Santa Cruise Read online

  “So what are you going to do now?” Amy was almost fretful.

  “I’m flying to New York after this. I have a meeting with a screenwriter who is developing something for television.”

  “Will you be in it?” Amy asked.

  “No. He wants me to help him write the script.” Nina went on to explain, “We worked on a few things a couple of years ago, and he liked my suggestions. In fact, he once told me I should consider writing for TV, but I was wrapped up in the show.” She shrugged.

  “Would it be a paying gig?” Rachael, the reformed business manager, queried. “Sorry. Don’t mean to be nosy, but I know what can happen when you’re not paying attention to the cash flow.”

  “Oh, believe me, I know all about cash flow. It seems to flow in one direction,” Nina quipped.

  “So what’s the plan?” Frankie interjected. She and Nina hadn’t gotten that far in their earlier chat.

  “I have enough money to last me for a few months. If this gig with Owen pans out, I’ll get paid well enough to move back to my parents’ house!” Nina cackled. “Actually, I had been thinking about my career and what I had to do next.”

  “And?” Rachael egged her on.

  “And I realized I had to do something. Anything besides what I had been doing.” Nina took a sip of her cocktail and gave it a sour look. “Well, the name is apropos. Anyway, I reached out to Owen and said I was looking for a change and remembered what he had said to me.”

  “Sounds like he’s interested.” Frankie’s face lit up. “Are you seriously thinking of moving back East?”

  “Yes, I am. My folks spend a good part of the year in Florida, so I would have the house to myself for at least five months. By then I should have a better idea of where my floundering career is going. And Ridgewood is an easy commute to the city.

  “I’m fairly sure it’s a done deal with Owen. I don’t want to jinx it, but he said the job is mine if I want it. It’s a matter of whether or not I like the concept and where he’s taking the story, blah, blah, blah.”

  “Who cares where he takes the story!” Rachael exclaimed.

  “I agree.” Frankie spoke up. “It’s an opportunity for you to hit reset, and you’ll have time to figure out a plan as you go. We know that no matter how much we plan, God often has a totally different idea in mind for us.”

  Rachael cackled, recalling her failed marriage. “If not Him, it would be your parents.” Her easy laughter was contagious, and the other women joined in.

  “Well, this is very exciting news.” Frankie put her arm around Nina’s shoulders. “We’ll be able to hang out. Especially if you’re working in the city.” Frankie raised her glass. “Here’s to Nina’s new adventure.”

  “Hear. Hear,” Amy cheered.

  “Salud,” came from Rachael.

  “Buona fortuna,” toasted Frankie.

  Nina’s eyes welled up with tears. “I am so, so happy we reconnected and that we’re going on this trip.”

  “Chica, we are already on this trip. ¡Fabulosa!” Rachael was excited, too. She would have a few gal pals to hang around with. Women who knew her. More importantly, who understood her.

  Nina broke into a huge smile. “There was a reason we met at that reunion. The one I almost skipped. Isn’t it funny, though? I was going to New York to audition for a part that I didn’t get but I met up with you guys, and here we are.”

  “Serendipitous, I would say.” Frankie raised her eyebrows a few times.

  “Oh my goodness.” Amy watched the parade of food heading in their direction. “That looks scrumptious.”

  “And it smells divine,” Frankie said.

  The waiter plated the food on individual dishes, dividing it among the four of them. They had to resist smacking their lips.

  Nina rubbed her hands together, ready to dig in, but Frankie stopped her. “Do you mind if we give thanks?”

  Nina broke into a big smile. “I think that would be most appropriate.”

  The women clasped hands and bowed their heads. Frankie spoke softly. “Thank you for this wonderful meal, our health, our families, our good fortune, and all the love. Amen.”

  “Amen, sister,” Rachael exclaimed. “Now let’s eat.”

  Moans and groans of delight echoed among them. The waiter watched from several feet away and smiled in satisfaction.

  “¡Muy bien!” Rachael gave him the thumbs-up. She remembered that in South America the OK sign we make with our thumb and forefinger has a totally different meaning. Thumbs-up was the way to go.

  Almost two hours later, they finished their meal. Amy stretched, her multiple bangle bracelets jangling. “I’m bushed.”

  “Me too.” Frankie stifled a yawn.

  “Yo también,” Rachael concurred.

  “As am I.” Nina finished the round of exhaustion.

  They divided the check and gave the waiter a handsome tip.

  “¡Feliz Navidad!” Everyone exchanged well-wishes for the holidays.

  The women returned to the hotel and called it a night. It was just the beginning.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Day 1

  Port of Miami to Key West

  As the women were packing their suitcases, Frankie reminded them to pack a change of clothes and whatever essentials they might need before their luggage got to their staterooms. “This might be a major challenge for you, Rachael. Pick one outfit. One. Capisce?”

  “OK. Fine.”

  “Unless you want to be lugging your luggage around, you may want to consider keeping it light,” Nina interjected.

  Rachael had five different outfits lying across the bed. “What do you think?” She pointed to a pair of red capri pants and a white sleeveless blouse with red piping.

  “I suppose you have a tote bag, shoes, hat, and sunglasses to match?”

  “It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t,” Rachael proclaimed.

  “We’d better check with each other to make sure we’re not dressing too much alike,” Frankie joked.

  “I doubt that will happen.” Nina gave her thumb a yank in Rachael’s direction.

  “Good point.”

  “Well, none of you have pink hair, so I think I’m safe,” Amy added.

  “Come on, ladies. We need to shake a leg if we’re going to get all of our bags out the door. We’re probably going to need two cabs. I’ll call the front desk so we don’t waste too much time.”

  Frankie called down and asked for two taxis, probably vans or SUVs. Shortly, a bellman appeared at the door of the suite with two rolling carts. “Ricky, from yesterday, told me you might need these.”

  “Sharp guy,” Nina said. Then she muttered to Frankie, “The nice tip we gave him paid off.”

  Clark, the bellman, began loading the carts with everyone’s belongings. Frankie counted the bags. Each had been tagged with the tickets they needed for the cruise. There were nine, not including their tote bags. She figured twenty dollars should be enough.

  As they made their way down the hall, Frankie wondered if everyone and everything would fit in the elevator. Clark made a suggestion. “You ladies take this elevator. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

  “Brilliant,” Nina exclaimed, as the four women entered the elevator and pushed the button for the lobby.

  Frankie gazed at her friends. “I must say, we look pretty terrific.”

  “Watch out, sailors, here we come!” Rachael just had to throw that in.

  Frankie looked at Nina. “Should I tell her, or do you want to?”

  “Tell her what?”

  “That this isn’t Fleet Week, and we’re on a singles cruise. Not a navy invasion.”

  “I heard that,” Rachael quipped. “Can’t I please have some fun? You know I’m being campy for fun.” She looked at her friends. “Right?”

  “Right?” she repeated.

  Nina started, “Babycakes, we love you, but sometimes you are over the top.” There, she had said it.

  “I know,” Rachael blurted out. “I
thought you realized I was just putting on a show. It’s fun.”

  “Fun for?” Nina asked.

  “For me?” Rachael questioned her in a kind way. “Am I really being that obnoxious that you can’t appreciate the underlying humor in it?”

  Nina paused before she answered. “That is an exceptionally good question. I guess I was tossing you into the barrel of ‘people who pretend too much.’” Nina paused. “It’s the Hollywood thing. Everyone there is over the top.”

  Rachael thought for a moment. “I never thought about it that way. You must be sick of people like me.” Rachael placed her arm on Nina’s shoulder. “I’m just trying to have fun, Nina. It’s not easy being a mom with a jerk for an ex and trying to run a business. I need to let loose for a few days.”

  Nina gave her a big hug. “Sorry, babe. I think it’s a knee-jerk reaction. Please. Have all the fun you want. Maybe it will rub off on me.”

  Rachael placed her elbow on Nina’s back and started massaging her shoulder blades. “I’m working on it. How’s this?”

  “Oh, honey pie. I think you’re on to something.”

  The elevator’s door opened, and the women marched out as if they were on a mission. And they were.

  Clark leaned lazily against the two carts outside on the sidewalk, waiting for one of the vans’ drivers to open the cargo area. Rachael’s things would probably take up most of it.

  They dropped their keys in the box and headed in Clark’s direction, going two at a time through the revolving doors, laughing like hyenas. Clark and the two van drivers managed to shove the luggage into the waiting vehicles, and the women jumped in. Amy couldn’t stop giggling. “I’m so excited.”

  “We heard you the first half-dozen times,” Nina said drolly.

  “Oh, stop being such a sourpuss.” Amy smacked her on the arm.

  “Kidding.” Nina broke into a huge smile. “I’m really excited, too. I cannot tell you how much I need this trip.”

  “The salt air, sun, and fun will do you good.” Amy was naturally perky.

  “No doubt.”

  The two vehicles pulled away from the hotel and headed to the port. The cabs took them through a tunnel that brought them to the docks, where over a dozen cruise ships were waiting. Their ship was docked at Terminal A. Within a few minutes, they arrived at the curb, where a porter was waiting with a dolly. He checked the bags to ensure they were properly marked for their cruise and pointed to the terminal entrance. “Right that way, ladies. Enjoy.”

  Amy dug into her bag and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and handed it to the porter. They must have dropped over one hundred dollars so far in tips. But they weren’t going to worry about it now. Each knew in advance that this wasn’t going to be a cheap getaway. They were going to spoil themselves. They all deserved it.

  The port terminal was similar to an airport’s. Once they went through security, they approached the area for passenger registration, where they were handed their keycards.

  The attendant told them the ship would be ready to board in an hour and they could relax in the lounge area. There would be an announcement when they could board.

  Amy resisted the temptation to repeat her mantra.

  “Go ahead. I know you want to say it,” Nina teased.

  “But it’s true! I am so excited.” Amy clapped her hands with glee.

  They found seats in the lounge area and plunked themselves down. Frankie could feel the tension start to leave her body. It had been a grueling year for publishing. Nina stretched out her long legs, allowing herself to relax. Rachael was checking out all the other people in the area, and Amy was snapping photos. She caught Nina in a yawn. “You better delete that right now, young lady. We will have no candid shots during this trip.” She was half-serious.

  “Back to being Miss Cranky Pants?” Amy made a face.

  Nina laughed. “No. Miss-Please-Don’t-Take-My-Photo-Unless-I’m-Ready-and-Smiling Pants. Deal?”

  “Deal,” Amy replied, with a big fake frown. Nina leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. She peeked for a second to make sure Amy wasn’t trying to be Annie Leibovitz, the famous photographer. “You can relax.” Amy put her phone back into her tote bag.

  “That’s a good idea,” Frankie said, nodding to Amy’s gesture. “Let’s try to unplug ourselves as much as possible.”

  “I’m all for that,” Nina muttered, without bothering to open her eyes.

  “I’ll have to check my e-mail from time to time,” Amy said sheepishly.

  “Why? Can’t they make biological warfare without you?” Nina muttered, her eyes still closed.

  “Ha. We don’t do that,” Amy protested. “At least I don’t think we do.” She tapped her forefinger to her chin. “Come to think of it, they don’t really tell us who the end user is.” She made a scrunchy face. “Well, all the more reason I hope I get this job I’ve been waiting to hear about.”

  Nina bolted upright. “Job? I thought you had the dream job. Gobs of money.”

  “To be honest, it’s lost its shine. I’m bored. B-O-R-E-D. Bored.”

  Amy was interrupted with an announcement. “Now boarding the Medallion of the Seas.”

  “Ha,” Amy chirped. “Speaking of board. Let’s go.”

  The women were giddy as they made their way up the glass gangway, where they were welcomed by the happy sounds of steel drums playing. The captain and several crew members formed a reception line, greeting the passengers as they boarded. “Welcome to the Medallion of the Seas.”

  “Glad you can join us.” Everyone was smiling and shaking hands. “We’re here to make your trip enjoyable.”

  “Your staterooms should be ready in an hour. And your luggage should be delivered shortly thereafter,” the bosun said in a deep baritone voice. “Complimentary cocktails are being served on the Sundeck Lounge.”

  “Ooh-la-la,” Rachael responded.

  “You just can’t turn it off, can you?” Nina chuckled and shook her head.

  “Watch and learn, chica,” Rachael said slyly.

  “I could use a few pointers, myself,” Frankie added.

  As expected, Rachael took the lead. “Can you direct us there, sir?”

  The bosun was in his late fifties, trim and proper. “Follow the railing.” He indicated with a nod. “You can’t miss it. Enjoy.”

  “Oh, we shall.” Rachael was close to doing a rumba dance, but Nina gave her a tug.

  “This way, missy.” Nina put her arm around Rachael. “I really do need some lessons in flirtation.”

  “You? Why do you say that?” Rachael was surprised that this successful actress would need help in that area.

  “Because being in the business I’m in, one cannot flirt without thinking it through to the point where you just don’t bother.”

  “I don’t get it,” Rachael replied, nodding and smiling to the other passengers.

  “I guess I’m just outta steam.”

  “Not to worry. We’ll fix that.” The sounds of the music continued, and Rachael moved to the rhythm.

  As they were reaching the open deck area, Amy stopped short.

  “What?” Nina asked. “Everything all right?”

  “Huh. I thought I saw someone who looked like my father.”

  “Your father?” the other three said in unison.

  “Must be the sea air.” Amy shrugged it off. “Or maybe it’s guilt for not spending any of the holidays with him.” She snickered. Ready to change the subject, she turned to Rachael. “So tell me, what’s the difference between ska, reggae, and calypso?” Amy asked.

  “Ska originated in Jamaica sometime in the early fifties. The groups often had horn sections. The group The Specials had a hit single about ten years ago called ‘A Message to You, Rudy.’ You’d recognize it if you heard it. ‘Stop your messing around . . . Rudy, a message to you.’ ” Rachael moved her hips as she sang the lyrics. “In the late sixties, reggae, which is a slower version of ska, came along. You know the Bob Marley song, ‘One Lov
e, One Heart’?” Again she sang the first verse. “That’s reggae.”

  “But we’re not going to Jamaica.” Amy looked confused.

  “No, but reggae, ska, calypso are considered music of the Caribbean. When we get to Mexico, you’ll hear something different, like mariachi, then meringue in Belize.”

  Frankie chuckled. “Boy, Rachael, you are coming in handy.”

  Rachael wiggled her hips. “¡Con mucho gusto!”

  There were several dozen people milling about the deck. A different steel-drum band was playing music similar to what they had heard when they boarded the ship. There were several bars set up, each with colorful flags and floral arrangements of white orchids and gold ribbon. The area was flanked with large wooden teak planters filled with exotic flowers. Gold and silver stars dotted the display. Hints of the holidays were all around, but without the palm trees with Christmas lights.

  The four women approached one of the bars and introduced themselves to the bartender. His name was Roger.

  “Good afternoon, ladies. May I present our signature drink?” he asked in a Caribbean accent.

  “It looks very pretty,” Amy cooed.

  “And it is delicious, I can assure you.” He smiled and handed each of them a pink frothy drink topped with a small colorful umbrella and matching straw.

  Frankie took a sip. “I’m liking this already.”

  Rachael leaned in. “So, Roger, what is your favorite part of this cruise?”

  “Watching people enjoy themselves.” Roger grinned.

  “Excellent answer,” Nina replied. “That’s what we need. Enjoyment.”

  “Oh, I am certain you lovely ladies will find much enjoyment. And if you cannot, then we will have to throw you overboard.” He let out a huge laugh. “We don’t want anyone leaving this ship who hasn’t had a good experience. Unbelievably bad publicity.” He laughed again.

  The women walked around, leisurely eyeing up the competition and the men. Rachael muttered a few “not too bad”s as they smiled their way through the crowd. They all greeted each other as if they had a secret salutation: “I know you’re probably mortified that you are on this cruise.” A few raised their eyebrows in acknowledgment of the covert greeting. It was almost comical.