First Class Voyage

14.

DAY 12 – SAN JUAN

Janie and Matt sat eating breakfast in the dining room with Peter and Maureen.

“I don’t know where they are and I’m getting worried,” Janie said for the third time since they had sat down to eat.

Peter chuckled. “And you two never went missing for a couple of days before Ella was born...”

Matt looked at Janie, eyebrows raised and trying not to laugh.

Janie sighed. “I suppose. But where did they sleep?”

“They probably didn’t sleep,” Matt said.

“Matthew!” Maureen exclaimed. “Not at the table. While we’re eating. Please!”

Matt chuckled at his mother and patted Janie’s hand.

“The ship sails at two,” he said. “I assure you they will be back by then.”

“And if they’re not?” she asked.

“Then we will deal with it then. There is no point getting anxious when you have no reason to be.”

With breakfast finished and the waiter clearing their plates, Janie sipped on her orange juice, concern written all over her face. Sadly, the last time Katy went missing it didn’t end well and although the images came rarely to her mind now, they were forever etched in her brain. The panic that she was starting to feel was real, however unnecessary it may be.

Peter and Maureen excused themselves. They were off to see a couple of museums today. Peter had only agreed to go because there wasn’t enough time for a round of golf.

Matt turned to his wife and took her hand in his.

“I know where your mind has gone,” he said seriously.

Janie looked up at him and frowned.

“Mark will never let anything happen to her. Of that I would bet my life,” he said.

Comforted by his words, Janie sighed and attempted a weak smile.

“Come on,” he said pulling her from the table and leading her from the restaurant. “There is a glorious day waiting for us out there and I, for one, am going to enjoy it.”

*****

Mark watched Katy sleep in his arms, her cheek resting on his chest. He would let her sleep even though it was well into the morning. They hadn’t fallen asleep until almost six. As the sun was rising, they lay in bed propped up on pillows, completely satiated and exhausted, watching the brilliant colors dance across the water. The ocean was calm and quiet and they finally drifted to sleep.

Stretching his neck, he could see the clock on the wall. It was almost eleven. The driver would be back to pick them up in just over an hour. The kind lady who took care of the cottage had fixed them a meat and cheese plate for supper the evening before that they had devoured on the patio just after midnight but Mark was hungry and his stomach was starting to rumble.

Katy’s arm moved and she patted his tummy.

“Is that my alarm clock?” she joked.

“Sorry,” he winced.

“What time is it?”

“We have about an hour till we have to leave.”

Katy groaned and then yawned. “I think the driver will have to wait.”

Mark chuckled.

“Tired?”

Katy lifted her head and smiled. “We didn’t get a lot of sleep.”

“No, but we can sleep when we get home.”

Mark lifted her chin up to him and he kissed her softly.

“You have made me the happiest man alive,” he grinned.

“And I do believe I have just made your mother the happiest woman alive,” she joked.

“Ah! My mother. How are we going to tell her?”

“Let’s not.”

Mark’s eyes shot open.

“Not yet,” she clarified. “Let’s have a day or so with it being just our little secret.”

“Okay,” Mark agreed. “You let me know when you’re ready.”

*****

Lester had called Patty’s cabin that morning to see if she would like to accompany him on a walk through the city, staying relatively close to the pier. Patty had explained that she had offered to have the children while Matt and Janie were off the ship.

“Well, then may I accompany you on your babysitting assignment?” he had asked.

Patty was shocked at first by his request and then a smile appeared on her face and she was quite flattered at his offer.

“Well I don’t want to keep you from enjoying the day in San Juan,” she had said.

“If I have to choose between the two then I would choose to stay with you,” came his reply.

So after Christopher was fed and asleep, Patty met Lester on the pool deck with the children; Ella was walking holding her hand and Christopher in the stroller. They found a table and the two adults read stories to Ella and played with her dolls.

“I haven’t done this since my daughter was this age. That was a long time ago,” Lester said. “I have all grandsons,” he explained. “It’s all about cars and shooting things,” he laughed.

“I have grandsons too so I understand,” Patty nodded.

“What do you think of Miami?” he asked.

“Well I only spent a day there before we boarded the ship so I’m not sure I can make an assessment,” Patty replied.

“Oh,” he said. “I understand.”

Patty wasn’t very sure what that meant but Christopher began to stir so her mind switched gears and she attended to her grandson.

*****

Gradually, all the family arrived back on the ship. Well, all but Mark and Katy. The crew onboard made it very clear to the passengers that by two o’clock everyone should have returned to the boat so they could begin the voyage back to Miami. So at 1:45pm, Janie sat on their balcony overlooking the pier completely beside herself with panic. Patty was in their living room with the children and Matt’s anxiety was beginning to grow with each passing minute.

They watched as groups of two and more walked down the dock and disappeared through the door below, safely back on board.

“Where are they?” Janie whispered as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Why aren’t they back?”

Matt rubbed her shoulders and waited, silently praying they would appear on the pier, healthy and in one piece.

At 1:58pm, Janie was almost in hysterics when from the corner of her eye she saw a movement below. As she stood and leaned over the railing, there were Mark and Katy hand in hand running to the ship laughing.

“Oh thank God!” she cried and threw herself into Matt’s awaiting arms.

*****

A couple of hours after the ship set sail for Miami, Katy called Janie in her suite.

“I have been worried sick about you!” Janie scolded.

“Why?” Katy was genuinely confused.

“Because I didn’t know where you were?” Janie’s voice hitched ever so slightly.

Katy heard it. She heard it loud and clear.

“Oh, honey! I’m fine! I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think about that. Janie please forgive me?”

“You don’t have to apologize,” Janie whispered. “You’re a grown woman. But you know me? I worry about everything. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“I’m more than okay,” smiled Katy. “I’m wonderful.”

“Wonderful?” Janie’s curiosity was peaked. “What did you guys do?”

“We had a wonderful time. But we didn’t get a whole lot of sleep so we’re just going to stay in for the rest of the day and catch up. See you tomorrow?”

“Sounds good,” she said as she replaced the telephone receiver.

Hmph! Matt was right. They weren’t sleeping!

*****

That evening at dinner, Lester joined the Lathems. Katy and Mark didn’t leave their cabin but the rest of the clan was curious as to why he was there.

“So what do you do?” Janie asked, trying to sound very casual.

“Oh,” Lester chuckled. “I’m retired. Have been for some years now.”

“So what did you do for a living before that?” Janie continued the inquisition.

“I owned a pool cleaning service. Living in Miami there are a lot of pools,” he smiled. “But several years ago I sold the business and did very well for myself. Now I do some gardening and play golf.”

“Oh, excellent!” Peter nodded in approval.

“And your wife?” Janie kept going

“She died many years ago. Breast cancer.”

That detail sobered Janie…but only for a moment.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, sincerity in her voice. “You didn’t remarry?” And so it went on.

Lester shook his head. “I never found a woman that could capture my interest like Delores. She was one in a million.”

Patty lowered her head and played with the napkin in her lap.

“I can understand that,” Matt agreed. “When you find the one your life is blessed.” He lifted Janie’s hand and kissed her palm.

“Did you come on the cruise alone?” asked Janie, not deviating from course.

“No, my daughter, our only child, Maggie, told me I had to come because she couldn’t stand to see me wasting away at home. So I’m here with her and my son-in-law and their three boys.”

“That sounds lovely,” Janie smiled. She took a sip of water and was about to ask another question when Matt beat her to it.

“So what did everyone do today?”

The conversation flowed as each regaled their adventure in San Juan. Janie sat picking at her salad with a frown on her face.

“Stop,” Matt whispered, trying to fight a smile from forming.

“What?” Janie asked trying to look totally innocent.

“You know what,” Matt chuckled. “Leave the poor man alone.”

“I’m just asking a few simple questions.”

“And what if this had been the response to me when I was introduced to your mother?”

“That was different!” she hissed.

“How?” he asked.

“It…it just was!”

Matt chuckled and squeezed her hand. Then he went back to his soup.

After the dessert plates were cleared, Patty asked Matt if he and Janie would mind keeping the children for the evening.

“Of course!” Matt exclaimed. “You don’t have to ask Patty. They’re my children. You have been a wonderful help but they’re not your responsibility. Go have a good time.”

Patty kissed Matt on the cheek and left with Lester. Janie sat silently and watched them go.