Odysseus had been on a business trip, but when he tried to return to Ithaca, there was a passport problem and a stolen identity problem. To make matters worse, his car broke down while driving on the outskirts of a small town. A girl approached him whilst he was checking out the problem. She was stunning. She had dirty blond hair thrown over her shoulder in a braid, and beautiful green eyes with little specks of brown scattered throughout. Freckles were dispersed across her perfect skin. She was wearing skinny jeans and a plain white blouse. She was taller than him, a perfect height for her career as a model. At that moment, Odysseus wondered if he had ever seen a woman as beautiful as her in his life.

"If you can't get where you're going, you can stay with me for a while. I don't mind," she offered, her voice soft and fitting with her good looks. He thought about it for a moment, and couldn't see anything wrong with it.

He smiled, "yeah, sure," he agreed with a shrug.

She gave him a soft smile. "I'm Calypso. Follow me"

"Odysseus," he returned, following her up the driveway. The house (or mansion, rather) that appeared when he rounded the corner was astounding. She walked inside, only then turning to make sure he was still there. He was turning slowly, trying to soak in the breathtaking home that surrounded him. There were flowers and vines adorning the windowsills and some of the walls. He spotted azaleas, lilies, chrysanthemums, jacarandas, and dahlilahs, among many others.

"I like plants, as you can see," she said, vaguely gesturing to their surroundings. He nodded, still trying to get used to it.

He was shown to what would become his room. He was just going to stay in a guest room for a while, but every time he was going to leave, she thought of a reason for him to stay. Over time the room transformed into his, although he didn't always sleep there.

Eight years passed. Calypso was making breakfast when there was a knock on the door. She opened the door and motioned for the person on the other side to follow her, so she could cook as they talked. The man was Hermes, Senator Zeus' assistant. Calypso's dad was a senator too, so she had talked to him a few times in the past. Hermes looked over at Odysseus who was tearfully looking through his wife Penelope's Instagram page, wishing he was there with her, and the son he never met but had read so much about.

She gestured for him to sit and set a couple pancakes and a cup of juice in front of him. "To what do I owe this visit?" she asked, trying to sound pleasant, but in reality she didn't want him there.

Hermes waved his hand in Odysseus' direction. "Your guest is not happy here. He misses his wife and son, it's not right to keep him here. I know you know this. You need to let him go"

She scoffed and shook her head turning to finish the eggs. "He likes it here, Hermes!" she slammed the platter of eggs on the table before continuing. "I mean, I miss Jake sometimes, but I'd rather be with Odysseus than him. This is fine!"
Hermes shook his head. "You are keeping him from going back. There are rumors, and that reflects on your father, and by association, partially Zeus! You need to let him go! I'm sure there is a way you could get in trouble for what you're doing," he "warned".

"Fine," she said softly, looking down for a moment before returning her gaze to Hermes. "I'll let him go tomorrow. Okay? I'll get him back to Penelope, and then I'll be alone again." She sighed and put her face in her hand. "I trust you know where the door is," Calypso told Hermes without looking up. When she heard the click that signified his exit, she turned in Odysseus' direction. "Breakfast is ready!"

When he sat down, she gave him a wide smile, "how about I skip work today, I'm not really doing anything important anyway, and we spend the day together?"

And that they did. She did everything she could to increase the odds of Odysseus staying with her.

She made phone calls and arranged things for Odysseus' possible departure when the man was getting ready for bed, although she hoped she would be able to cancel it all in the morning. When she finished, she headed for bed with Odysseus for the last time.

Calypso woke up early, and made the best breakfast she has ever made. She started the conversation as casually as possible.

"So, Penelope... you miss her, but you like me better, right? I mean. For example, I miss how it was with Jake sometimes, but I would never leave you for him, even if showed up and begged to get back with me. You're happy here, right"

Odysseus shook his head. "I am loyal to my wife, unlike you, who chose the easier route. I would return to her in an instant if possible."

She sighed. "Okay, your flight leaves at seven tonight. I arranged everything, you’ll be back with her by tomorrow. I wish you could stay, but Zeus wishes you back in Ithaca, and he is more powerful than I am.” she bit her lip in anticipation of his response.

He thanked her and ran upstairs to pack his bags. She didn’t see him again until it was time to leave. They said goodbye at the airport and that was it. He was gone, and she was alone again.

When she got home, she looked at their room. It was so empty now, void of anything related to Odysseus. She wandered the empty house, and wondered if this was her destiny. To be alone forever.