“We’ll be there with bells on,” Gloria promised.
“I bought a new dress for the occasion,” Liz said.
Ruth opened her mouth, ready to fire off a witty reply.
Anticipating it, Liz promptly shut her down. “I love shopping. Floyd loves making me happy. It’s a win-win.”
“Never change.” Millie patted her shoulder. “You’re a one-of-a-kind original, and we love you the way you are.”
“Thanks, Millie,” Liz sniffled. “At least someone understands me.”
“We understand you and love you too,” Gloria said. “Maybe we’re a smidgen jealous. I mean, you have it all.”
“We wouldn’t be here without you,” Margaret added. “Both you and Millie.”
“I’m so excited you were able to cruise with us again.” Millie reminded them of the dinner time before parting ways to drop her pup off and change into her work uniform.
While she dressed, she thought about Liz, Gloria and the others, each with unique and quirky personalities, yet complimenting one another, not unlike her own close-knit group—Danielle, Cat, Felix, Sharky and Annette. Having friends was as important as having family, and Millie was convinced she had the best.
*****
Millie’s eyes flew open. She instinctively reached for Nic, only to find his side of the bed was empty. She rolled over, a groan escaping her lips as she glanced at the clock: 6:15 a.m.
She threw the covers back and swung her legs over the side. First things first, she opened the curtains to check their location. South Seas Cay, Majestic Cruise Lines’ private island, sat off in the distance. Bright sunshine. Sandy beaches. Swaying palm trees and…towering waves.
Stepping closer, Millie guesstimated the wave height. “Those are some pretty big waves,” she told her pup, who sat watching her. “I hate to say it, but something tells me we’re in for a sea day.”
Moving quickly, she showered and dressed. Making the bed in record time, she hurried downstairs to find coffee and a note from Nic, telling her he loved her.
She let Scout out onto the balcony and discovered Siren of the Seas was sitting offshore, not moving closer to port. Although the skies were bright and sunny, a brisk wind loosened strands of her hair.
Millie finished her coffee, poured what was left in the pot into her to-go mug and hustled onto the bridge. Nic stood at the control panel, radio in hand and a somber look on his face.
She crossed the bridge, catching the tail end of his conversation. “…too risky. We’ll have to continue to our next port stop in Grand Turk. Full steam ahead to avoid the cold front that is creating these less-than-perfect sea conditions.”
“Yes, Captain.” Suharto signed off, promising to let the gangway crew know their private island stop was a “no go.”
“Another sea day?” Millie asked when he was done.
“Unfortunately. It’s too rough to dock or tender to shore.”
“I’ll let the passengers know. I’m sure they’re hanging out near the gangway, eager to get off.” Millie assured him she would make the announcement immediately. Exiting the bridge, she made a beeline for the sound booth.
Instead of Cameron, another technician sat inside the small room. “Morning, Millie.”
“Good morning.”
“You’re here early.”
“To break the bad news we won’t be getting off in South Seas Cay.”
“Bummer.”
Millie reached for the headphones. “A big bummer. South Seas is a favorite port stop.”
The technician adjusted the microphone. “Let me know when to hit the ‘live’ button.”
“Count of three.”
