Violet waited by the window, listening and watching for him to return. Hour after hour she tracked headlights on the Pacific Coast Highway, expecting them to turn toward her. As the sun bathed the ocean in pink, she knew he’d left her there alone and there was no way she’d make their ten o’clock flight from San Francisco. The phone rang and she jumped to answer it.

“This is your wake-up call, ma’am. It’s seven forty-five. The gentleman said to tell you he had to leave early and he’s arranged a rental car for you to take to the airport for a later flight. We have the keys here at the desk.”

“Thank you.” Violet gently replaced the receiver and finished packing her things, numb and defeated.

The young man in the hotel lobby handed her a map and the keys to a small green Ford sitting by the front door. “Just drop it off with Hertz at the airport, ma’am. It’s all paid for, and the room is, too. He left you this note.”

Violet waited until she closed the driver’s door before opening the envelope.

I’m sorry, Violet. I can’t spend another minute with you ripping my heart out. There’s a flight on Eastern Airlines you should be able to get on at four this afternoon. I’ll do what you asked. I’ll go back to Loretta and Eric. I’ll try to stay away from you.

But I’ll never, ever stop loving you.

Chet

Violet wiped away her tears and pointed the car north. All she wanted to do was get home and try to start forgetting. She’d have hours to kill in the airport. She’d find a nice dark bar and settle in. She’d watch the Hare Krishnas and hippies from behind her sunglasses.

She’d cry in peace.

Violet was on her second whiskey sour when a twenty-something girl with stringy brown hair and patched bell bottom jeans asked if she could sit next to her. The bar was crowded and she couldn’t be rude, no matter how horrible she felt.

“I’m Sunshine Rainbow,” the girl announced. She placed her backpack carefully on the floor and settled into a chair, pulling it slightly toward Violet. “You have beautiful hair.” She reached out and touched Violet’s arm, resting her hand at the wrist.

“Thank you,” Violet said, sliding her arm away and stirring her drink. “Sunshine Rainbow is an interesting name.” She took her sunglasses off and swiped at her eyes.

“It’s really Karen Reynolds. I’m from Iowa.” The girl stared at a waitress until she approached the table. “I’d like a Coke, please, thank you.” She nodded at the server and returned her attention to Violet. “Sunshine Rainbow is my old man’s name for me.”

“Your old man?”