Postcards from Havana, page 1
Postcards from Havana
Kindle Version
Copyright © TLB Publishing 2017
All Rights Reserved
Cover Design by Taria Reed Digital Artist (www.TariaReed.net)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I acknowledge God as the head of my life and without him; I would not be able to do what I enjoy. Second, I like to acknowledge my family for giving me strength and support to keep me going when I want to quit at times. No dream is worth having if you aren’t willing to put in the effort. My family enforces my efforts. I must not forget my team of beta readers. They are fantastic and I would be lost without them. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
DISCLAMER
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
License Notes
This ebook is licensed for the buyer’s personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold, uploaded via the internet, copied, printed, or redistributed without the written permission of the publisher or author. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to the retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Other Novels By Toye Lawson Brown
Romantic Suspense Novels
Obsessive/Obsession (Out of Print)
Nyla’s Dilemma – The End of Justice
Law and Disorder: Partners Undercover
When The Music Stops
A Journey For Justice
Obsessed With Taylor James
Jenna Where Are You
Proving His Innocence
Caught In The Trap
Singing The Blues
Love and Romance
Fighting The Desires
A Love Delayed
Beautiful Music
Calling For Rayne
The Reunion
Let Me Serve You
Scenes To Steal The Heart
Scenes To Steal The Heart: The Final Act
The Perfect Combination
Text ‘Yes’ If You Love Me
Up to Bat
Love and Romance Series
Teach Me To Love Again
Chasing Love
On Top Of The Mountain
Love At Camp Black Bear
Something Different
Never Leave Me Again
The Men of CLE-FD Firefighter Series
Smoke & Fire A Firefighter’s Love Story
The Men of CLE-FD The Orlando Torres Story
Burned
Rekindle The Flames
The Eyes Of A Stranger
Chapter One
(Arlene)
I read the letter twice, fan my face with it, and then reread it again. Stuff like this never happens to me. But there it is in bold letters, big print and underscored. I’ve won an all-expense-paid trip to Havana, Cuba for four, for a week.
Turning in circles, I clutch the letter to my chest as if I’ve won millions of dollars in the lottery. But it’s Cuba. Thanks to President Barack Obama, Americans can now explore this once-forbidden territory. I’ve never been outside the United States except to visit Canada, and who hasn’t done that? This trip is a blessing in disguise, and I’m not snubbing it. The question is who to take with me?
My sister Ashley won’t go; she is afraid to fly. Amelia has five kids to juggle and is struggling with a bad marriage. The trip would be perfect for her. Though, I know she won’t step foot out of the country leaving Fred to care for the kids.
My only choices left are my best friends: Josie, April, and Mia. The four of us have been thick as thieves since junior high. They are closer to me than my two sisters at times.
I sit down at my desk, spreading the letter out, and reread the opening line again:
Arlene Joy, pack your bags. You are going to Havana, Cuba…
I bask in the gift that has been bestowed upon me. Maybe my time has finally arrived and lady luck is done frowning on me. I don’t have a catchy name like my sisters and felt it has marred me socially. Men hear the name Arlene and expect the worst. I thank my mother for the name. Just before I was born, my aunt passed away. My name is to honor her. Why Arlene wasn’t chosen as a middle name baffles me. But I’m stuck with the name, and after twenty-nine years there is no need to change it.
I pick up the telephone and call Josie. “Hey, Arlene,” she answers.
“Hey, girl, are you sitting down?” I ask her.
“What have you done, Arlene?”
“Dang, Josie; why does this have to be that kind of call?”
“Because you never call my work phone unless you’re upset.”
The excitement has me so air-lifted I didn’t notice which one of her numbers I pressed on my cell. “Crap, I’ll make it quick. Meet me at my apartment tonight after work. I have great news. Bring Mia and April.”
“Can you give me a hint?”
“Nada. We have to be together when I give this news. I gotta go; lunch and recess are almost over.”
I hang up and stand by the door to wait for the noon aide to bring in my students from the playground. I’m counting down the days until summer break. Being a second grade teacher has many rewards, and I’ve always wanted to be an educator. However, I’ve had enough and needed the school year over. Throughout the one hundred and eighty days, I’ve had pink-eye twice, the flu once, my shoes have been vomited on numerously, and I got a skin rash from contact with a child that had ringworm. Yep, I’m over it.
I greet the kids as they arrive in a single-file line, and they are hyped up. They will be this way for the rest of the afternoon, and we have math and spelling to do. Too bad they are too old for naps. I’d let them sleep until the bell rang.
“Hi, Ms. Joy.” Tommy Wagner waves as he enters the room.
“Hi, Tommy. Did you have fun at recess?” The question is asked to each child who speaks to me. After they are in the classroom, I instruct them to wash their hands at the sink.
The moaning and groaning will start when I pull out the dreaded orange folder with math handouts. Out of twenty-four students, all but a handful like math, spelling, reading or journal writing. However, they all love art, music, library, and gym.
I take a deep breath, watching the children laugh as they shove each other at the sink. Why I chose to be a teacher when Amelia’s five kids send me running when they’re around, is beyond me. I guess, at the end of the day, the hugs from each of them, or seeing smiles when they learn something new, makes it worthwhile.
*****
At last, I’m set free. My three-thirty dismissal time is great, and my girls won’t be at my place until later. I like that I miss the rush-hour traffic and can hit the grocery store, if needed and be home before they get off work. Once or twice a month I have late nights at the school for events.
I put a bottle of white wine in the fridge to chill, and take out ingredients to prepare spaghetti which doesn’t take much effort to make. While the pasta is boiling, I stir the ground beef and other ingredients in the pan. When that is done, I throw it in the crock pot to stay warm.
I look at the clock. “Five fifteen. Great. I have time to put in the garlic bread and change clothes,” I say to myself.
The doorbell rings just as I finish in the bedroom. I can hardly contain myself. I hope they are open to going to Cuba. I leave open the door for them once they get off the elevator. I have to check on the food; the garlic bread should be done.
“Arlene, we’re here.”
“I’m in the kitchen, Josie. Be there in a minute.”
Josie enters the kitchen. “Do you need any help? Something sure smells good.”
I grab plates from the cabinet and move quickly to the living room. “Nope. Everything is ready. Oh, this is buffet style; y’all fix your own plates,” I say as I put the plates on the coffee table.
“Dang, Arlene, the food looks amazing. You read my mind; I’m starving and been craving spaghetti,” Mia says. She reaches over everyone to get the first plate.
With plates full, wine in glasses, and music playing, I wait for the questions. Josie is the first to ask. “What’s with the music, Arlene? I didn’t know you were into Latin music.”
If I knew how to cook Cuban food, I would’ve served that too. “Part of my surprise.” I put my plate on the table. “I entered a radio contest and won!”
April sits forward in her chair. “What did you win?”
“Okay, ladies, brace yourselves. I won an all-expense-paid trip to Havana, Cuba.”
Josie’s green eyes widen. When filled with excitement, the green stands out. Her long blonde hair and tiny figure add to her beauty. Out of the four of us, she is the only white girl. Her sister has accused me of turning her out. What Annie never knew is Josie had a thing for black men long before she knew me.
April, who is busy munching on a piece of garlic bread, stops mid-chew. Her large brown eyes hold that I don’t believe you expression. She and I attended the same college after graduating high school.
To describe April is easy. She is tall, beautiful, smart, and born to parents from Trinidad. April does speak little Spanish, because her parents multi-lingual and taught her certain phrases.
&n
April and Josie feel she is overly critical because her ex-husband manipulated her for so long. Suffering such harsh treatment from a man who is supposed to give love unconditionally, has caused her to shy away from men who could be her perfect match. I don’t ride her when it comes to dating. I understand where she is coming from after witnessing her claw from rock bottom to where she is now. Her hesitation to enter relationships is warranted.
As I sit and hold them in suspense, I smile. These are the women, who have my back no matter what the situation and they know they have my support too. I wouldn’t want to share this gift with anyone other than them.
“Are you going to just stare at us, Arlene? Give up the details,” April demands.
“The trip is for four, and right before the new school year begins. August will be about us in Havana, Cuba.” I do a little dance in my chair happy with excitement.
“Are—are you serious?” Mia asks. Her cute, chubby face lights up with her smile.
I try not to burst from my joy. “I wouldn’t lie to you. I wouldn’t cook for you, either. So for me to do this…”
“Oh my God! A trip to Cuba! We don’t have to pay for anything?” Mia asks. This time she is standing on her feet, leaning over me.
“Just spending money,” I answer. My friends are overjoyed, screaming and pulling me out of my chair.
Mia steps away from me. “The trip is in August? I have plenty of time to lose fifteen pounds.”
I take hold of her hands. “Fifteen pounds? Mia, you’re beautiful. Embrace those curves, girl.”
Mia shakes her head. “For Cleveland, I’m fine. I want to lay on the beach in a barely-there bikini and have Cuban men say sexy stuff to me in Spanish. I need to lose some weight.”
“Me too,” Josie says as she runs her hands down her slender hips. “We can go to the gym together, Mia.”
I shake my head at the both of them. April nudges me. “What is wrong with them? Josie would get tossed like a paper bag in a high wind, and Mia finally looks healthy after losing her lousy two-hundred-pound husband.”
Raising my hand, I say, “April, don’t get me started. I see now we’ll be the two level-headed adults on this trip.”
April nods. “Right. Oh, wait. I have to pick out the right outfits to take. It’s hot in Cuba in August.”
“Me too. I’ll call tomorrow about hotel accommodations. Plus, I want to do some research on Cuba. Four American women alone in a foreign country can be dangerous.”
April crosses her arms. I see that mischievous grin curl on her lips. She does that whenever she is thinking about a guilty pleasure. “I agree. However, there is good and bad trouble—I’m not against getting into trouble with a hot Latino.”
I roll my eyes. “Okay. I see I’m going to be the only level headed person on this trip.”
Mia points her finger at me. “Don’t act like you aren’t interested in the same, Arlene. How long has your dry patch been so far?”
I giggle. Mia is correct, deep down I am lying to myself. I nod. “You’re right, Mia; I’m very interested in rubbing elbows with a Latino stud, but not the way you’re thinking; remember I’m celibate.”
Josie laughs. “Screw celibacy. Shoot, Cuba is hot, sexy and the best place to charge a dead engine. I can't wait to start a new adventure or even begin a new chapter in my dull life,” she says. I love how her voice is full of excitement.
Diverting the attention away from me, I say, “Ladies, we have to agree to keep our fun with any men we meet outside. No bringing them back to the hotel. Are we in agreement?”
Mia looks at the other two and says, “That sounds fair.”
Chapter Two
Havana, Cuba (Arlene)
I’m not a fan of flying, but will do short hops. A flight to Europe would never happen. However, I am not mad at the views I’m capturing of the island from the plane. Breathtaking is all I can say.
Mia has a fear of heights. No sooner had we boarded the plane she put on headphones and a sleep mask to block out the plane’s engines. Her fears are so real that I expected her to back out at the last minute.
I nudge her. “Mia, look at what you’re missing. The view is spectacular. I’ve never seen such blue water before.”
“Take a picture or a video, because I’m not looking at anything until we’re safely on the ground.”
I shake my head and resume taking pictures of the vast ocean below. It appears there is nothing but water and skyline from here to eternity. The captain’s voice comes over the intercom announcing we’ll be landing soon. I get excited again at the prospect of having a great vacation that is totally free. I want to try everything Cuba has to offer. From the food to maybe sampling a kiss with a sexy Cubano. I’m not looking to fall in love; that would be impossible since I’m only there a week. But, I made sure to pack enough birth control just in case Josie or April needs it. Mia joked about me, but I’ve been celibate for two years. I plan to stay that way until marriage or hell freezes over.
The flight lands without incident. The warm welcome from the airport staff is refreshing. Everyone is so helpful directing where we need to go. The language barrier isn’t bad since the service people speak English. If we do encounter a language snafu, the girls will expect April or me to translate. We kindly remind them our Spanish is not advanced enough to carry on a full-blown conversation, and to behave. This is not America and the culture is different.
Since the hotel is not far from the airport, I hail a cab to take us there. The short drive through Havana is beautiful, and much like I expected from the pictures I’d seen online. I love how the old structures are mixed with the new modern Cuba.
As the cab pulls up to the four-star hotel, we drool over the modernization of the structure. We expected the interior to be rustic, but the suite is exquisite. It has two-bedrooms and provides every amenity needed.
There are two king-sized beds in both rooms, and a large bathroom we have to share. I open the balcony doors. The weather is perfect in Havana. The warm breeze and the last rays of the setting sun kiss my face as I lean over the railing. Tourists are on the street looking lost and overwhelmed. Americans so want to fit in when visiting a foreign country, when actually we stand out like sore thumbs.
I go back inside to unpack and set up my toiletries on the dresser. I’m an organized person and hate searching for stuff. This way, everything is at hand when I need it. Putting the suitcase on the ottoman, I open it, sorting summer dresses for nightlife and shorts and tops for daytime activities, and last swimming suits.
I’m sharing a room with April. She and I will be more adventurous and will be up and ready to go early in the mornings. Mia and Josie are not morning people and are happy nursing a drink and watching people when we are out. That is until Josie captures the attention of a man, then she becomes the life of the party.
“It will be dark soon. What should we do first?” April asks flopping down on the bed.
“I want to freshen up and change into something cooler. Then maybe we can get some food—I’m a little hungry.”
“Me too. The snack I had on the plane has worn off. I’ll ask Mia and Josie if they’re hungry.”
“Okay, I’ll be ready in a second,” I say to her.
Choosing a bright yellow strapless sundress, I admire my reflection in the mirror. I’m not an unattractive woman. My height is average at five feet, five inches. I probably could do better with my weight, but one hundred thirty pounds isn’t fat.
I pull my relaxed hair into a neat ponytail. I underestimated the humidity in Cuba and my curls quickly fell flat. Anyhow, liking what I see, I slip on my cream-colored wedge-heel sandals and exit the bedroom.
Mia and Josie are sitting on the couch relaxing and talking. April had poured herself a drink from the minibar and now sits comfortably in a chair. I draw in a breath looking at them. “Hey, what are you doing? Aren’t we going out?”
