Destiny's Journey

After years of gradually mounting marital problems, Neal Thomas finally found the courage to ask his wife for a divorce so they could each enjoy the remainder of their lives free from the deception, arguing and financial worries that had plagued their marriage for the past several years.

The divorce, unlike most, was amicable and spared both parties the sometimes-bitter aftermath that many of their friends had experienced. Confident that his future was financially secure, he pledged not to suffer through the ordeal of dividing up the family assets. Instead, he offered his wife, Janet, the option of paying him a relatively small sum of money for his interest in their home.  An amount she was only too willing to pay considering the value of everything he was leaving behind. Thus, with only his clothes and a few personal belongings, he left the area to fulfill his destiny as a single person with a dream of success and a clear conscience.

For several years following his divorce he spent most of that time contracting his engineering skills to companies that sent him to a host of different construction sites around the country and overseas. Although his income and benefits flourished, he missed his friends and the company of his three daughters so he decided to retire before time and money robbed him of his lifetime ambition to become a recognized artist.

Ironically, while looking unsuccessfully for a suitable place to call home, his former wife suggested that he visit a condominium complex on one of North County’s most pristine beaches. He fell in love with its carefree atmosphere immediately and moved in that week. It was there that he met and became intimately involved with his neighbor, Paula Dillon.

Paula was an attractive younger woman who was also divorced and the mother of two grown children. Both son and daughter had recently graduated from college and had lived with her for a short period until they could afford to move out and begin lives of their own. Neal’s three daughters, two of whom were married, had become well adjusted to their parent’s divorce and treated them respectfully as individuals, rather than enemies.

It wasn’t long into their relationship before Neal and Paula became aware that the time they were each spending in one another’s apartment had become a source of amusement among their neighboring tenants. This situation, along with the expense of two separate rentals, prompted them both to consider the practicality of finding a home they could share. With that purpose in mind a search was begun.

As it turned out, trying to locate a reasonably priced rental home in an area of their mutual liking was not an easy task. After several weeks of unsuccessful looking, dumb luck and a wrong turn, they came upon an elderly man nailing a For Rent sign on a tree at the entrance to a heavily landscaped piece of property overlooking the beach. Excited by the prospect of being able to continue living so near the ocean, they turned into the driveway and asked the old man if they could tour the place.

“Sure,” he replied. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Encouraged by the old man’s friendly response, they continued along the driveway until the house came into full view. While waiting for the old man to catch up, they hastily scanned the property beyond the house. The back yard itself stretched nearly one hundred feet beyond the house to a bluff hosting a spectacular view of the ocean.

“Go on in. It’s open,” a voice encouraged from behind. “Excuse the mess, I’m in the process of moving.”

They turned in unison to see the old man approaching with a hammer hanging from his weathered hand and a toothy smile on his equally tanned and wrinkled face. Extending his hand to Neal, he introduced himself.

“My name is John Fahey. I’m the owner of the place.”

Neal took his hand and replied,” I’m Neal Thomas, and this is my lady friend, Paula Dillon. We’re looking for a rental, and to tell you the truth, I hope we don’t have to look any further. What a beautiful view.”

Out of courtesy, they waited for Mr. Fahey to open the door and then followed him in. From there, he went to the kitchen and opened a door leading to the garage. A large dog had been barking since their arrival.

“Don’t pay any attention to him,” Mr. Fahey said, hushing his bark, “He’s more curious than anything else. He’ll settle down as soon as I feed him.”

After spooning a can of dog food into a large plastic dish, he turned toward his curious guests and encouraged them to look the place over.

“I’ll be out on the porch while you look around. Come and join me there when you’re finished. Take your time, I’m in no hurry.”

Eagerly, the excited couple retraced their steps back to a stairway that lead to the second floor and walked up to investigate. At the west end of a short hallway they passed through a doorway opening into a large bedroom brightly illuminated by an oversized, plate glass window. The view, as they had witnessed from below, was spectacular.

Further inspection revealed a large private bathroom with a tiled, walk-in shower, and one large closet that spanned the entire length of one bedroom wall.

Returning to the hallway they passed another door that opened into a second bathroom, complete with built-in tub, shower and a large cabinet for towels and utility storage. Another door at the east end of the hallway opened into what must have been a spare bedroom. Neal’s eyes lit up as he visually estimated its size. What a great room for a studio, he thought.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Paula remarked, smiling, “what a great studio, right? Believe me, there’s a better one downstairs. I noticed it when we came in.”

After returning to the first floor they found Mr. Fahey relaxing in a chair on the back patio deck, smoking a cigarette while his dog stretched out on the floor beside him. As they approached, he began a melancholy dialogue: