Echo

the stream of fellow passengers as they made their way to the baggage claim, trying to spot Peter. Touching her sunglasses for reassurance, she felt relieved to note she wasn’t alone. Everyone wore sunglasses. As she made her way to meet Peter, she tried to quell her nervousness. She almost didn’t believe she arrived safely in Sarasota; her ease with travel almost nonexistent, never before having traveled out of New Jersey. Hardly out of Sussex County or Short Hills either, for that matter. Her eyes roved everywhere as she took in her surroundings. The airport sparkled, bright and clean. She grew goose bumps from the air conditioning, yet everyone dressed casually, in brightly colored shorts and sandals. They appeared fit, happy and attractive. No signs of poverty here. No downtrodden welfare faces dressed in hand me down thrift store clothing. Self-consciously, she smoothed her worn sweater, wishing she could be with Jose and Scotty. She felt undeniably out of her element.
    Spotting Peter, she felt a measure of relief. He gave her a quick hug taking her small bag from her hands.
    “I’ve arranged some time with a personal shopper for you this evening. I hope that was okay?” Peter’s timid smile belied his efficiency. Abby saw past his blank owlish face into the intelligence of his unblinking eyes. She felt herself in good hands. Peter’s quick competence enabled Abby and Jose to start knitting a psychological safety net, woven entirely with his help.
    “Do we have money in an account here? I only brought enough to pay my hotel bill until the boys get here. I didn’t want to carry a lot on the plane.”
    “My dear, you can spend as much as you please. I have already transferred funds from the two major gold sales to a local bank. The transaction took one day. The money made it to Florida before I did.” Handing Abby three plastic cards, he explained how they worked.
    “We can activate them with your thumb print before you go shopping. Don’t worry about losing them. All vendors provide readers for your print before a sale is wrung up. No one but you can access your card.” Changing the subject he declared, “I’m embarrassed to admit I enjoyed a delightful day yesterday with our realtor. This town is impossible to be depressed in.”
    “I’m glad you’re enjoying this process. I worried you would find it tedious. You’re so important to us, Peter. We’re all so please this is working out. Have you completely closed your office in Sussex?” Peter bowed his head, trying to hide the flush of pleasure from her words.
    “Yes, the office is closed. Tiffany is shipping my files to my hotel here. I’ll store them until we settle on the new move. I turned anything active over to other attorneys in the area. I wonder, what do you think of hiring Tiffany and moving her down here? I think we may need an assistant to do personal errands, shopping etc.?”
    “That would be fine. She seems very sweet. Can she leave her family? This is a big move.”
    “Who would say no to trading Sussex County for Sarasota?” Laughing together Abby and Peter stepped out into the sunlight.
    Peter had a Savanna Rover waiting at the busy curb. As he hustled her out of the terminal, he gave her the low down on their itinerary. First stop, Bird Key and their realtor. Pulling out into the traffic, he dumped sheets of information on her lap, told her to buckle up and off they went.
    ###
    Sylvia Wadsworth’s enjoyment of her seventy-third birthday just increased with the execution of the last contract of her long career. It had been two very long days. She fingered the heavy faux pearls draped around the layers of crepe at her throat while her other manicured hand fluffed her perfect blond highlights. Chuckling to herself, she couldn’t wait to enjoy the expression on her third husband’s face when he saw this contract and the commission she stood to receive from the sale. What a way to start her long deserved retirement.
    She would have suspected a hoax after meeting the purchaser, had not her stoic attorney accompanied her. A shy respectful young man for sure. Ms. Preston appeared to behave like a lovely young lady but clearly not from a family of substance. She idly wondered if Ms. Preston might share the name of her stylist, her golden streaks absolute perfection.
    Sylvia did not possess the nerve to inquire as to where the funds for such a purchase came from. The attorney supplied the proof of funds letter so she kept