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“So my choices are Rick or one of the other thousand guys on this ship?” I chuckled. “That’s a lot of dating in just ten days.”
“For the record, you’re down to nine days, so quit wasting time,” Kathleen laughed. “And next time you call us, you better have something more interesting to say than you spent the night in your room.”
“Unless it’s to tell us you weren’t alone. Then we want all the juicy details,” Meg teased.
“You’re going to be very disappointed,” I replied. “I am not having any…overnight guests.”
“God, I know if I was on that cruise, I’d be talking to every man who would listen,” Meg sighed.
“Then maybe you should’ve come instead of sending me?”
“It’s not my fiftieth birthday,” she replied. “But I won’t complain if you guys want to surprise me with a singles’ cruise next year.”
“That’s not fair. I’m already fifty-one and I never got a singles’ cruise,” Kathleen whined.
Meg and I laughed, then I added, “Because you’re not single.”
“Oh, yeah. Ralph probably would have an issue with it,” Kathleen giggled.
“Hey, I’ve got to go, there’s a knock on my door,” I said.
“Maybe it’s Rick,” Kathleen said brightly.
“Or maybe it’s the lunch I ordered,” I said, sarcastically.
“How can you work on a tan in your room?” she asked.
“Yeah. What a waste of a bikini,” Meg added.
They knocked again and I said, “Love you guys. Gotta go.” I ended the call and went to answer my door. It wasn’t my lunch delivery - it was the girl from the deck last night.
“Hi, how are you?” I asked in surprise.
“I’m good. I…I came to see if you were going to sign up for any of the activities today.”
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Kathleen and Meg had sent her to ask. “I was thinking about staying in today.”
“Oh, no. Are you feeling ill? I can get you something for motion sickness if you need it,” Betty offered.
“No. I’m not sick. I’m just…here to relax,” I half lied.
“You can relax on deck and get some vitamin D at the same time. Besides, how are you ever going to meet anyone sitting in your room?” she asked.
“I’m not really looking for anyone.”
Her eyes widened and nose wrinkled. “Why not? There are lots of guys here your age.” Then she leaned closer and whispered, “Is it a confidence thing? Because I get it. I don’t feel comfortable in a bikini. I think my thighs are chunky.”
Why was I having this conversation with someone who was younger than my own daughter? “No. I’m not insecure about my body, or about anything for that matter. I really am just looking for some quiet time,” I stated firmly.
“Okay. Well, if you change your mind, here’s a list of all the activities for the next few days. You can sign up or just show up.”
I took the flyer, knowing damn well it was going straight into the trash.
“I really hope you change your mind. It’s too nice a day not to be out looking at the ocean, and your room doesn’t even have a balcony,” she said.
I got the distinct feeling Betty would not leave me alone unless I gave her some hope that she’d see me later. “You’re right. Maybe I’ll have dinner on the deck tonight. Right now, I’m going to get some rest. I’m still tired.”
“Did you stay up all night reading?” she asked.
