She was thin, almost mousy. An outdated page-boy haircut of jet-black hair, over an oval face. Deep, brown eyes, pouty lips. She wasn't gorgeous, but hardly repulsive, just someone you would meet and immediately forget.
She was five foot six, again, average. Small breasts, a bit of an ass, basically plain. At forty three she was resigned to the fact that Mr. Right took a wrong turn and got lost. Living with her cat, Gerald, she spent her time working as a receptionist for an accounting firm, and her evenings reading romance novels, touching herself at the good parts.
As a girl, the boys would tease her for being named Mona. "Moaner!" they would sing, and she would cry, then they would turn their attention to someone prettier.
Her good friend Casey was the exact opposite, a fiery redhead who flirted and flaunted her 38DD's. She would chase or be chased, and was so promiscuous, that Mona would blush when she related the events of the night before.
Casey tried to get Mona out of her shell, suggesting going together for make-overs, and clothes shopping, but Mona was so shy. Casey wondered if she was still a virgin, but thought it best not to ask.
But Casey kept trying, and so they found themselves aboard a cruise ship leaving San Juan for a week's sail around the Caribbean with its hot sun and cold drinks
They shared a cabin, mid-ship, near everything, and Casey got them started with cocktails even as the ship was still loading. By 10PM, they were both feeling the motion of the ocean and the affects of too many Rum punch and not enough food.
They had explored the boat, but Casey was still curious. There were Singles parties, Welcome Aboard parties, even Friends of Dorothy parties for gays and lesbians. The two made sure to stop in on each, just sizing up the ship.
The Dorothy party had Mona flustered as soon as she realized women were looking her over with interest, but Casey could mingle with anyone. Casey kept her close, so the other ladies would assume they were a couple.
The Singles parties brought so many losers together, it made Casey realize even Mona could get laid on this ship. Maybe not Tom Cruise, but a live cock!
Traipsing around in high heels gave them reason to pause at The Schooner bar, a quiet lounge with a piano player that actually had bar stools available. They settled in, and decided on Cosmos.
The piano man was quite full of himself, but passed the mike around for guests to sing a tune. He had song sheets spread out, and welcomed them aboard with flourish. "Good Evening, Ladies! Relax, we have 7 wonderful days together!"
Casey spotted a young man enter, look around, then choose the stool next to her. "Anyone sitting here?" he asked politely.
"Now there is, you!" she joked.
He smiled, ordered a beer and took a big gulp.
She smiled, "You look like you needed that."
"Oh, yeah, so crowded up in the casino, it's good to sit."
"Any luck tonight?"
He grinned glumly, "Unfortunately, no, it could be a long cruise!"
"Darlin' you have to pace yourself. Set a limit for each night. Plus, once we're in port, you'll be off the ship doing all kinds of things."
He just smiled at her.
"What? Aren't you going int St Thomas tomorrow?"
"Well, maybe, I'm traveling alone. I've never been on any cruise before, so I don't know, is it weird for a guy to be on his own on the islands?"
"Just stay where the tourists go, don't go off on your own. No one would know you were even alone. Just go into town and walk around. Great shops, plenty of good jewelry at cheap prices. You can but your honey something special!"
"I won't be needing to do that."
He explained. He had been seeing Lynn for a year and finally decided to pop the question, had planned to do it on this very cruise. But the night he was going to tell her about the trip, but not the proposal, she admitted she was seeing someone else, and that they were serious. She was sorry, but she couldn't see him anymore.
He got the deposit back on the ring, but the cruise was paid for. The best they would do was give him a single cabin, and return partial payment.
So, he came on the cruise by himself, planning to drown his sorrows and start fresh afterwards.
Both Casey and Mona listened intently, each touched by his story. Mona was depressed while Casey looked for the sunshine.
"Well, they have Singles parties, and a good looking kid like you will do just fine finding company."
"I took a walk up there before. No one my age,not females, anyway."
"Well, broaden your horizons! You're not looking for a wife. There's plenty of single women who are a little older. Isn't that what young guys are into these days with Cougars and MILFs?"
"What's MILF?" Mona asked.
"I'll tell you later, Sweetie."
He was shocked by her bluntness, so he laughed. "That's what they say, but I'm not sure if I'm looking to hook up anyway, I just figure I'll go stir-crazy without someone to talk to."
Casey stuck out her hand. "I'm Casey, like Casey Stengel? And this is Mona. We're in Cabin 9843, and give us a call anytime. We'll keep you entertained so much, you'll lock yourself in your cabin!"
He felt her strong grip, and smiled. A real Jungle Cat in her day, I bet! "I'm Tom, nice to meet you both," reaching past to shake Mona's hand, which was damp, clammy, and weak."
To the bartender, he said, "Give the ladies a drink on me, please."
"Oh, Tom, really, that's not what we were looking for."
"I know, but this is the most fun I've had in days, so thanks." He toasted them.
The drinks flowed and the mike made it to Casey, who did a great rendition of Mack The Knife. Mona passed, and Tom did a fair version of "Friends in Low Places," which any drinker who's been dumped, can relate to, so everyone sang along.
The piano player was done with his set, and people filed out, to get ready for the next day.
Mona seemed half-asleep but Casey showed no sign of fading, and Tom had his second wind. He asked if they wanted to explore other lounges. Casey brightened but Mona was not thrilled.
Casey turned to Tom and said, "I'll tell you what, I'll take her back to the cabin and get her settled in, then I'll meet you by the pool bar, it should still be open. If you think you can handle me on your own!"
"I'll give it a try, see you in a bit."
It was quiet up on deck. There were a few couples in private conversations and the amplified music was mellow, reflecting the crowd.
Tom stopped in his room and washed up, looked in the mirror, his eyes reflecting the many beers and the hour.
Both women seemed nice, he thought, with Casey being the spark plug. Although she was attractive, in a flirty way, he didn't see them as possible conquests. They were about twenty years his senior and he had never really been attracted to older women, despite current trends.
They were friendly and amusing, and didn't seem to mind his company,but he wouldn't wear it out, either.
When Casey arrived, Tommy was already there, another cold one in his hand. "What'll it be?"
"I'll have what you're having," she replied. "Even though I hate all the calories, I love a good beer once in a while."
