Chapter I.
Kitty and Christophe flew down initially on Friday, April 14, 2025, to finalize the lease on their apartment; it is a two bedroom, two and a half bathroom dwelling, with a master suite and one bedroom turned into an office for Christophe to write. It is part of the West Isle Club Apartments.
They stay in the towering, downtown La Concha Hotel, on Duval Street, for the nights of March 14 and March 15, before they fly back to Indianapolis International Airport.
On Saturday, March 15, they walk down Duval Street and reflect, "The Conch Republic is so beautiful this time of the year," says Christophe to Kitty. She responds, "I fell in love with Key West the first time we arrived here on Tuesday, July 26, 2011."
On their first visit, they ate at Sloppy Joe's Bar, on Duval & Greene
Streets. It is quite well known as being the hangout of Ernest Hemingway. They shared appetizers. Christophe visits the giftshop at Sloppy Joe’s Bar that day, to see if he could find a Ernest Hemingway/Sloppy Joe’s T-Shirt for himself, but to no avail.
Christophe and Kitty took a tour through the Ernest Hemingway Museum. Since Christophe had read all of his novels, and Hemingway was his favorite author; it was like striking oil.
In 2011, they posed in front of the famous Conch Republic landmark, that reads, Southernmost Point of the U.S.A.; 90 Miles to Cuba.
Their cruise went from Sunday, July 24, 2011 through Friday, July 29, 2011; their five year anniversary. They were supposed to travel to Cozumel, Mexico, but were diverted by a tropical storm, to the city of Freeport, in the Grand Bahamas.
There they Kissed the Dolphins, as well as made several purchases in the shoppes of Freeport. They also ate lunch while docked.
Their silver, Jeep Grand Cherokee is being transported separately. To take some of the burden off the transition period, they decide to rent a Chevy Equinox, from the Key West International Airport (EYW).
They have their bank accounts set up in Miami, Florida and Key West, Florida. They have money invested in mutual funds and other sources of financial services.
On Friday, June 13, 2025, Kitty, Christophe, and Eric fly down, first class; via American Airlines from Indianapolis International Airport, to Miami International Airport, and then to Key West International Airport.
On Saturday, June 14, 2025, they have their first opportunity to scan Duval Street; palm trees are overhead. Kitty remarks, "Look, there's Sloppy Joe's Bar. Let's keep this in mind, as a possibility for dinner tonight."
"We ate there many moons ago, remember?" utters Christophe. "I do recall," says Kitty. She responds, "It sounds like a viable option." Kitty adds, "Behind us is the Harry S. Truman Little White House; do you feel like going there?" She bobs her head in that general vacinity. Christophe responds, "That's fine, but after that, let us meander to Simonton Beach."
As they walk hand-in-hand to the Little White House, Christophe admires her beautiful, black hair, parted to the side, and pulled into a pony-tail, in the bright sunlight. Kitty woo’s Christophe with her firm legs.
The sun is hovering at 80 degrees. It is seven o'clock. Kitty asks, "To Sloppy Joe's?" Christophe responds, "Indeed." They seat themselves. A server takes their order; her name is Taylor. "What can I get you this evening?" asks Taylor.
Kitty responds, "A strawberry daiquiri, please." Taylor asks, "Sir?" Christophe responds, "Water with a lemon wedge, please."
Eric orders a hamburger, fries, and a Sprite. Taylor asks, "Do you know what you would like to eat this evening?" Christophe responds, " A Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich."
Kitty was pondering. She then responds, "a grilled chicken salad, with Ranch Dressing." As they wait for their drinks to arrive, they look up at the ceiling and admire the rustic ambiance that envelops the eatery. Their minds journey back to the last time they were there; a mere fourteen years ago. Then Eric, Kitty, and Christophe wander into the gift shop, and purchase three Sloppy Joe's t-shirts, and come back to the table to discuss a short trip north through the Lower Keys, Key Largo, and Coral Gables.
Christophe responds, "Once we get the Jeep Grand Cherokee, we can do all of that. I will make all the reservations tomorrow."
The next morning they took the dogs, Caesar & Chip, for a walk on Higgs Beach Dog Park. They return to the apartment to put the dogs in their cages.
They eat lunch at La Trattoria Restaurant, on Duval Street. They walk home and Christophe goes to work making his reservations, on his lap-top.
Christophe reserves one night, two rooms in the Cheeca Lodge & Spa, Islamorada; one night, two rooms, at the Hilton Key Largo Resort; two nights, two rooms in the Coral Gables Hyatt Regency, and one night, two rooms, for the Kona Kai Resort on the way home.
Christophe books a massage with Jodi Gray, for Kitty, in Big Pine Key. Kitty visits Christophe in his new office. She brings him a fresh orange Gatorade, and compliments him by placing her arms around his neck and whispers in his ear, "I can't wait to make you fawn over me in Islamorada."
Christophe turns his head to the side, smiles from ear to ear, and kisses her.