here at night.  Plus I’m not going to get to see you again since you’re fl
ying back to Texas on Monday.”

“Oh I’ve got you’re number.  If you ever get back to Oklahoma, we’re only three hours away.  And we’ve never been out to California, except when flying through LAX.  So I’m sure one way or the other, we’ll get to see one another again sweetie,” Terri sweetly drawled.  “Dave and I will swing by to get you guys tonight around eight o’clock – okay?”

             
“Sure thing.  Thanks again for letting me stay here.”

             
“Honey we’re not letting you stay here, you’re helping us out.  We’re the ones who thank you for bailing us out since we have to run off so quickly.  My sister’s baby came six weeks too early.  I’m sure she and the baby will be fine, but since I’m its godmother and all … well … we just need to git.  Speaking of gitting and going, I’m out of here for now.  See ya at eight o’clock Miss Chastity.”

             
“See you later Terri.”

             
As Terri quietly shut the door behind her, Chastity started to unpack her things in her new room.  She turned and stared down at her new bed, wondering what tonight would hold for her and Timothy. 

             
She and Timothy had almost made love before she left for Venice, but she’d set ground rules for their relationship since it was so new.  Timothy to this point had put the breaks on whenever things would get too heavy. 

             
Now that they were both about to spend their first night alone in one of the most romantic cities in the world, Chastity wasn’t sure what would come into play.  She didn’t even know if they were ready yet…if she was either for that matter. 

             
In light of her father’s letter, she wasn’t sure if making any decision at the moment would be one she truly made with a clear head or heart.  For that reason alone, she knew holding off might be the wise thing to do, but when ever she was around Timothy being wise wasn’t her first agenda. 

             
Especially when all Timothy had to do was look at her from under his long eyelashes.  He could have her any way he’d wanted if he tried.  She silently thanked God Timothy was a man of his word, or being wise would be out the window in a minute.

             
Chastity checked her watch; Timothy’s flight had already landed.  He would arrive soon, which left them little time to prepare for the night ahead.  They’d all been invited to a private party for the last night at Carnevale, at her new favorite place in Venice.  She’d become quite a regular at Frederico’s cafe, so much so that the owner extended an invite to an exclusive party, which was usually reserved for people who were more elite than she.

             
Each time Chastity stopped by, the owner, Frederico, automatically brought out her favorite Panini with an espresso.  With her minimal Italian and his broken English, the two to become fast friends.  She knew he was married, but so far
no bambinos
, and he was madly in love with his bride, whom she’d yet to meet.

             
Frederico asked about her love life…if there was an amatore, a lover.  Chastity briefly told him about Timothy and his upcoming visit.  With a nod, he made Chastity promise to bring him after he arrived in Venice.

             
Chastity smiled and laughed out loud as she turned to leave the apartment.  She couldn’t help it.  Every time she remembered how Frederico rolled her name off his tongue, it made her laugh.  Frederico made her feel like she was the most beautiful woman when he said her name, paired with
bellisima. 

             
Venice so far, with the exception of the last few days, had been good for her, and knew it would be good for her and Timothy too.

             
Chastity glanced at her watch once more, and her stomach dropped in anticipation.  His vaporetti was set to arrive in 20 minutes, and then they had four long days to love each other in what was becoming one of her most favorite places in the world.

Chapter 6

As Timothy’s vaporetti sailed through the Grand Canal, he felt as if he was being transported into another world.  Looking around to his travel mates, he imagined them in a different period, where the men should be in breeches and the women in low cut gowns and pearl necklaces, traditionally worn by the courtesans in Venice.