Chapter 1 ~Dear Island, I was never even here

SONG: “Bella”, by GIMS (English translation)

“She answered to the name of Bella

The locals didn't want to leave her alone

She made every village tremble

People told me: ‘Watch out for that girl’"

Dear Island ~ I am writing you this letter to say goodbye. I am not leaving yet, but I was never even here. My dear guests, friends, and strangers have asked my story many times since I arrived. I’ve shared a few tales, but I have buried much more. They are not a treasure chest on an island, they are an unexploded ordinance.

“Move to a Caribbean island and live the dream!” So, I did. My name is Bella and when I was 20, my father died just after retirement but before he could enjoy it. I vowed then that I would retire at age 50 and enjoy the final chapter of my life. While others kept up with The Jones’s, I kept up with my retirement account.

While on vacation in 2016. I bought a ½ acre hillside parcel with fantastic views on the main road on the island of [REDACTED]. I found the island on Google maps, searching for a destination to call my own. I was in the middle of a divorce and didn’t quite know what I was going to do with my new property, but it was all mine.

For the next 3 years, I worked, saved and dreamed big. In 2019, I’d finally had enough with corporate and government life, enough with the rat race, and enough of the disheartening cultural and political animosity in the USA. I was ready to build myself a little sanctuary complete with Caribbean water views, tropical fruit trees, meandering pathways through the yard and gardens, extensive security, pool and water features. I made it a destination so friends can come relax for the afternoon or evening while enjoying fresh healthy food and great music.

It took 20 months to build, including Covid shutdown where I was locked down at my half-finished building with no one to see or talk to except the builder’s watchman for quite a while. I learned more Spanish. I actively directed and participated in the design, build, and development of the entire property. I loved doing that and even brought my own pink hard-hat from my previous career. You’ll see my finishing touches all over the building and land.

When I moved here, I set about making a new 5-year plan to prove to myself and the naysayers that I can build, create and develop a thriving business. Since my life goal isn’t to run this type of business long term, I’m ready to start a new adventure somewhere else.

This is the story I told you, and the story I told myself. I was happy here, and I tried very hard to be just Bella. But the black-clouded memories from a long-forgotten thunderstorm have surfaced, and I am bound by honor to take the ship to sea and see if she is worthy. I didn’t remember what I didn’t remember until a lot of bad things happened to me here on this island.

This collection of letters to you is very personal, very raw. As I dig up the buried details I knew or witnessed, I hope to make things right, or at least that we learn from history.

Love, Bella

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