Caribbean Cruise
Copyright © 2005
By Lee Mariner
This
story ADULT fantasy will contain homosexual acts. If you are not of legal
age, in your locality, and you do find this type of material offensive, please
leave.
All events and places are fictional and there is no intended relationship
between the events of this story and/or any person or place.
This story is copyrighted © by the author and it is not to be reproduced in any
form or posted on any web site without the specific written consent of the
author.
All stories I have written can be found in the Nifty Archives listing of
Prolific Author's by following:
http://library.gaycafe.com/nifty/prolific.html#leemariner
Readers wishing to be notified of postings to this or any other story, may
contact me at:
mariner23502@hotmail.com
§
Chapter #1
The East Coast from
Calypso music was blaring from the public address speakers in an attempt to
distract passengers from the slow movement of the security lines. There
was a single wide aisle that had been cordoned off with retractable web belts
to form two lanes. People were carrying or pulling all descriptions of
luggage toward a central area where four metal detectors were located.
Some may have considered it organized mass confusion but, I couldn't help
thinking; that whoever was in charge of security had to be a mentally deficient
optimist if three thousand passengers were expected to filter through only
four metal detectors; and, be on board by the published sailing time four
o'clock that afternoon.
"Oh well, Caine, there isn't much you can do about bureaucracy except
buckle up and go with the flow," I said to myself, struggling to maintain
a modicum of composure while suffering the inane chatter of adolescent
girls and boys, all of whom seemed to be bent on talking at the same time
without pause for breath. As if that were not enough, the incessant
squalling of children that parents seemed wont to bring with them on a
shipboard vacation made not an ounce of common sense.
My dark mood was not improved by the security guards insistence on using a
detection wand before and after walking through the detection grid gateway and,
then waiting for my luggage to pass a perfunctory inspection even after having
passed through the x-ray machine. "At this rate, we will never
sail this afternoon," I said under my breath.
"Oh yes, we will, Sir," some pimply faced kid wearing an oversized
security guard uniform said, in an attempt to make me feel better about
everything in general.
"I wouldn't make book on it," I growled as he walked away full of his
own self-importance.
§
Getting
through the check in area after the security check was a breeze. Several
tables had been set up inside a large; obviously temporary building while a
permanent cruise ship terminal was under construction. There were two
women at each table checking tickets and identification against a master list
after which they gave the passengers a magnetic card that acted as keys to the
stateroom doors; and, since cash was not used on board except in the casino,
the card acted as a shipboard credit card that would debit any purchases
directly to whatever credit card company or bank that was used.
The weather hadn't improved during the time I was checking in, and there was a
mob of people milling around at the foot of the twin gangways, all of them
dragging luggage and children with them, trying to get onboard at the same
time.
Two large doors in the side of the ship had been opened, and two gangways had
been laid between the ship and the dock. The ships security
personal was at the end of the gangways taking pictures of each adult passenger
as they came on board. There were several young men and women milling
around in a large open area just beyond the security check point.
As soon as pictures had been taken and, tickets with stateroom numbers were
verified, these young people would offer their assistance with luggage and, the
location of staterooms.
After my picture had been taken, I stepped to the side of the gangway with my
rollaway luggage to get my bearings. Groups of passengers; some holding
impatient children's hands or being overly protective of their
luggage, were trying to talk with crew members, several of whom
seemed to speak fairly good English.
On a far wall of the compartment we were in, there was a sign with an arrow
pointing to the left that read "passenger staterooms." I
shifted the handle of my suitcase into my left hand, intent on making my way
through the milling mob of people and crew members when, I felt fingers touch
my wrist followed by a well modulated and masculine voice, "May I
help you to your stateroom, Sir?"
"Why...why, yes, you may," I stammered somewhat taken aback by the
unexpected offer of assistance; but, without relinquishing my grip on the
handle of my suitcase until, I saw who was offering the assistance.
Looking quickly to my left, I saw a young, twenty something crew member smiling
at me. He was maybe an inch or so shorter than my five foot eleven inches
and, he may have weighed about the same as I did approximately one hundred and
seventy pounds; but, from the fit of his uniform tunic, I could see that it was
muscle that constituted his weight not fat and bone.
His deep-set blue green eyes were the color of the Aegean Sea, his full sensual
lips glistened, and his unruly shock of platinum blonde hair gleamed silver in
the harsh light from the overhead florescent light fixtures. I didn't
realize the mesmerizing effect he had on me until, I heard him speak again,
asking, "Your bag and your ticket, Sir."
"Oh...,oh yes, yes," I managed to stammer; relinquishing the
handle of my suitcase and handing him my ticket, thoroughly embarrassed as
I mumbled, "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."
"That's quite all right, Sir," He said, smiling as he took the ticket
folder from my hand. I feeling of instant warmth flooded over me when our
fingers touched and the blue green of his eyes seemed to change to a deep jade
green when he looked into mine and asked, "Is this your first cruise,
Sir?"
"Yes, it is....," I answered, hesitating at not knowing his
name.
"Petrik, Sir," he said smiling softly, and indicating a name badge
that was pinned on his tunic over the left pectoral muscle.
"It's nice meeting you..., Petrik," I replied; breathing in deeply,
still feeling shaky.
"It's my pleasure, Sir and, since this is your first cruise, I'll...
err...we'll have to see that you enjoy yourself while you are with
us," he said quickly, attempting to cover his slip of the tongue.
"Will you follow me please?"
I felt a tingling in my groin and my cock starting to harden as I followed
Petrik. His bubble butt moved enticingly as he deftly wove his way though
the press of the crowd, leading me to a bank of elevators.
§
"Your
stateroom is on the Upper Deck, Mr. Ward, number 6303," Petrik said,
glancing at my ticket as he depressed the elevator button for with the
corresponding deck number. "That is my section, I'll be one of
your stateroom attendants during the trip," he said quietly, turning to
look at me as the doors closed, the green of his eyes deepening slightly.
"For the entire cruise, Petrik?" I asked.
"Oh, no, not all of the time," he answered, looking at me,
and laughing melodically, his eyes twinkling. "My duty hours
are usually from noon until eight in the evening. Unless someone is unable to
perform their duties, the rest of the time is free."
"I hope the staterooms are as comfortable as the brochures say they
are," I replied, changing the subject in an attempt to suppress the
swelling of my cock.
"I am sure you will find it more than comfortable, Sir," he answered,
smiling brilliantly, his perfectly even white teeth flashing. "The
shower may be a little small for a man your size; but, I think you will find it
adequate," he said, unabashedly letting his gaze drift over my frame.
"It shouldn't be that bad for five nights," I replied, returning his
gaze.
"It shouldn't be, Mr. Ward," he replied softy, smiling as the doors
slid open, his brilliant green eyes briefly glancing down at the slight bulge
my half hard cock made in my crotch.
§
I followed Petrik down a thickly carpeted, indirectly lighted corridor. The walls were a sea green color, and the ceiling was white. Numbered doors were on both sides, and it seemed as if we had walked half the ships length before we reached my stateroom.
"Christ, Petrik," I exclaimed. "That's a hell of a
walk."
"Yes, Sir, it is," he replied, looking at me, and grinning as he slid
the magnetic card through the door lock. "Usually we board passengers
through the center doors; but they are using those to take on supplies."
The door swung open noiselessly, and Petrik stood back to let me pass.
The stateroom was exactly as the pictures in the brochure had shown it would
be, except for twin beds instead of a queen size. "Petrik," I
said. "I thought there was supposed to be a queen sized bed."
"The twins can be converted into a queen size, Mr. Ward," he
replied. "Will this be satisfactory for your luggage?" he said,
indicating where he had placed it on the counter. "Or would you rather I
placed it on the small couch?"
"I think the couch would be better, but, I can do that." I started to
say, when he effortlessly moved the bag, the muscles in his arms bulging.
"Will there be anything else?" he asked.
"Nothing else for now, except the beds," I replied, reaching into my
pocket for a tip.
"That's not necessary, Sir," he said, holding his hand up and
smiling.
"Thanks for your help, Petrik, but I wish you would let me give you
something," I said.
"I appreciate the offer, Mr. Ward, but I must return to help the
others," he said backing up slowly to the door. "We don't sail
until four o'clock, and we will be taking on passengers the rest of the
afternoon. I go off duty at eight o'clock this evening; but, I'll take
care of the bed while you are at dinner."
"Dinner..., I forgot all about that," I exclaimed. "Where
is the dining room, how do I get there?"
"Your sitting is served at seven-thirty in the Atlantic Dining Room
located two decks down," he replied, breathing in deeply, and grinning,
his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Return the way we came and use the
same elevators. If you need it, there is a ships deck plan included with your
tickets. It will show you how to get around the ship; but, you can ask any crew
member, and they will be glad to assist you."
"Thanks," I said as he quietly closed the door.
"Christ," I thought to myself, gazing at the door, "I'll be a nervous wreck if he is my room steward for the next five days."
§
The
stateroom was small, but not uncomfortable except for the beds.
"There should be a little more room after they are converted to a
queen," I mused to myself as I started unpacking, and putting my things
into the built-in drawers under the counter. I hung the two suits, and
extra slacks, I had brought along with a light jacket and my raincoat in one of
the two closets, and stowed the suitcase in the other where a life jacket was
hanging.
I wasn't planning on wearing suits since this was supposed to be a fun cruise,
but the brochure had indicated informal clothing for breakfast and lunch were
acceptable while semi-formal dinner wear was required.
The bathroom was as small as, Petrik had said, the wall over the face basin was
mirrored, and I was surprised to see that the shower was not like those that
most people would be used to. Instead of having a framework, the shower
curtain was attached to the ceiling on a track that closed around a floor
drain. Hand held burnished stainless steel attachments were fixed
to the wall, and which water was what different languages indicated over each control.
I grinned when I saw a red and blue button on each knob.
Fixing myself a drink from the variety of beverages on the counter with a small
ice bucket, I stepped out onto the small balcony, and looked over the side.
Mobs of people were still boarding. Looking at my wristwatch, I
shook my head pessimistically musing, "They'll never make the sailing
time."
§
I
spend the rest of the afternoon walking around the ship, getting thoroughly
confused. Petrik was right, the ships deck plan and asking several
scurrying but very polite crewmembers helped locate where I was in relation to
my stateroom. The Ledo Deck was the fun place for families. Swimming
pools, water slides, hot spas, open spaces for sunbathing, and bars for those
that wanted to experiment with exotic tropical drinks or just plain straight
bourbon, vodka or gin drinks.
I opted for bourbon on the rocks, and found a small out of the way table where
I could watch the madhouse as well as the young men strutting around, some with
girls and others that may or may not have been alone.
There was one or two healthy looking hunks that looked like they wouldn't
object to being approached; but, my thoughts were on Petrik, and I was glad
that I had on loose fitting shorts to hide the results of my lecherous thoughts.
It wasn't long before the din of unsupervised kids running and hollering with
glee at each new discovery was starting to get on my nerves. Finishing my
drink, I checked the deck plan, and decided to locate the Virtual Sea Casino
where I had a set amount of money that I would lose, and Neptune's Way where
the duty free shops would be.
The Promenade Deck was located three decks down and I was becoming acclimated
to using the same elevators that Petrik and I had used. People
doing the same thing as I was milled around looking into the windows of the
closed shops and the Casino was roped off with signs posted indicating that it
would open later in the evening, at approximately nine o'clock. The
overhead lights were extinguished, but the banks of slot machines flashed every
color in the rainbow. There were a variety of blackjack, chuck-a-luck
dice, roulette tables and one large dice table. It was a mini Las Vegas
waiting to take the inexperienced merry-makers money.
§
After
strolling around, I returned to my stateroom, and went out on the small
balcony. The stream of people had been reduced to a few latecomers.
The center doors that Petrik had said were being used for taking on supplies
had been closed, and I could see men standing in readiness to cast off the
ships mooring lines from the huge bollards. Just as I was checking the
time, a long shrill blast of the ships whistle pierced the air and I cringed,
clapping my hands over my ears. "Damn," I thought, that'll wake
the dead.
Surprisingly enough, the lines were cast off at exactly four-thirty, and I
watched as we slowly drifted away from the cement landing dock. The water
boiled from the turning of the ship's propellers; kicking up huge clouds of mud
from the river bottom, and as a precursor to what I hoped was going to be a
pleasant cruise, the sun emerged from the overhanging clouds.
It seemed as if the ship had turned around in it's own length, and we were
heading down river toward the ocean. It was still three hours before
dinner; and, I had decided to try out the shower when an announcement came over
the ships public address system that a safety drill would be conducted in
fifteen minutes. We were to don the life jackets that were in each
stateroom, and check the safety regulations posted on the door for the
locations of the lifeboats we would use in the unlikely event that
they would be required.
I liked the diplomatic way the announcer had of telling everyone which lifeboat
we would use in the "unlikely" event we had to abandon ship.
Needless to say, it was complete chaos when the drill was held. It was amazing
that everyone found the locations they had been assigned to. Children
were babbling with excitement, parents were doing their best to quiet their
charges and don lifejackets. I felt a charge of excitement when I
saw Petrik trying to calm people down and assist them with their
lifejackets.
When he saw me struggling with the tangled mess of straps, his eyes lit up for
a moment, and grinning, he moved toward me saying, "Let me help you with
that, Mr. Ward."
"Be my guest, Petrik," I replied. "We didn't have
lifejackets like this in the navy."
"They can be difficult if you aren't used to them," he said, moving
closer and placing it around my neck.
I detected the faint aroma of musk cologne as his arms went around my neck
while he adjusted the head support. My cock responded immediately to his
closeness, and he seemed to hesitate for a moment; looking into my eyes before
tightening the waist straps.
Breathing in deeply, I brushed my hand over his as if testing the strap quick
release mechanism, and he grinned as he squatted saying, "These go between
your legs."
Spreading my legs slightly and leaning over slightly to watch him, I steeled
myself as he reached between my legs for the straps. His face was only
inches from the growing bulge in my groin. He pulled the straps through,
and spaced them on either side of my balls. I felt streaks of fire
rushing through me as he covertly adjusted my balls, and it took all of my will
power to avoid groaning at the sensuous feeling of his fingers gently touching
them as he lingered while adjusting the straps.
Standing, and gazing into my eyes for a brief moment, he pulled the straps
through the rings on either side of the lifejacket. "You have to be
careful with those," he said in teasing whisper as he glanced down at his
handiwork. The tight straps my have a purpose, but at that moment they
only served to accentuate the hardness of my cock, and the twinkle in his green
eyes made the fire burning in my loins all the fiercer.
Petrik stood behind an officer who introduced himself as being the leader of
our group. He apologized for the inconvenience of the drill, explaining
that it was a requirement of the Coast Guard. I was only half listening
to what he was saying; my eyes were fastened on the slight bulge stretching
down the left leg of Petrik's white deck pants. When he saw me looking,
he turned almost imperceptibly toward me, a soft smile on his face, his eyes shining
invitingly.
I averted my eyes for a moment, embarrassed at being caught looking. When
I looked at him again, he had moved closer to the officer as he was finishing
his instructions just as an announcement was made concluding the drill with a
string of apologies.
Everyone was making a mad rush for the doors; but, I held back loosing the
straps, and trying to avoid the mass of passengers when I heard from behind me,
"If you leave the straps loose, it will be easier to put on if we have
another drill, and it won't be as uncomfortable between your legs."
"What? Oh yeah," I said turning my head and seeing Petrik.
"I guess it would at that," I replied, grinning a bit mischievously.
The green of his eyes deepened for a moment, and I had the urge to tell him how
beautiful they were when he spoke.
"Is your stateroom comfortable?" he asked as we moved with the crowd.
"Except for the beds," I answered.
"I'll take care of that for you," he replied, laughing softly.
"Did you try the shower?"
"I was about to take a shower when they started this nonsense," I
replied, chuckling at the quick change of subject. "I think it will be all
right though."
"They are small, but two could take a shower together," he said,
lurching against me when someone pushed him from behind.
"I'm afraid I won't have the opportunity to find that out, at least not on
this cruise," I replied, my muscles tingling from the feeling of his hard
muscled body pressed momentarily against me, and I wondered; hopefully, if he
was making a suggestion.
"Five days is a long time at sea," he said, his eyes twinkling as he
turned down a corridor away from the elevators.
§
The
elevator was packed, and even though they moved quickly between decks, I
was almost gasping for breath by the time we reached the Upper Deck. It
was a long walk to my stateroom, made even longer this time by the horde of
passengers jostling each other as they searched for the doors to their
cabins. I breathed a sigh of relief when my door closed behind me.
There was a glossy card lying on the small table in front of the couch where
none had been before. "It looks like not everyone was at the
drill," I mused to myself as I picked it up. It was a listing of the
various services with phone numbers. One of the numbers listed was for
bar service.
"I could use another drink," I said to myself, dialing the number.
A polite female voice answered, asking if she could be of service.
"Yes," I replied. "Could I have a double Jack Daniel's and
tonic with a lime squeezed delivered to cabin 6303?"
"Yes, Sir, will there be anything else?" The female voice asked.
"Not unless you can bring a bottle with extra tonic water and limes,"
I replied, jokingly. "The short snorter that was in my room
when I boarded didn't last very long."
"I am sorry, Sir," she answered politely. "We don't provide that
service; but, you will find the duty free package store on the Promenade
Deck."
"Thanks," I said, making a mental note to pick up a bottle after
dinner. There were no prices indicated on any of the various service
cards, but, I was pretty sure buying a bottle would be less expensive than
ordering individual drinks.
My cock was still half hard from the interplay with Petrik, and even though I
tried cold water in the shower, it didn't help, my nuts needed relief. I
hadn't needed to jerk off that much when Geoff and I were together, except when
he was in one of his moods. I had gotten used to his playing around on
the side, but Molly Palm and her Five Sisters were a poor substitute when I
felt the need to make love with him. At that particular time, under the
warm water of the shower, I wasn't thinking about Geoff, sex with Petrik filled
me with a desire to blow my load, and I fantasized what he would look like
naked as I stroked my throbbing cock, thinking about the gentle almost teasing
way he had touched my balls.
"Oh, Christ," I moaned, my muscles tensing at the intense feeling of
cum rising and exploding with pent up force against the wall of the
shower. "Jesus, Jesus," I murmured to myself, shuddering with
desire and thinking of his tight ass as I milked the last dribbles of cum from
my wilting cock. "Whew," I said out loud as I ran my foot over
the floor of the shower, helping the thinning cream flow down the floor
drain.
I was almost finished drying off when there was a light tap on the door.
Grabbing my robe from the hook and putting it on, I looped the belt loosely,
and thinking it might be Petrik, I opened the door. An attractive dark
haired attractive young lady stood outside the door holding a tray with the
drink I had ordered. Her dark brown eyes widened for a moment at seeing
me wearing a robe, and then, she grinned saying, "Your drink, Sir."
"I'm...I'm sorry," I stammered. "I don't usually answer
the door wearing a robe. Petrik the young man that escorted me to my room
said he would be the steward, and I was expecting him.
"I'm sorry, Sir," she replied, grinning. "Petrik is the room
steward. Where would you like me to put this?"
"Sit it on the counter, please," I replied; trying to sound
nonchalant as I stood aside so she could enter.
"Yes, Sir," she replied softly as she entered.
"Do you know Petrik?" I asked quickly closing the door after she had
passed.
"Only as part of the crew, Sir," she answered as she sat the glasses
and bottles on the counter, and turned. "I believe he is from
Macedonia. He works in a different department than I do."
"Macedonia?" I mused casually.
"Yes, Sir," she answered, extending a card and pencil. "If there
is nothing else, would you sign for your order?"
"Sign?" I replied. "Don't I pay you now?"
"No, Sir," she answered. "Cash is only accepted in the
casino. All other purchases are charged to the account that was set up
when you boarded."
"Oh...," I answered, reaching for the plastic card that was among my
boarding papers. "Is that what this is for."
"Yes, Sir. It is used just like a regular credit card."
"That makes it convenient," I replied as I signed the card and handed
it to her.
"Thank you, Sir. Will there be anything else?" she said as she
handed me the receipt.
"Not right now; and, I am sorry if I embarrassed you when I opened the
door," I said.
"Not at all, Sir," she answered as she left.
§
The
Atlantic dining room was as impressive in decor as the other public areas of
the "Monarch of the Seas." Large windows looking out over the
ocean, snowy white table cloths with crystal and silver settings. The
walls were done in Art-Deco style with frolicking mermaids and sea nymphs
complimented by a dark blue carpet. There were waiters and waitresses
stationed though out the room, smartly dressed in uniforms that matched the
pastel shades of blue and green used in the wall murals.
I wasn't really sure what the proper dress would be so I had dressed in a
casual sports ensemble of dark blue slacks, light blue shirt with matching tie,
and a blue seersucker jacket. It was a relief to see the other passengers
dressed as casually as I was, although there were a few dressed in shorts and
Hawaiian sports shirts.
"That is just a little to casual," I thought to myself as an
obviously Nordic and very handsome young man approached and asked, "Will
you be dining alone, Sir, or waiting for friends?"
"Alone," I replied, unable to avoid a picture of Petrik flashing
through my mind as, I noticed the golden sheen of his well groomed hair
combined with the ice blue of his eyes.
He stood the same height as me, and from the way his pastel blue and white
uniform fit it was more than obvious that he was extremely well built.
Again the picture of Petrik flashed through my head as I inadvertently allowed
my gaze to absorb his masculine beauty.
"Could I have your seating card, Sir?" he asked smiling, but not
hiding the appreciation I could tell he felt from my not to covert appraisal.
"Yes," I replied, breathing in deeply before continuing.
"I believe that I have been assigned to a seat with one of the groups;
but, I'm not sure where."
Our fingertips touched briefly as he took the card, and for a moment, his eyes
did not waver from mine until he stepped back, and glanced down at it before
checking it against the computer screen on the monitor sitting on the podium.
"You have been assigned to table 22A, Mr. Ward. That is one of the
tables that we use for passengers traveling alone or," he said hesitating
for a moment, " if you prefer, you might like sitting at the singles
bar."
Glancing around the fast filling dining room, I could see that most of the
tables were occupied by middle-aged to elderly with children of various
ages. I didn't mind children for the most part; but I hadn't taken the
cruise to be bothered by their ceaseless chatter or that of their
parents.
"I think that I would rather have my dinner at the bar if it is no
problem, Karl," I said, glancing at the nametag on his tunic, and noticing
that his country of origin was Norway.
"I thought you might, Mr. Ward," he replied, smiling.
"I'll change the seating assignment in the computer, and on your
card."
With a few deft movements of his slender fingers, he made the change, and a new
card was quickly printed.
"I see you have an outboard stateroom on the Upper Deck. They are
much more comfortable than the inboard staterooms, and I'm sure you will enjoy
the cruise especially with the balcony. They are a little small; but, it's nice
to be able to enjoy the evening breezes," he said, his even white teeth
flashing as he smiled and gestured to one of the waiters standing just out of
earshot. "Mr. Ward will be dining at the bar, Andrea."
"Yes, Sir," another handsome dark headed young man said as he stepped
forward and took my seating card from Karl. "If you will follow me,
Sir."
"God," I thought as I followed this Adonis through the maze of
tables. "Are all of the crew men as tantalizingly handsome?"
The singles bar was a large oval that accommodated diners in much the same
manner as many of the old fashioned roadside diner's that had at one time been
scattered though out the highways before the advent of high-speed interstate
highways. It was wider and there was more legroom than those with limited
access where the patron's legs were sprawled open in order to be close.
Instead of small round stools, the seats were of armchair quality with thickly
padded seats high backs and armrests. There were several people already
seated, and many of them did not seem to be singles. Their demeanor and
ages indicated they might have been newly weds or dating couples that probably
did not want to be involved with strangers.
I couldn't help but grin to myself as I recalled one of the phrases in the
travel brochure, "Where old friends meet again, and new friends are
made." From the way one young couple was engaged in
conversation another millimeter or two and they would have been kissing instead
of talking.
Andre had pulled my seat back, and as I reached him he extended my seating card
saying, "Enjoy your dinner, Mr. Ward."
"Thanks, Andre, I'm sure I will," I replied taking the card from him
as I sat down.
§
The
dinner menu was extensive with several appetizing entree selections. I
wasn't feeling especially hungry; but, a dinner of roast loin of pork, buttered
red potatoes with a vegetable medley whetted my appetite, and I placed my order
with a petite young waitress, adding a glass of red Merlot wine.
No one else was seated at the dinner bar, and I enjoyed dining in solitude
amused by the antics of one young couple sitting on the far side.
Their food sat uneaten, and memories of when Geoff and I had first met flashed
though my mind. We had acted much the same way at Maxine's of
Philadelphia, a gay restaurant famous for its French cuisine.
It had been a turbulent four years marred by the Geoff's penchant for
"strange stuff." Arguments and pleading only led to further
forays, and after one particularly nasty scene when I caught him in bed with a
supposed friend, we both realized that it would be a sham to continue.
His final act of stripping our apartment of the major pieces we had bought, and
leaving for New York City while I was in my office didn't help soften the
blow.
I didn't realize how far I had sunk into the bitter well of reverie when I
heard, "Is everything all right, Mr. Ward?"
"What..., oh yes," I said, suppressing a stammer of surprise when I
turned and saw Karl standing at my elbow.
"I'm glad to hear that," he said, with a concerned tone in his voice.
"I couldn't help but notice the look on your face; and, I
thought that perhaps there was something wrong with your dinner."
"Oh no, it was excellent, Karl. I was just mulling over in my mind
if I wanted to try my luck at the casino tonight or just rest, and wait until
tomorrow."
"That is a difficult decision, especially on a cruise; but, I'm sure you
will have plenty of time for both," he said softly, his deep blue eyes
twinkling.
"I am sure I will, and it has been a long day so, I think I'll see about
some liquid refreshment, and snuggle up in my stateroom with one of the books I
brought along."
"Good idea," he replied. "That would be my choice but I don't
have the luxury of a stateroom and the privacy the crew quarters can be a bit
hectic at times, especially when changing shifts. You will find the
Promenade Deck where the duty free shops are located is two decks up using the
elevator or you can walk forward, and use the stairway just past the photo
shops."
"Thanks," I said as I slid off of the seat before asking, " What
time will breakfast be served?"
"From seven o'clock until ten-thirty. There are no seating
assignments for breakfast so, that gives you plenty of time unless you would
rather have breakfast in your stateroom."
"You can do that?" I asked.
"Oh yes, if you would prefer it," he answered. "Place a
call to the dining service from your in-ship phone, and they will arrange
it."
"That sounds a little to ritzy for me, Karl. I think I'll stick with
the dining room."
"Good, I'll look for you then," he replied, his face brightening as
he moved away.
§
The
elevators would have been quicker; but I opted for the walk in the direction
that Karl had indicated figuring it would help settle my dinner. I didn't
seem to be alone in my thinking; there were any number of passengers strolling
along in the same direction. Some arm in arm while others were pleading with
their offspring to behave.
There was a large ships library open for the use of passengers and two photo
shops crammed with the pictures that had been taken as the ship was
boarded. There was a small bar located between the duel stairways leading
up to the Promenade deck. I was tempted to stop for a drink when I
noticed several seemingly unattached young men sitting at the bar gazing into
the contents of their glasses.
"Maybe later," I sighed to myself, unable to remember when I had
passed up the chance to make an attempt in the past.
The shops were full of shoppers, and the liquor store had a mind-boggling
selection of liquors and wines. It took only a few seconds to locate the
Jack Daniels section, and paying for it with the shipboard credit
card.
Just as I was about to leave the shop, a young lady stopped me, and said,
"I'm sorry, Sir. We will have to deliver your purchase. Passengers
aren't allowed to carry spirits on board ship."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know that, " I replied.
"Most people don't, Sir," she responded, smiling brightly. "If
you will give me your stateroom number, it will be delivered shortly."
"Number 6303 on the Upper Deck," I said, handing her the bottle.
"Thank you, Sir."
"How long is shortly?" I asked.
"Probably within half an hour if you are going to be there?" she said
looking at me questioningly.
"That's where I was headed when you stopped me," I answered.
"I was looking forward to a drink, and relaxing before going to bed."
"I'll be sure and have it there in plenty of time, Sir," she replied
cheerfully as she turned, and walked back inside the liquor shop.
"Good," I mumbled to myself.
Glancing at my wristwatch as I walked to the elevators, I remembered Petrik had
said he would have the bed changed before his shift was over, and it was
already past eight o'clock.
"Maybe he will still be there," I thought, quickening my pace.
§