He met her on a cruise ship. He was there with his wife, she with her husband and children. Each day, she would take her children to the Day Camp aboard the ship. They loved the activities and would be cared for and occupied for up to ten hours each day. This, to her, was the best part of the package. They had purchased an all-inclusive family package. She told her husband, this was the get-away they needed. The children would have a life-time experience, and they could have a second honeymoon, without the guilt of leaving the children behind.
She also knew that she would be meeting someone there. Her "on-line" lover had arranged a second honeymoon as well. He and his wife were older than she, and there were no children along to complicate things. They had shared pictures over the years, and had come to know each other quite well. They had shared the ups and downs of their lives openly with each other. This trip had been planned for two years. They knew the biggest obstacle would be to look casual when they found each other. They had read and re-read the brochure to make sure they knew the ship's layout and schedule. Then they had to convince each spouse into doing something apart that first day, to allow them to meet, alone.
Dennis was there with his wife. They had been married for over 30 years, and life was good, but dull. He found that he liked to send e-mails to women over the Internet. It was harmless, he always said. Nothing could ever come of it. Nameless, faceless women who like to share sexy little lies and stories with him. That was how it started and how he expected it to stay. Then he wrote an e-mail to Arlene. He reply was intriguing. He wrote her again and soon they were sending the sexiest e-mails to one another. Often, in between the stories, they would ask intimate questions to each other. It was surprising to them, that each would have the nerve to ask such questions, but they felt an immediate ease with each other.
Surprising too, to each of them, was that open and honest answers came back, no matter how intimate the question. But the biggest surprise of all was that with each answer a connection was forming. They seemed to be on a wavelength that was only for them. He dressed as a cowboy on the weekends, doing Wild West re-enactments, she had always had a crush on cowboys. Every topic was like that. Their connection grew into something that could no longer be constrained by e-mail, they would have to meet. The distance between them was so great, that there would be no way to make a trip to the other's home state. And middle ground was too distant and unappealing as well. The family responsibilities would prevent their being together even more. So they decided on a cruise.
The ship departed from the dock and each was a study in self-control. Each was trying desperately to look casual, while still trying to glance for their secret lover. She, Arlene, had unpacked their belongings in the state room and took the kids for a trip around the boat. Her husband made it as far as the outdoor pool, where he said he was fatigued and would stake out a lounge chair. He pretended, unsuccessfully, not to notice all the bikini clad girls around and in the pool. Arlene allowed him this little pleasure. Maybe the view would spark his interest in her again. It had been exactly 4 months since he made love to her. She kept track.
Dennis and his wife toured the boat as soon as it was out to sea. His wife was not doing well, her motion sickness was quickly apparent. She had brought enough Dramamine to supply everyone on board. After their tour, he suggested she take one and lie down. "But it will knock me out", she complained.
"You take a nap now, and then you'll be ready for the evening's activities", he told her. "Maybe we'll go dancing."
She knew he did not like to dance as much as she did, so the offer sounded good. She also knew she was tired from the trip and the Dramamine would allow her to sleep. "What about you?" she asked.
"I'm thinking it's swim time!" he replied.
He tanned while she burned in the sun. He swam regularly, and had even competed a few times. This was not out of the ordinary and would keep him busy while she slept.
"Have fun" she said as she took her pill and laid down.
Dennis got into his swimsuit, threw a big towel around him and headed for the pool.
Arlene checked in with the children's activity director. She enrolled her children for the full day programs, starting tomorrow. Today there was a 2-hour tour and fun time for all kids. She asked if they would like to do that, and of course both were jumping up and down with excitement. So she kissed them and said she would meet them when the program was over. She went up to check on her husband.
