Tom slept late on Day III, St. Maarten. He awoke at 8, late for him. He was exhausted, having spent Monday shopping in St. Thomas, and that night with 3 women in 2 separate events.
He showered, went to full breakfast, not just the buffet, wanting to slow his pace down and enjoy the luxury of cruising. He was randomly assigned a table as he entered the Dining Room, and the 8 others at the table exchanged brief pleasantries, being from diverse groups, then lapsed into their own chats, which was fine with Tom: It gave him time to sort out the events so far.
The first night he had met Casey and Mona, and somehow wound up alone with Casey, getting a blow-job in what they thought was an empty lounge. It turned out, another couple had watched while looking for their own hideaway. Pretty wild for a forty-something.
The second night, Mona, the room mate had turned out to be as horny as her friend, coming to Tom's cabin for a round of wrestling that left her exhausted, but not Tom.
He went back out and met Ruby and Candy, two sixty-somethings who defied age and gravity and double-teamed him into his current state, worn out.
One group, who saved a chair was 2 men and a woman in their sixties. One was annoyed that Claire was never ready, always late, holding everyone up. The others hushed him. "When she gets here, you're just gonna say 'Hi Honey' like you always do, so don't fuss," The woman said.
"And besides," the other man said, "we don't have plans today anyway!"
With that, they heard, "Sorry I'm late, everybody." The complainer jumped up. "Oh, don't worry about it, Honey, we didn't mind at all."
The other two smirked at Claire, who sat across from Tom and smiled at him. "Hi, I'm Claire."
Tom stared, mesmerized. She was a black woman, about 40, tall, dark-skinned, with long black hair, pushed up under a straw hat. When she removed it, her hair tumbled down across her shoulders.
Tom wiped his mouth, and put out his hand, "Hi, I'm Tom." She took it and her smile grew, large white teeth contrasted against dark brown smooth skin. Her almond shaped eyes, were almost almond colored, and Tom assumed they must be contacts. Very captivating and attractive.
She ordered, and they spoke of spa treatments and whirlpools, things they could do today aboard ship. "How about you, Tom? What are your plans?"
"I've never been to St. Maarten, I thought I'd so some shopping, have a look around."
"You're traveling alone?" Claire asked.
He gave a brief synopses of his tale of woe, how his fiancee had backed out on the wedding, and he couldn't get a refund on the cruise, so he had come alone.
They all seemed genuinely sad for him, which wasn't his intention, but just to see Claire's expression was worth it. She looked as if about to cry. What a fox!
The breakfasts were served, and conversation showed that Claire was married to Henry, the complainer. She was his second wife, and he doted over her. The other couple were Henry's life-long friends.
Tom had more coffee, looking over the map of the island, which showed the shops and scenic spots, when Claire announced, "You know, we haven't been here in a while. I think I'll do some shopping, too, if you don't mind the company, Tom."
They were stunned, especially Henry. "But, I thought we'd get massages."
She patted his hand. "And you should, Baby. You'll be all loosey-goosey when I get back, and you can take me dancing! That will be fun, right?"
Tom just watched the discussion, then Henry resigned himself and said to Tom, "If you would be so kind, I would appreciate it if you watched out for my Claire. She has a habit of over-shopping, or loosing track of time. I'd hate for her to miss the boat."
