Intro:
If you have not read last week’s blog post, which includes the intro and chapter 1, I suggest that you head there first. As mentioned last week, on of my goals this past year was to write a novel. Here it is. The plan is to post, here on my website, the first few chapters (I am thinking first 3 as of right now, so one more, to get a little feedback and generate interest). My observations is that those frequent readers are good readers and some writers themselves. Their feedback is extremely valuable. If you have the time, your feedback is so much appreciated. Chapter 2 takes more time to introduce the characters-I feel that good characterization early on helps develop the story, grabs the readers attention and sets the stage. Those are the goals of chapter 2. Here you go…
Table for Ten at Seven O’Clock
This is a work of fiction. names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or deceased or actual events are purely coincidental.
Embarkation onboard the SeaQuest Odyssey is like private banking at a fancy bank. There is no waiting in line and there are no crowds. The staff seems to know you by name by the second day. Leather luggage tags are sent in advance as well as a leather wallet for travel documents. Cruising on a ship with three-hundred fifty passengers is luxury at it’s finest. All rooms are suits with balconies. Rooms have a bedroom, a living area with a couch, table and two chairs. There is a walk in closet, a vanity in the entrance hall and the bathroom has both a bath tub and a shower along with two sinks. Each room is serviced by two stewards twice a day. From the time you get on board your worries are few. Luggage arrives shortly to your room after you do. Unpacking is the first order of business and a bar steward will come to your room to fill your requests for the ‘in room bar cabinet’ and refrigerator. The room stewardesses will take your requests for your Molton Brown bath products in the bathroom and your requests for turn down time. Yes, this is cruising at its’ finest.
To each room, a planner of the day’s meal times and minimal activities, docking times, departures, etc., is delivered in the evening. Dinner is at seven, served in the dining room. Should passengers wish for a more casual fare, another option is available with more of a relaxed buffet style service in the The Trattoria. Or, should you wish for dinner in your room, dining room selections will be served, waitstaff style at the glass table in your room. Most passengers opt for dinner in the dining room. It is not formal, but jackets are required (ties optional). Passengers who travel on SeaQuest don’t mind a dress code and look forward to a sit down dinner. Menus are published daily in the planner. Tables are assigned and changes can be made as needed. Some guests made arrangements in advance of “table for two” or table with guests they are traveling with and many return passengers on SeaQuest, return with friends they have met traveling on previous cruises on the line. SeaQuest has a generous loyalty program, rewarding frequent passengers with perks like laundry service while at sea, discounts, shipboard credit, complimentary excursions, spa treatments and even free days of cruising based on the number of days cruised on SeaQuest. It is like no other experience on the High Seas…
Nicholas and Margaux arrived in their room after booking their spa appointments. They each had a complimentary massage and they also booked an additional one for the second week. Margaux told Nicholas to go ahead and get his workout in while she quickly unpacked. Margaux liked to swim laps and she knew that the closer she waited to dinner time, the more likely the pool would be empty so she could get her workout in. ‘Efficient’ was a word her friends would frequently used to describe Margaux. Packing to her was a game. Knowing that laundry service was predictable and between that and the items she would wash in the sink and hang on the clothes line above the bath tub, she and Nicholas never overpacked and always had what they needed. Raising four kids and traveling with them over the years had given her many trips to practice on. She brought just what they needed and didn’t spend time fussing and more time enjoying their time away. Her carry on too was efficiently packed with only what she needed. Nicholas appreciated her no streamline attitude. After getting everything unpacked, she met the room stewardess duo who would be taking care of their room, Natalia & Vivienne took beverage requests as to what to have on hand and evening service times. After that, she pulled out her iPad to send a few emails to her staff at the women & children’s center back home and made a call to check in with her manager before ‘turning her mind off’ for a couple of weeks from work. She took pride in her role at the center she opened almost twelve years ago and most recently moved to mostly half time, hiring a new director so that she could travel more with Nicholas and help out with grandchildren when needed. It was so rewarding to her to see Moms take control of their lives and gain more confidence parenting. Margaux loved seeing the transformation in a young woman when she gained skills that could help her provide a good life for her family. It was so fulfilling for her to see what a difference it made. She and Nicholas had raised a good family and to take what they did and share it with others, she truly believed was her mission in life. The trips were time for for her to rest, refresh and to reflect as to what was next and where she could improved. God had been good to them and she was still feeling the desire to keep going, knowing that at some point, God and life may direct them differently, life for now was going as it should, she just needed to make sure that they took the time to enjoy the blessing in their life and one another…
Milt had gotten used to doing the things that Rosemarie had usually done prior to the accident. He didn’t mind and it all gave him a new appreciation for all of the tasks his wife did all of those years. He knew that she would be tired and needed to pay attention to how she was feeling and take breaks as needed. The accident and two years of surgery and therapies had most likely taken a toll on her. As the room stewards brought the luggage in to the room they offered to place one of the bags on the bed for the Sachs to start unpacking.
“We can help however you’d like us to.”
“If you can just place one of the bags on the bed, we’ll be ok and able to unpack, thanks.”
“Absolutely Dr. Sachs.”
“Milt, let me take it from here. I am ready to get back to doing the things I used to. It’s time.”
“I can at least get mine stuff.”
“No darling, you have done so much for me, for us and it’s so appreciated, but I need to, I want to. This trip is a new beginning. We got through the accident, the surgeries, the recoveries. I’ll take it easy, but let me try to get back to what I used to do.” The doctor said it’s time. Why don’t you sit on the balcony. When I get this bag emptied, you’ll need to help me get the second bag on the bed.” She hugged him. They had been through so much and now they were through it.
“It will take me time to get used to this Rosemarie. You are going to need to be ‘patient with me.’ You are right, it is time, it’s just been so long. Let me know when you need help. I’ll call to check-in with the kids.”
The gals got their preferences for the bathroom and bar and took off to give Milt and Rosemarie time to get settled…
“WOW, your parents really know how to travel! This room is huge. Much bigger than I anticipated!”
“So many be the cruise thing isn’t all bad after all.” Hugo laughed.
“My Dad used to have us watch the old “Love Boat” show and that must have been the photo I have in my mind, with the Doc, Gopher, Captain Stubing and Julie.”
“That was a fun show but it’s so not this! You’ll see. We used to watch it too. My Mom said that she babysat on Saturday nights when the show ran and she would get the kids in bed, make some popcorn and watch it. My Mom and Dad would take us on those big ships. They would do the small ships, just the two of them and tell us all about it. Yes, my parents are a little crazy about the cruise thing. I’m glad you have an open mind about it.”
“Your parents have been so good to me, Hugo. This will be fun, we’ll have plenty of time to talk about our plans what we both want, look at our calendars and plan our life together. I’m so happy! We have so much to look forward to.”
The room stewardesses came in to introduce themselves.
“Welcome! Your luggage will be arriving shortly, we just want to introduce ourselves and get your preferences for the bath and the bar cabinet and know if there is anything you need additional?”
“Dinner. What time will we be having dinner and we requested a table for two. Are we all set with that?” Oh and Hugo’s parents arranged for some spa credit, do you make those arrangement, or do I?”
“We’ll check on your dinner table and we can make your appointment or you can, you let us know what you’d like us to book and when and we’ll take care of it.”
“That sounds wonderful. Let me look at the itinerary here on the table and let me jot down on this nice paper when I’d like to book. Oh, and how does the laundry work?”
“You just place your items in the cloth bag in the walk-in closet here, and leave it on the bed. We’ll get it to you next day and give you a new bag. I hear a knock, here are your bags. We’ll bring them in for you and let us know if you’d like any help beyond that.”
“We’ll take it from there, just let us know on the dinner reservation. Thanks so much ladies.”
“Charlotte, I’ll be out on the balcony, I need to check in and make a few calls.”
“I’ll get us unpacked and settled.”
Valentina had everything packed in her two carryon bags. Not a woman who traveled with much, she anticipated maybe picking up a few little cotton dresses while in some of the small Mediterranean port towns. She was very no simple when it came to make-up and toiletries, face wash, a little sunscreen, bronzer, mascara and neutral lip color. Same with her hair, that was long and wavy, a little curl cream, body oil, used on hair and body. Simple was how she lived and traveled. Unpacking took little time and she would have time to stretch out, read, take a little nap followed by a bath and she’d be ready for dinner. She went through the paperwork the attendants left on her vanity. Dinner at seven, table for 10. She liked meeting new people. She wondered who the other ‘single,’ would be. Would it be a guy or gal, young or old. She really didn’t care, she was there to enjoy her newly found freedom since selling her restaurant. Delayed gratification was another phrase to describe Valentina. She had raised her kids, helped her parents and now it was her time to start enjoying. Being smart with her money had paid off and now it was time to start living…
The Coughlins were, as one of Susan’s book group friends had told her, “You need to re-invent yourselves, Susan. Phil had been busy with his career, Susan had been the art teacher and Mom and sort of took on the “Annie Hall meets the Talbots Mom look.” As a young college student, she had taken to the fitness craze and looking and feeling good was how she lived. Raising four girls, working and taking care of a family and home left little time for all of that. Susan got used to comfortable shoes, baggie jeans with sweaters and no longer dressed like the sexy slim co-ed that Phil had been attracted to. Both of them got side tracked, not from the family, but from the marriage. Phil built his career and reputation, one case at a time. He put his time in on each case, lived it and gave his clients his all. Susan and the girls were his priority, closely followed by his work. He too took little time over the years to take care of himself. His routine was usually up early, a half and hour on the treadmill before work, a long workday, he tried to get out early enough for dinner at home, a little work in his office at home, a little tv with Susan and early to bed. That was their weekly routine. Usually an evening out with friends on the weekend and dinner on Sunday with the family. College football or basketball during the season and the activities at the Shore in the summer. Susan had a her longtime book group of friends and they had their neighbors, most of whom worked in The City.
“Phil, I’ll get everything unpacked then I’m going to head up to the gym for a quick workout on the bike and with some weights. I’m turning over a new leaf on this trip in so many ways,”
“Ok. I’ll make a couple of call and a check on that excursion we’re on a waitlist for. It’s the trip to the small family vineyard, in Tuscany. Surly they can get another car or something to take us.” Let’s plan on drinks by the pool at 6:15 before dinner at 7. Can you be ready by then?”
“Oh, I’ll be ready,” Susan smiled and laughed to herself.
Susan was ready to turn over a new leaf. Years of a predictable routine had been good for their family life together. A stable career for Phil, fulfilling work for Susan, teaching art and having time to raise their daughters, really a life of so much good, but they had each slipped into ‘same ole, same ole.’ Susan had neglected herself, taking care of everyone else’s needs, her girls, her aging parents when needed, her students, helping her husband nurture his career, picking up the slack when he worked late or had to travel. There was no regret by her at all. That was the life she was glad to be part of and signed up for. Now though, that she would not have the responsibilities of a school schedule or needing to help her husband ‘nurture’ his career, she could focus on herself. Getting herself in shape, getting a gym membership, sprucing up her wardrobe up, maybe a new hairstyle, a new look and possibly new interests, like travel. Really her only interest besides work and family was Church, occasionally teaching Sunday school and her beloved book group. The book group was her ‘window to the world,’ it seemed like at times. It was a lovely group of ladies who mostly all raised children together. They met when their oldest kids were toddlers, sometimes once a week for the kids to play and for the Moms to catch up as well. As the kids got older, it turned into a book group, not really focused on kids anymore. Sometimes the book was a movie and it turned into a once a month event to look forward to, alternating at one another’s homes. The only new addition to the group was a gal who joined a couple of years ago, invited by Susan. She was the wife of one of Phil’s partners. Carl had lost his wife to a car accident when the kids were younger. After raising his two sons and getting them off to college, he started dating, eventually met a nice gal who was a nurse who never married, in her mid 40s. She’s a delightful outgoing gal, and she and Carl had made new life together. Everyone had loved Carl’s first wife Joyce. He didn’t think he would ever marry, he threw everything into his two kids and never felt the need for companionship, having a fulfilling career and two sons who were busy playing tennis. Between his family, neighbors and the tennis community, his life was full. Once his second son went off to college he life settled down a little. He did go to see the boys play at college on the weekends but his weeks were quiet. He joined the local gym and met Cosima in Spin class. She worked at the local hospital. Carl brought her to the office Christmas party and she and Susan became friends. As the relationship progressed, a proposal came and then marriage, Susan invited Cosima to the book group. Cosima brought interest to the book group. she had traveled the world taking assignments at resorts and as a private nurse for affluent people. She came back to the NY tristate area to care for her parents and took a stable job at the local hospital. Cosima caused a stir in the book group by introducing them to Jeanie from Glasgow.
When Cosima was working for a couple outside of London, she had a group of gal friends from the local gym and pub. The gals would frequently mention one of Britain’s most popular podcasters, Jeanie from Glasgow. Jeanie made waves on the podcast scene with her relationship advice to keep the spark going in longtime relationships. She got the book group interested and popular episodes made for intriguing conversation at the monthly book group, as in “Could you believe Jeanie’s Topic for last week’s podcast?!”
Susan finished unpacking, taking off some of the tags she had missed on some of the items she had newly purchased; spiky ankle straps sandals, to go with a couple of fitted sleeveless dresses. Susan had lost a little weight and had toned up over the last three months since school was out and it was fun to pick up some new clothes to show off her slightly sculpted, arms, shoulders and legs. Time to change clothes and get a quick workout in before starting evening activities…
Edward Cline carried his bags on, quickly settled in and took a nap. The evening activities looked good and he wanted to be able to enjoy drinks, dinner and the evening show. He liked to travel on SeaQuest. They hired good entertainment, usually a team of 6 young performers, 3 gals and 3 guys who were first rate singers and dancers, with a forte’ on singing. During the voyage, they would bring on local talent or performers who changed ships in the small port towns. SeaQuest attracted interesting passengers from around the globe. After dinner or the show, there were a couple of lounges/bars to socialize in and then there was The Circle, a sort of coffee shop with pastries, couches and lounge chairs. You could find a puzzle or grab a book from the shelves around The Circle or strike up conversations with others…
Phil came back to the room to shower and get ready for drinks before dinner. As he got his clothes out of the closet to lay them on the bed, he tripped over a shoe that he thought might have been left by a previous passenger because his wife didn’t own black spike heels shoes with ankle straps. They were her size. He looked at a couple of dresses on the end of the rack and he thought, those shoes looked like they would go with those dresses. This was not usually how she dressed. “Hum,” he thought, he’d get ready and wait for her to arrive at the pool bar…
Mary Yana Burau
