Fleeting Like Fireworks
3/06/2023
***Disclaimer: This story was inspired by a prompt provided by Reedsy.com. Prompt is provided below. Visit their site https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/ to learn more.***
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***I removed the song lyrics that were in the original, but I was also inspired by the Passenger song “Young as the Morning, Old as the Sea” when writing this story***
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Prompt: Write about a character who would have complete happiness, if it weren’t for that one thing.
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Joy and Felix met in college. They were in the same Music Appreciation class, sitting next to each other for half a semester before they even spoke to one another. Felix broke the ice and he and Joy became regular study partners, and one day while they were memorizing songs and artists, Felix blurted out a question before he could stop himself.
“Would you want to go on a date with me?” Felix asked abruptly, cheeks burning red as he averted his eyes.
He had tickets to a Passenger concert that weekend and he knew that he was Joy’s favorite singer. In truth, Felix bought the tickets because of Joy, taking a blind leap of faith as he proposed that they go on a date.
It didn’t take Joy long to respond. Her eyes lit up at the proposal.
“I would love to,” Joy replied, smiling from ear to ear. She informed Felix that she would meet him outside her dorm room Saturday night before she gathered her things and left the library.
“Great,” Felix laughed nervously as he watched Joy walk away. “See you then,” he called after her. He let out a sigh of relief before he broke into a huge smile.
—
Felix kept the concert a surprise. He wanted to see the pure excitement on Joy’s face when she realized where they were going for their date. His plan worked, and she was over the moon when Felix presented two concert tickets from his jacket pocket.
“Oh my god, shut up!” Joy squealed as she snatched the tickets from Felix’s hand and stared at them in disbelief. “How did you know Passenger was my favorite band of all time?”
“Well,” Felix laughed before he said, “You only mention Passenger every day when we study together.”
Flashing Felix a guilty smile, Joy replied, “Yeah it’s safe to say I’m obsessed. I even have this silly dream, more like a dream travel bucket list that’s based on a Passenger song. Have you heard Young as the Morning, Old as the Sea? He sings of traveling to all these incredible places, of seeing the world, and ever since I heard the song it’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing. The song talks about being young and adventurous, chasing your wanderlust and seeing where it takes you, growing wiser as you grow older, that kind of thing. Well, at least that’s how I’ve always interpreted it. And, I don’t know. I just think that’s beautiful. I know it may sound weird or crazy. My obsession knows no bounds.” Joy finished with a sheepish smile and a shrug as she awaited Felix’s response.
“It’s not crazy at all,” Felix reassured her, knowing in that moment that Joy’s obsession only made her more endearing. With a warm smile, Felix said, “The concert starts soon. You ready?”
“Are you kidding?” Joy said excitedly as she unbuckled her seat belt and opened the car door. “I’ve never been more ready.”
—
The night was a blur of excitement. The stadium was sold out, the crowd was going wild, and Joy was having the time of her life as far as Felix could tell. He secretly admired her as she sang and swayed to all her favorite Passenger songs. When Young as the Morning, Old as the Sea began to play, Joy’s eyes lit up and she clasped her hands together. She clutched Felix’s arm as she turned to him and yelled over the noise of the crowd,
“This is the song!”
As Joy sang along, Felix experienced the song for the first time. He realized that Joy was an adventurous soul like he was, and her dream sounded like something he would love to be a part of. He didn’t care where she wanted to go, so long as she let him go with her. He yelled something at Joy, but his words were drowned out by the crowd.
“What?!” Joy yelled back as she continued to sway to the music.
“I said I would go with you!” Felix screamed just as the song was coming to an end. Joy definitely heard him the second time.
“What? Where?” Joy looked at Felix, confused.
“Anywhere,” Felix replied, letting out a short exhale as he shook his head and locked eyes with Joy. His heart was threatening to pound out of his chest. “Your dream sounds incredible, and I’m having an amazing time with you tonight. I think that…maybe…I’d really like to go with you. On your dream adventures, anywhere really. I mean, if that’s not too bold of me to say or whatever…” Felix trailed off, looking away as he said, “I know it’s just our first date and all, but I’ve had a feeling about you for a while now. I don’t know if you feel the same or not, but I hope that you do. But yeah…I’d love to go with you.”
“You would?” Joy’s expression softened, disbelief in her eyes as she said, “You don’t think my dream is silly or impossible?”
“No,” Felix said softly, holding Joy’s gaze with intensity. “It’s so you…and I love y— that it’s so you.” Felix cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair as he corrected himself. He hoped Joy didn’t catch his near slip up in his choice of words; he had a feeling that telling Joy he loved her from the moment he met her wouldn’t be fitting for a first official date. When Joy gazed back at him with the same level of intensity, however, Felix wondered if he misread her. After a moment, Joy moved in close, slowly grabbing Felix’s face between her hands as she leaned in and kissed him for a long time. Felix kissed her right back, and he and Joy lost themselves in each other and the crowd as The Way That I Love You began to play.
—
A few years after they got together, Felix planned a romantic proposal for Joy. It was a complete surprise. After a romantic candlelit dinner, Felix took Joy on a walk down their favorite strip of coast in North Carolina, along Sunset Beach. They slow danced in the moonlight as Felix hummed The Way That I Love You to her, and then he got down on one knee and asked if Joy would be his forever. He whisked her away to Spain for a romantic honeymoon, where they spent a week at La Concha Beach soaking up the sun and celebrating their love for one another. Felix booked a beach house on their very own island, where they had the beach all to themselves. After a week of late night swims and romantic nights out, they returned home to build a life together. And just like that thirty-two years flew by.
—
Having always lived in North Carolina, Joy was itching to see the world that awaited her across the sea in her older years. Felix and Joy agreed that once they retired, they would take off and go on the trip of Joy’s dreams, throwing caution to the wind as they traveled the world and spent a year abroad. As retirement drew near and they made their plans, the couple celebrated their thirty-third anniversary. As an anniversary present, Felix surprised Joy with a new addition to the family: a German Shepherd puppy. Joy was thrilled. She already had a name picked out; she called her Rosenberg, Rosie for short, named after the lead singer of Passenger. The trio went on many adventures together over the next couple of years in the states, from long road trips to hikes and beach vacations, and Rosie was always with them. The little family was inseparable.
It took the next couple of years to prepare for retirement and the grand international adventure, but when the day finally came to set off on the World Passenger Tour - as it came to be called by Joy - the little family was eager to set off. Arrangements made, bags packed and Rosie in tow, they set off to the airport to embark on a once in a lifetime journey. Once on the plane, Joy put her earbuds in, turning on her favorite song as she thought about the journey that lay ahead.
—
Their first stop was Donostia-San Sebastian, to pay a visit to their favorite beach in Northern Spain where they spent a blissful and sun-kissed week on their honeymoon years prior. They soaked up the sun and saw the sights as they sampled what the urban beach town had to offer. This was one of Rosie’s favorite excursions of the trip; she loved going to the beach back home in North Carolina. On beach days, she was eager to play in the water, pulling at her leash with tongue out, eyes darting excitedly as she watched the beachgoers splash in the sea. Joy and Felix were excited to dip their toes into the foreign side of the Atlantic, in the place where it all began for the couple when they were young. It was the perfect way to kick off the World Passenger Tour. They had all the sunshine and all the time in the world. Joy and Felix sat in beach chairs in the shallow waves, sipping on sangria and killing time in the ocean breeze as they watched Rosie romp in the water.
After a long day of lounging and drinking, Felix and Joy would get dressed up and walk along the seaboard, where they found a lovely outdoor restaurant that featured local cuisine and live music, and even offered dance lessons on the rooftop bar. Felix and Joy went dancing every night, ending the evening with a slow walk down the beach in the moonlight. Joy would carry her heels in her hand as she waded ankle deep in the water and she and Felix talked and walked back to their beach house.
“Such a beautiful place. It’s even better than I remember,” Joy sighed as she strolled hand in hand with Felix.
“It is truly amazing here,” Felix agreed as he squeezed Joy’s hand and stole a sideways glance at her. “Walking down the beach at night reminds me of spending our honeymoon here.” He gave Joy a crooked grin, a hint of mischievousness in his eyes. “Remember that night we went skinny dipping in the ocean?”
Joy let out a wholesome belly laugh as she recalled a time when she was young and free.
“Oh wow, I forgot! I can’t believe we did that.” Joy put a hand on her forehead as she said, “I wouldn’t dream of doing that now.”
“Oh come on, why not?” Felix elbowed Joy lightly in her arm as he laughed. “We had fun. And besides, you’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You don’t have anything to worry about.” Felix stopped walking and pulled Joy close. He leaned in and gave her a long sweet kiss before he embraced her. After a long moment, Joy pulled away and met Felix’s gaze.
“Well, how about it then?” Joy said quietly, slowly backing away as she pulled on Felix’s hand and inched into the dark water with a playful grin.
—
Rome was next on the itinerary. Joy and Felix made their way to the bustling metropolitan city and checked into the famous Eitch Borromini Hotel, a five-star establishment that boasted breathtaking city views and its proximity to the historical Piazza Navona plaza below. The hotel was a gorgeous structure, built into the side of a centuries-old church. After settling into their room, Felix and Joy took a grand tour of the historical sights nearby, including the Pantheon, The Colosseum, as well as the Basilica of San Clement. Felix couldn’t contain his excitement when they walked in the Colosseum; he studied the ancient Romans in college and even got the chance to go on a trip and study abroad in Rome, to see all the sights and immerse himself in Italian culture. But he couldn’t afford it; so Felix deemed the opportunity a pipe dream until now. He thought he’d never get the chance to go, until Joy revealed her secret dream to him and they planned their international adventure together. When they approached the Colosseum, Felix eagerly gushed about the history of the structure and the gladiatorial battles that took place there. Joy smiled as he rambled on like the obsessed history buff he was. She always loved that about him, how much he loved the things he loved.
The trio ended the grand tour by walking down the Via Appia Antica, the most historical Roman road in the city. Felix shared facts along the way about the road’s significance as they strolled.
“We’re walking on one of Rome’s oldest roads. I mean this is incredible,” Felix shook his head in awe as he took in his surroundings. “Can you believe that this is the road ancient Romans walked on so long ago? This used to be a significant entry point into the city itself, and it’s 350 miles long. I mean the ingenuity of the ancient people alone is a marvel to behold. Just thinking about how innovative they were and all the things they managed to build during their time baffles me. Man, this city is full of so much wonder and rich history.”
The couple settled into mutual silence as they walked among ancient stone ruins that lined the path before them. Rosie ran ahead the whole time, tugging on her leash and glancing back with tongue hanging out of the side of her mouth as she urged the leisurely strolling couple behind her to catch up. She was eager to see all the sights and smell all the smells. Joy wondered how Rosie was always so energetic, and recalled a time when she was young.
At the end of the day, Joy and Felix returned to the Piazza Navona plaza and stopped to admire the Fountain of the Four Rivers. In Rosie’s excitement, she pulled unexpectedly hard against her leash, pulling Joy into the fountain with her as she leaped in.
“Rosie!” Joy yelled as she plummeted into the shallow fountain head first. As Rosie splashed around excitedly, Joy couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Locals and travelers alike had stopped to witness the hilarious spectacle, admiring Rosie and laughing at her soaked owner sitting in the fountain next to her. Felix had to wade into the fountain to grab Rosie’s leash and pull her out. He offered Joy a hand up after her. As Joy stood by the fountain, soaked from head to toe and water dripping off her wet clothes, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Well I didn’t expect to swim in the fountain,” Joy smiled as she said, “but I guess that can be considered an unexpected perk. Did you bring the pennies?”
“Yep, I have them right here,” Felix replied, nodding as he pulled two copper coated coins out of his pocket. He handed one to Joy and immediately tossed his into the fountain without a moment’s hesitation.
“Did you even make a wish?” Joy asked her husband, lifting an eyebrow as she did so.
“Well, other than wishing I could have gotten that on camera, no.” Felix smiled as he said, “I didn’t need to make a wish. I already have everything I need.” He gave Joy a sideways squeeze and kissed her cheek. Joy smiled in response. She closed her eyes, holding her penny tight. Her lips moved slightly as she made her silent wish, and with eyes still closed, she threw the coin into the fountain. She looked at Felix over her shoulder and smiled.
—
Following their epic adventure in the bustling city of Rome, the quaint coastal town of Bolgheri was a welcoming sight. The landscape was decorated with charming villages, rolling vineyards and olive groves as far as the eye could see. Joy and Felix spent a couple days enjoying the exceptional food, drink and scenic views the charming town had to offer before venturing further North to Lerici, where they spent their leisure time taking in the tranquil ocean views. They watched every sunset while they were there, from the rocks near the water. One night, Joy thought it was a good idea to pick up a pizza and bottle of wine from the local restaurant and have dinner by the ocean during the golden hour. Joy and Felix would stay until well after the sun went down, drinking and laughing beneath the light of the full moon as the stars danced brightly in the sky, reflecting on the dark water below. Joy couldn’t help but think that it felt like a scene from a movie; everything about it was magical. They spent hours reminiscing on old memories and all their favorite places on their adventure so far.
“We’re not even halfway done with our trip yet and we’ve already seen so many amazing things,” Joy gushed as she sipped on red wine from the bottle. “I think Spain has been my favorite place we’ve been to so far. So many early memories there for us. It takes me back to a simpler time.”
“Well it’s no surprise that Rome was my favorite city so far,” Felix said in response. He took the bottle of wine out of Joy’s outstretched hand and took a drink, pausing for a moment before he spoke again.
“But in truth, I’ve just had an amazing time just being with you. I don’t care where we end up. I’m just glad we’re finally doing this and that we’re doing it together. I thought that as we grew older that it would be harder to find adventure. We’ve seen and done so much, growing together all the while. I do miss being young at times,” Felix paused as he stared out into the ocean. “You made my younger years memorable. But as I get closer to the end of life’s road, I find myself happy that we’ve put some of the best years behind us while still having a world of adventures to look forward to. I know it’s not over yet. It’s only a new beginning.”
Joy smiled and said, “To our new beginnings,” as she took the wine bottle and held it in the air. She handed it to Felix so he could also take a sip.
“Hear, hear,” Felix replied as he finished off the bottle.
After the wine was gone and the little town had gone to sleep, the couple went to their hotel and turned in for the night.
—
From Lerici, Felix and Joy traveled Northeast to Budapest, The City of Waters. For as long as Joy could remember, she wanted to come here and not only learn of the city’s history and immerse herself in the culture, but also witness The Night of a Thousand Lanterns in Hungary, which was just south of the heart of Europe where they were currently staying. Felix and Joy walked the River Danube and admired the buildings and monuments in Trinity Square, including beautiful statues as well as the Old Town Hall of Buda. They even went to a wine tasting in the cellar of the Hungarian House of Wines there. After day-long treks across the city, the duo would soak their weary bones in the famous thermal baths, an array of popular spas that could be found all throughout the city.
“Did you know that ‘bathing culture’ used to be a thing?” Felix asked Joy as they lounged in the warm water. “These bath houses can be traced all the way back to 150 years ago, going all the way back to the Turkish occupation. Most of the original buildings and foundations were preserved and restored, which is pretty incredible considering how old they are.”
“Wow, who knew baths had such an interesting history?” Joy sighed as she closed her eyes and sunk lower into the bath. “Now this is what I call Turkish Delight.” Felix laughed at this, sinking into the water by Joy’s side as they passed the time in relaxed silence.
Each night, Felix and Joy walked across the historical Chain Bridge that connected Buda and Pest over the Danube. The sights were incredible in every direction. They would stand there for a long time, breathing in the air and admiring the city lights on both sides of the river. It was more beautiful than Joy imagined.
The rest of their time in Budapest would be spent going out to ruin bars and famous coffee houses in the area. Joy would never forget her experience at the New York Cafe, the most renowned coffee house in Budapest. The city was known for its old-world influenced architecture, and the fancy chandeliers, gilded and marbled floors and pillars made the place look like a five star hotel. Joy had never had such a fancy coffee experience, and it was one of her favorite things about the city.
When Joy thought it couldn’t get any better, her and Felix attended the Night of a Thousand Lanterns festival in Hungary. It was an event that was celebrated for a good cause. Joy had read about the festival and learned that it was a symbolic event that honored the countless missing children in Hungary, and was intended to raise awareness about the growing and ongoing issue there. When all the lanterns were let go and they floated up into the sky in unison, Joy was overwhelmed with emotion. Tears were streaming down her face as she watched thousands of lanterns float away.
“It’s so beautiful, but it’s also so sad,” Joy sniffled as she wiped her eyes. “I wish every child could be found and that they could come home.” She squeezed Felix’s hand and laid her head on his shoulder as they watched the lanterns disappear into the clouds without a word.
—
In Cornwall, Joy and Felix settled into the cozy rhythm of the small fishing towns and enjoyed gorgeous ocean views along The Coast Path. The area was notorious for its historic ports, fishing villages, and breathtaking sights. Enjoying the more calm and rustic nature of this place, the couple spent most of their time there strolling along the beach, admiring the beautiful lighthouses they passed. In the evenings Rosie would run along the shore while Joy and Felix stole kisses in twilight. Joy also loved stargazing there. As they sat and looked up at the sky, Joy held Rosie’s head in her lap, who was exhausted from chasing the herring gulls. One hand on Rosie’s head and the other intertwined with Felix’s, Joy sighed happily as she looked at the night sky. A falling star flitted by as she wished she could live in these sweet moments forever.
“It doesn’t get better than this,” Joy said as she stroked Rosie’s ears and squeezed her husband’s hand.
—
Traveling to Ireland next, Felix and Joy hiked and admired the views from the Cliffs of Moher and experienced local festivities in Galway. To their surprise, they were just in time for the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival, a weekend filled with food and live music. As they strolled down the city streets, Felix stopped to read a flier.
“Huh,” Felix said in wonder. “Apparently we’re just in time for the Annual World Oyster Opening Championship. Think I should sign up?” He looked at Joy with a goofy grin.
“When have you ever eaten an oyster? Or opened one for that matter?” Joy laughed at her husband’s obvious joke; he hated seafood.
“Well the flier doesn’t say I have to eat them,” Felix continued. “I’d totally do it for a chance to win the cash prize. I just don’t know how much that is in American dollars…”
“Oh come on,” Joy grabbed Felix by the arm and dragged him away from the flier. “Why don’t we just eat, drink and have a great time watching the competition?”
“I think we can manage that,” Felix smiled at Joy as they made their way to the festival. The festivities made the couple feel fully immersed in the local traditions of Ireland. They watched the Oyster Opening Championship - which proved to be way more interesting than it initially sounded, and way more of a nail biter than Joy expected - ate and drank a variety of local foods and beers and danced the night away as the bands played songs in the Irish tradition. It was an unexpectedly fun and wild night. Joy and Felix even met another traveling couple at the festival. When they saw Rosie, they practically ran over to ask if they could pet her. Joy happily let them, and they ended up talking to them for the rest of the night. Afterwards they invited Joy and Felix to a popular local pub in town where they enjoyed local beers on tap, fine whisky and more live entertainment. Joy, Felix and their new friends sang and drank into the evening, parting ways well after midnight. Joy and Felix stumbled back to the inn, laughing and singing at the top of their lungs the whole way while Rosie jumped and barked along.
—
If Felix and Joy thought Ireland was incredible, they had no idea what awaited them in Isle of Skye. Arriving late in the evening, Joy and Felix settled into their cozy cabin, planning to wake up early so that they could take in the morning views that they missed coming in the night before. When Joy opened the curtain the next morning, she gasped aloud.
“Oh,” Joy whispered quietly before she said, “It’s so beautiful.” She opened the curtains to reveal a stunning rolling green landscape that ran to the beautiful blue-gray sea beyond. Cows and sheep dotted the hills as far as the eye could see. It was even more breathtaking than she had imagined. Felix approached the glass door, wrapping his arms around Joy as he put his chin on her shoulder and took in the view. He breathed in and let out a contented sigh as they stood there in blissful silence.
While they were sitting on the front porch having coffee a while later, an old man came hobbling over with a half gallon of milk in one hand and an egg carton in the other. He beamed as he approached, informing Joy and Felix that he was the owner of the cabins and lived just up the hill.
“Ah dinnae ken that ye arrived in the night,” the man said in his thick Scottish brogue. “I wud have stopped by sooner. I brought over a wee nip of milk and some eggs from m’ chickens. I hope yer settlin’ in well. You’ve picked a great time to visit. We got some braw weather as of late.”
Once Joy and Felix got used to the thick dialect, they were able to settle into easy conversation with the old man, and they thanked him for his generosity. After recommending some hikes and must see sights in the area, the old man bid them farewell.
“I suppose I’ll take my leave of ye. Fàilte gu An t -Eilean Sgitheanach.” With that, the old man hobbled away.
“Falt what?” Felix inquired as he looked after the old man.
“He said welcome to The Isle of Skye,” Joy informed him, proud of herself for picking up a few Scottish Gaelic phrases before their trip. “And you said those Gaelic lessons wouldn’t come in handy,” Joy jabbed at her husband and laughed. They continued to sip on their coffee as they looked out to the horizon and enjoyed the gentle breeze and tranquility of the morning.
If they weren’t lounging on their front stoop at the cabin, Joy, Felix and Rosie were out on an incredible adventure in Skye. They hiked the Quiraing trail, a four mile trek at an upward incline that gave way to magnificent rock formations and an aerial view of the hills and the sea. The most incredible thing about the hike was that it was still daylight at nine o’ clock at night. It only added to the enchantment that Joy and Felix experienced when they reached the top. The golden glow of the last rays of sun cast a magical radiance over the landscape, and all Joy and Felix could do was stare in awe.
“I know it’s high talk considering we’ve been to a lot of amazing places,” Joy began as she looked off to the horizon and sighed, shaking her head in disbelief, “but I think this has to be the best hike I’ve ever been on. I mean look at this place. I can’t even put it into words. I mean come on. How many people can say they’ve been on a night hike in broad daylight? Isn’t it just beautiful?”
“Yeah, it really is,” Felix replied, breathing in deep as he stared at the rolling hills before him. He turned and looked at Joy after that, smiling as he secretly admired his wife in turn.
The next day, Felix and Joy searched for dinosaur tracks on the beach and hiked to Brother’s Point. There were countless sheep and Highland cattle along the trail, and Rosie almost broke out of her collar when they came across a herd of the cows. She jumped and pulled hard against her leash, pulling Felix in the process.
“Rosiiiie!” Felix yelled as she pulled him down in the mud. As he hit the ground, his grip on the leash loosened and Rosie bolted across the clearing. Joy jumped into survival mode, sprinting after Rosie to try to catch her before she reached the herd of cows. Catching her just in the nick of time, Joy grabbed the leash tight and took a moment to catch her breath. From where she stood some distance away, Joy could see Felix struggling to get out of the mud. Jogging back over to him, Joy held out a hand as she tried not to laugh at her husband’s misfortune. She couldn’t help but let out a snort.
“Haha, laugh it up,” Felix said sarcastically. He couldn’t help but grin as he looked from Joy’s expression to his muddy clothes. After a good laugh and realizing they were in no near proximity to a shower, Joy had an idea.
“Why don’t we stop for a bath at The Fairy Pools? I could go for a swim and I bet Rosie would love to cool off after her marathon sprint towards those poor cows.” Felix agreed and they set off to find a pool of water to rest their weary bones in after all the excitement. They swam beneath the waterfalls of The Fairy Pools, in enchanted ponds of brilliant blues, to which Joy and Felix agreed this topped the previous option of a boring and ordinary old shower by a long shot. It was a much welcomed and beautiful detour, a great opportunity to relax and to scrub themselves clean. Rosie was happy to soak in the pools alongside them, lapping up water and blowing bubbles with her wet snout as she lounged in the pools. After one more day of adventures and another night spent stargazing in Skye, Joy and Felix settled into bed and prepared for the next leg of their journey.
—
Leaving the UK behind, Felix and Joy traveled to a magical place known as Lovatnet Lake, in Olden, Norway. The lake was nestled between glacier topped mountains whose streams fed into the lake below; the green-blue hue of the water - caused by the runoff from the towering glaciers above - was simply breathtaking. Deciding that it was too cold to swim in the lake this time of year, Joy and Felix settled for kayaking through the frigid water and taking in as many of the sights as they could in the little time they had. They would soon be traveling to Sweden.
After a memorable night in Stockholm, Joy and Felix boarded a nine day Baltic Sea cruise that would sail to seven European destinations. The couple knew there would be a port of call in Poland, which happened to be another destination on their World Passenger Tour. Upon arriving there, Felix and Joy went on a solo excursion to see the renowned village near Gdańsk, in which the famous church of Kokoszkowy stood. It was a historic Gothic church, erected in the fourteenth century, that was unique in its architectural design. People came far and wide to see this church, an ancient stone marvel in the beautiful town, and Joy and Felix were glad to have a chance to visit. After a photo shoot around the village, the couple worked up an appetite.
“Man,” Joy shook her head as she said, “I know it’s probably sacrilege to say this out loud on an international trip, but I could go for a juicy American style burger right about now.”
As they strolled along and drooled over the comfort foods of home, a wonderful smell wafted from a bar across the street. Joy and Felix both stopped and stared into the open door of the establishment, mouths watering at the thought of some good bar food and a local beer. After they grabbed two seats at the bar and looked at the menu, Joy let out a desperate sigh of relief as she clasped her hands together in praise, looking up to the heavens gratefully.
“Thank you,” Joy whispered as she informed Felix that the bar in fact served the burgers and fries she was desperately searching for.
“We’re saved,” she sighed in relief as she hailed the bartender to place her order.
“Yeah it’s safe to say I’ve had more than enough mystery meat and blood sausage for a lifetime,” Felix grimaced as he recalled the interesting food he and Joy sampled on their travels through the UK. “I mean don’t get me wrong, I came, I tried, but I don’t care to try again.”
Joy and Felix scarfed down their burgers in silence, having a second beer before they made their way back to the cruise ship for their journey back to Sweden. Over halfway done with their cross countries tour, Felix couldn’t hide his excitement as they neared their next destination. He couldn’t wait to get lost in the wild woods of Finland.
—
In Finland, Felix, Joy and Rosie set off on The Bear’s Trail hike through Oulanka National Park. The national park was home to some of the most beautiful and wild forests of Europe, and the trail spanned fifty miles. Felix always wanted to go on a fully immersive adventure in the wilderness, to surround himself with wildlife and nature and get lost in a beautiful forest for days. After endless research of the best hikes in the country, Felix learned of the famous hike in Finland that everyone claims you must do once in your lifetime, and he couldn’t stop obsessing over it and making plans to tackle the challenge someday. He talked non stop about it for years, and it was also a plus that Finland just so happened to be a location on the World Passenger Tour. When the day finally drew near, Joy let Felix plan that part of the trip himself down to the last detail, per his request. Felix got lost in travel blogs and websites, mapping out his ideal wilderness trek before presenting it to Joy. She was happy that he was so excited, and she was glad to finally be there. Joy was looking forward to whatever Felix had planned.
Joy, Felix and Rosie trekked through the woods, walking along the raging river on a hike that would take a number of days. They hiked through the basin of colossal cliff faces that towered over and around them, spending their nights in the wilderness cabins available to fellow hikers along the trail. At the end of each day, Joy and Felix built a fire in the cabin’s small hearth and ate tuna packets with crackers, trail mix, and protein bars while Rosie enjoyed all her usual comforts of home in her travel food and water bowl. Joy and Felix observed their sweet and rightly spoiled canine as they shoveled packaged fish into their mouths.
“Must be nice to get to eat familiar food,” Joy joked lightheartedly as she gestured to Rosie, who was nose deep in her regular chow. “I should have packed some steaks.”
“I don’t know how well I could cook a steak on a stick over this tiny fire, but I’d be willing to give it a shot if you feel up for going hunting,” Felix replied, laughing at Joy’s face when he mentioned hunting.
“No thank you,” Joy wrinkled her nose at the thought of chasing after a wild animal and preparing it for a meal. “That’s a lot more trouble than it’s worth, I can assure you. You just don’t want to pass up on the opportunity to see me run through these woods and make a fool out of myself do you?” Joy narrowed her eyebrows as she continued to smile.
“Now that I would pay to see,” Felix shot back with a playful grin. He dodged the empty tuna packet that Joy threw at him as they sat together by the fire, laughing and talking late into the night. As they settled into their sleeping bags, Rosie curled up by the fire, head on her paws and ears pricked, tuned in to the sounds of nightlife in the forest outside. She would guard the cabin until dawn.
After four days of trekking through the Finland wilds, Joy and Felix were eager to see civilization again. Although it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with nature and to reflect on their journey so far, a hot shower and a warm bed is all Joy could think about as she wiped the grime from her hands and stretched her aching lower back.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m up for a nice warm shower and ten straight hours of sleep in a comfy bed,” Joy said matter of factly as she and Felix exited The Bear’s Trail and made their way back to their rental car. “I’m not as young as I used to be; sleeping on the floor of an old cabin isn’t so easy anymore.”
Although the lack of hot water and a comfy cushion to sleep on did a number on Joy, she was certain Felix could live out in the wilderness forever if it wasn’t for her taste in some of the finer things like electricity, water and soap, or beds. He would spend years out there if he could.
“Yeah I could go for some modern comforts myself,” Felix agreed. “I know that may be shocking to hear. But if I had hot water and an actual bed to sleep on, I think I could stay out there forever. Anyway, thanks for indulging me,” Felix gave Joy a side hug before he opened the car door for his wife. “I’ll remember this part of the trip for a long time.”
“I’m happy to do it for you,” Joy smiled up at Felix as she said, “As long as you let me return to civilization once in a while.” She grinned and lightly punched her husband in the arm.
“Fair enough,” Felix chuckled as he shut the car door and made his way around to the driver’s side.
He looked in the back seat at Rosie, who was currently sitting on her haunches, tongue out as she panted excitedly at the prospect of hitting the road again. “Everybody ready?”
“Ready,” Joy nodded her head and took Felix’s free hand in hers as he pulled out onto the road.
—
In need of some relaxation, recreation, and some modern day amenities, Joy and Felix checked into a wintry resort in a rural Finnish town, where they skied and rode snowmobiles during the day and cozied up by the fire at night. They spent the late hours watching the Northern Lights dance in the sky as they drank from mugs filled with hot cocoa and peppermint Schnapps. As they sat by the fire, Felix broke the silence first.
“I’ve got a riddle for you,” Felix said to Joy as he linked his hands together around his mug.
“Hmm?” Joy mumbled, mouth full of cocoa and a visible hot chocolate mustache on her upper lip. She giggled and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “What is it?”
“Name a foreign place that’s not quite Europe and not quite Asia, a bicontinental snow covered wonderland that we happen to be journeying to very soon.”
Joy knew that her and Felix only had one more stop on their journey, which made the answer to Felix’s riddle painfully obvious. She smirked at him as she said, “You know you’re supposed to make riddles more cryptic, right?” Maybe you shouldn’t have hinted that ‘we happen to be journeying there very soon.’”
“You’re right. I’m really bad at riddles,” Felix surrendered as he shrugged his shoulders. “I was just excited to talk about Murmansk.”
The entirety of Joy and Felix’s World Passenger Tour was planned around this one location. Murmansk was a not so well-known place in the Russian Arctic, a lively city where they say that the Northern Lights shine the brightest. Joy and Felix planned their entire trip around this final destination, planning to arrive there just in time for New Year’s Eve, where they would watch the famous fireworks show as the Northern Lights lit up the sky.
“I can’t wait,” Joy clapped one hand against her mug excitedly as she grasped the handle of her mug with the other. “It’s going to be amazing.”
“To the last chapter before the new year,” Felix held up his mug as he toasted to the end of their journey.
“Hear, hear!” Joy exclaimed as she lifted her mug in the air.
As Felix and Joy sipped on their hot cocoa and talked the night away, they agreed that their last night in Finland was a perfect ending to their European trek. They would eagerly make for Murmansk the following day.
—
The port in Murmansk was packed full with fishing and passenger boats, the docks teeming with the sounds and sights of local commerce. The town was buzzing with life; the energy and excitement was tangible in the air as people rushed to and fro, arriving for the evening’s events. After taking in the sights of the town, Joy and Felix settled into their seats and huddled together under blankets as they turned their faces up to the sky, waiting for the show to start. Felix put his arm around Joy, and rested his head on hers. Rosie’s eyes shined as she gazed up at the bright sky, already filled with the dancing glow of the Northern Lights.
“I can’t believe we’re finally here,” Joy said in wonder as she watched the lights shimmer above. “I’m so happy, but I’m also sad it’s all coming to an end.”
Felix gave Joy a light squeeze, kissing her on the temple as he did so. “I know. It’s bittersweet really,” Felix agreed. “But the adventure of a lifetime that we’ve talked about our entire lives finally came to pass, and I’m so glad we finally made it here. It’s been an incredible experience. I don’t know how I’m going to go back to normal life after this.”
“Maybe we can just stay forever,” Joy smiled up at Felix as she said, “Say goodbye to North Carolina for good. See the rest of the world.”
“As long as I’m with you I don’t care where we are,” Felix replied.
The sweet moment was interrupted by excited shouts from the crowd. People began to count down, chanting as they heralded the new year underneath a prismatic sky in a breathtaking winter wonderland. Joy and Felix began to chant along with the crowd.
“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five…” Joy looked into Felix’s eyes as she continued to chant.
“Four, three, two, one,” Felix returned Joy’s gaze as the countdown came to an end. As the chorus of hundreds of Happy New Years filled the night air, Felix lifted Joy’s face to his and kissed her tenderly. Fireworks lit up the sky, bursting with incredible colors. It was the perfect end to an amazing adventure.
“Go live your dream Joy,” Felix whispered in her ear as he held her close. “No matter where you are, no matter what you do, I will always be by your side.”
—
Joy woke to the familiar beeping sound of the Fasten Seatbelts sign as it lit up overhead. The pilot’s voice echoed over the intercom, announcing that the plane would be landing in a half hour. Pulling her earbuds out of her ears and fastening her seatbelt, Joy was eager to embark on her adventure. She was still in a daze, thinking about the vivid dream she had. Glancing to the empty seat beside her, she let out a sigh as her heart contracted. For a blissful moment, she forgot that Felix was gone.
“Well,” Joy said quietly as she looked at the empty seat. “Looks like we finally made it, my love.” Patting the seat next to her, Joy stood, stealing one more glance over her shoulder before she got off the plane.
—
As Joy stood there, looking to the horizon from Sunset Beach as Rosie ran along the shore, she reminisced in solemn silence. Five years had not made the weight Joy carried any lighter, but she found that she could smile a bittersweet smile despite that fact. She smiled to herself as she recalled the wonderful memories she was fortunate enough to make with Felix before she lost him, thankful that she was still able to fulfill her dream with him by her side, even if it was only in spirit.
Felix always had a way of making Joy feel young; he instilled that adventurous spark in her, and would have traveled to the ends of the earth with her if only to make her smile. Long ago, Felix promised to fulfill his wife’s every wish and desire, to take her on a journey beyond her wildest dreams someday. Unfortunately that day never came for him. Joy’s heart welled up with emotion as she recalled the night that Felix proposed to her, what he said.
—
Joy was suddenly dancing on a moonlit night in Felix’s arms, as he hummed in her ear and held her close. After he finished humming the song, he stopped swaying, looking down at Joy as he smiled.
“I’ve been thinking about your dreams, the adventures you want to have,” Felix began. “And ever since I met you, I knew that I didn’t care what those dreams or adventures were, so long as I could share them with you. For the first time in my life, I have found someone who makes me feel young, who also happens to be the person I’d really love to grow old with too. I want to look back on my life with you and know that we lived out our dreams together, and didn't waste a single opportunity. I want to be the one you grow old and wise with, the one you can still laugh and love with after our youth passes us by. I hope this makes sense. It’s just a feeling you give me, something I can’t explain. It’s just something that I know.” Felix averted his eyes in his attempt to hide his nervousness as he continued. “Anyway, I want to go on many adventures with you, and I’ve wanted to ask you this for a while now…ever since I took you to that concert.” Felix slowly got down on one knee and presented an opened ring box with shaking hands. “Well, how about it then? Joy, will you marry me? Will you share your adventures with me?”
Before Felix’s last words even came out, Joy was falling to her knees and embracing Felix with tears of joy in her eyes. She held him close, burying her face into his shoulder as she whispered her response.
“Oh, Felix.” Joy sighed a happy sigh as she said, “Yes.”
—
Without Felix, it was as if Joy could feel the weight of age and wisdom even more, as if the burden had grown heavier in his absence. Looking back on their thirty-two years together, Joy couldn’t help but think how fortunate she was, despite her loss. She would always have her memories of Felix, and although it wasn’t the same without him, she knew that as long as she remembered him that she would be able to find some sort of peace of mind in this world, a world that she vowed to live alone the day that she lost him. Joy knew that what she and Felix had was special, and for that she could be glad. Joy couldn’t help but think that life felt fleeting, much like fireworks that explode in the sky with a colorful bang before they inevitably disappear on the wind in an instant. As she stared off into the ebbing and flowing sea before her, a tear ran down her cheek as she wondered if she could ever be as carefree and happy as she once was.
“You may not have known it, but you gave me an amazing life filled with joy and adventure from day one,” Joy said aloud to her late husband, her voice barely above a whisper. “I never took a single day for granted. I was happy to wake up next to you every single day, and I’m so glad I chose to build a life with you. Even though we never got to see the world together like we planned, I hope you know that you are my greatest adventure. You are my world and always will be. My sweet Felix.”
As Joy recalled bittersweet memories, a ray of sunlight poured out of the gloomy clouds overhead. Joy lifted her eyes to the sky, and for the first time in five years her heart felt lighter. Joy was ready for the adventures that awaited her and her sweet Rosie. She realized she had everything she needed, that Felix would always be by her side.
Joy couldn’t deny that Felix was with her on her worldly travels. She knew he was there in the Spanish sunshine, walking the streets of Rome right alongside her, and hiking the rolling Highland hills and the mountains of Olden. She felt him all around, in the flower fields of Sweden, deep in the forests of Finland, and in the vast shimmering skies of Murmansk. She felt him with her even now, and at that moment she knew that she would always carry her dear Felix with her.
THE END