“Not tonight. I’m going to sit here and have my own pity party, then tomorrow, I’ll get back into the cruise. I’m not going to let Stephen and his hired henchmen ruin my New Year.”
“That’s the spirit,” Alice says. “For what it’s worth, I believe Jordan cared about you. That’s why he said he’s doomed.”
“He’s got balls,” Sylvester says. “Big bull balls.”
“I can’t believe you’re talking about his balls.” I cock my head, unable to follow the older man’s line of reasoning.
“He took you on all those dates knowing he would never win you at the end. I thought he was a lunatic.” Sylvester makes a rolling motion with his index finger pointed at his own head.
Alice presses my hand. “I think what we’re trying to say is that Jordan might have made a huge mistake, but he decided to give you the best five days he could.”
Her words bring a fresh bout of tears and I sniffle. “He did. Five days in paradise. He wants me to remember them. I think I’ll sit here and go over every moment again.”
“Yes, do that,” Sylvester says. “Remember the good and forget the bad.”
I remove the Van Gogh scarf Jordan gave me and hang it above my bunk. “He gave me this starry night so I can remember him.”
“It’s beautiful, and you never know what crazy things can happen on a starry night,” Alice says.
They both thank me for the presents I gave them and ask me again if I want to go to the casino.
“Tomorrow,” I promise. “I have to unpack now that I’m not leaving the ship.”
“See you tomorrow, then,” Alice says. “You can’t miss the big sale they’re going to be having on the promenade deck.”
“Or the New Year’s Eve party. Come with me and Alice,” Sylvester says. “We’ll have a threesome.”
“A threesome it is!” I manage to giggle. “There’s nothing better than ringing in the new year with friends.”
“And seashells.” Sylvester points to a conical shell hanging above Jordan’s bunk.
“Seashells?” I didn’t notice it before when I was packing his things. Did someone sneak into my cabin while I was eating dinner or arguing with Stephen?
But no.
I saw Jordan standing on the dock.
No way is he on this ship.
