Best of Intentions, Chapter 19

On May 3, 1942, Ben and Rita load their car for their long deferred honeymoon trip to her cousin's cottage near Vera Cruz.  Miguel and Patricia see them off.

Miguel asks, "Why won't you tell me where you are going?" 

"Because Ben and I have been married for over a year and this is the first time we have been able to get away.  And I don't care if the store burns down or the world comes to an end.  I do not want anybody bothering us."

Patricia shudders when she hears Maria say, "or if the world comes to an end."  Is it a bad omen?

"Very well, my sister.  I guess there is nothing to do but wish you and Ben a wonderful trip."

"Don't worry.  We will see you in a week."

There are hugs all around.  As the car pulls away, Miguel notices Patricia is crying.

"What's the matter, Patricia?"

"I do not know, but I feel something bad is going to happen.  I am frightened."

"That is just superstition.  Nothing bad is going to happen.  You will see.  They will be back before you know it."

The two watch the car until it disappears from view.

After their long drive to Vera Cruz, Rita parks their car by a market not far from the cottage.  There they buy supplies for the next several days.  When Ben and Rita emerge from the market they walk down the road which runs parallel to the Gulf of Mexico.  Finally, they reach a marker by the side of the road.  It is a large rock with a symbol of a heart on it.  

Rita shouts with joy, "Here it is.  If we walk into the brush, it should be close by.  From here by the road, nobody can see it.  Really private."

"Lead the way."

 Rita and Ben walk into the brush.  There is no trail, only very tall grass, bushes and trees.  They literally have to fight their way through until they come upon the cottage.  It's a small simple structure, similar to Cabin number 7 across the road from Lake Ontario where they spent one glorious night.  They enter.  The cottage is simply furnished.  There is no telephone nor radio.

"This is some place," says Ben.

"It is going to be wonderful, my love.  We have everything we need, a little food, a little wine, and each other.  There's nobody around to disturb us.  Nobody even knows where we are except my cousin in Houston and he can't call us.  We can do what ever we want, whenever we want, for as long as we want, without any peering eyes."

"And what would you like to do first, my darling?"

Rita pushes Ben down on the bed.

"What do you think?"

She jumps on top of him and they begin to make love.