No Sin in Paradise Read Free

head, but in truth, Sam has told me this story every day since the time I met him, but Sam tells the story with so much enthusiasm that I just let him go on.
    â€œThe Dolphins were in the Super Bowl. Man, my boys just administered a beat down on Washington.”
    â€œThe final score was only fourteen to seven,” I say.
    â€œHush up, now, it’s my story. I let you tell your stories any way you want. Any who, I spent the rest of my time out in Hollywood driving around. You Californians are some strange folks. I saw things there that would make Sodom and Gomorrah blush.”
    I chuckle at Sam’s story, and then take a right onto a trail that leads to a row of homes that sit on the beach.
    â€œSo when are you going back?” Sammy asks.
    â€œI don’t know, some day, one day before I get used to this.” I extend my hand out to an empty blue sky.
    â€œSome things you can never get used to,” Sam says. “I’ve been here fifteen years, and I am still awestruck on days like today.”
    We just so happen to come across Adele who is taking a stroll with her straw hat and a bag of groceries.
    â€œGood afternoon, Adele,” I say.
    â€œGood afternoon, sugar,” Adele replies.
    â€œYou’re looking good, Adele,” Sam says.
    Adele has on her signature white cotton dress which brings out her mocha complexion.
    â€œHi, Sam,” Adele replies with a crooked smile.
    â€œAdele, Sam caught some lobsters, and I was wondering if we could invite him to dinner tonight?”
    Adele mumbles something under her breath. “Okay, Sam, you can come, but we have to be done in time for me to watch my programs. Justified comes on later tonight.”
    I love Adele’s thick Bahemian accent. She adds freshness to the English language. She has lived to see her hair evolve from black to gray to silver, a remarkable woman. I lost my grandmother at an early age, too early for me to even appreciate her wisdom.
    Adele hands out wisdom like candy, and I am a grateful recipient. She is another reason why I may never go back to the States.
    â€œNic, I was watching the news this morning,” she says to me. “There’s a lot of talk about the International Ecclesiastical conference going on at Green Cove. I’m surprised you’re not attending the conference, being a minister and all.”
    The last place I want to be is at a conference. There are over seven hundred islands that comprise all of the Bahamas. The conference is being held on Green Cove, the island next door to the island I’m currently on, Crystal Cove. I chose this island because it’s less commercial than the other islands. I did not choose Green Cove for the fact that I didn’t want to be anywhere near Pastor Cole. Cole is the leader of the conference and his “God wants us all to be rich” mentality sours my stomach.
    â€œI’m not a big fan of conferences,” I say.
    My statement doesn’t sit well with Adele. I know my directness can come off as harsh, but there is no sense in getting close to someone if you can’t be yourself. My deepest desire is to live freely and open, letting everyone see me for who I am.
    â€œWell, let me get to the market so I can get some stuff that can go along with the lobster.”
    â€œI can pick up a bottle of wine for today,” I say.
    â€œOh, bless your heart,” Adele says before she resumes her trek to the market.
    â€œYeah, Doc, those walls that Adele has built is about to come crashing down,” Sammy says once she is out of earshot.
    In my humble opinion, I believe the children of Israel had an easier time bringing down the walls of Jericho.
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    Later on that night, Adele, Sam, and I sit around an open bonfire, and we eat lobster and drink a bottle of Pinot underneath the stars.
    â€œSee, out here, you can get close to God. In the States, man has built skyscrapers, fast cars, and iPhones just so that he