First Class Voyage

8.

DAY 6 – OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA

The Lathem family broke into small groups and headed off in every direction on the beautiful island of Jamaica. For most, it was their first experience on the tropical paradise, so sight-seeing tours were the most popular trips. There were also jeep safaris, snorkeling, the famous bobsled adventure, and of course, golfing. Everyone left the ship ready for an amazing day with the plan to meet up for dinner back in the dining room at seven that evening.

It was a perfect day too. A bright sun and blue sky held the temperature around seventy-five degrees. Matt had changed his plans, with Janie’s blessing, to spend the day with Paul. While Paul had always been a quiet, somewhat introspective person, Matt had noticed, on more than one occasion since he had been home, that he seemed quieter than usual, troubled perhaps.

Paul was only too happy to spend the day with his big brother. He admired Matt and loved him dearly. He couldn’t have wished for a better big brother to love and guide him.

The two men arrived at the zip-line course to spend the morning whizzing through the trees, high above the jungle floor. They were suited up in all the appropriate gear and their adventure got underway.

Once in the trees, Paul forgot all his cares. His decision was a world away. To play was the best therapy he could have asked for. The views were amazing. It was a fantastic experience.

As the men were unbuckling and unharnessing at the end of the course, Matt asked Paul if there was something on his mind.

Paul looked at his older brother and knew if there was one person in the world he could talk to, it was Matt.

“I think I might be done with the Navy.”

Matt’s eyebrows shot up and his jaw dropped open. It was not anything he was expecting to hear. Paul loved the Navy. He lived for his job.

“I think I want a life,” continued Paul. “A life that includes a wife, kids, a house, you know, what you’ve got.”

Matt smiled and nodded. “And you aren’t willing to put that at risk while you’re still a Seal.”

Paul shook his head. “I can’t.”

“That’s very respectful of you. But there are thousands of military personnel who balance family and their careers.”

“I know,” shrugged Paul. “I’ve watched most of my buddies do it. But I’ve also watched their wives as they are kissed goodbye, not knowing where their husbands are off to or what terrible things they’ll see or maybe have to do. Its heart wrenching and they aren’t even my wives.” He shook his head again. “I won’t put someone through that. It would be too hard on them and it would be too hard on me leaving them behind.”

“It sounds like you’ve already decided,” said Matt.

The two brothers headed back down the hill, bottles of water in hand, to the waiting car that would return them to the pier and the ship.

“That’s the thing,” replied Paul. “I LOVE my job. I’m good at it. I have worked hard to get where I am. Very few men get to do what I do. Can I just walk away? Do I want to just walk away?”

“I guess that depends on what you’re walking to.”

*****

That evening, right around seven o’clock, the family started arriving at the dining room for dinner. Maureen and Peter had arrived first and were patiently waiting at the table. They were holding hands and deep in conversation when Mark and Katy arrived.

“Hello,” smiled Maureen as they sat down across the table. “Did you have a good day?”

“We had a great day,” smiled Mark. “We spent it together and it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Mark took Katy’s hand and kissed it. She grinned at him, her eyes shining brightly.

“Oh you too are just beautiful together,” Maureen sighed. “Such a handsome couple. Why don’t you just get married already?”

Katy closed her eyes and bit her tongue. Here we go again.

Mark took a deep breath and answered his mother calmly.

“When we are both ready we will get married.”

“How long does it take to get ready?” Maureen asked.

Neither Mark nor Katy had to answer because several of the boys arrived, including Derek, and sat down. Peter steered the conversation to the days’ events and Katy’s shoulders eventually began to relax. Mark squeezed her hand and Katy attempted a smile.

Paul was the next to arrive. He sat by his dad and listened to the adventures of his brothers. His mind couldn’t let go of Matt’s words from earlier in the day. ‘What you’re walking to’ was being replayed over and over in his head. Nothing was the answer he kept coming up with.

*****

Ella wouldn’t let go of her father. Matt sat with her curled on his lap as she whimpered. She was over-tired, extremely over-tired, and subsequently all but hysterical. She had refused to take a nap while she spent the day with Patty. Janie and Maureen had gone on a sight-seeing tour of the island and Matt had gone off with Paul. So Patty had been left to try everything she could to get Ella to sleep but nothing had worked. Janie was sure she was just missing her parents. They had never left her as often as they had the past few days and she wasn’t dealing with it well. They would need to correct that.

“I’ll just stay here with her,” Matt said, cradling his precious little girl in his arms. “We’ll spend the evening together, won’t we?” he kissed her cheek.

“Daddy,” Ella sighed and grabbed his arm tightly.

“Mom, why don’t you just give our apologies? Please? We’ll have a family night tonight.” Janie sat down next to her husband and daughter, the baby snuggled into her neck.

“What about dinner?” Patty asked.

“We’ll order room service. Really, just go without us.”

Patty headed off to meet the others for dinner.

“Do you want to play with your dolls?” Matt asked Ella.

She shook her head.

“Do you want to watch TV?” he asked her.

She shook her head again.

“Do you want Daddy to hold you some more?”

Ella nodded and snuggled in a little closer.

Matt smiled and pulled her tight against his chest and kissed the top of her head.

“She’ll hopefully go to sleep,” Janie smiled.

Christopher began fussing and Janie lifted her shirt.

“He’s gone almost four hours. He must be starving,” she said as the baby latched on and immediately settled down.

Matt looked at his wife. He loved watching her nurse his babies. It was so natural yet there was something else too. It brought out his carnal side. He would walk through fire to protect his family. There wasn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for them. He thought that if it was remotely possible, he loved her a little bit more.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you.”

Ella had fallen asleep just as Janie had predicted. Christopher was content filling his tummy. Matt put his arm around his wife and pulled her closer.

“Perfect.”