It had been a year of hell. What I thought was a marriage made in heaven turned out to be purgatory. My knight in shining armour took a shine to anything that had a skirt on.... and I tended to wear slacks. After finding that his conquests included my secretary, I went from being very, very married to very, very single, and she went to being very, very fired. Trouble was, I couldn't get that married thing out of my head, and love wasn't just around the corner, it was two years behind me. I was in the doldrums, the Bermudan Triangle of relationships.
When my friend Donna asked me to go on a cruise with her, I said no. My friends prodded, encouraged, and even nagged, so I finally said yes out of self defence. I believe my year of hell was made complete when Donna had to back out at the last moment because of a business situation, and I was once again dumped.
In this frame of mind you can imagine how I felt when my friends still insisted that I go. They informed me that it was quite often that single people went and shared a room with someone they didn't know. It would be an adventure they said. I'd have fun they said. "Alright for God's sake leave me alone, I'll go already", I cried. And so I went on a cruise.
The ship was a floating palace, with every luxury you could wish for. My cabin was more like a suite, as Donna was a big wheel in the travel business, and every crew member I met couldn't be nicer. I should have been happy, but I wasn't. I sat despondently on the porthole bunk waiting for some woman who would probably bore me to tears, dreading the two weeks ahead, and wishing I was anywhere but where I was. When my cabin mate breezed in I was in such a funk, I noticed nothing except that she seemed to have lots of baggage. Well so did I, but mine wasn't the type you took on a cruise.
"Hi, I'm Terry," a voice said, a manicured hand offered in greeting. I could not help but notice that her hands and nails were perfect, and her skin a soft olive that showed no blemish. As I looked up I saw an attractive brunette about my own age with a smile that made even me feel a bit better.
"Diane," I replied and took the offered hand. Her grip was surprisingly firm. After the separation I hit the weights, I think out of anger, and my usually fit body became more powerful. But her grip still matched mine.
"Oh come on, it can't be all that bad," she said, as she started to unpack. " Besides which, this is the start of the rest of your life, so what went on before doesn't matter."
"You're right," I replied," so I guess then it's ok that I've already picked my bunk."
"What, oh sure, less chance of me tumbling when I come home from a champagne filled night at the Captain's table," she shot back at me.
We both laughed, and I thought, well at least she won't bore me, so maybe it won't be so bad after all. I joined her in unpacking, and we chatted about the ship, the crew, how varied the passengers were in age and style, and who looked to be single and who looked to be together.
My spirits started to rise, but they took a bit of a tumble when Terry asked "So how come someone as cute as you is on a cruise by herself?" I was about to answer when she continued, "Don't say that you got discarded like I did, well buggar him, I'm going to have fun anyway." I mumbled something about friend.. couldn't come...everyone said go.. but Terry was already on to the fun seeking part of the trip.
"Let me have a look at you. Well you're a little bigger than me, gorgeous body, but I think it'll work. Yes, it will." she said as she held blouses, scarves and sundresses up against me. "Our wardrobes have just doubled. With you being a blond, and me dark, they'll never know if we swap outfits. We'll be the envy of every stiff married bitch on board." I couldn't help but laugh at her outrageous attitude, and my spirits once again rose.
The first few nights were pleasant, if uneventful. I didn't become the life of the party, but I wasn't in a funk either. For her part, Terry seemed content to occasionally flirt, but spend most of her time with me. We certainly didn't want for attention! I thought only married people and spinsters went on these trips! There were some attractive guys there, but apart from the occasional dance, I didn't have much to do with them.
On the fourth night out, we were invited to the Captain's table for dinner, and Terry, of course was matched with the Captain, while I was seated next to a very attractive senior officer. Knowing that they had to be on their best behavior loosened me up quite a bit, and I enjoyed every glass of champagne and wine that was poured for me. The captain's name was Ben and the officer that I was finding more and more attractive as the evening wore on, was Bob. Ben and Bob, the fabulous duo, ready to sweep us off our feet. After the band finished playing I was ready for more, so I asked to be shown the sights up on deck, with more than a sea breeze on my mind.
