I already saw the way Dolly made her feel—like she wasn’t good enough. I’d witnessed her jump to her cousin’s bidding. She was a comma among the characters of her family—unnoticed and overlooked. Hell if I was going to stand aside and let her take the fall for a bunch of souvenirs.
Taking the blame might ruin my chances of landing the Kiriakis gig, but I wasn’t going to give them any ammunition against Moti. I was already in trouble for breaking Captain Bailey’s cardinal rule: Thou shalt not hook up with the guests.
“It’s mine,” I said.
“Are you sure, Chef Alexandros?”
“Yes.” I handed the bag back.
Captain Bailey sighed and gave the security officer a nod. “Chef Alexandros, you are relieved of your duties effective immediately.”
“Please come with me,” David said. “You’ll be placed in confinement until we arrive at the next port, at which point, you may request a lawyer.”
The dining room was filled with anticipation when I walked in.
In contrast to our first night around the table, all the empty, unexplored days had been filled and we were coming together with our lines and edges redrawn by the experience.
“Moti.” Nikos rose from his seat and led me to the table. “How are you feeling?”
“Come sit next to me,beta.” Naani patted the empty chair beside her.
“What are you doing here?” Dolly got out of her chair. “You should be in bed. Come, I’ll take you back.”
“I’m fine,” I replied, shaking her hand off my elbow and settling down beside Naani. “I’d much rather be around everyone, and I don’t want to miss the farewell dinner.”
Every time I closed my eyes, I woke up with my heart hammering, clawing at the bedsheets like I was trying to rip breathing holes through a layer of cellophane. My accident had also dampened everyone’s spirits. They’d all stopped in to check on me. The last thing I wanted to do was weigh down Thomas and Isabelle’s wedding celebrations.
“It wouldn’t be the same without you,” Isabelle said. She looked stunning in a floor-length blush gown.
Everyone was dressed in formal attire for the last night on the yacht. I did a double take when I saw Captain Bailey. She was still in her uniform, but her hair was down and her face softened with makeup. She sat at the head of the table with George on one side, and Joseph Uncle on the other. My eyes went around the rest of the table, chair by chair: Kassia, Rachel Auntie, Fia, Teri, Dolly, Isabelle, Thomas, Nikos, Naani.
And me.
Thirteen of us gathered for the farewell dinner.
Hannah arrived with our food. Her manner was cheerful and professional when she set Nikos’s dinner in front of him. No sign of their earlier altercation.
“I’m glad you decided to join us, Moti,” she said. Then she turned to the steward who was assisting her. “Cancel the room service for Cabin Five and bring it to the table. It’s the special meal on the counter.”
The steward left to get my dinner and Hannah stepped back to introduce the first course.
“Given the events of the day…” She shot a quick look at Captain Bailey. “Chef Alexandros could not prepare the menu he originally planned for tonight. The good news is he still put together something special. The bad news is it’s just one course, followed by dessert. I hope you enjoy.”
“It looks delicious,” George said, admiring his artfully assembled plate. “What is it?”
“To be honest,” Hannah said, “Chef Alexandros didn’t say, but all special requests have been accommodated, so you can dig in with no reservations.”
“A mystery dish on the last night,” Joseph Uncle said. “How intriguing. Chef Alexandros is a hero for saving our Motiandwhipping up a meal for us.”
“To Chef Alexandros.” Isabelle and Thomas raised their glasses. The rest of us followed.
“A light meal for you.” Hannah took the tray from her assistant and served me a bowl of what the doctor had ordered.
“Thank you.” I wasn’t hungry, but the aroma beckoned like genie hands rising from the broth.
As always, the table went quiet while we ate, each of us immersed in our own experience. It was never just a meal. It was emotions, memories, textures, flavors—crisscrossed together, like a net woven in Alex’s kitchen to capture our senses.
With each spoonful of broth, my belly turned warmer and warmer—at first a pleasant, glowing sensation, and then, as I continued, the heat churned higher and higher. All the hidden, burning things inside me came clamoring to the surface, gasping for air.
