The Call of Fortune

Donna couldn’t believe it after nearly two decades; she was calling it quits. It was unfathomable to her family, friends, and devoted fans to think she had given up on her dream. How could anyone as prolific and awe-inspiring as she just walk away? Her best friend, Jonah, was livid when Donna broke the news to him. He refused to accept the fact that she’d divorced the one love she managed to sustain throughout her existence. Merely having this vision had saved her life. Donna couldn’t be serious about this at all! Donna’s community didn’t know to consider and possibly would never understand that she was answering to a different calling now. She didn’t fully comprehend her own decision, but she sensed that something deeper was now pulling at her heartstrings, a compulsion of sorts. Besides the call of a foreign desire, it became increasingly difficult to adequately express herself in a world of three-minute videos and 180 characters. Although she still possesses a keen knack for grabbing anyone’s eye in the eight to twenty seconds of attention most adults now allotted for interest in any single thing at a time.

Donna Tyche isn’t a woman of conventional living by any designation of the term. She’d been through her fair share of adventures. She is a beautiful woman and the youngest of five. Her four older brothers, whom she rarely sees but keeps in touch with often, are all married. Her parents are still together in marital bliss. The whole family is always pressuring her about settling down and finding the “right guy.” Donna isn’t the least bit interested in settling down with some man, too, as her mother puts it, “complete her life.” Who in their right mind wants their life COMPLETED in 38 years? Nope, Donna was content with trying out a few more “wrong” guys first. She wasn’t totally against marriage, just not interested in entertaining the idea for years unless something miraculously occurs to change her mind. Donna has always operated based on instinct and intuition. But her methods usually led her to write about her discoveries, which made for some fantastic literature. However, in all her writings about life and living, she realized that she hadn’t done very much for herself. Donna hadn’t done too bad financially. She had a few published novels and a slew of poems featured in several different anthologies. Never formally trained and a college dropout, it would be correct to assume that Donna learned to hone and properly utilize her natural abilities to carve out her place in the world. Lately, she feels like that place has grown a lot smaller, suffocating her to the point of causing depression and anxiety. The release writing affords her is no longer enough to appease the longing growing in the depths of her soul.

As a child, Donna never had any problems coping with the varied situations life threw at her; it had indeed been a lot. The worst of all being her father’s illness. Donna’s father, Michael Tyche, is her superhero. Last year his renal failure diagnosis devastated the family and shook its very foundation, affecting Donna the most. Around the time of his diagnosis, Donna had plans to go to Greece for a month on a much-needed, overdue, extended vacation. But in light of the circumstances, she opted to postpone the trip indefinitely. She couldn’t leave her parents at such a pivotal time in their lives to go on vacation.

What would it look like to leave? What would that feel like being away at such a time? Vacationing was not an option. So, she dutifully stayed without being asked and helped her mother, Anna, while Michael regained his strength. Almost a year later, she is headed to The Marble Resort in Chalkida – Evia province, Greece. It was her father who had convinced her to go on the trip. He promised her that he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, especially before she made it back home safely to him. As morbid of an undertone the promise held, Donna believed him. Michael wasn’t the type to make promises. Besides, it was always her father who encouraged and indulged her adventurous spirit.

Sitting in her quaint bedroom amidst a sea of clothing, Donna was overwhelmed packing for Greece. She didn’t have the slightest idea of where to begin after arranging undergarments and toiletries in her luggage. Frustration mounting, Donna, called Jonah. She had prepared for the tongue lashing she was about to receive from him for procrastinating and not calling him sooner. She may as well get it over with after all her flight leaves in two days! Somehow despite six hours and two bottles of wine, the dynamic duo had managed to get Donna packed and completely ready for her month abroad.

Donna spent the next day distributing her house plants among her siblings to be cared for in her absence and triple-checking that she had everything needed for her travels. Finally, the time had come. Jonah was ready and waiting to take her to DFW International airport to board the 20-hour flight. She’d gotten a fantastic price. There were no nonstop flights, and Donna was not looking forward to a layover in one of the world’s busiest airports. But she understood the price of travel. Plus, some of her best stories came from the interesting characters she met in the airports. Her motto, “When life sends you characters…tell their stories!” This outlook on life, this very same motto, on which she has built her life. Maybe she may get inspired yet again. But she was looking forward to sleeping most of the flight.

The long voyage was over, and Donna had finally arrived. The Marble Resort was every bit as beautiful as described and more. At the front desk, she was greeted warmly by the manager Dimitris. He was tall, ruggedly handsome, and perfectly tailored. Donna felt immediately comfortable with Dimitris, for it was he, whom she had been in constant contact with while making her arrangements. Donna’s natural beauty consumed Dimitris. Barefaced, her honey glow skin tone was dewy and radiant, the Senegalese twists, hang waist-length, and her calf-length sundress clung beautifully to every defining curve of her toned body. Yes, her beauty was unrivaled. As exotic as Donna’s features were to Dimitris, he still felt that parts were too familiar, but he could not put his finger on why and wanted to know more.

Dimitris walked Donna arm in arm to the Emerald villa, pointing out all of the amenities the resort had to offer. The bellhop was in tow with Donna’s Louis Vuitton luggage on the cart. Once they arrived, Dimitris opened the door and stepped aside for Donna and the service attendant. It was utterly breathtaking with a gorgeous view of the sea! Dimitris chatted with Donna a few moments more while the bellhop unloaded her luggage. Finally, he and the attendant exited.

Alone, at last, Donna wandered around the villa, unpacking and making a note of things she would need for her stay. She was thrilled with herself for saving up and paying for the whole trip in advance. Donna felt the thrill she always experiences being in a foreign country. But this time, this country felt all too familiar, like she had visited many times prior. However, this was Donna’s first time in Greece. She was going to shower and enjoy every single second here! After she called everyone and let them know she had arrived safely, of course.

Freshly showered, clutch in hand, Donna was ready to explore outside of the resort. Just as she was about to leave, she heard a small tap at her door. It was Amara, an associate of Donna’s father whom she hosted several years earlier. Michael had called in a favor to have Donna escorted around town with a native. Amara happily agreed since she and Donna got along so well. The two-headed straight to market to stock the villa. Donna was sure to lock away all of her essential belongings like her MacBook, passport, extra traveler’s checks, etc. After a few hours of shopping, eating, and sightseeing Amara and Donna parted ways as she headed back to her villa.

It had gotten dark, and the breeze from the sea made it quite chilly. Donna had neglected to bring her shawl, so she was anxious to get back. She was also experiencing some hesitancy. Her spirit was telling her something was very wrong. As Donna opened the door, she noticed the chill went throughout the entire villa. A bizarre occurrence since she was sure she closed and locked all windows and doors. Upon turning on the lights, Donna noticed that the entrance to the patio was slightly ajar. Panic set in immediately. Donna began checking her surroundings. Someone had been in her space and may still be there! After being satisfied that she was alone, she then remembered to check her belongings. Gone! Everything was gone, her iPhone, passport, traveler’s checks, cash, all of it missing. Somebody had even taken her luggage. She couldn’t believe it. In less than 24 hours in a foreign country, she had been robbed of everything but her clothes and shoes. It was too much to fathom. She immediately contacted the front desk, who alerted the authorities. Donna made a formal report with the police, and the resort’s night manager upgraded Donna’s villa at no extra cost for her comfort and safety. Everyone was extremely apologetic and sympathetic, but where did that leave her now. She was in a foreign country with no money, no passport, and no way home. All Donna had now was her clothes, camera, the food she had just purchased, and a villa for a month that she no longer wishes to stay.

Donna opted not to call anyone back home and worry them. She knew what she needed to do, and she would get it done. Now sleep was calling, and she had no choice but to answer. Donna spent the next day trying to have her traveler’s checks replaced and finding out what is necessary to get another passport. She is determined to try and salvage her stay, although it’s looking bleak. Famished, Donna decided to make lunch and have it near the pool. Upon returning, she notices a brown package on her bed with no writing, postage, card, or anything readily identifiable affixed to it. A little black book, a small journal, with TYCHE, debossed in Greek lettering, is sitting atop the package. Donna had no idea where it had come from or how it had gotten there. Furthermore, who is watching her? Why? How are they accessing her space unnoticed? Did this have something to do with her missing belongings? But the biggest question of them all is why her last name is on this book?

Intrigued and unnerved, Donna picks up the book and looks it over, leaving the package for the moment. It reminded her of her paternal grandmother’s journal she used to keep at her bedside before she passed away. The first page contained a picture of the Tree of Life. The next page read, “Daughter of Michael… we have answers.” This statement immediately drew her attention back to the package lying on the bed. She opened it to find that it was her phone, a key, and money with a note attached that read, “Thank you for answering the call. Here is 16557 euro for your journey ahead. We’ve been waiting for you!” Donna was in complete and utter shock and disbelief. Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Donna has no clue what this is about, but she knows she wasn’t leaving until she finds out. Does this have anything to do with her inexplicable connection to Greece?