I was waiting at the cruise ship dock in Vancouver to surprise my wife, Milly and her long time friend Donna. They were returning from a two week cruise to Alaska and the ship had just docked. Passengers queued to disembark and collect their bags. I watched the ramp and the deck railings scanning the crush of people for the "girls". I called them "girls" despite the fact that Milly was 59 and had been married to me for almost 40 years and Donna was 65 and ready to retire from her job managing a dry cleaning operation.
They were planning to stay one night in a hotel near the docks and catch a float plane the next day but I was going to surprise them by driving them back home. I knew both women would want to get back to Vancouver Island to enjoy a summer day at home. It would also be a break for me. I couldn't wait to cuddle up with Milly for some loving in our own bed after two weeks apart.
At last I spotted Donna. She was near a deck rail, holding hands with a man I didn't recognize. Since Donna is a spinster who hasn't has a relationship with a man for at least five years I thought that was great. They kissed and looked around for someone. Milly I presumed.
Finally there was Milly. To my dismay and astonishment she was also holding hands with a man and they were even more demonstrative. They were obviously swapping spit in a very french kiss and then giggling like teenagers as they caught up with Dona and her beau.
I watched as the couples continued their physical displays of affection along the deck, down the stairs, along the next deck and finally the ramp. They disappeared into a building where luggage was dispensed and emerged a few minutes later. They were so caught up in goodbye kisses they didn't see me standing there, mouth agape.
The men left to catch a tour bus that would take them to the airport and the women turned to walk to the taxi stand for a ride to the Marriott. It was then that they saw me. Apparently they did not realize I had seen them. Milly ran to me and put her arms around my neck. I didn't feel like kissing her at that moment but I allowed a quick peck on the lips and then said."We need to talk".
"The car is this way" I said, taking the big roller bag from Milly as they followed me to the parking lot. I opened the hatch and hoisted the bags into the back. Donna got in the back and Milly the front passenger seat. I hopped in the driver's side and fired up the engine.
"Ben, please let me explain" Milly whimpered."I don't know what you saw but you are jumping to conclusions."
"I won't discuss this with Donna present. I guess it will be a quiet few hours." my voice was starting to crack as I said it. I said it forcefully enough I guess as the conversation was cut off.
We drove in silence to the ferry. Sat in silence waiting to board and sat quietly in the coffee lounge on the ferry except for taking coffee orders. The ferry ride is two hours then it's about an hour and a half to our place. I stopped and helped Donna with her bags then headed for home. A few minutes later the bags were in the house and Milly and I stared at each other for a moment not sure how to start.
"Let's sit in the family room", I suggested "I will get us some wine".
As I poured the Shiraz into the fine crystal glasses, I began. "Who is the guy I saw you playing tonsil tag with? What happened on that cruise and what the hell is going on? I caution you - tell the truth or I will walk out of here and we will be done."
"His name is Eric. It meant nothing. I don't know what to say or how to explain but it never amounted to anything. Oh God what do you want me to say?" Milly was shaking as she spoke.
"I am sorry if I was gruff just now. Just start at the beginning, tell me the truth and don't leave anything out. I will try not to interrupt." I tried to encourage her to open up. The following is her account.
"We were all at the same table for dinner. Eric, Theo, Donna, me and two married couples. Theo was raised in Italy by an Italian mother and an American father. As you know Donna spent several years over there studying art and the two really hit it off right away. After dinner the two married couples left as we kept talking.
Eric suggested we go to the jazz bar and we did. Once there the guys danced with us and it was apparent that Donna and Theo were getting friendly. Donna took me to the powder room and asked if it was OK if she took Theo to our room for a while and I stayed with Eric.
I thought she was moving a bit fast but it was good to see her with a man. I said OK. Eric and I stayed for a couple of hours, sipping wine and dancing. Finally I figured I would check on Donna. Eric and I walked to our cabin and I knocked on the door. Donna answered wearing just a sheet wrapped around her. She giggled that they were not done yet. Eric said let's go to his and Theo's cabin and for called for Theo to come up and let us know when I could return.
It seemed that they were spending the night when after an hour or so he didn't return. Meanwhile Eric put some music on and we danced. He rubbed my back and kissed my neck and I guess with all the wine I went along with it. Soon he was kissing me and leading me to the bed. It just felt so good that I let things continue and we had sex. We fell asleep and I realized what I had done the next morning. I felt terrible so I gathered my things and went down to our room. Donna and Theo were on the balcony in bath robes having coffee.
