The first day in port was St. Thomas, USVI. Mona had heard Casey come in the previous night, saying goodnight to Young Tom at the cabin door with a long kiss.
Why can't I be more like her, Mona wondered. I'm so plain,and she's so vibrant! That Tom was 20 years younger than both of us. I can't even get a married 80 year old to look at me!
Which was not true, men would look, but Mona did nothing to enhance her appearance. As they rode the open-air bus to Magen's Bay that next morning, Mona decided to bring it up.
"So, you and Tom, huh?"
Casey gave her a sly smile from behind her big sunglasses. "He's a very sweet young man."
"I'm sure he is. Did you make any plans with him?"
"Mona, don't worry, I'm not gonna abandon you. But you have to make an effort to have some fun. Hell, we're on vacation, in exotic places. Live a little!"
"I wish I had your confidence, Casey."
"Confidence? It's just a matter of not giving a shit. If Tom didn't like me, there are 1,500 other men on board, plus crew! You need an attitude. An 'I Don't Give A Shit attitude."
At the beach, they got lounges from the locals, and spread out, Mona in her blue one-piece, with white trim, which covered her almost completely.
Casey, on the other hand had a white one-piece, low in front and back. She kept her hoop ear rings on, looking for a bit of flash, with makeup.
Casey turned to her. "First, you need some color! You're so pale! Get that thing off your shoulders, let the sun bake you, feel it warm you down deep, in that special place, and enjoy it!"
Mona laughed. "Everything is so sexual to you."
"We are all sexual creatures, Mona. That's why women spend billions on looking good and men spend billions on women!"
When they arrived back at the ship, both were red-faced, and it made Mona look more alive. As they headed for their cabin, Casey grabbed her arm and they took the elevator to the Viking lounge, which was open. They had a drink at the bar, and Casey whispered how she had gotten Tom up here and had gotten caught performing oral on him.
Mona was mortified. "Oh My God! Really, right there?"
"Really. I should have Tom take you up here, you'd love it!"
Mona blushed at the thought.
They retired back to their cabin and both were loose from the sun and the cocktails. Casey looked Mona over.
"Would you let me dress you?"
Moan was shocked. "What?"
"Not Undress you, Silly!" Casey knew Mona was not ready to experiment with another girl, although Casey wouldn't have minded. "Let me put your makeup on you, fix your hair. Pick out your clothes for tonight."
"I don't know..."
"Come on, nobody knows us here, it will be fun! Like a pajama party!"
An hour later, after showering, Casey went to work, along with the Magnum of champagne from room service. They sat across from each other, Mona so nervous, feeling awkward, as Casey applied coats of mascara, eye shadow, liner, and lip gloss. She carefully blew Mona's hair out, away from her face, then she spun her around. "Have a look!"
Mona couldn't believe the face staring back at her. With the sunburn adding a glow, Casey had used colors and shades that accentuated her cheeks, her eyes.
"Well, what do you think?"
"I... I look painted!"
"That's the look, honey, the allure. I think you look great!"
Not wanting to hurt her friend, Mona agreed. It was an improvement, for sure, but she wouldn't do all this on her own.
Casey selected a red cocktail dress, that seemed surprisingly out of place in Mona's wardrobe, along with 3 inch heels, from Casey's collection that happened to fit.
Casey wore a black dress, too tight and too short for Mona's taste, but Casey wasn't dressing for Mona.
Mona walked awkwardly through the lounges, trailed by Casey, who noted the eyes following them both. Apparently she had done a good job.
At the corner of the Martini Bar stood Young Tom, in a plain black suit, looking tanned and handsome, like a young James Bond, ready for action.
Mona paused at the door, and Casey saw that Tom had spotted Mona, a quizzical look on his face, like recognition, but he was unsure. He looked Mona up and down as she stood and turned back to Casey.
Casey nodded. "There's Tom in the corner. Let's say hello."
They moved together, two cougars slinking through the underbrush, approaching the herd of male gazelles, sorting out their targets.
Tom seemed surprised when he saw Casey, and suddenly knew why Mona looked familiar.
They chatted about their days, what they'd done, and Casey was amused at how Tom stared at Mona. "He's smitten," she thought. "Maybe Mona could get a little excitement after all!"
Some women would be jealous but not Casey. She had already spotted a blond guy, who seemed closer to her age, giving her the once-over, and she had flashed her award winning smile at him.
"So, Tom, what do you think?"
"Huh? About what?"
"About our little friend Mona? What do you think of the new look?"
Mona blushed and did the old "Come on, don't do this."
Tom stared, then straightened. "Mona, no offense but you look spectacular. Did you girls go for a Spa treatment or something?"
Casey smiled broadly. "See, I told you you look hot!"
Tom stumbled on, "I didn't mean you didn't look nice before..."
Mona smiled and patted Tom's arm on the bar. "I know, thanks. Casey thinks I'm her Barbie doll."
Casey couldn't believe how smoothly Mona had handled that, even making contact with the target! Attitude!
The bartender leaned in to Casey. "The gentleman down the end would like to buy you a cocktail."
Casey looked and it was Blondie, his glass in the air, saluting her. She smiled coyly, and said, "Pour it down there. I'll be there in a minute."
To Tom and Mona she said, "I thought I recognized him! It's one of my old clients, Jim, down the other end."
They saw the tall blond smiling back at them, and she continued. "I'm gonna go say hi. You two stay out of trouble, okay? Don't do anything I wouldn't do." She winked and away she went. Mona's confidence was shaken. She was alone! Don't panic!
Tom was just as happy. Casey was fun last night, but he wasn't looking for a steady for the next six days. And he hadn't really spoken to Mona last night. And she looked awesome!
But she seemed ready to run as soon as Casey left.
"Listen," he said. "If you have somewhere to go, don't let me hold you back."
"Me? Oh, no. I mean, you must want to circulate, find someone your own age."
He laughed. "Women my age are looking for Mr. Right and I'm just getting out of that. Actually, I'm beginning to develop an appreciation for more... experienced women."
She smiled back at him. "If by experienced, you mean older, Casey and I fit that!"
"I had an aunt who said, 'You're only as old as you act,' and she was still dating at 82 when she died!"
"Well, we're not nearly that old!"
"Good, another drink, then?"
An hour later Casey came back to let them know that 'Bob' was escorting her to a show, maybe she would see them later.
Tom smiled after she left. "I thought his name was Jim!"
Mona chuckled. "We were just dumped! It's not the first time!"