Story Veta (Book 1) (complete)

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 46 and 47: Oct 15 & 16 – Cruise the Atlantic Ocean

Simply did not feel like writing yesterday. Not to mention that I was out and about in company. I will admit that it was enjoyable to socialize with adults and converse about things other than lessons, lesson plans, and birds or sand. I met passengers for the first time I only had seen in passing. I even enjoyed a glass of wine, but it wasn’t until after I had escorted Frankie to his cabin for the night.

Tonight was somewhat the same though I did not stay in company after taking Frankie back to his cabin. Ostensibly it was because we have two moderately strenuous excursions tomorrow but in reality, it is because the two Knuckleheads – my name for the Harrington brothers – were getting bored and starting to attempt to get my attention. What a couple of immature jerks. They acted like they were doing me a favor. No woman finds that appealing. I would have set them straight but that would have meant admitting that I had noticed them in the first place. But I suppose they come by it somewhat naturally as their father is equally as crass though some of the women seem to enjoy his attention. But with his wife right there?! Crass isn’t strong enough a word for it. Even Madam seems to accept his “admiration” in stride. I just could never. Ick.

The other reason I did not feel like writing was that the news is full of politics. Everyone everywhere seems to be losing their minds for various reasons. France has bands of unruly youth roaming at will, jobless, and with nothing better to do than wreak havoc and burn cars. Car burning seems to be the favorite sport of the young and disenfranchised in certain parts of the world. Germany is suffering from riots by immigrant groups doing battle with people who no longer want to pay for their upkeep. This continues to drag their economy down and it hasn’t been healthy for years when all of the loans they made to countries in the EU began to come due with nothing but air being paid. They are still trying to figure out how do you foreclose on an entire country.

The Mediterranean is a mess of boat people trying to sneak into various countries, only they are now being met with military resistance … and some boats are being sunk when they refuse to turn around and go back where they came from. I mean it is just insane that a small, overloaded boat will try and play chicken with an armored military gun boat.

The cartels in Mexico, after being declared terrorist organizations by the US and Canada a few years ago, are turning that country into a no man’s land as they regain the position they lost for a while. Guatemala is in imminent danger of collapsing even worse than Venezuela did, and reigniting a civil war over with for decades. Costa Rica is hemmed in on both sides by countries that are on their way to collapse as well, Panama the worse of the two and desperately trying to keep tourists bringing in dollars and keeping the Panama Canal from being taken over.

Several Canadian provinces are struggling to deal with a large illegal immigrant problem. I do not want to even think about some of what is coming out of the US … adults acting like children because their political party is not dictating policy, refusing to pay the pills they created (student loans), immigration laws still in flux to the point that some states allow just anyone to come across with impunity and as a result there are murders and crime they refuse to even recognize or report on. While at the same time social services being overwhelmed and already unable to help the people already in the USA. We had started to get a handle on that sort of thing and it is now returning in even greater number and violence. The thing that really got me was that a fire was intentionally started in a deportation holding facility by gang members refusing to be deported. A lot of people died, including children. That was bad enough.

The rest of the story is that a female journalist was doing a live report from the scene. Suddenly a man … supposed gangbanger though since he was wearing a mask like the Resistance he could have been anyone … jumped into the scene and slit her throat. The camera kept rolling while everyone was in shock. “You stole what was OURS! Now we take it back!!” He and some others started shooting into the air and yelling and then started shooting into the crowd that had gathered. “Vida a la revolucion!” The cameraman went down, and they never even cut from the network everyone was simply in too much shock.

Now everyone is trying to blame the government for not taking out the gangs before now, but others are pointing out that certain states have been preventing deportation and implementation of the new immigration laws as well as taking the federal government to court to prevent some laws and executive orders that would have helped to address the rising crime problems from gangs and illegal immigrants. On the one hand the gangs and illegals have been emboldened with the latest large caravan surge coming across the border. On the other hand, the government is now refusing to use kid gloves when dealing with illegals … whether crossing or already in the country. And that includes most of the so-called “unaccompanied minors.” That’s a complete departure to what those currently in power have done in the past. Canada is also beginning to militarize their border which in and of itself is shocking.

Vit had much to say on the subject but I finally asked him to stop. “Yes. It is my country, but I just can’t take anymore.”

He was silent for a moment then said, “I wish you to add practicing self-defense to your mornings.”

Giving his request serious consideration I asked, “Do you really think we are going to run into that kind of stuff in the ports we are visiting?”

“I do not know for certain but even if we do not, some of the ports on the list have their own dangers. You will add to my peace of mind if you would do this for me.”

He was so serious I didn’t feel like I could deny him his request. “I’ll teach Frankie some simple ways to get loose from someone if they grab him. I already taught him a few in London but it won’t hurt to review them.”

Blatanty shocked he ased, “You taught him …?”

“Vit, I know what you sometimes can’t help but think. Me … a female alone … with a boy to protect … wandering around places that I’ve never been. Weren’t those your words? But I’ve told you all along I’m not as foolish as you think.”

“I never thought you foolish … reckless perhaps … but never foolish.”

“Either way it amounts to the same thing. And I’ll tell you again … I would never endanger Frankie. He has been placed in my care. And I’ll do anything necessary to keep him safe. And if you believe it prudent to review and practice some self-defense techniques, I bow to your greater experience.”

He stared at me then said, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Would you care to walk on the promenade?”

“I thought you were tired and that’s why you came to the cabin.”

He sighed. “I was tired of the Harringtons.”

Immediately understanding I said, “They do know how to put you in your place.”

“You as well?”

“Let’s just say I made a mistake thinking Mrs. Harrington is a whispy, fragile kind of woman.”

“I made the same mistake,” Vit said nodding. “She merely acts like that when her husband is about. She is as bad in her own way as her husband and sons.”

“If we see it why don’t other people?”

“Because we are ‘the help’ and we should not be interacting in society.”

Shocked despite my suspicions of the woman’s character I nearly choked on my tea. “She did not say that.”

“To my face? No. To Madam while Fraulein Hayworth was in the room … yes. Madam let her know in no uncertain terms that she would do as she pleased, and the Harrington woman could like it or not, that it did not matter. She further stated that it would be better for her to look to the behavior of her sons and not Madam’s staff members.”

“Oh my lord. Did they simply act like you weren’t in the room?!”

He shrugged. “I am used to it. Working on the yacht was like being a piece of the furniture most of the time. But I could tell that Fraulein Hayworth was shocked at the woman’s criticism. I take from that that very few have the temerity to try and tell Madam what to do.”

“So does this mean that you are discouraging Nicholas from befriending the Knuckleheads?”

He not only knew but agreed with my description of the Harrington brothers. “Not precisely,” he answered. “I simply intend to keep him as busy as possible during port days that when he does associate with them … he will not have the energy to behave irresponsibly.”

“And on Sea Days?”

“Exercise to keep in shape for sports. I noticed that Frankie seemed suspicious of his brother’s invitation to swim.”

“Saw that did you. Well, I told him not to look a gift horse in the mouth. It may be that he still wants to be brothers and just to be kind and not drop him like a hot potato … he can always adjust his calendar if Nicholas begins to drift away again.”

“And what did the boy say to that?” Vit asked with a chuckle.

“Not much. He runs deeper than he at first lets on. He will be cautious but admits that perhaps his brother might not like the Harrington brothers as much as he thought. They are a year and two older than him and may not have the goals that Nicholas has.”

“You are a sneaky woman Veta Petric.”

“I learned by watching Momma and my sisters deal with children. And it is not as if it is not true, I simply gave Frankie the opportunity to be flexible in case what he wants does not come to pass … but to at least give Nicholas the chance to live up to the title of big brother some of the time.”

Rather than take a walk on the promenade where we might run into other people, we had tea on the veranda. It has been nice. But I think it is time for both of us to get some rest. It is a shame that we cannot leave the sliders open as there is a breeze blowing and Vit seems to enjoy it. He is practically asleep and I hate to rouse him.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 48: Oct 17 – St. John’s, Antigua

I love the Caribbean. It is so nice and warm. An incredibly pleasant change from what the cruise was the first month. Month. Now month and a half. Wow. I only went on a cruise once and that was with Angelia and her family and that was for seven days and I thought I was going stir crazy then. And now I almost dream of sea days so I can relax a bit and catch up. I never would have believed it. And another two hundred days to go. Can I say wow again without getting repetitive?

Today was Antigua. In the Leeward Islands. Named by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Population a little over eighty-one thousand. They are young as a country, having gained their independence in 1981. The currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (EC) but just about anywhere you go they accept US Dollars as well. The exchange rate is always in favor of the locals because it takes roughly 3 ECs to make 1 US$ but the store owners usually make out that it only takes 2 ECs. I learned to be very careful which currency I bought things in. Especially when I purchased a pendant and earrings made from locally mined lavender jade. I don’t know why I did something so unlike myself, but I saw the set and … it called to me. I swear I feel silly but that’s exactly how it felt. Perhaps I will have occasion to wear it on the ship but for now it is locked inside a small, traveling jewelry box that the jeweler included with the purchase.

We got into port at 7:30 this morning and were soon off on our first excursion of the day where we discovered Antigua’s British-flavored past and its lush landscapes. Yes, I said “lush.” How often do we use that word in modern conversation? We drove with a guide into the tropical countryside, passing picturesque villages and gently rolling hills. At English Harbor, used by the British fleet in the 18th century, we took in the coastal view from Shirley Heights Lookout, 446 feet above the sea on a sheer cliff. This was the principal British fortification. Back at the harbor’s edge, we stopped to explore Nelson’s Dockyard, one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated sites. The yard was named for Admiral Horatio Nelson, who commanded the navy here for three years. It is the last remaining Georgian dockyard still in use today. We explored the Admiral’s Inn, a museum and art gallery. And while it wasn’t as grand as they made it out to be, it was still very interesting.

We didn’t even have to return to the ship to start our next excursion, which was nice though I was careful to provide Frankie a snack to keep from using the debit card on meals. We met our guide and transferred by shuttle to Fort James Beach. There, we received instructions and the safety rules before stepping onto our Segway very much the same procedure when we done it in Canada. We followed our guide up paved paths to the large wooden gates of Fort James, built in 1706 by the British to fend off French invasion. It was strange to explore the citadel on a Segway but that’s exactly what we did before returning to the beach to glide past beachside parks, fruit trees and endless sand. Our guide was pretty good, certainly had a good sense of humor and was always smiling, and he shared the island’s history as we explored. It was nice that he paid special attention to Frankie and understood he would be writing a school report. We paused just long enough at one of the beach bars to get a drink and I wasn’t the only one that needed it at that point. We also took the time to relax on the beach before finally returning to the ship. I will definitely give that tour group a positive review on Tripadvisor, assuming I can find the time and connection to get it posted.

We got back to the ship a little earlier than I had allowed for, even including the time we spent in a cruise port market. I picked up a few odds for our snack supplies, like tamarind balls (candy made from Tamarind) and candied pineapple (made from the locally grown and famous black pineapples). We also split a sampler plate of Antiguan specialties: fungee (cornmeal and okra dumplings), pepperpot (a hearty stew made with salted beef), roti (patties made with curried potatoes and meat), ducana (grated sweet potato mixed with coconut, sugar, and spices and steamed in a banana leaf), and to drink with had Ting which is a kind of grapefruit soda. Frankie was a good sport about it and I treated it as a cultural lesson. According to Frankie so long as he gets to have his “pool grill food” sometimes then he’s okay with the weird stuff I make him try.

We weren’t due to pull out until 6 pm and that was still a few hours off so I asked Frankie if he would like to go swimming. My question was met with enthusiasm – after all the hot dogs were near the pool – and that’s where we were when there were suddenly two large cannonballs … the jumping kind, not the kind from the fort.

Frankie and I weren’t the only people to take exception to the performance put on by the Knuckleheads otherwise known as the Harrington Brothers. I left them to be dealt with by the crew and the other guests and I got Frankie and I out of the pool and into robes.

“Aw, we didn’t mean to run you off!” one of them said in sing song.

I ignored them and continued to walk away. When we were far enough Frankie asked, “Why do they have to be such jerks? We were having fun. Why did we have to be the ones to leave?”

“Because they want attention and we aren’t going to give it to them. Let other people have that particular joy.”

Frankie gave me a cautious look and then said, “Er … you sound really angry.”

“Not at you.”

“At them?”

I sighed. “Frankie it is just … grown up stuff.”

“Oh. They’re trying to get you to notice them … like a girl notice them.”

Regretfully I admitted, “I’m sorry but It would appear so. Fortunately for all of us I have more than two braincells to rub together and get a spark. There is no way on God’s green earth I am going to pay the kind of attention to them they are looking for. Hopefully they will grow bored soon enough and find something more constructive to do with their time. Now let’s make ourselves presentable and we’ll watch the ship pull out and then I believe you and Nicholas are supposed to see a movie.”

There was a cough of amusement and I was mortified to realize I’d been overheard by none other than Madam and Miss Hayworth.

“Grandmother! I rode another Segway! Thank you!! I’d give you a hug but I’m wet.”

“So I see,” she said with a smile. “And did I hear correctly? You and your brother are going to see a movie together?”

“Unless he has something to do.”

“Not that I am aware of. I tell you what, how about walking your ol’ grandmother to her suite like a gentleman.”

“You’re not old. Nickie said you rode a bike.”

“And so I did. Which is why I would like to go to my cabin. It has been some time since last time I rode a bicycle.”

“I bet you need some liniment. Nickie uses it when his muscles get sore.”

“An excellent bit of advice.”

I watched them turn the corner and then turned back to Miss Hayworth. “I apologize for my remarks.”

“Don’t. It put our mind at rest that those Harringtons would be unable to turn your head.”

Sotto voice I muttered, “Only to spit.” That caused her to chuckle once again.

“I’m afraid they’ve ingratiated themselves with some of the passengers. So long as their foibles are kept to a minimum they will be overlooked. However … and I don’t want to assume the worst … but should their attentions become obnoxious, please do not hesitate to report them.”

“My goal is to avoid it getting to that point.”

“Very good. And … a word of advice.” She pulled me to the side. “It isn’t really the boys or their father that you need to watch out for. Mrs. Harrington is not what she seems to be. One would think her the victim but …”

“I’ve noticed,” was all I said, and she nodded then allowed me to go my way as Frankie came back down the hall.

I was surprised to find Vit asleep on one of the loungers on our veranda and then wondered if he had been there the entire time. I left him as I went to change. When I finished he was still there.

“Vit?” I asked whispered.

“Hmph?”

“How long have you been asleep out here? You need to turn over and roast on the other side for a bit. This side is pink enough.”

He slowly rolled over but didn’t really wake up. I sprayed his back and the back of his legs with sunscreen and just shook my head but left him lay. I left the cabin and collected Frankie but found Nicholas in the cabin with him.

“How’s Mr. D?”

“What do you mean how is Mr. D?” I asked suspiciously.

“The ship doc gave him something for pain and he said he was going to sleep it off. Isn’t he in your cabin?”

Alarmed I asked, “Why would the ship’s doctor need to give him something for pain?”

“Er … when we were sailing the line came loose on the sail thing and it swung before the crew could catch it and it knocked Mr. D out of the boat.”

“What?! Oh Lord, and I left him asleep! Frankie stay with your brother and …”

“Whoa … he doesn’t have a concussion, just a pulled muscle or something like that. He wasn’t happy about the pill, but it was the captain that recommended it as he has taken a few tumbles like that he said. Mostly I think the doc said it would help him sleep off the worst of the pain today so he would only need an aspirin tomorrow and the next day.”

“Nicholas I hate to ask but can you take Frankie to dinner please? And are you still able to go to the movies?”

“Actually I was going to see if he wanted to do room service here and a movie on the boob toob. Kinda getting tired of … you know … certain company trying to egg me on. Mr. D makes it so I don’t have to fight. If he isn’t going to be there …”

Approvingly I told him, “Sounds like a plan. Please let your grandmother know you are eating in instead of in company and …”

“Already did. She said it was okay, that she and Miss Hayworth were going to do the same as they have a pretty full day planned for tomorrow. You think Mr. D is going to be okay to go on the excursions we have planned? I think we’re supposed to go with you and Frankie all day.”

“Plan as if he is and, if you don’t mind, I will stay in the cabin and keep an eye on him. Concussion or no, I’ve yet to see him sleep in the middle of the day. I should have known something was up when I found him like that and he didn’t do much but roll over when I told him to baste on the other side.”

“Wow, he sounds out of it.”

“Yes, so let me return to the cabin.” I asked my charge, “Are you okay with the change in plans?”

“Sure. Nickie and I can have our own party or something. Is Mr. D going to be okay?”

“I’m sure he is but some people do not react to medication in expected ways. Since I don’t know if this is normal for him or not I would prefer someone to keep an eye on him. About like when you tried to get a cold and I gave you that tussin. I kept an eye on you until I was sure that you were going to react to it even when you said you didn’t have any allergies.”

“Yeah but Mr. D isn’t a kid.”

“Hmmm,” was all I said but it made both Frankie and Nicholas laugh for some reason.

I returned to the cabin only this time to look Vit over with a closer eye. What I had thought was bands across his back from sleeping in the lounger was actually bruising. Before he got too deeply asleep I woke him and made him go lay in his bed. He was pretty out of it, but I did manage to get him to drink some water.

“You need to eat something.”

“Sleep,” he said in Ukrainian. Then using saltier language than I had ever heard him use he told me what happened, described the lack of competence of one of the young crew members on the sailboat, and then how there was an accident report and the captain himself checked on him while he was in sick bay. He also had some salty words for the pain pills and how he did not like taking them. Finally, he trailed off and went back to the twilight doze I had found him in.

Some people have a lower tolerance for narcotics and he likely has a prejudice against them due to his previous pirate injuries. Anichka may play into his attitude toward them as well. Whatever the reason I decided to remain in the cabin to keep an eye on him. I called and let Miss Hayworth know and also to apprise them of Frankie’s whereabouts.

“That’s fine Dear and Nickie had already mentioned it. I believe a quiet evening for us all is not a bad thing. Madam is beginning to develop the sniffles and may make a very early night of it herself.”

“Would you like me to bring you anything?”

“No. Our steward is very efficient. But thank you for asking. Just keep an eye on Vit and the boys please.”

“Yes ma’am.”

So that is what I have done with my evening. Vit woke enough to drink the broth that I had ordered from the kitchen for him. The ship’s doctor stopped by and said that Vit had mentioned not being very tolerant to pain medication confirming my earlier suspicions, but that he should be fine if a bit sore for tomorrow. I have added a small bottle of Tylenol to my backpack just to be safe. The doctor explained that it wasn’t so much the ship’s boom but the ropes on the boom that caused the pain as Vit had moved fast enough that he nearly avoided getting knocked overboard. All I could think of was what would have happened had he been hit in the head instead of merely “pushed.”

I believe it is late enough that I can now go to sleep without worry. The brothers are already asleep, and Vit seems to be completely asleep and not just out of it. I wish Derrick was here, or at least available to call. I nearly did but the signal was terrible, I barely got the photos of the day uploaded before it dropped. And tomorrow does promise to be demanding.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 49: Oct 18 – Roseau, Dominica

Holy smokes. I finally got Vit to just give it up and go to bed. Poor guy is pretty sore, but he refused to do much more than take a couple of Tylenols. I woke up this morning to find him in the shower and not in a happy mood. He didn’t lash out at me, but his stoicism was very much on display. I found out he has a secret vice … he likes warm Dr. Pepper. Ew. He drank that in place of his morning tea along with some Tylenol and some eggs and toast I insisted he eat since he hadn’t had much the day before and I didn’t want the pain meds to irritate his stomach. It was I that went to go wake the brothers, but they were both already up and being silly which told me they were excited. All I hoped was that their high energy wasn’t too much for Vit to take in the state he was in … trying not to show he was in I should say.

We spent the day in Roseau, Dominica. It is considered an island country of the West Indies and is one of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It is small at only 290 square miles and has a population of seventy-four thousand people. Dominica uses the same currency as Antigua which was nice because it meant I could use the ECs that I had leftover from my original bank run for currencies.

You know I am very adventurous where food is concerned but I draw the line at fish for breakfast. The smell just gets to me. Well today on the buffet they had “saltfish and bakes,” a dish famous in Dominica. Saltfish is exactly what it sounds like and “bakes” is a type of fried bread. Liked the bread, avoided the fish much to Frankie’s amusement, having finally found something that Miss Veta won’t eat. Ha ha. Very funny. But at least we were fortified for the day. And we needed it.

Our first activity was an off-road 4x4 adventure. And by off-road, I mean off any kind of reasonable facsimile of a civilized road. We were bumped and joggled so much my stomach felt like a milkshake machine and if I felt it, I can imagine how it made Vit feel. The 4x4 was a colorfully painted, open air Mercedes-Benz Unimog … or so we were told. To me it looked like an oversized safari jeep, especially given the way it was painted. We took a short scenic drive through the town of Roseau and then up Morne Bruce for sweeping views of the city below. We wound our way through the mountains to renowned Trafalgar Falls, where we took a brief walk through the rainforest to view of the cascading “Mother” and “Father” falls. We continued a bit deeper into the rainforest to get a view of picturesque Titou Gorge, a natural crevice used as a film location for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. I’m not a real fan of that movie franchise but the boys were despite it being pretty old and thought it cool. Once there we took a dip in the hot and cold streams that intermingled in a natural plunging rock pool. I noticed that Vit stayed in the warmest part of the stream and I kept the brothers occupied so that he could have a little quiet.

We enjoyed a glass of fruit juice – or rum punch for those that wanted it – after our dip before we were transferred to our next activity which was tubing down the Layou River

We took another scenic drive to our launch site where we meet a couple of guides that gave us a short safety briefing. I made sure the brothers were listening, having to poke Frankie when I caught him staring off at some birds. I had Nicholas help Frankie and I helped Vit. Vit insisted on checking mine over and I let him even though I’ve spent almost a lifetime around water and wearing life vests. We were also assigned a modified inner tube and paddle. I had to help all three of them get into their tube once we were in the water.

One of the guides smiled and said, “You’ve done this a few times.”

“A few,” I told him laughing.

We gently spun and swirled in the current as we made our way down the river past lush tropical scenery. Along the way, we enjoyed a stop to partake in a popular local pastime—river bathing—before continuing to our end point. We returned to a reception center where we dried off and got another round of refreshments that included more fresh fruit and another rum punch for those so inclined. I handed one to Vit and after only a moment he started sipping it. As we rode back to the ship Vit became very stiff. Yes, some of it was his stoicism but it was obvious to me, if no one else, that he was in pain and holding himself rigid to keep from feeling the rocking of our vehicle.

Before we could embark, we had to run the gamut of the busy cruise market. We didn’t spend a lot of time but somehow, I managed to spend more money than I had intended. Post cards first but after that I bought some dried tropical herbs and spices that were a quarter of what I would have had to pay for them at home, and I also bought a selection of tropical jams and jellies such as guava, banana, grapefruit, lime, and mango. If I don’t wind up sending them home, they’ll be great for having tea and muffins or scones in the cabin.

Back on the ship the brothers decided to take another dip in the pool before dinner and I heard that their plans to eat with their grandmother had changed, that she needed to rest. I asked if they wanted to eat in the buffet, their cabin, or ours. Vit muttered buffet so that is what we did but I insisted that Vit sit and I would bring him a plate. It showed just how uncomfortable he was that he allowed me to.

The brothers opted to go to the pool after dinner and I encouraged Vit to get into the hot tub. By nine o’clock the brothers were ready to head to their cabin and I managed to get a nearly melted Vit out of the hot tub and back to our cabin. I poured him into his bed after his personal recriminations for not pulling his weight today got on my nerves.

“You were knocked out of the flipping boat Vit. We’re lucky it didn’t take your head off. Now stop being such a hard-headed Cossack and let us take care of you so you can be there for us if something happens to us next time.”

After a little more grumbling – and an apology for his language the preceding night which he must have remembered – he finally agreed to another dose of Tylenol and sleep. It is odd knowing he is there but asleep for some reason. Or maybe it is that I know he doesn’t feel well, and I feel bad for him. Either way I am going to put this down and get a little real work finished. Tomorrow is St. Kitts and while I am not sure what their morning is going to be like, ours is rather staid followed by a very demanding rainforest hike which they are supposed to be doing with us. I needn’t wonder if Vit will be there, he will undoubtedly be insulted if I was to think he might not.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 50: Oct 19 – St. Kitt’s (Basseterre), St. Kitt’s & Nevis

Looking back at last night’s prediction I have to say the morning excursion was not quite as staid and easy as I had thought it would be. I would call it moderate and mostly because Frankie, I, and a couple of other people in our group took full advantage of our free time and did some extra exploring. It is also a landmark day. We have been on this cruise for fifty days. That means there are less than 200 days to go but that is still more than half a year. Good heavens, I prepared for this journey so quickly and have been so busy that I don’t think I’ve had to really contemplate what the time meant. Now I am so busy on most days that I still don’t want to contemplate it. Seeing Derrick and Charlie in Boston has kept me from melting down as well. I know it will hit me soon … sooner rather than later. I suppose I will just have to deal with it then. As I must deal with the quiet lack of emails and phone calls that occasionally eats at me. Comments on my posted pictures are nice, but I miss them. I wonder if they miss me or if they are just glad I am one less thing they have to worry about right now. Enough of that Veta.

Today was St. Kitt’s. I was here with Momma and Poppa when I was about eight or nine. It was before Momma’s pains made it too difficult for her to travel. It was for some medical mission conference is all I really remember. Mostly what I remember is that Momma and I spent a lot of time in the hotel’s garden. I’m not sure if it is the island that has changed or if I am simply seeing a different side.

Our day started off with a drive into Basseterre, one of the oldest towns in the Eastern Caribbean, via guided bus tour of course. We were there to admire the impressive Victorian and Georgian architecture and view important landmarks such as the Berkeley Memorial Clock Tower and Independence Square, once a slave market and today host to a picturesque fountain and a centuries-old church. That helped me to sneak in some history and geography and Frankie let me without making a fuss. Later, we stopped at the Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden. At the 300-year-old colonial property, we explored perfectly preserved rooms, including the original kitchen with its volcanic stone and brick oven and the bathing room with its sun-warmed bath. Talk about eco-friendly. We then followed a stone bridge to a tropical botanical garden, where many of the plants such as palms and fruit trees date back as far as the 1700s. The garden is where our free time came in and Frankie and I both used it to do a lot of photography to compare and contrast the plants for a science project. I also purchased some of their specialty rums such as mango rum and lime rum. Yes, I know. Angelia is probably going to wonder what I am up to assuming she doesn’t carry the tales of my alcoholic packages to any of the others. I mitigated that a bit by also buying a couple of hot sauces and some delicious guava paste. The paste I will eat on the ship. The hot sauce may make its way into some of the brats’ meals if they are lucky.

A traffic snarl kept us from returning to the ship as quickly as I had anticipated so I was glad that I had us dress so that we wouldn’t have to change, including the sturdy shoes we needed for our second excursion. There wasn’t even time to get lunch but that was at least temporarily fixed by Miss Veta’s Magic Packback. And a good thing that I had packed for just in case because Vit and Nicholas were both hungry when we met up with them. The box-lunch that was supposed to be included in their morning excursion barely qualified as a snack. There was a vendor just off the pier and I hurried over and lucky for me they accepted US$ and not just the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. I probably lost in the transaction but Vit and the boys needed something other than a granola bar and crackers.

It wasn’t long after that that our guide showed up. We drove to Romney Manor gardens & Caribelle Batik Studios. Here, we explored the beautifully tended gardens and saw how artisans produced a local specialty item … colorful batik fabrics. Yes, I bought a couple of pieces. One will be a scarf and the other I am saving for Angelia who has taken up quilting. After that we traced the Leeward Coast with its magnificent views of sweeping valleys, sugarcane fields and emerald-hued mountains. We arrived at our trailhead to begin what was described on our ticket as an exhilarating nature walk into a lush tropical rainforest. There’s that word lush again, but it is hard not to use. Our hike followed a loop trail deep into the jungle. As we hiked, our guide pointed out some of the flora and provided an overview of this remarkable ecosystem. The hike lasted two hours and by the time we finished there were some people who were lagging, but I was happy to see that Vit wasn’t one of them. He wasn’t his usual self, but I could tell he wasn’t in the same amount of pain he had been in yesterday.

The gold at the end of the rainbow … um, hike … as far as the brothers were concerned was the fresh juice, fruits and pastries that were offered as we were told old island tales. Those that desired could also have a rum drink. Vit looked at me and I shook my head that I didn’t want one, but he was actually asking if I minded if he had one.

“Why should I mind?” I asked.

“Because you do not.”

“That doesn’t mean I am dictating to you.”

“You are certain?”

“Vit … just have one if you want one. I’m just not much of a drinker. A glass of wine now and again, some homemade liqueurs at the holidays or special occasions, otherwise I just don’t. I have a hard enough time maintaining a healthy weight, I don’t need to make the job harder by eating and drinking things that I know will simply dump a bunch of sugar on areas I already struggle with.”

He snorted. “You worry about that too much.”

“In your opinion. You are not the one that had to fight losing the thirty pounds I put on during my Freshman year of college. It was utterly ridiculous and I’m not going to repeat it. Now drink that and stop looking at it. I’m not your mother that can tell you what to do and what not.”

“Hmmm,” was all he said but he did finally drink it. But I also made sure that Nicholas did not. He did give it a taste – the legal drinking age in much of the Caribbean is 18 – but that’s all he wanted. He later told me it was almost too sticky sweet. I think the man mixing the drinks must have made it heavy on the juice and light on the rum for him. Had I known at the time I would have tipped him more.

After that we returned to the ship. The brothers checked on their grandmother, found her with company and telling them they could eat as they wanted, and then asked me if they could order room service and a movie.

“Nicholas you are eighteen and can do as you wish. If you are asking if Frankie can join you then that is fine as well.”

“I just figured maybe Mr. D needed another night of quiet and Frankie and I can watch the sequel to the movie we watched the other night.”

“All right but if you leave the cabin let me know. And since it appears you are already beginning to see through their shallow behavior, I do not need to warn you of certain persons?”

“That’s why Frankie and I are eating here.” He beckoned me into the cabin doorway and then said quietly after making sure no one was in the hallway and his brother was otherwise occupied. “They were on the excursion with us this morning and they accidentally … accidentally on purpose … tripped someone that had to crash into Mr. D or fall really hard on some rocks. Mr. D kept them both from falling but only did it by banging into this post thing that used to be for a guide rope. He made a face so … you know … if you can …”

Just as quietly I told him, “Thank you for telling me. By any chance were they also on the sailboat with you?”

“No, but I wouldn’t put something like that passed them.”

Rather brusquely I told him, “Let’s keep this between us for now. If something of that nature happens again I want to know about it. I don’t care who it happens to. And I do not want them anywhere near Frankie. Understand?” Taking a deep breath I tried to make my tone more professional and pleasant. “Please.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Nicholas is never rude but he rarely addresses me as “ma’am” so I knew that I had impressed on him how serious I was.

I was agitated enough that Vit noticed when he came out of the shower about thirty minutes later.

“Where are the boys?”

“Room service and a movie. Nicholas’ choice as their grandmother is otherwise occupied.”

“And this upsets you?”

“What? No.”

“I am too tired to figure it out. Tell me so that I can fix it.”

“Don’t be ri … oh for … grrrr. It isn’t something that you can fix I am simply irritated and don’t know how to ask or if I even should.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Then ask.”

Rubbing my arms because I was so upset I was getting the creepy crawlies, I finally turned to him and asked, “Did those Harrington jerks really trip someone to get at you?”

He gave me a startled look before shrugging gingerly. “I am not sure if I was the target or the man they tripped. His wife reprimanded them for not paying attention. I take it Nicholas noticed.”

“Yes. He didn’t say anything about the other. He believes you were the target. I know you are moving better than last night but did they reinjure your back?”

“Nii. But I am going to ask something of you.”

“If you are asking me to avoid them that is already the plan. If you are asking me to ignore their bids for attention then I am already trying.”

“Hmph. Both. But …”

“Be careful of their mother?”

“Yes.”

“I am aware she may be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And so are Madam and Miss Hayworth. Not a lot I, or they, can do about that unless she tries anything herself. I just don’t want those two limbs of Satan to start something with Nicholas. Or worse do something that affects Frankie.”

“Agreed. But can we put it aside for now? I wish to ask you how you are doing.” His stomach picked that moment to growl. “And perhaps go get something to eat.”

“Room service, buffet, other?”

“Buffet. Then if you do not mind, a quiet evening here.”

“Why should I mind? Frankie and I normally eat in and stay here anyway.”

“Yes. My point. Would you prefer to do something else?”

“No. A quiet evening sounds good. I’m not in the mood to be stared at.”

“Hmm?”

“People … they don’t mean to be rude … but it is like they wonder who I am, who do I belong to, am I crew or passenger. Then they find out I am just staff for the Marchands and …” I shrugged. “I don’t hold it against anyone, but it makes me more than a little uncomfortable.”

“Yes, I know that feeling. Who are you? What do you do for a living? Are you worth knowing? Should I even bother to notice you? Why aren’t you noticing me?” He stopped reciting rhetorical questions and once again shrugged gingerly. “Not everyone is like that … but enough.”

“Exactly. So, buffet and then back here?”

“Yes.”

Neither one of us had a big appetite so our meal was quickly completed, and it was back to the cabin. We checked on our charges, but they were deep into their movie. Vit was unable to stay awake long. I was in the middle of doing some paperwork when there was a knock on the door. I saw Miss Hayworth.

“Is there something wrong?”

“No. I was just coming back when I thought I would check on everyone. The boys were three-quarter asleep, so I encouraged them just to go to bed.”

“Oh, thank you. I usually give it until 10:30 but I believe today’s hike may have taken it out of them.”

“It would appear. How is Vit?”

I opened the door and about that time he snored, something he rarely does, and we both had to cover our mouths not to laugh. “Poor man.”

“He claims not to be sore any longer, but I think it should be qualified not “as sore.” Is Madam’s sniffles better?”

“She has fought them off, but I can tell her energy level is not what it should be. It is nearly a week before we have another sea day. After that I believe the sea days come in a more regular interval.”

“I wonder if we shouldn’t all start drinking orange juice every morning. I encourage Frankie to drink a glass of milk – we’ll likely have to let the hem out of his dress slacks before too much longer – because of the rate he is growing, but I was reading that colds can travel quite quickly on a cruise ship.”

“That isn’t a bad suggestion. Well, good night my Dear. And we did read your weekly report, we simply haven’t had the time to meet.”

“At your convenience of course. Or if you prefer you could always email any concerns.”

“It may come to that. Are you certain you don’t mind?”

“Miss Hayworth the reports are for Madam’s convenience and to address any potential oversight issues that may come up concerning Frankie’s educational benchmarks for his next academic placement. I’m maintaining a portfolio for him that can be transmitted electronically when the times comes. If there isn’t a problem, or something that Madam or the Drs. Marchand want done in more detail, then you don’t really have to stroke my ego by meeting with me. I realize this is a vacation for Madam and don’t want to infringe on that time.”

“Thank you. That actually dovetails in with a discussion that Madam and I had. Now that we are certain of your … that sounded rather harsh. What I mean is … oh dear. Let me just say you now have Madam’s confidence as does Vit. If you don’t mind, perhaps we can alter the reports to a monthly format? Nick was asking his mother why he was getting weekly reports when it was obvious all the bases are being covered. They only got quarterly ones from the school. Anything they want to keep up with they look on his little photo site. And from my point of view, it is very nice to see him interacting with children his own age. That Benji is quite comical.”

“Yes, my nephew can be a clown, but I let him know up front I wouldn’t put up with anything approaching inappropriate. He’s a good kid … just occasionally silly.”

“It is nice to see Frankie being silly for a change. Well I must be off and …” We both tried not to laugh when there was another snore. “Good luck Veta. You may need it tonight.”

I came back into the cabin and quietly closed the door. Then nearly jumped out of my skin when Vit said, “I expected more of that sooner than it has happened.”

“I thought you were asleep.”

“Was. Did she embarrass you by checking up on us?”

“Huh?”

“Ah, you did not notice.”

“Didn’t notice what?”

He stretched carefully then got up and stretched a little more, seeming happy that it didn’t hurt. “She was checking up that we were behaving ourselves.”

“She was …?! Now just wait a moment. That’s … that’s …” Horrified I asked, “Have they been thinking that all along?!”

“No. I believe someone has been putting something in their ear.”

“Who and what?” I snapped.

“The what should be obvious. The who … I have my suspicions but that will soon be taken care of.”

“Vit …”

“Veta, I promised you and your brothers that on my honor I would not do anything inappropriate. I have not up to this point and I will not either. I cannot stop people from being durni [Ukrainian for fools]. However, I can very well turn the tables on them. Leave it to me.”

“Leave it to you? But …”

“Veta, I promise that if you leave this to me it will be finished. It needs be done for Nicholas’ sake as well.”

“So, it is the Harringtons.”

“Let us say, they are at the root of it but are not taking action directly themselves. They must learn there are … dangers … involved in such a game as they attempt to play.”

Still horrified at the very idea I asked, “But for what purpose? What can they possibly hope to gain. I’m nothing and no one … I don’t want to be anyone anyone would notice for that matter. I just want to do my job.”

“For me as well. But some people make meddling and manipulation a way of life … there is no particular goal except to exhibit power and control over others.”

“That’s sick.”

“Once again we agree. But that is life. Now, you agree to let me handle this?”

“As long as you aren’t going to get yourself in trouble. And you let me know if I can help.”

“You help just by being yourself. We should both get some rest. As Fraulein Hayworth noted, there is almost another week until we have a Sea Day and can relax. I believe by then even Nicholas and Frankie will be ready to take a break.”

Vit went to bed and I cleaned up my paperwork and am now finished journaling my thoughts for the day. I know I needed to know about the gossip and rumors but part of me wishes I didn’t because now it is going to be even harder to ignore the stares … and wonder what they are thinking.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 51: Oct 20 – Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Today has been relatively calm. This morning Vit once again asked me to let him handle it and to try and put it from my mind; to act as if nothing is wrong so no one thinks I am looking guilty. Well I’m not guilty of anything inappropriate but the idea that someone else thinks that I am is appalling. And it hurts my feelings when I’ve tried all along to be the exact opposite of what I am now being accused of.

This morning there was enough to keep my mind occupied so that by lunch I had relaxed enough that I could agree to do as Vit asked and leave it all in his hands. Perhaps a cowardly way out but I honestly don’t know what to do about such a situation.

Our ship docked in Philipsburg, St. Maarten … the Dutch side of the island. The other side of the island is known as St. Martin … the French side. Some years back there were a series of hurricanes that did a lot of damage in the Caribbean and the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin was all but leveled in some areas. Not the first time it has happened but each time it seems the island is slower to come back from such and event. This time the Dutch side is back to normal but on the French side they still seem to be waiting on someone to come clean it up for them. It is very sad and depressing. But there are still many interesting sites to see. One such place is the insane beach that is directly off the airport. When a plane lands it is such that you think the plane wheels will bounce off the heads of the beachgoers. But it was only later that we saw that, first activity of the day was to go snorkeling.

First thing we transferred from our berth to Simpson Bay, one of the largest bays in the West Indies. The bay is also known for the Princess Juliana International Airport, which rests on the isthmus between the bay and the lagoon. That the runway so close to the water, jets must fly very low over the beach to land here. We hopped on a catamaran and set sail, hugging the coast to Pelican Reef, where we moored to snorkel. I am more and more glad that I invested in a waterproof case for my phone as it has allowed Frankie and I to take some magnificent underwater shots. This time we caught sight of a colorful array of tropical fish, brightly hued coral, and a couple of introverted sea turtles. The turles seemed to say look at me but as soon as you did they turned shy and skittish.

We also sailed up to Mullet Bay for even more snorkeling. The water was turquoise and crystal clear though we were told later in the day the water becomes cloudy due to changing tides stirring up the sand and silt on the floor of the bay. I didn’t have to worry about Frankie becoming dehydrated in the heat because complimentary drinks were available on board.

After our sail was complete, I debated returning to the ship for lunch, but Frankie asked if we could eat in town and then go to the beach. I agreed after finding a Hard Rock Café. I took a picture and sent it to Jeff (Angie’s nephew on her husband’s side) as he collects pictures of the Hard Rock Cafes from around the world. Don’t ask me why, he just does. He lives with Angelia while her sister in law is out “finding herself” or something like that. From what my sister said, it is doubtful that she’ll ever find herself looking in some of the places she’s known to frequent. Lucky for everyone Jeff is turning out to be an okay kid despite his homelife. Wish more kids could say that.

The Café was priced about like I expected, meaning higher than good sense would dictate, but I was leary of most of the other beach eating establishments. Maybe I was just being picky but so be it. Had I been hungry enough and on my own I might have been willing to try one or two of the bar dives but with Frankie in tow … nope, not happening.

After that we sat on the beach for a while … or I sat on the beach while Frankie dashed about in the water with some local kids who taught him how to boogie board. Oh brother, his grandmother is going to scalp me if I’ve turned him into a surfer dude. When the other kids had to return to their parents Frankie asked if we could walk in the town before returning to the ship. I agreed but felt a little self conscious given my state of dress. I solved that by splurging and buying a colorful maxi dress at the first shop we came to. With my braids piled high I didn’t look any different from many of the women going up and down the streets. Even my tan was getting dark enough that I no longer looked like the human imbodiment of a “white Russian” drink.

I knew it was a mistake to go shopping but oh well. I’ve been pretty good up to this point. Okay mostly good. Okay, I’ve been rotten about keeping to my budget, but I figure I only live once. And most of my paycheck is getting cashed out and Charlie is taking care of a few things for me; half is going into savings and the other half is going into things the way he had helped Poppa. Most of their money went into buying the house when I was in high school, but a lot also went into accounts for each of us siblings. Once it got spread around it didn’t look like much but without Charlie and his amateur talents it would not have spread nearly as far as it did. Maybe I should just stick to postcards and the occasional consumable, but the occasional spree is just going to happen I suppose.

I bought Dylan a bottle of guavaberry hotsauce. Serves him right for snooping. I’m tempted to ask him to snoop on those Harrigtons. Dylan puts hot sauce on nearly everything he eats anyway. I doubt he’ll even notice. I got a small collection of banana-, vanilla-, passionfruit-, and guavaberry- flavored liqueurs. I also got a couple of bottles of unique wines. They, the rums, and the liqueurs will have to be stored on the ship until I can have them packaged for sending home, but they’ll be pretty reminders down in the wine cellar at Pembroke House. Last time I was there it was empty with everyone splitting what little remained of Momma’s inventory when they started renting the house out. It would be nice to see such things down there once again, for however long I live there until I can find my next job. The last thing I did was buy a couple of jars of guavaberry jelly. I tasted a bit today and it will make a delicious topping on the ice cream or pastries that are available on the ship.

I really had forgotten all about my change in clothing until we were climbing up the gangway and I looked up and saw Vit just staring. It was so odd I looked behind me to see what he was staring at but then I felt the bags being taken from my hands. I jerked around and Vit and Nicholas were standing there. “Oh! Thank you. I think I went a bit … er …”

“So it would appear. We need to take these to the steward and get them checked in.”

“Yes, and then I need to get into something that doesn’t make me stand out so much.”

“Why?”

“Why? I’m being stared at.”

“They have good taste. Nicholas, do you dine with your grandmother this evening?”

“No. Uh …”

“Would you mind if Miss Veta, Frankie, and I accompanied you at dinner tonight?”

“Yes! I mean no, I don’t mind. Yes, please join me. You think maybe Mr. O’Rourke would like to come too? I mean if you think it is okay.”

“There is the man now, perhaps you should ask.”

Mr. O’Rourke said “Ask? Ask what?”

A little timidly Nicholas said, “I was wondering if you would like to join us for dinner. And maybe … you know … tell another story?”

“Son, don’t ye think yer gettin’ tired of an old man’s stories?”

“No Sir. They’re cool. I thought maybe Frankie would like to hear one … or two?” he asked hopefully.

Mr. O’Rourke laughed and said that if his “Missus” didn’t have plans he needed to be in on he’d be pleased to join us. And the lady just so happened to be playing cards with Madam and a few others, so the plans were made. We all agreed to meet at the restaurant at six.

We all needed to return to our cabin to wash up and change. As soon as the door closed Vit said, “You look … different.”

Laughing at myself I said, “I know. But it was either this or walk around town in my bathing suit and cover up and that wasn’t happening. I’ll be prepared and bring street clothes if there is a next time.”

“I … did not mean to disparage you.”

“What?” I caught sight of the odd look on his face. “I’m fine Vit. Stating that I look different is simply the truth. I’m not as pale as I was and I packed mostly … er … work clothes rather than things like this.” I looked down at the maxi dress. “I admit that I would occasionally wear things like this at home but … that was before … when I was still just a college kid that could afford to be different than I am now. We all have to grow up sometime.”

He looked at me. “Did your brothers not approve of this?”

I shrugged. “This wouldn’t bother them. Everything is adequately covered. Besides I think my sisters had already trained them where the line was.” I smiled.

“Ah yes. Madam Angelia is quite the strong woman.”

“Hm?”

“She and your brothers … they have emailed me, asked about you. Your brats [brothers] all want you to be safe. Angelia and the one named Bar-bie are the only two that added they want you to have fun. Not get … how did they say … not to get old too soon.”

“Oh Vit. I’m sorry.”

“I am not. It is pleasant to know that I am … something. I do not have the word for it. Not even in Ukrainian.”

I chuckled. “You’ve been adopted.”

There was an arrested look on his face that made me chuckle as I went into shower and change. I came out wearing something much closer to my current normal; a mid-calf navy blue skirt with a casual white blouse for the top. I slid my feet into sandals since I was getting heartely sick of my black flats and debated before changing my normal metal studs for small hoop earrings. My only other two pieces were my claddagh ring and Momma’s watch.

“Sorry I took so long.”

“Nii. It is fine.”

When he just stared I asked, “Too much?”

“Nii. I just wish you did not have to hide. You want to wear bright colors do you not? That is why you like your scarves.”

“Well … I suppose … sometimes. But I don’t need to draw attention. And it is definitely too warm to wear a scarf tonight though I wear them in my hair sometimes. But not tonight for that either. It would look out of place.”

It was a strange conversation but that sometimes happened with Vit. I think he may be taking this brotherly protection a little too seriously. He isn’t responsible for keeping me happy or making sure I have fun. If it keeps up, I’m going to tell them to back off a little as they don’t know how serious Vit can be.

Dinner was fun. We didn’t go to the buffet but had a sit-down meal. I had Jamaican roast pork with a salad. The men all had steaks. Dessert was once again crème brulee for me and the men had various things. I was happy to see that Frankie could eat in company without problems and we were all greatly entertained by Mr. O’Rourke’s stories of his years of traveling as the manservant for a wealthy man.

“Came to be married late in life. Recommend the state … highly recommend it. But not too young. Not these days. Need to have the rough edges knocked off a bit and learn how to take what life throws at you first.”

As there was a pause, I checked my watch and looked at Frankie letting him know it was time for him to go to his cabin. I opted to leave with him but thanked everyone for a very enjoyable evening.

On the way back to our deck Frankie asked, “Why didn’t you stay with them? Francine would have. And I can walk to the cabin by myself.”

“Well, I don’t think it would have been very much fun without you there. Half the time I was laughing because you were laughing. And it has been a rather full day. Your brother and Mr. D may have boundless amounts of energy since they are used to adventuring but I’m more used to our quiet evenings.”

He gave a huge, jaw-popping yawn and then said, “Me too.”

I knew he would be asleep before too long, so I left him to it and then went to my cabin. I changed into lounging clothes, put away my purchases, and then made my notes. And now that I’m finished recording today’s thoughts, I am off to bed. I’m not sure how tomorrow is going to go. Why we are scheduled to go to a distillery is beyond me. Maybe I can find some science lessons in there someplace.

 

[Siskiyoumom]

Thank you! I have been rereading your stories at fiction press. I truly appreciate your moving stories here. Your talent is so awesome.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 52: Oct 21 – Tortola (Road Town), British Virgin Islands, UK - Part 1

Today was an immersion lesson of sorts on the Caribbean in general and Tortola, British Virgin Islands in particular. Tortola is the largest and most populated of the Virgin Islands, an archipelago. There is also the US Virgin Islands that are a part of the same archipelago. Back in 2017 Tortola was hit by Hurricane Irma and was all but laid waste. It has taken years to get the island back up and running fully but there are places where you can still see destroyed houses and outbuildings that have yet to be repaired or demolished. One of the reasons is that there is simply no place to get rid of the debris. Landfills aren’t common in the Caribbean, or at least they aren’t particularly common. The other thing about the British Virgin Islands is that even though it is still flies the British flag, it uses the US dollar as its currency. It keeps the tourists happy that way I suppose.

We tied off promptly at 7:30 am and were quickly off the ship for what Frankie has taken to calling “our daily adventures.” However, it was odd that Nicholas and Vit insisted on escorting us and making sure we got to our bus.

I whispered to Vit, “What’s up?”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t give me that innocent look. You two have never done this in the past and to start doing it now is activating my spidey sense. And don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean when I know you understood it in that movie the other night.”

He sighed. “This would be easier if you were vapid and empty headed.”

“Excuse me?”

“You are too perceptive.” When I wouldn’t budge, he said, “I heard from someone that they heard that the Harringtons are very irritated that you have failed to notice their existence.”

“Oh for the love of … and let me guess, they think to do something completely ignorant to force me to notice them.”

“It is possible.”

“All right. Forewarned is forearmed. And thank you. But you can’t be there every second of the day. Your job is Nicholas … not being my bodyguard. If they just continue being infantile idiots I can handle it politely by continuing to ignore them. If they go beyond idiot to being a flaming hemorrhoid then we’ll discuss how to toss them overboard and not get caught. How’s that?”

He reluctantly smiled, not the least because Nicholas and Frankie had overheard and were trying not to laugh at my phrasing. “Very well. Unfortunately, I believe that the mother is on this excursion with you today.”

“She’s been on other excursions with us already. There’s more than one reason why I have her number.” When it was obvious, he didn’t know the phrase I clarifiedby saying, “I recognize her for what she is. She’s another that is simply easier to ignore than give her ammunition. Now go and you two stop being such overprotective worrywarts. Shoo.”

They left and when a few too many had noticed I said pointedly to Frankie so that others could hear, “Well, now that we have our marching orders for the day as well as the do’s and do not’s, perhaps we’d best get in line and on the bus.”

“Why are Nickie and Mr. D acting like that?”

“I believe that their big brother genes have been activated by something, probably that nastiness that has been on the news. We’ll just have to prove to them once again that we follow the rules.”

With uncomfortable perceptiveness Frankie said, “I don’t think it is us they are worried about following the rules, but other people who don’t.”

“That is certainly one way of looking at it,” I told him as we took our seats.

Coincidentally Mrs. O’Rourke was on the bus as well and said hello to us. “Ye know, I had no idea that you speak Ukrainian. You’re adopted as I understand it.”

Thinking quickly I realized she must have found it out at the card game last night. I told her, “Yes ma’am.”

“And now an orphan once again.”

“Yes, but my siblings and I are very close.”

“And I’m going to ask just ‘cause I’m a nosey ol’ biddy but is it true that your father and brother are the Drs. Petric that did so much work with Medical Missions?”

Surprised more than a little I answered, “Why … yes. They are.”

“Sweet Girl, I met yer father years ago when he was in Africa at the same time my sister and I were doing a turn at a hospital there. He was quite a man, but yer brother was just a wee one back then … I mean the oldest. Derrick was his name.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“I understand yer brother has been having some heart issues. Or so the gossip goes.”

“He had a mild heart attack a while back and then it was a leaky valve, but recently they had to put in some stints. These days MM’s board consider him an insurance risk and won’t sponsor him overseas. He does what he can when there are special cases that come to the States.”

“And so I told the Mister that is what I’d heard, nice for the gossips to get it right for once. Next time you speak with yer brother ask if he remembers a woman who broke her foot swinging from the trees like a daft monkey when he was a little boy. That was me sister. And she’s still a handful, leading her grandkids into the most outrageous shenanigans.”

“Yes ma’am, I will,” I said with a laugh.

The world is a lot smaller place that you think.

As Mrs. O’Rourke concluded our conversation, we pulled out on the first leg of our journey with a drive in an open-air bus to the Old Government House Museum, the colonial manor and old residence of governors. There we hopped out to peruse its fascinating artifacts depicting life in the British Virgin Islands over the centuries. We continued to the Sunday Morning Well, where the Emancipation Proclamation was read in 1834, freeing the slaves who worked for the island’s plantation owners. Next, came exploring the Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum. Opened in in the 1780s, it has since served as a cotton factory, agricultural station, courthouse and more. Tortola’s past came to life on this comprehensive tour where our guide helped us to trace the island’s history from the early Arawak Indian settlers to the present day. The last stop of the morning before returning to the ship was at the ruins of St. Phillip’s Anglican Church at Kingstown, the oldest free black church in the Americas.

Frankie and I had both eaten a large breakfast so lunch wasn’t terribly important, but I did get us some fruit from a local vendor before we got on the bus to the next excursion, this one to Callwood Distillery. I warned Frankie that I wasn’t sure how much he was going to enjoy it or be able to participate but we would make the best of it. He reminded me once again that his school had worse field trips as he used a wipe to get all the juice off of his face where he had been eating a very ripe mango.

I was surprised that our first stop on our “adventure” was to call on a place named Good Moon Farm on the northern shores of Tortola. Their business was to grow organic produce planted in accordance with the lunar calendar. While we had tea, we were told about how the farm runs things and how it compares to normal planting practices. The terracing system they use is simply amazing. We were all encouraged to spend money and I suppose I’ll use that as my excuse for splurging on a few things that I hope that I can get through customs; cloves, mace, nutmeg, turmeric, and the holy grail of real vanilla beans that were fairly cheap compared to the body parts I would have had to give up had I bought them in the States. One of the workers was nice enough that he gave me what amounts to a test tube with a cork stopper to store the vanilla beans in so they will stay pliable longer instead of drying out. While there I also got Frankie to try some unusual items such as wax apples, red banana, bequia plums, hog plum, noonie fruit, plum rose, soursop, sugar apple, and I taught him how to chew on a peeled sugar cane stick. I wasn’t averse to sharing as I had spent my own money on it – it was in something they called a “farm box” – and we made a few friends that day and had some good laughs. Frankie insisted on saving some to share with Nicholas which I thought was a nice thing to do.

From the farm we drove through stunning scenery and vistas of Virgin Gorda and Guana Island to wind up at the Callwood Rum Distillery. Constructed more than 400 years ago, it was part of the Arundel Estate until the late 18th century and is the last continuously run rum distillery on the island. We saw the rustic processing plant, the still, and learned about the estate’s simple, traditional method of making rum, in which local pressed cane juice is boiled, settled and naturally fermented without yeast. The “wash,” or “wine,” is then distilled in an ancient pot still and barreled for a minimum of four years before being bottled. The Callwood family continues to operate the distillery – they are up to five generations – though they don’t produce enough for export, so it is strictly a local item.

They gave us a sample but some of us, including Frankie and I, stuck with tasting the cane juice prior to the fermenting process. I bought some bottles – to support the local economy of course; a bottle of their gold rum that is aged 10 years in oak barrels before being bottled, a bottle of white rum that I can use to make Momma’s famous rum cake with at the holidays, and a bottle of spiced gold rum. There was a bottle in there called “Panty Dropper” that terribly embarrassed Frankie and didn’t do much for me either. Mrs. O’Rourke rolled her eyes and said, “Oh and wouldn’t the mister have something to say if I brought a bottle of that back to him. As if I need him gettin’ that feisty. He’s handful enough as it is.”

I nearly bought it as a gag gift for Charlie, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I did write myself a note to remember that the difference between Callwood Rum and most other rums is that it is made with cane juice rather than molasses. It was also funny that we weren’t allowed to take pictures inside the distillery or on the grounds unless we bought a bottle of rum.

When we returned to the ship, I noted that Frankie needed to work off some energy so we chose to walk in the cruise ship area. It was very commercialized of course thanks to the larger cruise ship companies, but it was still a pleasant and fun walk. I nearly succumbed to a coral necklace but stopped myself. A batik dress also caught my eye, but I honestly didn’t know where or when I would wear it. Both Frankie and I needed the facilities and I was waiting for him to come out and when he did it almost at a run, I became alarmed.

He put his finger to his lips and tried to pull me away, but I was ready to confront whomever had upset him. But come to find out that no one had, and he just hadn’t wanted to get noticed and I figured out from the voices by whom. However, knowing whom was speaking was not as surprising as the fact they were speaking Portuguese, a language that I understand and can read but only speak rudimentarily.

“Do not embarrass me like that again.”

“Told you we didn’t want to go.”

“That is not the point. Your mother has made her wishes known. And you know what will happen if you do not obey her.”

“Yeah, we’ll get to go home. First flight that can be arranged. Etc and etc.”

“How you can be my sons I do not know. If you insist on being idiots your mother has threatened to cut you out.”

“She can’t. Grandfather arranged it all.”

“Your grandfather is a senile ol’ fool. Your mother is the one who controls the Estate now, the same as her mother and sister before her. And she is the one that can change when you have access to your trust funds … and when you do not. Would you like her to change it to twenty-five, or even thirty? Perhaps never except through a payee that approves your expenditures? It is a threat she is beginning to make.”

“No. She wouldn’t.”

“Try her and see.”

“Fine. I’ll ask her myself.”

“If I were you, I would wait until she is in a better frame of mind. She wasn’t pleased to have to share an excursion with that piece of Russian trash that the Marchands hired as a nanny for that boy.”

“Nicholas and the Russian were on our excursion, not Mother’s.”

“Not them, that little slut that looks after the younger boy. How people don’t see her for what she is.”

They laughed at their father and said, “You only say that because she hasn’t succumbed to you.”

“I haven’t bothered even trying. Why should I? She’s nobody.”

Well they say you never hear anything good about yourself when you are listening in on other people’s conversations. I had thought better of Mr. Harrington – mostly considered him an old lothario, but generally harmless – but obviously I need to reevaluate my opinion of him. Frankie and I ducked into a gift shop as the three men came out.

“Could you understand what they were saying? You look upset.”

I looked at Frankie and said, “Some of what they said yes, but don’t tell anyone. I shouldn’t have been listening in to a private conversation. It was extremely rude.”

“Oh. That’s why you are upset?”

Lying I said, “Yes. I know I shouldn’t have. I was setting a terrible example for you.”

“That’s okay. You always set a good example. Everyone is allowed to make a mistake and you hardly ever do.”

“Why thank you,” I told him feeling even worse for having told the lie on top of the rest of it. “It’s probably time we should return to the ship. Is there anything else you’d like to do first?”

“Do we have enough fruit for Nickie to taste?”

I held up my bag and he said, “Then nah! I think we’ve done everything. Can we go in the swimming pool before dinner?”

“I believe that can be arranged.”

We were half way to the gangway when I noticed the Harringtons coming our way. Trying to act nonchalant I hurried us along and met up with the O’Rourkes, spiking whatever play that was in progress. Mr. O’Rourke gave me a wink letting me know he’d also spotted the troublemakers and said for all to hear, “Sounds like ye had a grand time today.”

“We did, thank you. And your wife, if I may say so, made it even more enjoyable. Just don’t ask her about the rum.”

“Oh and now ye’ve gone and done it,” she said with a laugh. “He’ll want to hear all about the bottle that got away.”

“What? A bottle got away? What tragedy is this?” We all laughed as we climbed the gangway and made it onto the ship.

When we got to the brothers’ cabin I helped Frankie to set up the fruit on a tray with a sign that said “try me” on it. I left him to change into swim clothes while I went to do the same.

I was about to exit the cabin when the phone rang. “Miss Veta stay in the cabin. They’re in the hallway right outside your door.”

“Who?”

“Those guys that I thought were going to be Nickie’s friends but now he says not in a million years.”

“The Harringtons?”

“Yeah, them … I mean yes ma’am, them. Please wait until Mr. D and Nickie come back … or Grandmother. She’ll knock ‘em on their ears.”

“No need for that, but thank you for the warning. Please stay in your cabin as well.”

“You bet. I don’t want Nickie to get in a fight with ‘em but I don’t want you to get in a fight either.”

“I won’t. Just give it a moment and hopefully they will get bored and leave.”

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 52: Oct 21 – Tortola (Road Town), British Virgin Islands, UK - Part 2

Unfortunately, they were the persistent kind and who knows how long they would have been there if Vit hadn’t come back. I heard, “Were you waiting for me?”

“Er …”

“Well? You have business?”

“We’re free to walk … and stand … where we want to.”

“Of course, assuming you are not breaking the edict that the Captain has already impressed on you … and your parents.”

I heard a rude word being said in a pleasant tone, like they didn’t think Vit could understand what they were saying. I didn’t think he could, but I certainly could and I opened the cabin door and with a smile on my face, and speaking my poor version of Portuguese, told them exactly the kind of mayhem I would cause them if they ever dared use that kind of language in my presence again.

“You …?”

“Speak several languages,” I finished for him. “You might want to apprise your parents of that as well.”

They looked at each other in alarm and turned and left to go to the stairwell to take themselves to a different deck.

I snarled, “Jerks.”

When I turned to look at Vit he casually said, “Your portuguese is terrible.”

“I know. I’ve spoken Spanish for too long. Portuguese makes me feel like I have a speech impediment. I take it you understood what they said?”

He snorted, “Portuguese is a common language among sailors.” As we walked back into the room, “We are also known for the art of creative cursing. You did not learn that language from your brothers.” It was not even a question.

I explained, “No. One of my college roommates that had so much work she needed to get a partner for her translation business.”

“How many languages do you speak?”

“You mean how many do I speak well? Only a few. I can read and write in several. It paid the bills.”

“Ah,” he said dryly. “How long were you held captive?”

“Not long. I would have walked right into whatever they were planning but Frankie warned me. I need to go down and let him know it is safe for us to go into the pool now.”

“It will be safe when I have changed to join you. And Nicholas is taking care of Frankie. They are invited to dine with Madam.”

“Oh … Frankie wanted to go in the pool. He’s going to be upset.” I walked over and called their cabin but it turns out that Frankie was actually excited because his grandmother had arranged for a private lecture from a naturalist.

“Don’t forget your sketches,” I told him with a smile.

“Thanks! I almost did.”

“And make sure your socks match.”

“Er …”

“I take it that was something you almost forgot as well?”

He laughed and I shook my head as I hung up. “Well that turned out better than expected. You don’t need to go to the pool Vit.”

“Do you not wish to?”

I shrugged. “I was going because Frankie wanted to.”

“And if I want to?”

“Sure.”

“The Fitness Center?”

“I am NOT going in the snow grotto.”

“Even if I say pretty please?”

I made a face which got a laugh from him. Rather than walk around in my bathing suit I slid on a pair of yoga pants. When we got to the Center Vit asked if I minded a little basic sparing first.

He explained, “I have had no one to spar with in some time. I just want to review some basic moves. I should not have taken so long to heal as I did.”

“You were knocked out of the blasted boat Vit. You act like you are the Man of Steel.”

“Hmm,” was his only reply.

We had been “sparring” about twenty minutes – I was really having fun – when I looked up and was startled to see we had an audience outside of the glass wall.

“Oh!”

“I’m sorry. I should have warned you.” Only his tone was not very apologetic.

I thought it odd but let it go rather than draw more attention. “Um … no … it’s okay. But … maybe we should … do something else. I didn’t mean to draw a crowd.”

The female crew member that was managing the Fitness Center asked, “What was that? I don’t recognize some of the moves.”

“Krav maga,” Vit answered.

“Both of you are trained?”

“Me in military service,” Vit looked at me and I blushed.

“My brother insisted on it when I was in university.”

“Ah, my boyfriend keeps asking me to do something like that. Our ship is very safe, but he says it isn’t the ship and crew so much as some of the ports we go to. I’d hit the whirlpool and then a cool down in the pool. The snow grotto …”

“I will leave to Vit. Brr.” They both laughed.

A little later after we were back in the cabin and eating a light evening meal I finally asked, “Okay, what was that all about?”

He didn’t even bother prevaricating. “I am hoping that word gets back to the Harringtons that neither one of us are pushovers. I am attempting to prevent an … incident.”

“What happened during the excursion?”

“Something was said?”

Coming clean I told him, “I overheard Mr. Harrington laying into his sons over their behavior. I think they may be trying to be sent home. Apparently, they did not want to come on the cruise to begin with.”

“Druni.”

“Fools? Maybe. But not only that.” I explained the remainder of the conversation leaving out the part about me.

“Interesting. I am becoming convinced that their mother is not a woman to cross.” Looking at my plate he said, “You are not eating.”

I sighed and picked up my fork. “People like the Harringtons aren’t very good for the digestion.”

“No. But nor should we allow them to control our lives.”

“But isn’t that what we are doing? The displays of strength and numbers? Avoiding them one moment and then next being on display?”

“No. That is strategy.”

I rolled my eyes but let it go; he sounded too much like Charlie and Dylan. Vit turned the conversation to the rest of our day’s activities and then asked if I minded a quiet evening doing paperwork. I didn’t as I needed to reformat the report from weekly to monthly and upload my pictures from the day. I uploaded some for Frankie to use later and have been watching as Vit slowly melted into the chair he’s been sitting in. A few minutes ago there was a light tap on the door and at first I thought it was the steward coming to take the dishes away but it was Miss Hayworth … and I saw the Harrington woman lurking not far away.

“Yes ma’am?”

“Just letting you and Vit know the boys are in for the night.”

I chuckled and opened the door just enough so she could see Vit asleep in the chair. She smiled and shook her head. “Nickie was about in the same shape. They spent a full day on the water.”

“So I was told. I’ll go check …”

“No. Madam already has. I think she is having a great deal more fun with this than she expected to. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight. And just to let you know, I’m already instituting the suggested changes to the report format.”

“Excellent,” she said with a nod and then left.

And now I think it is passed time to go to my own slumber. I hope I don’t have to roll Vit to his bed.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 53: Oct 22 – St. Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), US Virgin Islands, US (Part 1)

This morning was demanding in more ways that one. Frankie is a beginner when it comes to snorkeling, but I am not. And a good thing or something serious might have occurred. I think the Harrington situation has now been dealt with in so far as such a thing can be dealt with. But it came at a price, and almost a price too steep to contemplate with equanimity.

You would think being aboard a million-dollar catamaran would be enough to distract anyone but no, apparently zeros after dollar signs do not mean quite enough to certain people. I wasn’t happy to find all four Harringtons on our excursion, but I thought the group small enough that they wouldn’t risk getting called out for their behavior. I also had thought their mother’s presence would help. Wrong. It only made them what they thought of as sneakier.

We boarded our vessel and sailed along the spectacular south coast of St. Thomas, this time in the US Virgin Islands. A covered main cabin kept those out of the sun that didn’t wish it while the rest of us enjoyed the wide-open sundecks. And those of enjoying the sun also were wise enough to wear sunscreen or we would have roasted. The sun blazed and had it been just a little more humid, it would have felt like home.

We moored at two sites and after there was no incident at the first location, I let my guard down when I should not have. I especially felt at ease when the crew snorkeled with us, pointing out some particularly beautiful sites. We had about 45 minutes at each location. At Shipwreck Cove, we swam over an old sunken ship, encrusted with coral that attracted an amazing number of species of tropical fish. The watertight case for my phone afforded me the luxury of taking some shots I would otherwise had to forgo. I’m glad I have the space on my phone that I do as Frankie seemed to want a picture of every fish that came close. At Turtle Cove we swam with turtles and rays, a thrilling and memorable experience I assure you despite what happened.

The crew had been feeding some of the underwater wildlife to get them to come in closer but had also warned that it might mean having to exit the water quickly in case of a shark sighting. I don’t know how the brothers managed it, but they chummed the water on the other side of the boat without anyone noticing and the inevitable happened. Everyone was getting on board quickly when suddenly one of the lines that held the ladder mysteriously came untied and it fell into the water. I was already on board and was looking around for Frankie. I spotted him just in time to see him get knocked back into the water. Instinct took over.

I picked up the knife that a crewman had laid down trying to cut the ladder free and re-tie it and dove into the water. Frankie was coughing, but treading water, when I got to him and I told him that he needed to calm down immediately so as not to send distress signals. The water had become choppy and the crew were doing their best to get the few remaining passengers out of the water, but it was a struggle without the ladder. I got Frankie into the hands of a crew member, but I watched the man’s eyes widen and I turned just in time to butt the nose of a small, overly curious shark in the snout driving him off. Only the other man in the water still with me noticed … him and the crewman. That was as curious as the shark got and the other passengers only thought about the excitement and were laughing.

I wasn’t. Once back on board I handed the knife to the nearest crewman telling him, “You better take this, or I might be tempted to use it.”

His face didn’t change but he nodded, and I went to Frankie as he was still coughing from the amount of salt water he’d inhaled. “Easy there. Slow and steady breaths.”

Shivering he said, “There … there was a shark … a real shark …”

“Yes, nosy ol’ thing. But we were at the end of our session anyway, so he didn’t get to spoil things. Are you okay?”

“I slipped.” Then he worriedly asked me, “Does this mean I can’t go snorkeling anymore?”

“Why? Don’t you want to go snorkeling?”

“Yes. But …but I fell off the boat.”

“And you climbed back in. No harm, no foul. Mr. Dunwitty nearly went headfirst himself. Would have except for the railing. The more important point is that you did exactly as you were told. Let’s get that life vest on. And I want to see you drinking some water out of this bottle … not the sea water. Remember … turtles pee’d in that water.”

He just stared at me for all of three seconds like he was trying to figure out whether I really said what he heard. “Gross!”

“Well … it’s the truth isn’t it?”

“Aw man!”

A couple of the crew heard it and started chuckling and talking him up, like it was a right of passage and soon enough Frankie’s shock wore off and he was all smiles amid the attention he was receiving.

After telling him to sit tight for a moment I got up and walked over to Mrs. Harrington and in front of God and everyone I told her in Portuguese, “If your sons ever do anything like that again I will personally turn them into chum. There is something mentally wrong with them that they’d put the life of a nine-year-old boy at risk just because they are so unappreciative of your gift of a world cruise. I suggest you spend the rest of your day coming up with a very, very good story for Madam Marchand as I will not let this pass.”

“Perhaps we can come to some agreement.”

“No. End of discussion.”

I turned and made my way back to Frankie’s side and there I stayed, keeping him occupied and unaware of the drama that had unfolded. You see, he hadn’t slipped and fallen in, I saw one of the brothers jerk on a piece of rope causing him to trip and go into the water. I noticed that several of the passengers knew something was going on but not what. The crew kept the champagne and rum flowing which undoubtedly helped mellow the mood.

I didn’t even have to find a way to get off the ship without running into the Harringtons as they practically flew off as soon as the boat was tied up at the dock. The captain kept us back just long enough to tell me, “I had to report this. I did it from the cabin, so the other passengers didn’t hear.”

“I understand Sir.”

“I made sure to let them know your boy didn’t do anything wrong. He followed instructions to the letter.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry things were disrupted.”

“We’ve had worse but usually just drunks, never against a child. Do you need an escort?”

“No thank you.” Looking up I saw a nearly volcanic Cossack coming towards the boat. “It appears that our escort has arrived.”

He tipped his hat, and everyone helped us off the boat. Vit lifted Frankie down himself and wouldn’t put him down until he looked him over.

“One piece?” he asked.

“One piece. Am I in trouble?”

“Nii. I mean no. Come, your grandmother and brother need to see you.”

My nerves were making me sick by that point. Threatening someone in the heat of the moment is different than dealing with the consequences of following through. I have never done anything like that in my life and there I was heading towards what felt like the guillotine. The restrained fury that I felt coming from Vit didn’t help.

I saw Madam sitting on a bench with a senior member of the ship’s crew as well as two men that looked like security. Miss Hayworth and the O’Rourkes were beside her looking distraught. Nicholas was the one that spotted us first. He came running, bounding over and around a few things until he kneeled in front of his brother and just looked at him. He was pale beneath his tan and it didn’t look healthy on him.

“Aw, ease up Nickie. Grandmother isn’t going to be happy as it is,” Frankie begged as he began to look upset again.

“Nicholas,” I said, trying to quietly trying head off anything.

“Squirt, if you had gotten hurt, I would have hunted them down and …”

I cleared my throat and finally got his attention. “Let’s go see Madam before anything more is said.”

Vit continued to be silent and angry but did allow us to move forward. Well I won’t record what Madam had to say. I will simply repeat what I heard Mr. O’Rourke say … she can be a salty old bird.

While Madam fussed over Frankie the First Mate turned to me and said, “A resolution has been made. Will you permit it to be enough?”

“Me? It should be Madam making that determination.”

The woman heard me and said, “Please come here Veta.”

I was a little startled as Madam always called me “Miss Petric” but I stepped over. “I understand you put yourself in danger for my grandson.”

Vit told me later that my face became so red he thought I was angry. “Madam there never was any danger to me. I’ve been snorkeling since I was younger than Frankie. I’ve dealt with sea life several times. Sharks are curious by nature and the one that approached me was a juvenile. He was easily discouraged with the butt of a knife to his nose. The crew of the ship were also already on it with a spear gun had it been necessary.” Getting angry once again I said, “The captain of the ship said he called a report in.”

“Yes,” she said and if it had been directed at me the look on her face would have frightened me to pieces. “Those little bas …” She stopped and licked her lips. “The Harrington brothers will NOT be returning to the ship.”

The First Mate explained, “Their parents must have been aware of the criminal nature of their offense and have driven them straight to the airport and paid to have them removed from the island on a private aircraft. They would not have been allowed back on the ship regardless. However, we cannot legally prevent Mr. and Mrs. Harrington from returning. Do you understand?”

I looked at Madam and then at Miss Hayworth trying to find some guidance on how to respond. Then I looked at Vit and he bit off, “Maritime law. And company policy. The brothers were the perpetrators. Their parents cannot be prosecuted for the crime in their absence.”

“I … see.”

Madam then said, while stroking Frankie’s hair, “I have agreed to forego … reparations … so long as those two limbs of Satan are not allowed anywhere near us again. The captain has agreed in so far what he can control. The actions have also been reported to authorities. That’s really the best that can be hoped for … at this time.” I heard something in her tone but decided it wasn’t any of my business until she made it my business.

Turning to the First Mate I said, “I will follow Madam’s lead. I would prefer not to socialize with either of the Harringtons, but I won’t make a stink if we happen to be on the same excursion. Nor will I interfere in the running of the ship. I will behave professionally. If a problem arises in the future, I will discuss it with Madam.”

The man nodded and then turned to leave but then stopped and shook Frankie’s hand and winked at him. Frankie gave a surprised, bashful grin and stuck tight to his grandmother.

“Miss Veta? May I have your phone to show Grandmother all the fish we saw?” he asked hopefully. “I want to make her feel better. And … um … I don’t want her to say that I can’t go snorkeling anymore.”

It was a snowjob of magnificent proportions with his great brown puppy dog eyes staring at his grandmother. I had to look away or laugh and I didn’t think it exactly the time for it. Madam surprised me by snorting and saying, “You are definitely a Marchand my boy. Nicholas, help me up and let’s go get something to eat. I can hear your stomach growling from here.”

What I saw was that Nicholas was a little green in the gills, but he gamely did as his grandmother asked. That’s when Frankie looked at me and said, “Miss Veta, would you mind if I stayed with Grandmother this afternoon?” In a whisper he didn’t realize could be heard by the others he added, “I think she needs to keep an eye on me for a little bit.”

Her lips twitching, Madam said, “I think that can be arranged. Veta, will you go with Vit and Nicholas?”

Surprised I said, “I’ll do as you need me to. I’ll just go change out of this outfit.”

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 53: Oct 22 – St. Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), US Virgin Islands, US (Part 2)

Vit grunted and followed me while Nicholas went with the rest of the party. Both of the O’Rourkes, unusually quiet for them, patted me on the shoulder as they passed. Vit opened the cabin door for me and I entered. I heard the door click shut and then, “Duryty!”

I turned with a jerk at the curse to find Vit pacing back and forth like a caged lion. “Yak vony smiyut’! I ne kazhy meni zaspokoyitysʹ! YA mih by vbyty tsykh idiotiv!” [How dare they! And don’t tell me to calm down! I could kill those idiots!]

“I haven’t told you to calm down, it is likely a lost cause anway. Be my guest and have at it, for both of us because frankly one of us needs to work this off.”

He turned and looked at me sharply. “You are injured.”

“No. Just … just …” And that’s when the shakes hit me.

“Sit. Head between your knees.”

I did as he said even though I felt like a complete idiot. “Some Cossack I am.”

“You are a magnificent Cossack. You dove into shark infested waters to protect your child.”

The near absurdity of that statement is what helped me to get control of myself. “One shark is not an infestation and … and Frankie isn’t mine. I’m just his teacher.”

“Your mouth says one thing, your heart another,” he said while placing a cold washcloth on the back of my neck.

“Maybe one day my head will catch up with my mouth.”

“I said your heart. But it is okay, it will be our secret.” Then his shook his head, “But if you value my heart and sanity you will not do such a thing again. I could shake you.” He stood back up and started pacing again. “How am I not to rip that fool and his wife apart?”

“Easily. For all their faults they are not the ones that did it. It is up to us to be the better people than their sons … and yes, perhaps them. If for no other reason than we need to do it for Nicholas and Frankie since we agreed to take on the job of raising them … or whatever you want to call the sum total of what we are doing.”

He looked at me angrily then seemed to calm down. “Are you certain you are only twenty-four. You sound like a babusya [grandmother].”

I shrugged, trying not to be hurt when I know it isn’t what he meant. “I am my father’s daughter. He said many of the illnesses in this world could be avoided if we would just keep our heart clean and stop dragging around the chains of pains that we have experienced. I don’t want to give the Harringtons that kind of power over me. And I don’t want it for Frankie, or Nicholas. Or you.”

“You make my head hurt with too much good sense. I wish to pound those two imbetsili to bloody pulp!”

“Nothing happened to Frankie lets just be glad …”

He was across the room in three strides and took me by the arms and growled, “What of you?! It was a shark!”

Trying to calm him I said, “It was a juvenile shark. His curiosity was easily turned away.”

“And if not?”

“Vit, it happened the way it happened. We can what-if the situation to infinity, but it is a waste of time and energy because the what-ifs aren’t what happened. Please … not so tightly.”

He jerked his hands away with a curse. “I am not fit company for you.”

“Your company is just fine. I understand you are upset. And … and thank you for being upset for me as much as for Frankie. I just don’t see that anything constructive can come of it now that things are done and over.”

“They are not done and over.”

“Vit …”

“I must tell your brothers.”

“Vit!”

“It cannot be avoided. I promised them that I would look after you and I have failed.”

“You did what?! And … whatever. You didn’t fail. You can’t be in my space 24/7/365. And even had you been there I could not have been stopped from doing what I did. Frankie … yes, he’s more than a job to me but that only makes it truer. No one could have stopped me, not even Derrick.”

He blinked in surprise but at least he calmed down. “You should change, and we will eat. Then comes this damned excursion.”

“If you don’t want me to go …”

“It is not that Veta. And I understand the reasoning. Nicholas needs to return to some normalcy. He was badly shaken by the news. Frankie … does not appear to understand the full story.”

“I don’t think he knows, or realizes, that there is a full story. He still thinks he slipped and fell overboard.”

“And you are certain he did not.”

“I saw it with my own eyes. Was that not part of the captain’s report?”

“He said that another member of the crew reported seeing something from the corner of his eye but could not say with absolute certainty that is what happened. They do know who must have played with the ladder’s rope. They also suspect they are the ones that put too much bait in the water as they were seen over by the coolers where it was kept. One brother would distract while the other acted.” He wiped his face and asked, “Are you certain you are well enough to do this?”

“Go on the excursion? Yes. I’m fine now. Hyperventilation avoided due to my friendly neighborhood Cossack.”

“Hmph. And … will you … will you …”

“What?”

He looked embarrassed. “On your bed.”

I went to see what he meant and there was a bag and in it was a sundress made of batik fabric done in shades of green and brown. Refusing to look at me Vit mumbled, “It reminds me of your eyes. They are – how do you say, lishchyna – never the same color twice.”

“Hazel. But you shouldn’t have.”

Another shrug and he said, “I have no one else. And … it pleased me. Does … does it suit you?”

“Very much so.”

I sensed we were treading in deep waters but frankly I’m not sure I care now any more than I did at that moment. I quickly dressed and then took a little time with my hair.

Neither Vit nor I were particularly hungry. Nicholas was also finished in good time and usually he is eating until he is pulled away. “Be good Squirt and we’ll do something when I get back.”

“Sure thing Nickie. I’m just going to keep Grandmother company. She’s coming down with one of her headaches. I’m going to draw a picture for her.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

We went down the gangway with Nicholas asking, “You think he really is okay? I mean he fell in the water. He’s still coughin a little.”

“The salt water irritated his throat I believe.”

“What’s the deal with him calling it turtle water?”

I winced and then explained. Nicholas thought it hilarious. Vit, after a surprised moment said, “You know boys well.”

“I have a lot of nephews.”

“I will have to remember that.”

The excursion was relatively short and innocuous but did the job of getting Nicholas to relax. It was a scenic drive along one of the most breathtaking routes on St. Thomas. I will quote the guide book: “Much of the island’s beauty lies in its endless undulating hills spilling down to stunning bays shining in a hundred shades of blue, connected by a curving ribbon of roadways hugging emerald-green slopes—affording paradisiacal Caribbean views.” Quite the description is it not? Essentially for two and a half hours we had a local guide on our bus and made frequent photo stops. The pinnacle of our excursion was the world-famous Mountain Top, 2,100 feet above sea level. We had a little time to browse the shopping area there and samples of the locally produced rum came with the excursion as well. I wasn’t in a rum mood but was tempted to try a small version of the original banana daiquiri, said to have been invented on that very spot. From the observation deck, we enjoyed spectacular views of Magens Bay. Rather than going all the way back on the bus, several of us were dropped off in downtown Charlotte Amalie, where we perused the shops on our walk by to the ship.

Whatever the reason, it was a quiet night aboard ship. I’m honestly relieved. Nicholas and Frankie had dinner with their grandmother but made it an early night. The excitement had not agreed with the older ladies and both were suffering from a tension headache. The O’Rourkes stopped us and asked if everything was working out.

“Story is getting around the ship somehow, but it tisn’t us spreadin’ it.”

Vit said, “That’s the way it is on a ship. There is no hiding anything.”

“Can’t say I’ve ever found that to be wrong. I’m just glad everything turned out so well. If you don’t mind my saying so, the two of you are looking a tad washed up. I’d make an early night of it yourselves.”

And that’s what we’ve done though Vit has very much been watching me like a hawk, several times asking if I should not go lie down. I believe I will before he can ask again. I just dread having to hear what Derrick is going to say.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 54: Oct 23 – San Juan, Puerto Rico (Day 1)

It was Devin and not Derrick who rang a peel over my head.

“What have I told you about going snorkeling or diving without a knife?”

“Uh, did you forget that I am in a foreign country and the rules are different on excursions like this?”

“Uh, did you forget everything I ever taught you?” he snarked right back.

“No, of course not. Why do you think I grabbed what was closest to hand before I dived back in?”

He was silent for a moment. “You know, you’re just lucky I was here at the house and answered the phone before Derrick got to it. He’s under a lot of stress and didn’t need to hear this on top of it.”

“I am aware. That’s why I asked Vit to let me be the one to call and tell him.”

“Well we’re not going to tell him … precisely.”

“I can’t lie to him!” I yelped.

“You aren’t. And neither am I. We just won’t mention the fish with all the teeth. I’ll talk to Dylan and see what he can find out about these Harrington …”

“No! Let it go. It is over. If there are further problems, then I’ll … call Dylan myself. Okay? Dylan may be in security, but he can’t just go snooping around about people. He could lose his contracts, clearances, and credentials.”

“Hmmmmm.”

“Please Devin. You all … I don’t know … I appreciate that you are looking after me in your own way but, come on, going a little far don’t you think? Bad enough that I had a grumpy Cossack barely giving me breathing room today. He’s like all of you all rolled into one. Now everytime I turn around it is like he’s got this look in his eyes that he is going to tattle on me to Derrick. Or worse, Charlie who you know just loves a good reason – or bad – to lecture people. Vit is all ‘your brothers’ this or ‘your sisters’ that. Honestly, Charlie has him so wound up with some stupid promise he made on his honor about looking out for me.”

Devin was quiet for a moment then I heard him snort. “Yeah. About the Russian.”

“Ukrainian.”

“Yeah, yeah. Is there anything going on?”

“No, I told you I’m not even allowed to take a step without ol’ eagle eyes …”

“I mean sex.”

I squawked and got upset but he said, “Okay, tone it down a bit before you bust the speaker in my phone. Angie said she didn’t think so, but I thought I should ask. Believe it or not she likes the guy without even having met him. Charlie and Derrick do too. Dylan gave me a rundown of his background.”

“You know, that was unnecessary. Why couldn’t you take my word for things?”

“Er … uh oh. Rhonda said you’d be upset.”

“Well I am. Geez. Poking into a man’s private life just because I’m working with him. More than a little over the top and uncalled for don’t you think. Some might even call it creepy,” I told him letting him know I was not best pleased. I added, “Bad enough that Vit thought it was and I quote ‘only proper as they are your brothers.’ Which I have to say is completely ridiculous. Do not encourage him will you?”

Devin started relaxing at that point and dropped the subject finally giving me a chance to ask how Derrick was doing. The answer was better than expected but still adjusting to the new meds that left him tired and the resulting depression of that and Lena’s continued refusal to come home made him look worse than he was. Part of me wants to be there so badly that I can hardly stand it. The other part of me hopes that having me far out of the way forces Lena to give up at least one of her major reasons for what she called the strain Derrick put on their marriage.

But that conversation didn’t come until the evening between excursions. First thing came forcing myself out of bed and back into a normal routine. Or trying to. Vit didn’t even move when I got up and dressed to go to Deck 9. There was no one up there … or so I thought. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a woman’s voice said, “You are difficult to get a meeting with.”

“Mrs. Harrington, I don’t think this is a good idea. If you’ll excuse me.”

I turned to leave but she stepped in front of me. “We will come to an arrangement.”

“The arrangement has already been come to,” I said as politely as possible. “I am leaving everything up to Madam Marchand and the ship’s policy.”

She just looked at me then blinked. “You are not making a complaint.”

“About?”

“My … sons.”

I sighed. “Like I said, whatever has already been worked out is what has been arranged. I’m perfectly accepting of that. I am certainly not looking, nor wanting, any kind of additional stipulations.”

“Stipulations are not what I was referring to.”

“Mrs. Harrington, it’s done. It’s over. I just want to make sure there are no lasting issues for my student. Anything else is not my business and I don’t want to make it my business. While I … appreciate that you are concerned for your sons, they are adults and obviously don’t appreciate certain aspects of their lives that are being handed to them on a silver platter. But that’s between you and them and again, none of my business. How you handle their disrespect is up to you. Now if you will excuse me …”

I tried to go around her but again she stepped in front of me. “You will make trouble for me on this ship.”

“Why would I do that? I have a job to do and I’m not going to accomplish it doing something insane like wasting time on behaving as spoiled as your sons. Again, the agreement was …”

“I’m aware of what the agreement is. I am the one who crafted it,” she said snidely. She stared at me with a hard glare. “There is something about you. I do not trust you. And I will be keeping a close eye on you to make sure that you do not smear my family’s honor.”

“Too late, your sons already did that,” I snapped, finally getting fed up. “But if it makes you feel better to watch me then watch away. Just don’t threaten my student or his brother. That would be a very bad idea. Now this conversation is over. I gave my word to Madam that I would abide by her choice and that is the way it is going to be.”

I finally got around her and went to the Fitness Center. That’s where Vit found me not long after.

“Slow down. You will make yourself ill,” he told me as I had really pushed up the speed on the treadmill.

I wanted to tell him to go do something rude with his edicts but kept my mouth shut. My foul mood wasn’t his fault. However, when he reached around me to to try and adjust it when I didn’t, I slapped his hand and gave him the same look Momma would give to the boys every now and again … one that promised that if they didn’t behave there was going to be more than just a discussion in their future.

I finished the fast three miles that I had set myself and then got off and started trying to walk off the mad I was still feeling. I was also trying to ignore Vit continuing to stare. He finally said, “The ship is docking.”

“I see. I’m going to go take a shower and get ready. Can you take Frankie with you for breakfast?”

“Nicholas has already taken him. They woke early since they made such an early night of it last night. I will return to the cabin with you.”

I knew that tone. It was the same one my brothers would use when they were in “big brother” mode. If I’ve learned nothing else in this life about men, it is that there are simply some things that it is futile to fight. The only way around it is to not remark upon it at all and ignore it as much as possible. Not that I ever really had a problem when the brats did it … do it … but for some reason having Vit do it as a surrogate does bother me. I can’t explain it and I refuse to analyze it to death. I’ll put up with it as much as I can. I suspect Vit is much more sensitive about his “honor” than many men, and with reason as it has been questioned too often in the past.

When I came out of the shower and had to decide what to wear I didn’t like anything in the wardrobe until I spotted the batik dress and then said “what the heck” and wore it again. When I came out I could see my choice surprised Vit, but he made no direct comment, merely said that he would carry the backpack today. I let him without resistance, and it seemed to please him.

We were about to open the cabin door when Vit said, “It was the Harrington woman.”

“Were you snooping?!”

“Not intentionally. I was going to join you … then saw her accost you. She upset you. I would have stepped in had it become necessary. You handled her well.”

Ignoring his last sentence I said, “She didn’t accost me. Irritate me yes. Make me angry yes. And I will tell you like I told her … her family is her problem. How she deals with them is her business. As long as Frankie and Nicholas are left alone I’ll deal with the way things are. I don’t want it shoved in my face every day, but I’ll still deal with it. If she wants to keep an eye on me like a raptor, then fine. I’m not the one that has done anything wrong, nor will I go out of my way to do so. Now are we going to breakfast or not?”

“Breakfast,” he answered. “And I believe we could both use a cup of tea.”

That I was not going to argue with. As it turns out Nicholas had already ordered a pot for the table since he was expecting us. As we ate … the day’s first excursion was quickly approaching … I found out that his grandmother and Miss Hayworth had a business meeting they were going to that was going to run late and that they would catch up with the boys tomorrow.

I dislike getting angry and I was struggling not to show how I felt since Frankie was excited for the day … and because all four of us would be together like we had in London. Nicholas must have sensed something and when Frankie went to go to the restroom to wash his hands before we disembarked he asked, “Everything okay?”

I took and calming breath and said, “Everything is fine. I just dislike … drama. And yesterday’s mess …” I shook my head. “It is not your problem Nicholas. I’m just a little tense.”

“Yeah well, Grandmother gave those Harringtons hel … er … heck last night. There isn’t going to be any more problems. When Grandmother takes care of something it stays taken care of … or else.”

I humored him and didn’t mention the fact that I’d already had a run in with Mrs. Harrington post “heck” and decided that for the sake of the brothers I had to let it go. As it is, we were very busy for the remainder of the day and into the evening.

Our first activity was a walking tour of Old Town San Juan. As in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Maybe eventually the 51st state of the USA. For now it still is what it is, a territory that is run locally very, very badly. The country is still economically unsound, recovering from several hurricanes, and still blaming everyone but their own incompetence for their country’s condition. But if PR has anything going for it, it is its beauty.

We began our tour at La Princesa, once a municipal jail. Here, the Raices Fountain celebrates the diversity of the Puerto Rican people—their Taino, Spanish and African heritage. I had a roommate in college that was Cuban and at the same time another roommate that was Puerto Rican. It was like living in drama queen central for an entire semester. One of the things that I remember in particular is that Nita used to shout at Maria that she was “Sangre mala!” It means bad blood and it is a fairly common epitaph directed at Puerto Ricans by other Hispanics, or so I was told. It is a matter of how they act and their heritage. Like anything else it can be used as a stereotype because I’ve met beautiful and competent Puerto Ricans … but they can be a little crazy and some of it was on display today.

We entered the old city through San Juan Gate, an impressive remnant of the walls that once encircled it. We viewed the Plazuela de la Rogativa, commemorating the city’s miraculous evasion from sacking by the British in the 16th century, we explored the huge Fort San Cristóbal, the largest fortress built in the New World, stopped at the Ballajá Barracks and the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, admired the history-rich Plaza de San José and the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, one of the city’s oldest buildings. In the Plaza de Armas, we viewed the Four Seasons Fountain, then debated returning to the ship for lunch but I had an alternative idea.

“Trust me?” I asked them.

“Veta?” Vit asked warily. I suppose I was acting a little different, but I know San Juan, had visted here several times with Poppa and Derrick and my friend from college to visit her family.

“What if I told you I know where they serve the world’s best empanadas?”

Nicholas was just hungry and didn’t care. We weren’t far from the Plaza de Colon and around the corner from that was a little hole in the wall shop that Poppa had always favored. In fluent Spanish, and a smile, I ordered ten of their empanadas causing the man behind the counter to laugh when I told them I had some bottomless pits that needed filling and he saw Nicholas and Frankie both sniffing the air and grinning just outside the door.

Even Vit had to admit they were delicious and a pleasant change from eating on the ship. And speaking of eating, I convinced everyone not to eat a full meal considering that during our next excursion we would basically be eating our way across Old San Juan.

We met our culinary guide not too far from the ship and then set off to explore the eateries that line the cobblestone streets of this nearly 500-year-old colonial city. Our first stop was at a coffee shop and those that desired to enjoy a cup of coffee with a Mallorca, a popular pastry eaten for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. I didn’t drink coffee but did like the Mallorca, as did Frankie. I had grabbed a couple of bottles of water when we were eating the empanadas and we definitely needed them between all of the stops we made. I lost count of the number of local fritters we ate —bite-size fried or sautéed batter often containing fruit or meat. About mid-way through the four-hour trek we took a short break and many of the adults decided to try a refreshing piña colada—Puerto Rico’s national drink—or a mojito. Vit had a small taste of the local rum but the boys and I had a frozen pineapple sort of thing that I’m not sure even has a name. We also had some chocolate from one of the local chocolatiers. We continued walking and tasting until I started to think perhaps I would just roll back to the ship. The last things we had was a cool paleta (ice pop) or piragua (frozen flavored ice) before returning to the pier.

We had a couple of hours to kill before our “after dark” activity and that’s when I spoke with Devin. Vit knew that I was still a little hacked off about getting called on the carpet by my brother and wasn’t quite so smothering. I’m glad because it took most of my concentration to enjoy our evening activity, something that both Frankie and I had been looking forward to … a bioluminescent kayak adventure.

We had to travel to a place named Fajardo before we could even start though at least the trip included knowledgeable commentary about Puerto Rico—also known as “la Isla del Encanto” (Enchanted Island) – by our guide. In the small fishing village of Las Croabas, we were greeted by experienced eco-guides. They helped us to prepare and got us equipped and assigned to two-person kayaks, as well as all necessary safety equipment, lights and and some refreshments. Vit and Nicholas crewed one kayak and Frankie and I another. The O’Rourkes were on the excursion and had a good laugh at trying to get in and settled in their kayak. Devin … the most outdoorsy of my brothers … had also taught me to kayak as part of his certification process; and, because it looked good on the advertising for the business he was starting at the time. Derrick and Poppa couldn’t be around all the time and on Momma’s bad days, when the arthritis required her to take a pain pill, I was generally farmed out to one of my other siblings. Derrick and Poppa didn’t always know what Devin and I would get up to until sometime later when it was too late to be upset about it.

Once everyone was settled in their kayaks we paddled out under the night sky to the entrance of the Las Cabezas de San Juan Reserve. Here, we entered a channel where the mangroves create natural tunnels, and the sights and sounds of wildlife surrounded us. (So did the mosquitos.) We enjoyed a peaceful paddle along the edge of the mangrove forest at Laguna Grande and had a chance to see the swirls of waters that glow with bioluminescent microorganisms. It is no trick, it really does look like some type of magic. It doesn’t always happen but that night the guide said the effect was particularly vibrant. I’m glad, though I almost wacked Frankie with the paddle once for leaning so far over we nearly tipped … would have if I hadn’t gotten us rebalanced quickly.

“Listen Monkey, I’d like to remain at least partially dry so stay in the boat. ‘K?”

He laughed as did our guide who had come abreast to make sure, had we flipped, that we could have righted ourselves. Too soon it was over with and we were back on the ship, by then Frankie was nodding off and I got him to his cabin and Nicholas decided he was done for the night as well.

“Please make sure your brother showers before crashing and burning.”

“Gawd yes.” To his brother he said, “Go on Squirt … you stink and I gotta share the room with you. And spray some deodorant in those pits will ya.”

Doesn’t brotherly love just choke you up?

Vit’s moodiness is finally subsiding and the last of the photos have uploaded. I am done for the night. Tomorrow will be a more relaxing day. There will even be time to lay about on the beach. And yes, Nicholas and Vit are with us again. I don’t know if that is on purpose or accident, but I hope they begin to let up on their bodyguard routine. It got old today.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 55: Oct 24 – Puerto Rico (Day 2)

Finally, a calm day of not being scrutinized like a bug under a microscope. I’ve been banking on people not having much short-term memory when they are on vacation and otherwise focused. Looks like I am right for once.

We left the ship early for a trek through the rainforest. El Yunque covers some 28,000 acres – huge on this island nation – and contains 75 percent of the virgin forests in Puerto Rico and is the only true tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system. We had barely started when we stopped for a coffee and pastry at a local bakery. Back on the bus we drove to the rainforest with some commentary by our guide including the fact that the forest contains 240 tree species and 150 types of ferns. Twenty orchid species also thrive there. In a couple of places I nearly went deaf from the singing of the tiny endemic coquí tree frogs. Frankie all but came unglued when he spotted several Puerto Rican parrots in the wild. It did cause him to wonder about Arthur and Guinevere and all I could tell him was to ask his Grandmother.

During our outing we stopped at El Portal to gain a better understanding of the tropical forests and the practices needed for their sound management and preservation. Frankie is to write a paragraph explaining what he heard. We enjoyed a photo stop at La Coca Falls and Puente Roto, then headed to Luquillo Beach. We ate a modified lunch of local fritters while relaxing in the shade of palm trees, and taking a leisurely dip in the warm, calm waters. I am glad I thought to bring a new bottle of sunscreen as several people weren’t as well armed. I’m also glad I wore shorts with a bathing suit beneath. Vit and Nicholas got involved in a game of volley ball with some local teens which left me to play in the water with Frankie. We were only there an hour, but my tan darkened noticeably even with the protection of the sunscreen. A couple in the family used to wonder if I was Eastern European, why I tanned so quickly and kept it so long. I have no idea, I’m just lucky that way I guess. But I didn’t normally stint on sunscreen either which likely explains why I rarely burn. Today my normal good sense had taken a leave of absence.

Back to the ship and there was barely enough time to clean up before we took another culinary tour of the town. We met our guide and headed to a farmers’ market located in the colorful Santurce district. Known locally as “La Placita,” the marketplace has been meeting local residents’ daily food-shopping needs since 1910, or so said our guide. We got introduced to the fruits, vegetables and spices that are integral to local cuisine, and then headed to Atelier at Cocina Abierta, a prestigious cooking school. The staff at Atelier prides itself on offering an interactive space for the development and enjoyment of food, wine and spirits. Here, we were given the opportunity to participate in cooking traditional Puerto Rican dishes—with a mix of indigenous, Spanish and West African influences—using the same ingredients that we saw at La Placita. Not only did we participate in the cooking of the dishes, that is what we ate before returning to the ship for the evening.

Madam laughed to hear Nicholas say it was a lot of work to cook all that food. She told him, “Then maybe you will appreciate the meals set before you even more.”

“Yes ma’am,” he answered while eyeing a cart of desserts being rolled to the dining room like a hungry wolf.

Vit said, “I will take them to dinner if you wish to clean up.”

“Thank you,” I told him and made a quick getaway. I was really starting to feel where I had gotten more sun than I probably should have.

I took a shower and only meant to lay down for a moment but must have fallen asleep. The next thing I remember vaguely is, “Veta?”

“Mm?”

“You should get up and eat.”

“Uh uh.”

“A drink of water.”

“Uh uh.”

Then it was like a piece of ice laid across my back. I sat up with an indrawn hiss. “Yowzer.”

“It was just a wet cloth,” Vit said with a hint of a smile lurking in his voice.

“Uh huh. Whew, that’ll wake someone up.”

“I’m sorry but you really do need to at least drink something.”

For a second I wanted to snap and say I was no child that he needed to order about but just as quickly I realized that was the headache I had from being dehydrated talking. “Excuse me while I go wash my face.”

I really looked a mess as I had taken the braid out of my hair hoping it would help. I twisted the mess up and held it in place with a large banana clip and then was mortified to realize that I had barely been dressed as I only had on my beach cover up over some shorts with nothing underneath either of them.

“Just go. I’ll be out later.”

“Veta.”

“No.”

He sighed. “I am a thirty-year-old male. You did not shock me.”

“I hope you realize that statement just made me feel worse,” I told him in all honesty.

“Hmmm. Then how about … you are a beautiful woman Veta and I have known it all along and have not taken advantage of you. I hope that means you trust me and know I will continue not to take advantage of you.”

I groaned. “Stop being so nice.”

There was a pause and sounding surprised he said, “That is not something I have ever been accused of before.”

I finally just threw caution to the wind, opened the door and walked out, and said, “Well you are. So there. And I don’t care if that just made me sound all of two years old. I’m getting dressed and going to get something to drink.”

Wryly he said, “Good idea. But there is also pineapple or coconut sorbet if you would like. And there is jazz on the pool deck. And a cool breeze coming off the water.”

I stayed for a bit but when Frankie was ready to go down for the night I was ready myself. I took another shower and all I’ve been doing is waiting for my hair to dry and then I’m going to bed as well. Only one more day in San Juan and I intend on enjoying it.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 56: Oct 25 – Puerto Rico (Day 3)

Here I am, sitting on the veranda, finally allowed to be alone for a bit. Who would have ever thought I would be the one to say something like that? I never liked being alone. Well, that’s not precisely true. I’m an introvert … I’m just an introvert on my own needy terms. But now? Now I find it the only time I can truly let my hair down … sometimes literally. And yes, that has to be one of the most overused words in the English vocabulary, similar to unprecedented. But what else am I supposed to call it? I hear the noise from the decks above but the sound of the wind and waves as the ship slices through the water keeps it easily ignored.

Today was our last day in San Juan. It is so stupid that I almost cried about it. I have a lot of good memories of the city, and now have some more. I hope that makes up for the memories that are less pleasant. For some reason in my sleep last night the scene had changed. The shark was no longer small, Frankie hadn’t been treading water and I couldn’t find him, I could hear the rest of the passengers laughing about something rather than helping each other get back on the boat. Ugh. I hate those kinds of dreams. They make you feel so helpless. Doubtless some of it was from the sunburn but some may have been delayed reaction. Or I could have merely eaten sorbet too late at night. Whatever it was I did not wake up with a very sunny disposition.

I shook it off the best I could, ate lightly at breakfast while Frankie’s nonstop chatter flowed over and around me, and then prepared for our first “adventure” which I should have been looking forward to more than I was. We went horseback riding in the foothills of El Yunque national rainforest.

The ride itself wasn’t particularly strenuous or demanding but my horse seemed to have a less than sunny nature itself. We never did come to a mutual understanding. Our transfer drove us to the northeast of the island into the heart of the Puerto Rican countryside to one of its most beautiful haciendas, where we met our instructor and guide. After getting acquainted with our Paso Fino horses – or in my case deciding that Rosa was no rose – we followed our guide along carefully laid trails, admiring the flora as we rode. Since most of us were experienced riders we got to our destination in good time and were able to take a dip in the river’s cool waters. After the ride, we returned to the hacienda to hand over the horses and to board the shuttle back to the and ship. My three caballeros all needed time to walk some circulation back into their … hindquarters. They no longer ride like sacks of potatoes on the horses’ backs, but they need more practice yet before they aren’t sore in uncomfortable places.

We were scheduled to go to the San Juan Museum but came back to the bus to find that the excursion had been cancelled because there was some type of demonstration going on over near it blocking many of the roads and even causing the museum itself to close. Not ready to return to the ship I offered to take them on the walk I went on each time I had come for a visit. I think the free time was a hit as we visited both forts, took some great pictures, I taught the brothers a little bit of Spanish, and we wandered in and out of the many shops. I introduced them to some of the candies made from tropical fruits and even got Vit to suck on a lollipop. Since there were multiple cruise ships in town the street markets were busy and full drawing the fascination of the brothers. We spent so much time looking that we had to hurry back to the ship.

Returning to what was our normalcy, Nicholas and Vit were to dine in company and Frankie and I would order room service. For lessons, I allowed a nature show and Frankie needed to update the Traveling Marchand page and to catch up on his correspondence before the WiFi signal became cantankerous once again. That kept him busy all the way until his bedtime and he’ll likely continue it tomorrow as well after we work on several math and science projects. Yes. Tomorrow is a sea day. The first in too long. One of my tasks tomorrow will be to wash my delicates. When I mentioned the chore Nicholas rushed to say, “We’ve got ours. Isn’t that right Squirt?”

“Huh? Oh. Oh yeah. Nickie and I are all over it Miss Veta. Promise.”

“Uh huh. See that you do.” When I offered to do Vit’s laundry the look on his face nearly made me laugh but I let it go and just told him the offer stood open.

And now, here I sit. It is starting to drizzle so it looks like it is time to go in and catch up on the sleep that eluded me last night.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 57: Oct 26 – Cruise the Caribbean Sea

Sea Day. Port. Sea Day. Port. Sea Day. Sea Day. Port. Port. Port. Port. Then four sea days. That will take us through the 70thday of this cruise. I heard from Suzanne that some passengers are getting cruise-weary. Possibly. I know that is part of my own problems, but it is a mental weariness rather than a physical one.

From my research, the average length of your typical world cruise runs between 75 to 140 days and this would be near the half-way mark of such a trip. We are still far from the half-way mark for this one however. Either way there is a noticeable lull in group energy compared to what came at the beginning of the cruise. We just got off of nine port days in a row. I notice myself that I'm "tired" in a way that I am not normally. Keeping up with the family blog on Shutterfly has been challenging to find the time – and energy – to do. I am doing good to keep up with all the family happenings and putting them on my calendar. I also need to find the time to calculate when I need to make sure and send out special occasion emails (and cards for members of the family that don't live in the on-line world).

I gave it some thought today and I've yet to have a day off since leaving the States with Frankie. Yes, I have had one or two days that I got time to myself but no 24-hour periods of time where I could shut it all off and deal with only personal matters in my own personal space. I thought I knew what the job was when I signed on but if I am mentally fatigued now, what is it going to be like at the end of the cruise?

Enough going down that thought path. There's nothing I can do about it so back to my day today. I had to wait my turn to do my laundry, something I haven't had to do up to this point. People are really playing catch up with reality. After Barbados and French Guiana, we are going to be in the thick of it in South America with five port days in Brazil alone and I guess people are trying to catch up and prepare forward at the same time.

Maybe one of the reasons I am in such a funk is because I'm a little upset … but day late, dollar short. I asked Devin not to get Dylan involved. Instead Devin and Charlie asked Vit to ask Dylan so that they wouldn't have to lie to me (or Derrick) if asked. Of coure I found out anyway when Dylan called me. I swear. Or I would if I wasn't worried someone would hear me. I mean seriously. But … I now know something that I sort of wish I didn't because it absolutely is not common knowledge. The Harrington brothers were denied entry into the US by Immigration and Customs when they landed in Miami. They were also unable to fly to Europe because they were on no-fly lists due to some arrests that happened two years ago. When I asked what Dylan said not to worry about it. That suggests things I would rather not think about, so I won't. Their country of birth, Brazil, would have taken them because they have an open warrant for questioning in some family drama … but for whatever reason they didn't fly home. From what Dylan said they are basically under house arrest at a family compound in Costa Rica waiting until things cool down.

I was worried that Mr. and Mrs. Harrington would be angry and go after the Marchands, but they are playing a deep game from what I can see, but I don't know what their end game is. They've somehow gotten a lot of sympathy for their troubles and admiration for trying with their "unappreciative" sons for as long as they did. Yeah. Whatever. And for the record I don't mind that she acts like I don't exist. Fine with me. I know I sound adolescent but for the moment I just can't seem to drum up a care to be any different, at least not here where I am writing my own private thoughts for my own clarity and memories.

To head off whatever these mullygrubs are that I am feeling I am trying to get back into some semblance of a routine. I was up at my normal time and on Deck 9 to exercise with the small group of women who meet there. Not everyone shows up every day but most of us are there most mornings. They know I alternate yoga and pilates with the machines in the Fitness Center. Most of them warn me of the joint pain I am investing in. Perhaps. But it seems to me that joint pain is almost a natural part of aging and I'd rather have a strong infrastructure to support my joints with than not.

I arrived back at the cabin to find a note from Vit stating that the brothers woke starving and he had gone to breakfast with them. He asked if I would please join them when I was ready. I shrugged it off and changed into casual deck clothes and went to look for them. It was strange to have all three of them stand when I approached.

"Okay. Why do I have a feeling I am about to be put on the hot seat?"

Vit tried to look innocent and bluff his way out by saying, "I do not understand the phrase."

I gave him the look Momma would have and then Frankie and Nicholas both broke about the same time, trying to hide their snickers. Vit grumped, "You would make terrible secret keepers." That only made them laugh more.

I cleared my throat and said, "A little decorum please. We do not want to disturb the other passengers. Now seriously, you might as well give. You know I'll find out eventually."

Vit sighed. "It is nothing. I was merely going to suggest that we incorporate some strength training into their sea days. I know Nicholas misses being able to get out and simply run and for Frankie it would make a good way for him to train to be an ornithologist."

"Why? So he can wrestle a condor?"

It was the wrong thing to say. "Miss Veta, condors are endangered. I would never wrestle with one. I might hurt it."

"Oh."

"But it would be cool to be able to climb trees and haul my gear deep into unknown territory in search of rare species. It wouldn't even have to be birds … but they would be the coolest. And I could …"

"Okay, I get the general idea. So, you are interested in adding physical education to your school calendar."

"Uh … I guess. Just make it that strength training stuff Nickie talked about."

Our relaxed day proceeded from there with it ending that the brothers ate in company, as did Vit as their social guide, and I decided to hang out on the veranda to get away from the thoughts that have been chasing me all day. I started by catching up on my correspondence and that's when Dylan and I connected. That shot relaxing down and I haven't really felt like getting any of my work done since that conversation. I am just going to go to bed. Maybe sleep will let me escape from the tornado in my head.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 58: Oct 27 – Bridgetown, Barbados

Had a laidback day in Barbados. Woke and rather than joining the group on Deck 9 I decided on another run on the treadmill. I was leaving as Vit was coming in, but as he was with someone else we didn’t speak. I didn’t see him or Nicholas at breakfast either as they had been invited to join another group.

Frankie was extremely excited for our first “adventure,” a visit to Harrison’s Cave. After a short transfer by bus we descended into the chambers of what is called one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular natural wonders. Harrison’s Cave conjures images of hidden pirate treasures and shiny pieces of eight stowed away in dark corners, but the beauty of this underground world, formed over millennia, is priceless. The cavern’s first recorded discovery dates to 1796, and its interior laid untouched until 1970. We descended via a glass elevator, a treat unto itself, to the valley floor and the cave entrance. After a short presentation, an electric tram took us down into a subterranean world of chambers, stalactites, stalagmites, and streams, waterfalls and pools. The tram journey was almost a mile long, passing walls that glistened with calcite-laden water. No real walking required which was appreciated by some of the older members of the party we made up. We stopped at the cave’s lowest point, where a waterfall plunged into an emerald pool. Coming out was every bit as interesting as going in had been and then it was a short bus ride back to the ship where we ate a quick lunch of fast food at the pool grill. I wish there was some alternative to going through security each and every time we have to get back on the ship, but it is what it is. I understand the necessity of it, it just gets tedious. I can’t imagine what it must be like on those huge cruise ships that hold over six and seven thousand passengers. Ugh. Our 930 is quite sufficient as it is.

I found our second excursion to be historically interesting but without much to recommend it otherwise. It also wasn’t very challenging which left Frankie with the fidgets that I’ve been dealing with the remainder of the day. We learned how the Jewish community of Barbados brought the sugar industry alive in the 17th century. About 300 Jewish people fled Brazil and settled in Barbados in the 1660s. Skilled in the sugar industry, they passed on their skills to Barbados land owners and helped Barbados become one of the world's major sugar producers. During this history lesson we drove to St Nicholas Abbey. Built in 1658, its Great House is one of three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. The steam mill and rum distillery are still in full operation, and there was the opportunity for those interested to purchase a personalized bottle of carefully blended rum, bottled at the Abbey. Next, we headed to Nidhe Israel, the only synagogue in Barbados. Restored by the Jewish community in 1983, it boasts beautiful Gothic arches and is protected by the Barbados National Trust.

Going back to the ship there was a tourist market set up by the cruise companies and I admit that I made a few purchases. Rum, Bajan seasoning (I’m a sucker for such things to experiment with), rum cake, sugar cake, and tamarind balls. The rum had to be checked (they’re getting to know me), the seasoning went in the storage container that I am mailing back when we hit the States, and the food sits in the fridge for snacking.

Back on the ship I tried to convince Frankie to go swimming, but he has grown used to having his brother to “play” with and he was bored. The science lesson wasn’t much of a hit either. I asked him if he wanted to go to the Fitness Center or play putt-putt golf on Deck 9 and neither one of those options met with a positive response. I told him that then he could take some extra time to work on Traveling Marchand and he didn’t want to do that either. Ultimately, after picking at rather than eating his dinner, he moodily drew in his sketch book. I was rather relieved when it was his bedtime.

It has been a challenge to keep my mind on my own workload. After saying I was grateful for finally having time alone, I feel the exact opposite and need something to distract myself. Maybe I’ll just go shave my legs.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 59: Oct 28 – Cruise the Atlantic Ocean

Another “relaxing” sea day. If sarcasm had weight I wouldn’t be able to lift this page to turn it.

Frankie is nine. I get it. For so long he had almost zero of his family’s attention and now he has it and he has gotten use to it and when he doesn’t have it, he worries that it is going to go back to the way things were before. Having been the youngest I do know how it feels. And I’m thinking part of my problem is that I am trying to not be resentful of my family having lives to lead that I am not part of. It makes me sound like a spoiled, needy, and immature brat … and not the kind I call my brothers. Seeing it in myself I am trying not to be harsh with Frankie. At the same time, it is like he is trying to pinch my last nerve, make me prove I am not like everyone else. Or say that I am and that I am “just the teacher.” Or so it seems. But I need to make sure that I am not seeing his actions through a cloud of my own emotions before I put my foot down.

He did his schoolwork in good order or I would have been forced to have a few words to say. That is something at least. I praised him, tried to give him positive reinforcement, but all I got were those shrugs. Now I know why even my saintly mother would occasionally look like she was contemplating murder and mayhem when I or my nieces and nephews would do the same, or roll our eyes, or something as equally designed to be irritating to every adult in the vicinity. I’m sure she is laughing in heaven that I wound up with one just as challenging in that respect as I was. It should give me more insight on how to respond than I have. I feel lost on how to recreate what we had in London.

It would be so much easier – for me as well – had we never thought we could depend on the company of Nicholas and Vit. And I admit it. I had grown use to the comraiderie of the four of us together. Of Vit and I as a team working together for the benefit of the brothers. Is it now gone or in a lull? I know he has his responsibilities and I know Nicholas has a lot of expectations placed upon him. He only has a short time before he must take his place in the adult world, not just as a university student but as a member of the Marchand family. I am also sure that the thing with the Harrington brothers may very well have highlighted what Vit has been trying to warn him away from, perhaps scared him a bit as well. I would ask Vit, but our schedules don’t appear to be meshing lately … or at least for a few days.

I miss my family. Yes. I do. When I was lonely there was always someone available to talk, someone that needed a babysitter, someone that needed an errand run. I could be home and helping right now instead out here in the middle of the freaking ocean dealing with crazy socialites, snobby millionaires, cold fishes, and a cranky student. I know I’m whining. I know it. I’m ungrateful. I get that too. I know that Derrick needs me out from under foot so he can deal with the mess his life is in. I know the others need me to prove to them I am an adult they aren’t going to have to handhold for the rest of my days. But I miss them. I miss … I miss the acceptance. I miss the laughter. I even miss the tears because they were shared, and shared burdens are lighter, or so Momma always said. I think … I think most of all I miss being touched. I miss being able to touch and not wonder if someone will consider it inappropriate.

That’s it. Time to stop feeling sorry for myself. They keep the shades closed on the Fitness Center during dinner. I’m going to run as fast as I can for as long as I can. Then I am going to shower and go to bed. And no dreaming.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 60: Oct 29 – French Guiana (Iles du Salut), France

Short day in port. We didn’t arrive until noon and pulled out at 6 pm. It was further shortened by the fact it was a tender port. French Guiana. Can’t say I’ve ever even considered visiting. Don’t think I’ll be back. Of all the things to have an excursion to. The penal colony where France sent its most notorious criminals for nearly a century. Ugh. I didn’t even pick up any postcards. I forgot to exchange money and there were signs all over the place that, contrary to what people had been told on the ship, they didn’t accept credit or debit cards.

The three Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands) include Île Royale, Île Saint-Joseph and Île du Diable—the infamous Devil’s Island. Due to the choppy, shark-infested waters surrounding them, the islands were considered escape-proof, but that did not stop the famous prisoner Henri Charrières, also known as Papillon, from making several successful attempts. Another famous prisoner here was Lieutenant Albert Dreyfus, who in 1894 was wrongly convicted of treason and whose case was one of the most scandalous miscarriages of justice in modern French history. I noted the “choppy, shark-infested waters” and hoped that whatever Nicholas and Vit were up to did not include diving. Just crossing in the tender was bad enough.

The island now has a peaceful reputation; but it is an undeserved reputation. It is officially part of the EU and the euro is its official currency but despite it being the highest GDP per capita in South America you couldn’t tell it because of poor infrastructure and frequent social unrest. I suspect that the last two account for our short stay more than our distance to our ports on either side of the destination.

At least Frankie was momentarily distracted by seeing macaws, capuchin monkeys, and sea turtles and he was no longer blaming me for Nicholas and Mr. D not joining us on our short self-guided tour of Iles de Salut. However, he has declared he does not want to eat dinner with me any longer, he wants to eat with his grandmother. I’ve been informed that real Marchands stick together. When we got back on the ship I went to Miss Hayworth with his request. She blinked but gave way when Madam seemed very pleased to have him more often. I noted that didn’t mean every night, so we’ll have to see how that goes.

Which is why I am once again dining alone, in the cabin, loading pictures that I took out of habit rather than pleasure. But I’ll post them anyway rather than be forced to answer uncomfortable questions … not that my siblings are asking any. They are all very busy moving back to Pembroke to be together.

Bah! I will not feel sorry for myself! Time to go running again and then some pilates here in the cabin until I can sleep.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 61: Oct 30 – Cruise the Atlantic

At least he still agrees to do school in a timely and agreeable fashion. That is about all I have to say of the day. Except the extra exercising appears to be paying off. I no longer must worry about the seam in the seat of a couple of pairs of slacks that were getting uncomfortable.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 62: Oct 31 – Cruise the Amazon River

If I was in the US, today would be Halloween. I would have been helping all my nieces and nephews to find pieces for the costumes they wanted to wear to whatever Fall Festival or school event they were attending. Or I would be working on some project that Angelia had farmed out the pieces of so not one of us were burdened with the entirity. Even “away” I would have been part of the whole. But that isn’t where I am. Instead, thousands of miles separate me from them as surely as if I was on the moon.

The Amazon River. Poppa and Derrick had always talked of the time they had gone on a mission trip down the great river. It was when Derrick was in high school. They always talked of going again and taking me, but life conspired for other things to happen. I had a chance when I was a sophomore in college but turned it down because I wanted to wait and go with Derrick. Stupid. But now here I am, anchored offsore of Macapa waiting for the ship to be cleared by the Brazilian authories and then we will cruise down the river. Why isn’t my heart more excited?

Derrick wants me to send as many pictures as I can. I’ll do it for him. He asked me what is wrong. I told him nothing. And there isn’t … anything wrong I mean. I mean I miss them all terribly, but nothing can be done about that. I must prove I’m not going to be an anchor dragging at them, preventing them from advancing as they should. And soon enough I’ll be back to take care of the Pembroke House and pick up the pieces of my life in some form. It is what Momma and Poppa would expect.

For now, I must have patience. Seasons turn. That is what I am in the middle of. A season turning. And I am doing my job. Frankie is not so shy, and he and his family are interacting in a healthier way. I am glad of that. I am. I just need to find something constructive to fill my time with that is no longer devoted to him. He doesn’t need me the same way any longer.

Tonight, I will run then I will go back to the cabin and upload the pictures for Derrick. It is the least I can do for him.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 63: Nov 1 – Santarem, Brazil

Today’s port was the small city of Santarem, at the confluence of the Tapajos and Amazon Rivers. Because of poor road conditions, its people rely heavily on these waterways for transportion. It is a fact that most nearby villages can only be reached by river, and it is common to see families plying these waters in small boats. While we were there some passengers visited the Cathedral of Our Lady or toured the Casa da Farinha, an old cassava flour mill that is now an agricultural farm. As I understand from Frankie, his brother and Mr. D tried their hand at fishing for piranha on nearby Maica Lake. Mr. O’Rourke was with them and apparently a good time was had by all … or so I heard Mrs. O’Rourke telling someone in the hallway.

The day I spent with Frankie started out on a panoramic exploration of local history and culture. We saw where the clear Tapajos meets the muddy Amazon. The downtown area was busy, and we saw the Nova Orla Fluvial promenade in the redeveloped port area, visited the city's cathedral, and saw the Town Hall Museum with its displays of ancient ceramics from the region. We then visited Casa da Farinha, home to native trees of the region and witnessed how latex is extracted from rubber trees during a demonstration. I managed to get a good science lesson in there that Frankie consented to write a paragraph on (with pictures) for Traveling Marchand. It was during his short break prior to dinner. His grandmother said her only stipulation for coming to dinner was that he had to complete his school work first and have a good report on his behavior during the day. At least Madam still has priorities.

After our panoramic bus tour, we converted to a nature walk … post lunch on the ship. I took a lot of good pictures there and amazingly enough got them loaded in good time before we left port.

To get to the nature trail we had to drive for about 7 miles along the Cuiabá-Santarém Highway, having the impact that “slash and burn” agricultural techniques pointed out to us at every turn. When we arrived at the Santa Lucia Woods, we set off on a guided nature walk on specially designated trails through a pristine Amazonian rainforest, full of diverse plant and animal species. I suspect, but cannot prove, that the trails were “seeded” with things to keep our interest and create sympathy. Even feeling numb as I have lately, I was astounded by its rich potential and concerned by the ecological dangers that threaten it. But then again, that was the guide’s purpose. We had the opportunity to see some of the 400 species of native trees including Brazil nut, rubber and palm trees; and stopped to learn the many practical, nutritional and medicinal uses for dozens of other plant species. As we walked, our guide pointed out monkeys, sloths, lizards and anteaters. I became the butt of a running joke when a monkey jumped from the tree to investigate my hair.

Fine, the look on my face was something to behold. I saw the pictures myself. Especially when the little beast snatched my glasses off and ran away with them. I’m sure that I am on youtube with many chuckles being had by all viewers. Luckily, I always travel with a second and third pair because the obnoxious little beastie ran all the way up to the top of a very tall tree with them and was not coming back down.

The guide said, “I’m sorry Miss. We’ve never had such a thing happen before.”

“They are getting used to humans and losing their fear. Hopefully they will not become the pests they are in some areas of the world or the locals may not be quite as amused and tolerant of them.”

“Yes Miss.”

I wasn’t buying the polite deference. I heard him laughing about it with some of his co-workers after the nature walk was at an end. I also had to listen to it on the bus back to port. On the gangway up the ship. And rather ad nauseum a few times after that.

Derrick did not find the story amusing. He wanted to know if I had washed up well where it had touched me and if it had scratched me or anything else. It had not, and I said I had used hand sanitizer immediately afterwards. That I remembered all the rules that he and Poppa had in place for hygiene in the jungle, particularly when dealing with animals, intentionally or not. That at least seemed to mollify him, and he fell back into reminiscincing about good times.

Lena is asking for a divorce … and custody of the boys. Derrick says he will grant her the divorce she wants because he has heard from too many reliable sources that she is in a relationship with a man some years her junior. I’m shocked. I mean I’m really shocked. Derrick says her parents are distraught over the changes in her. They are blocking her from getting to the principle in her trust fund, but she is more than able to live on the interest of it making it difficult for them to “encourage” her to examine her actions with any teeth to their demands. They said they will also refuse to side with her on the full custody she is demanding ... so long as they continue to have access to their grandsons.

“Veta, it hurt for them to even think I would do something like that. They’ve been like second parents to me.”

“Oh Derrick, everyone is just really shook-up over all of the changes taking place. I wish there was something I could do but I’m afraid that trying to contact her would just add fuel to the fire. I was hoping being so far away would make it easier on you. Now I feel like I’m abandoning you right when you need me to help out.”

“No. Don’t think that. Dad and Mom both would birth purple cows if they thought you were throwing your life away like that.”

Quietly I told him, “I don’t think of it as throwing my life away. You and the others have always been there for me. Always. Even when I didn’t appreciate what a sacrifice it must have been.”

“Veta? Is something wrong?”

“No. What could possibly be wrong? I’m on a world cruise with every luxury while my big brother is suffering the biggest shock of his life. And dealing with the normal struggles in life at the same time that could adversely affect his health.”

“Having you out of this helps. I can’t explain how it helps exactly … but it does.”

“I can. I’m one less thing for you to be responsible for and worry about. And don’t bother denying it. I just really wish there was something concrete I could do to help.”

“So do I Veta, but there’s not. I’m not closing the door on Lena completely, but that day is fast approaching.”

“How are the boys?”

“For now, taking it better than I expected. I’m being honest with them. I’m not hiding anything. At least not from the older two. Benji doesn’t even want to talk about his mother, not even with the counselor I am having them see. The counselor says he isn’t angry so much as disappointed in her which he says is going to be much more difficult for her to overcome in any relationship they have going forward.” He was silent for a moment then asked, “Would you be upset if I asked Angie to help me find a housekeeper?”

“Why would I be upset? You need the help now, not six months from now when I get back.”

There was definite relief in his voice when he said, “Angie kept saying you’d understand. I just didn’t want you to be hurt.”

“Brat, I would be hurt if you sacrificed yours and the boys’ needs on the altar of my emotions. This isn’t like with Momma. I’m not there. And unlike Momma you seem willing to get outside help. So do it.”

“I’ll talk to Angie tomorrow. She knows all the local families. I don’t need or want a live in … I just need some help keeping up with this blasted house. How on earth you did it and took care of Mom … and then Dad … and at the same time keeping up with all of your schoolwork I have no idea.”

“Stop making it be something it wasn’t. I did it because it was necessary. Don’t forget I completely fell apart afterwards, and you and the others had to pick up the pieces. I wasn’t very strong back then. I’ve had to learn to be strong along the way.”

“I … I guess I never understood how you felt when you found out about Robert.”

“Let it go Brat. We are both going to have to let it go or the chains are going to take us under. Those that really care about us won’t want that.”

So maybe I’m not there but at least I think I helped him a little. And I say my prayers for him and the others every night and morning the way Momma and Poppa taught me … and even the Priest in his own way back when I was little more than a baby. It will have to be enough because sometimes that is all there is.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 64: Nov 2 – Parintins, Brazil

Longer day in port but nearly as laid back and untaxing as yesterday, at least for most of the day. Our port was Parintins on the river island of Tupinambarana. The main attraction for those that chose to leave the ship was a recreation of a festival performance that normally occurs in June.

We walked in a huge crowd – and I held Frankie’s hand whether he wanted me to or not as we’d been warned of pick pockets in the crowd and others that were there to lure people away with false promises of better seats - from the pier to the Parintins Convention Center, where the Boi Bumbá Festival singers and dancers recreated Parintins' annual Boi Bumbá or "Bull Festival.” This annual event is Brazil’s second largest celebration, so you can guess how rowdy it gets. It recounts a folk tale about the rivalry between two bulls whose teams (one red and one blue) strive to outperform each other. The tension of the performance mounts until the appearance of a shaman results in a “joyous celebration” of the bull’s life. As with Carnaval, the festival features ornate floats built by competing teams.

Most people seemed to be having a good time but the performers, some of them in very skimpy outfits also reminiscent of Carnaval, made me uncomfortable. Especially the ones that liked to get a little too close. I got batted in the face three times by costumes much to the amusement of Frankie and those that noticed. I later realized as one of the younger people in the audience I was considered fair game. I was gracious but was more than happy for the performance to come to an end.

I also did not participate in the high-spirited toasting of the Boi Bumbá with a caipirinha cocktail made of cachacça (fermented sugar cane juice), sugar and lime. As the party got rowdier, I escaped with Frankie and we headed back to the ship as I had promised he could go swimming. I saw Mr. D with a glass in his hand swarmed by women in costume. Good for him.

Swimming over with, and Frankie in Madam’s hands, I was going for my evening run when the power flickered off all over the ship. The problem is I was running at a high rate of speed and when the power went out the treadmill shut down. I wasn’t the only one who got caught by surprise and all three of us hit the floor. The two other people were crew members. One guy split his eyebrow on the treadmill handle. The woman was on the floor holding her ankle and in great pain. As the fastest runner my stop was even more dramatic. I managed to save myself some head and face damage but as a result I came down on my side on the edge of the platform that was at an incline.

It wasn’t until the ship’s doctor arrived that I was able to draw a full breath. We were taken down a crew stairwell to avoid being noticed by the passengers who were milling about waiting for the power to come back on … it had something to do with a dockside power failure.

“Nonsense,” I told them when they said they would carry me. “It is no worse than the times that I’ve fallen from a horse. Best thing for it is if I walk it off. Evita is the one with the wrenched ankle, you want to play hero then carry her. Or maybe Jorge there needs a hand.”

Jorge was not amused … but the doctor was. “I have it on good authority that your brother is a well-known pediatric specialist.”

“Yes and doctors make the worst patients so I learned from the best. If you are going to poke and prod us lets get it over with. I don’t want anyone seeing us looking like roadkill.”

He snorted and by the time it was all through I very much wanted to be left alone so I could go to the cabin and soak in a hot bath … because luckily the power was back on. If you can believe it, I heard the crew say someone tripped over a plug, pulled it out, and hadn’t bothered to put it back in. It was that often heard of but rarely seen master criminal known as “Somebody” and his sidekick “Not Me.”

The soak either hasn’t help as much as I had hoped, or I was hurt worse than I thought. Either way I’ve been sitting here waiting for the Naproxen to kick in. Tomorrow is going to suck. Please oh please let the pills kick in soon.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 65: Nov 3 – Manaus, Brazil (Day 1)

Today has been as unpleasant as I had feared. I am also in possession of an odd and suspicious fact that I turned over to Madam. She can do with it what she will, or nothing at all.

Today we arrived in Manaus which is one thousand miles upriver from the Atlantic. But we didn’t get there until noon. It is the most populus city in the Amazon basin and was once famous for the rubber trade. Our first excursion was a misery for me, a speedboat ride along the Rio Negro. By the time we arrived at our destination I was using every breathing exercise I knew to try and hide the pain I was in.

At the Seringal Felicidade rubber museum, on the bank of the Tarumá Mirim Creek, we … or should I say the other passengers … enjoyed an introduction to the rubber industry and its boom during the 20th century. We learned how the affluent pioneers once lived and the extravagant lifestyles they enjoyed as we listend to tales of the vast fortunes accumulated in the region by wealthy barons. The guide regaled us with stories of the seringueiros, or rubber tappers, and the dangers they faced in their everyday lives. From there we continued our journey by boat to an indigenous village on the banks of the Rio Negro. This indigenous tribe of the Amazon is a mix of ethnicities—Dessana, Tucano, Tuyuca, Uanano and Tatuya. They put on a traditional tribal celebration for us before we got back on the ride from hell … I’m sorry, I mean the speed boat … and returned to the ship.

Frankie picked that moment to get a wild hare and run. “Frankie Marchand! Do that again and watch what happens,” I growled.

“You can’t tell me what to do,” he said and started to take off again.

“We’ll see what Madam has to say about your current behavior.” That’s when Jorge of the split eyebrow shows up.

“Oy! Duckling! Cut your teacher some slack. Her ribs are likely as pretty as my eye is.”

I gave him a look to butt out but when Frankie said, “What do you mean?”

He all too helpfully explained, “She took a mad tumble same time I did. I got this.” He said pointing to the stitches and glorious black eye he now sported. “And she got her ribs wrapped up tight. Or don’t you see how slow and stiff she’s walking.”

“Okay. Enough. Thanks for slowing him down. I have it from here.” And I did because I had a good grip on Frankie’s hand.

“I’m not a baby. You don’t have to hold my hand.”

“Don’t act like one and I won’t. This is not the type of place you can just bolt off by yourself. Not to mention your grandmother would skin me if anything happened to you and I prefer that not to happen. Walk like you are using the sense I know you have, and we’ll get back to the boat and you can go tattle to her about your mean ol’ teacher that you really don’t want anymore. Maybe she’ll give you what you want and send me home and she and Miss Hayworth can do your lessons with you. Move it.”

Yes, I was a bit nasty, but he’d already started to worry me, darting off and refusing to listen. And now to run off scared me.

We were back on the ship and heading down the hallway to our cabins. I saw Nicholas and just couldn’t do it anymore. “Do me a favor and take your brother to your grandmother. That’s where he prefers to be. I need a moment.”

“Uh … sure. And Mr. D is looking for you. He’s kinda irritated.”

“Oh yay. That’s the cherry on top of the cake.”

I left them both standing there with their mouths hanging open and stumbled to my cabin door. I don’t even remember how I opened it and got in, all I know for sure is that I wound up worshiping at the porcelain throne and trying not to pass out. When the wave of nausea had passed, I tried to stand while holding my side and wasn’t very successful until I was picked up.

“Where?”

“What?”

“Not what. Where? Where are you hurt?”

“Don’t start,” I told Vit. “Not the day for it. Not the hour for it. Not the minute …”

Instead of listening to me and leaving me alone I was roughly dropped on the bed which made me want to puke again. He jerked my arm away thinking I was trying to hide something from him and not just holding my side. He wrenched up my shirt and then stumbled backwards in shock.

“I am calling the doctor.”

“Don’t bother. I saw him this morning. At his insistence. We both agreed it is going to get worse before it gets better but nothing is broken. I’m just bruised, and it is going to take a couple of days to heal. Now leave off.”

“How … did … this … happen.”

“Vit …”

Then he did a thing that nearly made me jump out of my skin. It had been so long since someone held me. “Stop, you are going to make it worse. Did Jorge do this?”

“What? No. Somebody and Not Me did it.”

“Er …”

“Yesterday. When the power went off Jorge, Evita, and I were on the treadmils. No power. Treadmill stops. We all make like Humpty Dumpty. Evita’s ankle is broken and now she’s on desk duty for at least six weeks. You should see Jorge, he’s …”

“I saw him. I did not know the cause until I overheard him telling Frankie to … how do you say it … cut you some slack as you were injured.”

“Let go Vit. I’m fine.”

“I … am not. Why did you not tell me of this?”

“When was I supposed to? You’ve been busy, same as I. And you weren’t exactly walking too steady when you came in last night.”

There was a moment of silence and then he said, “You were awake.”

“You tripped over the chair, the desk, and I almost got up to make sure you hadn’t taken a header in the shower. When you came out, I figured you must have dropped the soap.”

“I can’t remember. Madam kept ordering caipirinha cocktails for everyone last night.”

“Oh no. Did Nicholas …”

“No. He showed more sense than I. Which was not that hard. I behaved like I was a fool. Am a fool. Forgive me for … for …” I could hear the click of his throat when he swallowed, he was holding me so close. “Did I injure you further?”

“No. But you better let me go. I have to get up and wash up. I have an excursion to take Frankie on assuming he still wants to go.”

“Does he deserve to go on this excursion? Jorge seemed to think he was being rude.”

“He scared me running off and then wouldn’t slow down so I could keep up.”

“He what?” he snapped.

“It is not your issue to deal with. He’s outgrowing me, senses it, and no longer wants to be with me because he thinks I am treating him like a baby. But holding his hand was the only way I could think of to force him to stay with me yesterday and today. Brazil is not the place for him to express his new-found desire for freedom … at least not the way he wanted to do it.”

“No. It is not,” Vit ground out. “I will …”

“No. It’s my job. He’ll either obey me or … something is going to have to change. If he doesn’t respect me at least enough as his teacher to follow the rules, then I’m useless to him.”

He was still angry but sighed in acceptance. “Let me help.”

“I told you …”

“Not the boy. Let me help … with this. The wrap needs to be changed.”

“I’ll go to the …”

“Someone fell in their cabin and the doctor is setting stitches. If you do not want me I will go to Fraulein …”

“God no. Look … it’s just …”

“I have not taken advantage of you in the past. I will not take advantage of you now.”

“Vit, I’m not worried about that. I’m so obviously not your type. Not to mention you’ve got a ton of experience and …”

“What does that mean?”

“What does what mean? You have a lot of experience. That’s all it means.”

“Not that. That you are ‘so obviously’ not my type.”

I pushed on him to let go and he finally did and I put my legs over the edge of the bed and made to stand up. “It means that I know my limitations. And I know the agreement we made has been easy to stick to, and not just because we both are honorable people. And move because I do not intend on being sick on the floor in here.”

I threw up the last of the pain medication the doctor had insisted I take this morning and started feeling much better. “Well obviously that pill did not agree with me. Good thing I didn’t take both of them,” I muttered, nearly forgetting Vit was there.

“Pill?”

“Tylenol 2.”

“What is that?”

“It has codeine in it.”

“That still tells me nothing.”

“Then just accept that it is a mild painkiller that did not set well on my stomach when combined with a speedboat ride and let it go at that. Please move. I have to change shirts.”

“Veta …”

“I’m better after getting it off my stomach. Just try and pretend you didn’t see me puke my guts up and I’ll pretend I didn’t sit there and let you. It never happened.” I said doing the Jedi-thing with my hand causing him to look at me even more strangely. “Seriously Vit, move. I’m going to be late.”

“You are being stubborn.”

“Yes I am. I want to see caimans.”

“Excuse me?”

“Caimans. That is what the excursion is for. You know, those swimmy things with all the teeth.”

“I am aware of what Caimans are. Why do you want to see them?” he asked, somehow getting his way with helping to replace the wrap that had fallen loose.

“I can do it myself.”

“I am aware. Now make me aware of why you want to see the swimmy things with all the teeth.”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“I am trying to distract you because this is going to hurt. Now explain.”

“Because.”

“Because?”

“Look, I’ve just never seen one and it sounds interesting. I thought Frankie would love it. And he probably would. If it was with anyone but me.”

“Well you are in luck because apparently Nicholas wants to see the swimmy things with teeth as well and I was informed a couple of hours ago that we would be going on this excursion with you. I will arrange that we are in the same boat. And I will sit on the boy if he misbehaves.”

“That’s assuming he is still going. Assuming I am still going. He’ll have spoken to Madam by now.”

And that’s when there was a knock on the cabin door. Of all people for it to be was Madam … with Frankie standing there.

“Miss Petric?”

“Yes Madam.”

“I want you to know … you have my full confidence.” Vit told me later he was worried I was going to faint. “Is it your opinion that Francis should attend tonight’s excursion?”

I blinked. “It was my intention to take him unless you have other wishes.”

“Hmmm. Were it me in your shoes he’d be spending the evening in his cabin thinking about his behavior. But so be it. I understand you were injured during yesterday’s power outage. Are you well enough?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Very good. But no dessert for Francis for the next week. I will NOT tolerate such disrespect to either of us. Minor tomfoolery is to be expected. Putting himself in danger all for want of a little sense deserves nothing but the harshest of punishments. If it happens again, I want to know. Immediately.”

“Yes Madam.”

She turned on her heel and left Frankie standing there shell-shocked. He turned and saw his brother looking on from the hall. “Don’t look at me Squirt. Or did you really think Francine and I got away with every stupid stunt we pulled when we were your age. I still remember when Francine got grounded for three months for getting caught going out after curfew. And that time she ‘borrowed’ Mom’s car cost her her driving privileges for almost a whole semester. I’m not even going to tell you what it cost me when I got lost at the football game down in Florida. It is still engraved in my head and comes out in nightmares.”

“Nicholas please see that your brother gets something to eat. Quickly.”

“He’s already had a hot dog. That’s when Grandmother found out and jerked a knot in his tail. Um … sorry you got hurt. You sure you’re okay for this?”

Surprised at his question I nevertheless nodded. “Thank you for asking. I’m fine.”

Vit growled letting both brothers know he did not agree with my assessment.

The sun was already setting when we met the rest of the group on the excursion … including the O’Rourkes. After our transfer we embarked on a journey in a small-motored canoe with a native guide to Lake Janauari to begin our search. A close relative of the crocodile, caimans can be found in the swamps, rivers and lakes of Central and South America. They generally grow to be six or seven feet long, though the black caiman can reach 15 feet and weigh 2,400 pounds. The guide expertly navigated our canoe while using a flashlight to locate young caimans by the red reflection of their eyes in the light. Finally we spotted one and while the light hypnotized the caiman – like a deer in the headlight of an oncoming vehicle – we slowly approached it. When we were close enough, the guide with a practiced technique caught it with his bare hands and lifted it out of the water for us to see. After photographs, the caiman was returned unharmed to the water.

We made several catch and releases and even had one practically fall into the canoe when we floated too near some branches hanging low in the water when our guide was after another one. I couldn’t move fast enough and the only thing I could think to do was step on its nose to keep it from opening. The guide in a second canoe quickly came over and helped.

“Thank you for not panicking.”

“I’m from Florida. Things with teeth are nothing to play with but there’s ways to render them relatively harmless. I’m just glad it was only a two-footer and couldn’t get the purchase to whip its tail about.”

“Hmm. Me too Miss. Me too. They do not normally climb bushes. There must be a bigger predator in the water. Best we go now.”

I’m sure I didn’t want to know what would freak out a caiman enough for it to try and climb a tree and was glad to see them turn the motors on and head us back the way we came. At the dock getting out of the boat was not fun but I did finally manage it. On the ride back to the pier Frankie tentatively asked, “May I have the picture of me holding the caiman?”

I answered, “That was the plan.”

“Oh.”

He was quiet the rest of the way to the ship and remained quiet as he and Nicholas went into their cabin for the night. The entire ship was quiet except for some low-level music coming from the Explorer’s Lounge.

I got back into the cabin without realizing that Vit was close behind until he turned on the lights. I all but sleep-walked into my night clothes and then tried to head straight to bed. But apparently not so fast.

“The steward left a package for you from the doctor.”

“Okay,” I said climbing into bed.

“It is ointment to put on the bruise.”

“In the morning.”

“His instructions say now.”

“Stuff his instructions. I’m going to sleep.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you are obstinate?”

“No.”

“Not even your brother?”

“Vit.”

“Yes?”

“What is it you want?”

“I wish you to let me put this on you as the doctor ordered.”

I huffed. And then slowly sat back up. “Give it here. I’ll go do it.”

He gingerly sat on the side of my bed. “I said I wished to do it.”

“Why?”

“Because … I wish to take care of you.”

“I’m not a child Vit. I’ve fallen off of horses before and I know …”

“I am aware that you are much stronger than most know. But … but I still wish to take care of you.”

“You are taking your promise to my brothers too far.”

“Not far enough … or I would not desire so strongly to be the one to take care of you.”

I turned to look at him and what I saw in his eyes startled me. Not even Rob had ever phrased anything in that way.

“I do not mean to frighten you. I will not stain your honor nor mine. The situation is difficult enough as it is. But … I still wish to do this … take care of you. You have no reason to trust or believe me.”

“I … I have lots of reason to trust you. Nearly seventy nights of reasons alone.”

He groaned quietly then said, “I will be careful Veta. Please allow me to do this … for both of us.”

I started to breathe a little heavy and it is was somewhat difficult to say, “Only … only put the stuff on the doc left.”

“Agreed. I may want more, but I am a man, not a boy unable to control myself.”

So I let him, and then the Crazy Cossack just went to his bed, climbed in, and went to sleep! Of course, by then sleep was the last thing on my mind, not to mention that ointment had something in it with some heat. So I am still up, but I think the ointment … and my emotions … have settled down enough I can at least go lay down. We have a demanding trek first thing and all I want to do is survive it without having to toss my cookies again.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 66: Nov 4 – Manuas, Brazil (Day 2)

The day has gone as well as can be expected. Vit and Nicholas had their own excursions to get to but Vit would not let me out of his sight until he was sure that I had eaten something. Into my ear, before we left the cabin, he said, “I am taking care of you.” It made me shiver … and want things from him I have absolutely no business wanting.

We saw Madam and Miss Hayworth on our way off the ship and she gave Frankie a cool look and told him, “I expect your performance to be much better from here on out.”

Quietly he said, “Yes Grandmother. I promise.”

“Very good. I expect a full report at dinner this evening.”

He looked at her in surprise and then asked, “I’m still allowed to come to dinner with you?”

Letting up a little she said, “Is that not what we arranged?”

He swallowed and looked like someone that had been given a reprieve from a life sentence. “Yes ma’am.”

She turned to leave, and Frankie looked after her a moment before allowing us to move forward. I’m not sure I approve of the heavy-handed way Madam bends Frankie to her will, but I cannot say anything against it either. Only time will tell if it works with his personality. Certainly, what I thought was working … has not. He was quiet and only spoke when spoken to so after a while I gave up and left him to his thoughts. I admit, if only to myself, there is only so much I can do.

As soon as we were down the gangway we were rushing to get on the shuttle to take us to our first excursion whose first leg took us on a river boat along the Rio Negro. We admired the scenery along the way, taking lots of pictures, then disembarked at a place known as Guedes Lake. That’s where we met our local forest expert. There was a short briefing before we began our trek for safety purposes and to orient us. All that was in my head was hoping there would be no more monkeys … which someone just had to mention which started the laughter of yesterday back up. Lovely it was not. My patience was wearing thin about being the joke, someone else needed to take a turn.

We began our walk with the guide pointing out some of the most beautiful stretches of the Amazon I have seen yet. We learned how to identify trees that produce nutrient-rich fruits and nuts like açaí berries, passion fruit and Brazil nuts, and plants whose leaves and roots have medicinal properties. Some of it was a repetition of yesterday’s walk (sans the monkey) but it was still very interesting. Our guide also pointed out which vegetation to avoid which is something yesterday’s excursion lacked. Then there were the suggestions for finding sources of clean water and how to build small animal traps. Devin would have loved every moment as we were shown survival techniques and learned to build a shelter using forest materials. Best of all, our lunch was made up of all the fruits and vegetations that we had been learning about. When I emailed that bit to Devin, he had all sorts of questions and amazingly enough I was able to answer him which thrilled him even more.

The only downside besides the fact that I was extremely sore was that the temperatures were in the low 90s F and the humidity was near 100 percent. That is pretty much Florida for most of the year, so it isn’t like I’m unaware of what the combination does. We even have airplane sized mosquitos just like we battled today. I just could have done with out all of it at the same time. At least Frankie was polite about thanking me for telling him to wear pants and a long-sleeved sun shirt as well as layering him in repellent, including the inside of his ears. Others in our party had not been quite so smart and I wasn’t the only one passing around the deet I had brought with me.

The afternoon excursion met with Frankie’s approval, but I could tell he was still holding back and kept glancing at me from the corner of his eye. I’m not sure what I am supposed to do about it. He doesn’t want to be treated like a baby which means allowing him to deal with consequences. Maybe I am just not cut out for this job. It hurts to even entertain the possibility, but I don’t see as how I have a choice.

Bird watching. That was about the only speed I was able to go by then. We joined a guide and traveled by speedboat across Lake Janauari, scouting its shoreline for unique bird species. The entire boat was filled with avid bird watchers. It was like having a boat full of cuckoos. Everyone was quiet so we could listen for different bird calls in the surrounding jungle. People were using binoculars and recording devices. One man even had a pair of binoculars that took pictures. Frankie was licking his lips in lust over the thing and I could see him putting it on his Christmas list.

Brazil has one of the richest bird diversities in the world, hosting about 60 percent of the bird species recorded for all of South America. Our guide taught us about the habits and markings of various rainforest bird species, including brilliantly colored scarlet macaws, iconic toucans and powerful harpy eagles. The legendary Uirapuru bird sings here once a year as it builds its nest. With more than 1,700 species, of which over 220 are endemic, Brazil is a bird-watcher’s paradise.

On the way back to the ship everyone was oo’ing and ah’ing over all their photographs and I suspect there will be a birders’ gathering in the near future. One man even told Frankie, “I’ll trade you a toucan and a macaw photo for a copy of the harpy you caught.” Caught meaning took a picture of. Frankie bashfully agreed.

Back on the ship I told him to wash up post haste and then load his pictures so that he could be on time for dinner with his family, but if he corresponded with Benji to leave my injury out of it.

“Why?”

“Because there is no reason to worry my family. They have enough going on as it is. I’m serious Frankie, not a word. Do you understand me?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Now scoot. You have things to do and people to see.”

“Um … Miss Veta?”

“Yes?”

“What … I mean … who do you eat dinner with now?”

“No one,” I told him truthfully and then left it at that and headed to my cabin. I was in dire need of a naproxen, if only for the emotional support.

I had changed into exercise clothes for comfort and was trying to decide whether to start with yoga or a pilate when Vit entered the room and asked sharply, “What are you doing?”

“Don’t start. I need to stretch or it is going to take twice as long to get over this.”

“You do not need to do it this evening. From what I understand you ‘stretched’ sufficiently on this morning’s excursion.”

I sighed. “You don’t need to do this.”

He walked over and closed the curtains on the slider window then came back and suddenly took me in his arms. “Yes, I do.”

Kissing Vit was the most natural thing I’ve ever done. Then he stopped.

“I will continue doing this daily. Are we agreed?”

When it took me a while to come up with a coherent answer, he was at first concerned and then it changed to a very male and very knowing grin.

“Yes, I will continue doing this,” he said before kissing me again.

Then he stopped and asked me to sit with him. I was still unable to come up with anything coherent to say so did as he asked.

“We have time to figure this out. I have already begun to speak to Dylan about this.”

“What?!”

“Not this … though soon I will need to speak to Derrick to see if he minds that I court you.”

“Now just …”

“I will follow you to your Pembroke House as you invited me, but there are realities that perhaps you have not thought of.”

“Such as?”

“While I have not lived there in over a decade I still hold a Ukrainian passport. To follow you to your home, I must gain a visa at the very least. And if I am to stay it must be the correct kind of visa.”

“Oh.” He was correct. I hadn’t even thought of that. The Marchand’s legal team had sorted and obtained all of the Visas that I would need for the trip and Derrick had provided all of my vaccination records and certifications. I felt foolish.

“Do not,” he said.

“Don’t what?”

“Become sad. Your brother is very thorough, and he said by making the request so far in advance there should be only minor delays here and there for form’s sake and not because of true objection. I have already forwarded certified copies of all my documentation as well as my past and current visas. I will find a way to make this happen.”

Taking my courage in hand I said, “We will find a way. And if it means staying with you someplace before we can go home, we’ll do that.”

He simply stared at me for nearly a full minute and I thought I’d said the wrong thing.

“You … would wait to return to your family?”

“Yes. They’ve always been there. They’ll always be there. I won’t leave you alone.”

It was like he was struck dumb. Then there was a knock on the cabin door and I got up and ran to the bathroom as I knew that my face would show high emotion and I didn’t want to share anything this private.

Vit must have been better than I was. It was Nicholas and he came in and sounded like he was there to wait on Vit. I couldn’t hide forever as I knew that Vit needed to change so I came out and then slipped into the closet to put on something more appropriate … it was the batik sun dress. When Vit saw what I was wearing he looked very pleased then concerned.

“You have agreed to forego exercise until the doctor says that it is appropriate?”

“I have agreed to put it off one day … because you are concerned. I know my body. I should, I have have fallen off enough horses over the years and sundry other accidents. I’ll give it a day, then I want to stretch again.”

“Hmmm,” was his only response. “And you will eat dinner before eating any more of those pills?”

“I plan on a salad.”

“You are not a rabbit.”

“Vit …” He just stared. “Oh very well. I’ll order something.”

“You do not wish to come to dinner?”

“Frankie is eating with Madam. I suspect you two are as well. I am eating here.” When he got a thoughtful look on his face I shook my head. “We both still have our jobs to do and sometimes they take us in different directions. Stop being worried. I already said I would order more than a salad.”

“I am concerned at how often you are alone.”

“I’ve learned to live with it. And I have work and correspondence to take care of. Now go take Nicholas to dinner. I can hear his stomach from here.” And it wasn’t all that much of an exaggeration.

I have decided to accept what appears to be happening between Vit and I. But I will be cautious. If something goes wrong our living arrangements aren’t exactly going to make it easy. And speaking of our living arrangements … what a temptation this could become. If I’m realistic I’m not prepared for anything more than what has already occurred.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 67 and 68: Nov 5 & 6 – Cruise the Amazon
World Cruise Day 69 and 70: Nov 7 & 8 – Cruise the Atlantic

Fourth Sea Day in a row. I’ve spent the time catching up on laundry, making sure the brothers caught up on theirs, getting Vit over the fact that I was helping him catch up with his, rearranging the lesson plan since Madam wanted Frankie to have a break since he started school early, and getting used to Vit giving me a daily dose of “attention.” There have been other things of course but those are the biggies including getting upset with a nine-year-old boy. I believe I also have found … perhaps … a subconscious reason for the funk I have been in. The holidays are approaching. Maybe I’ll be able to write about that later but for now I am avoiding it.

The first two days I spent a lot of time on the veranada watching the banks of the Amazon go by and taking more pictures for Derrick as much as for myself. For the record the Amazon River is the world’s second longest at almost 4,000 miles from source to mouth. I got better pictures and videos of where the the two rivers converged. It was so weird. For almost four miles they ran side by side, one black with tannin stain and the other brown and muddy. One of the port papers we receive in our cabin that let us know what the day’s activites are and the time for them told us that there were over 3,000 species of fish that inhabit the Amazon River. I believe it because just sitting on the veranda I saw caimans, giant otters, birds galore or all description, and I even caught sight of a River Dolphin. That was exciting.

Those two nights I ate alone as I grew frustrated with the task of reworking all of the lesson plans I had so painstakingly pieced together before I had even met Frankie. I suppose I must think of it like a “snow day” or “rain day” or something of that sort that is out of my control. But doggone it, I had plans for these sea days that would allow us to cover more traditional lessons. Vit understands. Or says he does. He says it is like when Madam keeps changing her expectations. We’ve come to the conclusion that Madam likely did not know what she was getting into and is making it up as she goes along.

Having Frankie at every dinner is also testing Vit’s patience. Frankie wants his attention the way that he thinks that Nicholas has it, but he doesn’t want the correction that comes with the attention. The problem is that much of the conversation at these dinners is not age appropriate for Frankie. Both he and Nicholas are having to take the time to redirect Frankie’s behavior when he tries to get into conversations he has no business getting into … or asking questions that he has no business asking. It is being discussed that Madam will ring for me when she believes it is time for Frankie to leave the company and that I will come get him. His response to that was, “I don’t need a nursemaid!”

Madam looked at him and said, “Then do not act like you need one. Children are seen and not heard, do not speak unless spoken to.”

Vit said he almost dared to say “but” but caught himself in time not to offend his grandmother. We shall have to see where this goes. I have tried suggesting that he take his sketch book to keep himself occupied and quiet but that went over like a lead balloon. He imagines that I am somehow telling his grandmother what to do.

I’d finally had enough of the attitude yesterday and asked him, “Have you ever known anyone that can tell Madam what to do and how to behave? She is the one doing the telling. And I suggest, unless you want to be removed from the guest list, that you learn your place in her plans just like the rest of us have had to.”

I was very angry with him at that point. In retaliation for not getting his way the boy did the exact opposite of what I asked of him … not to mention that I was injured. It got back to Derrick.

He’d been going on at length and finally yelled, “Why not tell me? Why?!”

“For this very reason. I didn’t want to worry you.”

Rather more sharply than I am used to Derrick speaking to me he said, “So you asked a little boy to lie for you.”

“Of course not! I simply asked him not to mention it … specifically because my family was going through a lot and I wanted to handle it myself.”

He must have finally heard what I was saying because he stopped. “Veta? Did you really fall on a treadmill?”

“Yes. I wasn’t the only one. Two crewmembers were also exercising at the same time. There was a power outage caused by a dockside snafu. You can imagine what occurred when the treadmills just suddenly stopped moving and we did not. One guy split his eyebrow and required stitches. Evita broke her ankle and is on desk duty for a few more weeks. The ship’s doctor is strict. He found out you were a doctor and tried to use it.”

“Why would he have needed to?” he asked suspiciously.

“Because I didn’t want to be carried down the flaming stairwell like a sack of potatoes. I told him I’ve been thrown from horses ...”

“Don’t remind me.”

“C’mon Derrick. Between you, Poppa, and all the hovering of the others I know when I’m really hurt and when I’m hurt but mobile. Yes, I was hurt. Yes, Vit said that he had promised you blah, blah, blah. It was either act with decorum and sense or put up with you don’t want to know … he’s at least as overprotective as you are. And Vit uses his promise to you like a blasted stick and carrot. Ease up on the poor guy.”

I heard the satisfaction in his voice when he said, “Angie seems to like him.”

“Oh goodie, the Great Mother has given her approval. Tell her to stop pushing. It isn’t like that.”

“It isn’t?”

“No,” I lied. “Exactly what kind of socializing do you think we do? And with what time?”

“You are in a suite together.”

Caught. Oh god caught. Then I told him, “A suite. Two rooms. [not a lie] And we have different schedules. I am up and out first … or was until fussbudget made me promise not to exercise until the ship’s doctored cleared me. When I come back he is gone. Sometimes we don’t even pass each other until he dresses for dinner. When and if we are on the same excursion it is with our charges in tow. There just isn’t time for anything else, and it isn’t appropriate in front of the brothers … or other people either.”

“And you?”

“Me what?”

“I understand the boy is eating dinner with his family now.”

“I order room service so that I can find the time to rearrange my planned lessons every time Madam gets a stray hair.”

Hearing my tone he said, “So instead of dancing around we get to it. Is this job more difficult than you expected?”

“No … and yes. Things were going great until just recently. I don’t know if Frankie is going through a stage or just what. I do know that I’m not having as much difficulty separating my emotions from the job and that is a good thing. Maybe the new is wearing off. Maybe he has just been so starved for family approval that he’s antagonistic towards anything or anyone that he thinks threatens what he now has. Maybe he is hitting purberty. I don’t know what the reasons … the road is just bumpy right now. I do know that at the moment he views me as something of a nursemaid and resents it as he thinks he has grown too old for that sort of thing.”

Then eerily repeating Madam’s own words he said, “Then he shouldn’t act like he needs one.”

“I have a feeling that a male tutor would have been better for him.”

Being honest Derrick said, “Possibly. But you are what he has. And what does his grandmother think?”

“She said quite plainly that I had her full and complete confidence.”

Relaxing some Derrick said, “There you go. Just be as flexible as you can but don’t be afraid to say something if the boy starts falling behind in his lessons.”

“The problem with that is that he is really smart … both of the brothers are … falling behind isn’t the problem. It is me keeping up. And now that I’ve selfishly given you chapter and verse, tell me how you are doing.”

Derrick allowed me to change the subject now that he was sure that my injury wasn’t as serious as he’d thought and that I was under a doctor’s care. As for him and the boys, Angie found them a housekeeper. She is a widow with a daughter the same age as Benji. She homeschools too, and she’s helped get Benji and Reggie plugged into one of the local co-ops and support groups. That’s the good news. The bad news is that both boys are now refusing to visit their mother after Reggie got into a fist fight with Lena’s boy toy. Reggie won. Apparently the guy is … not terribly masculine. He’s an “artist” and “screenplay writer.” I found out in another conversation – this one with Charlie – that the guy had a lot of promise in college but hasn’t gone anywhere since. He’s all self-published and still living on his parents’ dime despite being thirty.

“Shoulda heard Derrick and Lena get into it over that weekend. The guy tried to act like he was doing Reggie a favor by not pressing charges and Derrick told him point blank that if he ever laid a hand on either of his MINOR sons again it wasn’t Reggie that would be up on charges. He told the guy he was thirty and if he couldn’t handle kids then he needed to find a new woman to sleep with because Lena only wanted him for stud service.”

“He what?!”

“I kid you not. Angie was right there. And so was Lena’s ol’ man who looked daggers at the guy. He was definitely uninvited to the Foundation’s performing arts show.”

“Oh my god Charlie. Has everyone lost their minds back home?!”

“Vettie, the holidays are approaching so expect it to get worse before it gets better. Especially …” He stopped for a moment before saying, “This is between me and you kid.”

“Okay … who is planning what and who is not supposed to know and why?”

Charlie laughed. “You sound like Mom when she suspected one of us was up to something.”

“She was never wrong.”

“No she wasn’t.” He snorted a couple more times in laughter then said, “Angie hopes that Christine catches Derrick’s attention.”

“Christine. The widowed housekeeper.” I was silent for a moment before asking seriously, “Has Angelia been reading those gothic bodice-ripper romances again?” That just set him off again and the conversation ended on his laughter.

That was day before yesterday. It gave me a lot to think about. It also made me think that perhaps subconsciously that I knew the holidays were approaching and I wouldn’t be there to celebrate with everyone. I wondered what other people on the ship would be doing and I realized that most of the other passengers probably didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving at all … but Christmas was another matter. That night I tentatively asked Vit after he had returned to the cabin for the night if he had heard and he said that he hadn’t been listening to that type of gossip as he never celebrated the holidays.

“Never?”

“Nii. The State did not encourage such things in the orphanage; rather actively discouraged it. And there has never been …” He stopped and then said, “I always volunteered to cover shifts for those with families. It was just easier for me. The few times I couldn’t arrange that I wound up in a bar drinking far too much for good sense. Do you wish to … celebrate?”

Trying to be honest I said, “I’m not sure. If we were home I would hope you would share my family with me but I understand the holidays don’t mean the same thing to everyone. We’d work it out. But here? I’m not even sure what is possible? I doubt I’ll even be out in company.” I saw the look on his face. “Oh stop. I am not some sad Cinderella you need to feel badly for. Professor Danbury warned me that the Marchands are private about that sort of thing. I suppose just the latest reality is causing me to have an adjustment reaction. I’ll get over myself.”

In an abrupt change in direction he said, “I wish to see your bruise and put more salve on it.”

“What? It is …” I got a look at his face, causing mine to turn red. “Oh.”

“Will you permit me?”

I squeeked out, “Yes.”

Yesterday Vit kept both brothers extremely busy going from pool to fitness center to Deck 9 to running around the promenade. As I understand it Frankie started trying to get sympathy and Vit didn’t have to say a word because Nicholas told him, “Look Squirt, you wanted to hang with us well this is the price. I need to get in shape and stay in shape and there isn’t a whole lot of spare time to do it in. I’m losing my edge and I can’t afford it. So stop complaining. And I’m not going to sit around being bored because you want to color or draw or whatever. We aren’t Miss Veta that will let you do what you want. You’re here to keep up with us.”

And yes, Frankie seems to blame me for that as well. And now on top of it all I have discovered that he has secret social media accounts. I have temporarily locked both his laptop and his phone. I have also warned Nicholas not to give him access to his laptop and phone to circumvent my actions. I have screen-shotted several disturbing conversations between Frankie and others that are apparently in the same crowd that injured him. I know thanks to Dylan, the correct contacts to report underage users and I managed to get the accounts of the other children locked and deleted because of their age, but also because of the content of their conversations. I have reported them to their school … apparently the location that some of the conversations have been posted from. My next action is to speak to Madam, something I am not at all looking forward to.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 71: Nov 9 – Recife, Brazil

It was too late last night after the resolution of the “social media incident” to write it out of my system. Suffice it to say that, with the support of the Drs. Marchand and Madam, Frankie no longer has access to wifi connection unless he is being directly supervised. I have also placed an app on his computer and his phone that allow me to “shadow” what he is doing at any time.

He is both angry and shamed and yes, it is my fault once again for catching him. But more, he is struggling with the consequences and unable to completely put me to blame for them. Madam has said his lack of maturity regarding such important matters indicate to her that pulling him up into adult situations was premature. He will be invited on occasion to help him to acclimate to those types of social settings, but at least for the time being most of his evening meals will once again be taken by room service … whether he chooses to take them with me or not will be up to him but he will not be free to use his electronic devices out of my sight. This level of discipline shocked him. Nicholas’ lack of sympathy shocked him even more. And so did his brother’s anger which seemed to let him know as nothing else did he was in way over his head.

“Forget it Frankie. You’re only nine years old. Some of the stuff going on in those chats and the pictures … when I was in school, even in high school, it was grounds for being expelled. Do not pass go, go straight to jail, don’t collect two hundred bucks, immediate expulsion … and maybe something even worse like family court. And doing it with those kids that hurt you was just way passed stupid. You shoulda seen the set up coming from miles away. You’re lucky that Miss Veta is the one that found out before they could rat you out, and that she got to them before they could get to you. Now you have the parents and Francine breathing down both our necks. Like I encouraged you to do the stupid; or should have known you were lying and had social media accounts. You want to screw up your life? Go ahead. Just leave me out of it. Now I gotta figure out how to dig out of this hole with Grandmother you dropped us both in. Not real happy right now so go whine to someone else. You got zero cred with me.”

The only mitigating factor for this day is our excursion was demanding enough, a Jeep safari to the beautiful Primavera Falls, that we had to focus on it and that Vit and Nicholas were with us, though Nicholas kept his distance from his brother.

We met our guide right there at the pier where we climbed on board the vehicle we would be using. After buckling up and getting the short, mandatory safety speech, we drove and then left the road to follow the trails through picturesque sugarcane fields. First stop was at a local mill that we toured as our guide described the flour production process. Next was a visit to a quaint local restaurant for a tasting of fresh sugarcane juice. It was after that that we headed to the Primavera Falls. The entire time Frankie acted like I didn’t exist. Both Vit and Nicholas were starting to get upset but I said that would only validate his behavior.

I explained, “He wants everyone to see how upset he is, bend to make him less so.”

Nicholas snorted and said, “Yeah, like that is going to work. I’m sorry Miss Veta, I don’t know what his problem is.”

“His ‘problem’ is that he is a nine-year-old boy that got caught doing things he shouldn’t. Were you an angel at his age?”

“Geez no,” he said with an odd, unhappy chuckle. “I was a little jerk. But Frankie … I don’t know. I guess I thought he was above all that or something.”

I sighed. “None of us are above poor behavior. It shows we are human. What makes us better humans is what we do with the consequences that are inevitably dished out because of our poor behavior. I’m sorry to see that Frankie is only digging his hole deeper.”

“Whoa, you’re really sad.”

“It says that I am not the teacher for him. I cringe at the fact I will have to discuss the issue with your grandmother.”

“But …”

“Frankie’s needs come before anything else. That’s what I signed up for. And what, until recently, I thought I was doing. It is likely that I was not the right person for this job after all.”

I used the excuse of the treadmill injury to avoid doning my bathing suit and joining the others in the small natural pools that surrounded the falls. After free time, we headed to a local restaurant for a delicious traditional buffet-style lunch of rice, beans, salad, chicken, meat and seasonal fruits though I will admit that my appetite was diminished. After lunch, we climbed back on board the Jeep and headed back to the ship.

It was not long after we were back on the ship that we pulled away from the pier right on time at 6 pm. When Frankie did not come down to my cabin for dinner I walked to his only to see the steward delivering his dinner. When the steward would have taken a dessert in I shook my head silently and the dessert was removed to Frankie’s outrage.

“Hey!”

“Hay is for horses, and Madam was quite clear that you were not to have any dessert with your meals until she said otherwise.”

“You’re just a narc.”

“I doubt seriously you know what that means. Additionally, we are not talking about drugs unless your so-called friends are into that as well as some of the other deviancies, they laid claim to. When you are finished with your dinner please come down to the cabin so that we may complete the day’s lessons.”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t need you. I can do school by myself.”

“Very well but I will have to report it to your grandmother. She understands truancy laws apply and will have to come up with a plan for why you did not attend school this year.”

He thought he had me. “I’ll tell everyone that I home schooled.”

I fixed his little red wagon with a reality check. “That will not work. In your state of residency there are additional requirements. You must notify the school district and obtain permission prior to starting the home school program. And the Homeschool parents must be supervised by a certified person, have a required number of college credits, complete a course in home-based study, or be deemed sufficiently qualified by the local superintendent. AND,” I added before he could say anything about his parents. “They must be on-site and present. Your parents have been out of the country since before I met you. Your grandmother and Miss Hayworth do not apply. Nor did anyone obtain permission beforehand.”

“But …”

“So you should resign yourself to being held back for the year and plan accordingly. I will inform Madam …”

“That’s all you are good for. Inform, inform, inform. I hate you.”

“So I gathered from the way you are acting,” I said, trying not to show how hurt his words made me feel. “I once explained to you that sometimes I could wear my friend hat but many times I would have to wear my teacher hat and it wouldn’t feel like I was your friend. This has been one of those times.”

“You were never my friend. My friend would not have made Grandmother do what she did. I hate you.”

“You are becoming repetitive. And do not slander your grandmother. No one tells her what to do. Your behavior called for disciplinary action. She is the one that picked the consequences without any suggestions from me, as is her right as your guardian.”

“Liar.”

Ignoring his provocation, I added, “I also told you that I had an employment contract and beyond that I promised I would not leave you. However, you made no such promise to me and it would appear you have no intention of doing what is required. You are leaving me no choice but to turn myself over to Madam who will doubtless have a Plan B that she will inact. And no, Mr. D will not be the Plan B as he is not certified to teach. Goodnight.”

I turned an almost ran into Nicholas.

“Sorry Miss Veta. I’m going to talk to him.”

“Nicholas this is not your problem and …”

Loudly enough that Frankie heard he said, “Yes. Yes it is. Grandmother and Miss Hayworth both are really upset. Grandmother doesn’t feel well at all and has gone to bed for the night and the sun isn’t even down. Since Frankie is acting brain damaged I’m going to stay in the cabin to make sure he doesn’t sneak off. Mr. D is in some meeting with Mr. O’Rourke and some of the other men who are picking his brain about something that was on the news. Um … Iike I said. I’m really sorry.”

“It is not your fault Nicholas. It is Frankie’s choices controlling the situation. But thank you.”

I had a suspicion and when I got back to the cabin I got online and checked Frankie’s phone and computer activity. As I suspected he had figured a away around the parental controls on his computer. He had not figured out I was able to shadow both of his electronic devices. I was very discouraged but determined and in the middle of one of his texts shut down the conversation by changing his password to the system. I knew that would only stymy him for a moment and while that was occurring I removed several apps from both devices, even those he thought were hidden in the program files of his laptop, and then added a level of security that prevented him from being able to add apps or programs without permission being granted from keystrokes on my devices. Thank you Dylan for your security training.

Watching him go back and forth on both devices several times told me he knew something was going on. And then I just barely caught in time that he’d previously given permission for someone else to take control of his computer and they were trying to undo what I had done. I screen shotted and then blocked the other shadow program before they even realized I was there, and actually turned the tables on them and used their program to copy the files and documents they had accessed on other computers. I got their IP address and surprise, surprise (or not) it belonged to Frankie’s former school. I had been in correspondence with the director there and decided enough was enough. I sent an old-fashioned fax to his personal address and the principal’s address referencing our previous communications because emails could be intercepted. I included screen shots of what was going on, how grades were being altered and tests being copied, and notified them due to the serious nature of the event, it was being forwarded to a security company for immediate investigation. And it was … Dylan’s … who surprised me by having a contract with the very school district the private school was located in for their computer security. That state had very rigid rules for such schools and they could lose both their license to do business and accreditation over something like this happening.

Whoever was doing it was way better than your average computer user, but they weren’t nearly as smart as they thought they were which suggested it was a kid or an older teacher that hadn’t had tech training. And yes, that occurs. There are plenty of people out there willing to take a bribe for whatever reason, and some of them are teachers no matter how unfortunate that is to admit. Getting a teaching degree these days is less about teaching and more about classroom and student management. We are now also required to take a lot of technology and security coursework because school violence, bullying issues, etc. and ad nauseum. Being a teacher isn’t like it used to be; it is more like you are a jail warden where you are trying to keep as many crazies out as you are trying to keep in. I was so relieved to have found this tutoring position and now all I am doing is dealing with the same kind of issues they’d warned us of when I was still a degree-seeking undergrad. I aced the technology and security courses because of Dylan but to get Dylan’s help I had to work my butt off and really learn what was being taught and not just to the point I could pass a course.

I watched Frankie’s computer go dark and then was surprised by an incoming call from an unknown number. I refused to allow the call to go through that time … and the next four “unknown” phone numbers as well. I called their cabin and told Nicholas not to let his brother use his phone or computer.

Quietly his said, “Don’t worry. I keep my iPhone and computer in the safe – and I just changed the code on it because Grandmother said my internet privileges were on the line if she found out that Frankie was using my devices. I thought it was weird how long he was in the bathroom. He’s a little young for girls.”

“I don’t believe that is what this is. I think those ‘friends’ still have him in their clutches for some reason. Look, is it possible, despite his youth, that they have something they are blackmailing him with?”

He was silent for a moment then said, “He might have been helping them with their schoolwork. Ghostwriting papers and stuff for them. Some of those kids were in sixth grade last year, making them 7th grade this year. It doesn’t matter if you are the cheater or helping the cheater, you can both be put on academic probation and fail if you can’t pass any make-up work. And if the dweebs were making promises to him and he was dumb enough to fall for it …”

I sighed. “That sounds like a possibility based on what I saw in his various communications. Are your parents really intent on returning him to that school?”

“They were … but Grandmother mentioned putting him in a parochial school closer to her. Maybe even have him live with her during the school year. But Mr. ‘Tude is screwing that up unless he comes around.”

“Maybe you should casually mention the possibility. Or at least mention not returning to that school.”

“I’ll give it some thought. Dad’s uncles and father went there so it is kinda a thing for us but … maybe … um …”

“Perhaps they are no longer good enough for the Marchand family if they allow those kinds of ruffians to attend the school.”

He was silent and then snickered. “Grandmother should hire you to work with Miss Hayworth. You’re even better at this sneaky stuff than she is.”

“Please don’t say that to anyone else.”

He snickered again and then said loudly, “Yes Sir. I have a full work out planned for tomorrow and I’m keeping up with the team. Thanks for calling and letting me know about Kevin. It really sucks about his knee. Yes Sir. Good bye.”

I looked at the phone and thought that Nicholas was no slouch in the sneaky department himself.

I’ve been over and over what I can possibly do. Part of me thinks it would be better off for me to put in my resignation but there are all those complications like needing a job and my promised invitation to Vit. I also feel strongly that I have a responsibility, one I am uniquely qualified for, to get him out of whatever is going on before I leave. Either or I need to talk to Madam about my concerns. This is not going to be fun.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 72: Nov 10 – Cruise the Atlantic

Stormy morning but the sun has finally broken through the clouds. And that may even be an approximation of the rest of this sad, sorry situation as well. Vit had both Nicholas and Frankie and was “working them like drey horses” leaving me free to get even more stressed and angry than I had gone to bed as. I was sitting at the table going through all the paperwork that I had sent to Dylan and the school’s Director during lunch because I simply couldn’t stand the idea of eating. Even the smell from the buffet made me feel off. There was a knock on the cabin door and it was Miss Hayworth.

“Ma’am? I would have come to you.”

“May I come in?”

“Of course but if you are looking for …”

She shook her head and then closed the cabin door. “I suspect that we have reason to thank you once again.”

“Excuse me?”

She saw the papers on the table and gave a small smile and then had us sit. “Veta, thank you for taking your job so seriously. Did I ever tell you about my brother?”

The non sequitur threw me off balance. “No ma’am.”

“He was a good man and he had a great son. They both lived lives far too short. But while they lived they both had interesting hobbies. They were both very into electronics. Mostly business systems but they branched out into other areas. Their ex-wives took most everything during their divorces which is why I am still working at my age, but that’s neither here nor there. Let’s just say that, as a result, I am not quite as naïve about what goes on with electronic devices and in social media as many people of my generation are.”

“Hmmm. I hope I do not insult you when I say I noticed. You knew exactly what I was doing with regard to the monthly report formatting and understood about Shutterfly and other things without looking at me like I have three heads and half a brain to use between them. Even most of my siblings just listen ‘politely’ about that stuff or refer it to my brother who is in security.”

She chuckled. “Just so. And it is actually a compliment so thank you. What I am trying to say my Dear is that I understand the lengths you must have gone to in order to protect Frankie online. And as an aside, the Director of Frankie’s school is an old suitor of my sister’s.”

“Oh.”

“Yes. Oh,” she said on another chuckle. “He says thank you by the way. He had been getting progressively more suspicious of a couple of the teachers and some of the students as far as their use of school computers go. He was happy to find, by using the backdoor you discovered, that two of the teachers in question were merely using the computers to work on their graduate degree … it was during school hours but they were on their study hall hours, so he is not going to hold it against them. This time. One teacher however will not be returning after fall break. Please keep that to yourself as it hasn’t been announced yet … not even to the teacher himself. Several students will not be returning after Fall Break either and have already been removed from their dormitories to await pick up by their parents or their representatives. There is incontrovertible proof they have been cheating. Several other students are under suspicion and will have until the Christmas break to prove they can pass alternative coursework … should they choose to try and refute the allegations.”

“None of that is my business.”

“No. But I felt you deserved to know. And deserved to know that your concerns for Frankie are valid and whether he is able to appreciate it now or not, we do. And the forebearance for his hopefully temporary personality change.” She chuckled again and added, “Gerald was rather disappointed to find out how young and pretty you are. He was going to offer you a job.”

“Oh my.”

“But he said he will be providing a letter of appreciation and would like you to consider including him in your references.”

I have no idea why it fell out of my mouth. “Wow.”

“Wow indeed. Gerald is a well-known figure in the private school community. I wouldn’t turn his offer down. And now, I’d like to know how you are doing.”

“Pardon?”

“My Dear, even if Madeline … she is my best friend and has been my entire life. Neither marriage, widowhood, or taking over the reins of her father’s company has ever or will ever change that. However, I am not immune to some of the … complications of the Marchand personalities. They just don’t always understand, never having been in the position of experiencing what passes for a normal life these days, how their behavior can be hurtful for those of us … hmmm … less independent of our circumstances. Nick and his wife … they are so busy up in their ivory academic tower that they barely even notice the rest of the world. Francine is close on their heels as she gets further and further away from ground level. Nickie I am happy to say is turning out to be a well-balanced young man that Madeline is finding surprisingly likeable … and is making choices for himself now that she can respect. She tried to channel that grip that she once had on Nickie to Frankie and … it is cutting her deeply that he is behaving as he is. But, she wanted a ‘true Marchand’ and that is exactly what she is getting. She’s finally remembering that her brothers and uncles were not always kind … and certainly not kind to the females in their lives. She is struggling to respond constructively and not just turn her back on a ‘mistake.’”

“Oh no. Frankie adores her. He truly does. Being cut off by her is the thing about this entire situation that seems to be affecting him the most.”

“Which he blames you for. And you needn’t look so surprised Veta. As I said I have been on the receiving end of an unhappy Marchand. When Nick was Frankie’s age there was … there were rumors that Madeline and I were … in a relationship. Some of Nick’s friends … well that is in the far flung past. However, he focused his blame on me because he thought he’d figured it allllll out. And he wasn’t even close. I am going to be frank and I hope I don’t embarrass you.”

Well she did and I’m certainly not recording the remainder of that conversation for posterity. But I assure you, having “asexual” explained in quite so much detail was something I was not expecting from a lady her age. I mean of course I’ve heard of it but … goodness gracious, when I told her none of it one way or the other was any of my business she had a good laugh and told me I was a “dear little thing” and well … I’m just glad that’s behind me. As for Frankie … we’ll just have to see. I’m still no longer certain that I am the person for this job, but it is a job I accepted so I am going to let it continue unless or until it becomes untenable.

About an hour later while I am still trying to make sense of my lesson plans Vit comes back to the cabin and drops to his knees beside my chair startling me. His hair was as unruly as I have ever seen it and he looked a bit manic around the eyes.

“Woman I am begging you to save the boy. If you do not come rescue him, I am thinking that Nicholas and I are going to throw him overboard.”

Vit has been slowly starting to unbend and allow me to see his playful side. However, I had my doubts as to whether he was playing this time. “Oh dear, what now?”

“Nothing. Everything. All I ask is that you take him until dinner time. Just give me a break from that mouth. I … I am not suited to young ones. Or at least not this young one. I could ignore the yacht owner’s little savages but for some reason Frankie is getting under my skin. It is not good. Not good.”

“You don’t have to beg.” I reached backwards and shut the drapes. “But you can if you want to.”

The look on his face was priceless. So was the grin. “Ah my Veta. I would do nothing to disappoint you but … I cannot risk leaving Nicholas alone with his brother. They nearly came to blows during lunch.”

“What?! There’s nearly ten years difference between them.”

“That did not stop Frankie from pushing his brother. It was only Nicholas refusing to follow through on his anger that stopped something ugly from happening. It has to do with a virus that has infected his electronic devices though why he should blame Nicholas for that is beyond my understanding.”

I snorted but stood up. “The virus’ name is Veta Petric but keep that to yourself please. I’ll let Nicholas in on it this evening. Let me explain a few things while I change into more appropriate apparel for walking around the deck.”

I did so and then walked back into the living area to find Vit with a thoughtful look on his face. “I have never understood the fascination with those things. Yes, they are useful but they take up too much time.”

“Well I do understand it. But I also grew up with parents that set strict social media boundaries and a brother who could do things to and with a computer that could scare a rock. He was always shadowing me.”

“Does he even still?”

“Not in the same way. He watches my online exposure, credit score, online reputation, etc. but otherwise keeps his nose out of my business. He is the one that first noticed the rumors the other tutor was posting about me.”

“Ah. So that is how you found out.”

“No. That’s how my professors found out and I then found out from them. Dylan doesn’t mess around. The fact that he says you are a straight shooter puts you way up there. Dylan and Charlie don’t have what you would call a whole lot of patience for certain types of people. You they like.”

“Then I feel honored.”

Putting my hand on his cheek I said, “It is simply the truth. You are an honorable man Vit Dymtrus.”

“Remind me of that when I must put you from me at night.”

I smiled, and he gave a small groan, but we resumed our professional personas as we left the cabin and went in search of the brothers.

Nicholas nearly looked panicked when he saw us and walked over. “He is … I don’t know what. I just need away from him.”

I blocked Frankie from following them when Nicholas and Vit walked away. “I’m going with them.”

“No, you are not. You have made yourself unwelcomed.”

“I knew he’d dump me. I knew …”

“Yes. It is called a self-fulfilling prophecy. You knew your behavior would cause something to happen, so you modified your behavior in order to cause it to happen. Now sit.”

“I won’t.”

“Very well. Stand. I am here to tell you that the boys that hurt you have been caught using their school’s computers for illegal purposes and have been expelled.”

“No they haven’t.”

Ignoring him I continued. “In fact, because of their stupidity the entire school has lost internet and phone privileges until after Christmas break.

“You’re lying.”

“And you are being obnoxiously certain that you are correct. Why would that be?”

“Because those guys never get caught, even when they get caught. Their parents love them and take care of everything.”

“Their parents are growing little monsters that will soon wind up in jail or dead. Or they’ll get someone else in jail or dead that is too stupid not to follow such idiots.” I saw his eyes widen at my harsh words. “As for your rude disbelief at my words, we can go speak to Miss Hayworth for she is the one who informed me.”

“Grandmother got them?”

Understanding the conclusion he was jumping to I said, “No. Their actions were discovered by the school’s Director himself. They had created enough suspicion that their actions were being monitored. The Director followed that to its natural conclusion. There are also several students that are now on probation and if they cannot pass the alternate coursework they are assigned – and being closely monitored while doing so – they will be removed from the school during the Christmas break. A cheating scandal – even though they are only in middle school – will still make it difficult to gain admission into the best colleges … almost any college for that matter. They are in for a very rude awakening. Now let us discuss your choice.”

“Huh?”

“Frankie I have decided to no longer have the patience for this nonsense. I told you that you needed to decide whether you were going to do your schoolwork … under my supervision … or whether you were going to be held back a grade. I do not have the luxury of a million years to wait on your decision because I refuse to waste your grandmother’s money paying me for something I am not doing. Which will it be?”

He just looked at me. “Those guys … they really got expelled?”

I just looked at him and he understood the subject to be closed. Slowly he said, “I don’t want to be held back.”

“Then you have several lessons that are past due. I will be in my cabin working. It is up to you whether you come and complete them in a timely manner before your dinner.”

I turned on my heel and left. He would either follow me or not. I was lucky he decided to follow me. We did have a momentary contretemps before he got down to work.

“I will sync your laptop to the tv for the first lesson. Use your clicker to answer the questions.”

“I can’t use my computer, it has a virus.”

“It did not have a virus last time I looked at it to install the parental controls.”

“Well it does now,” he snapped.

“The only way for you to pick up a virus is if you went online without permission.”

“Well I didn’t. I couldn’t even work on Traveling Marchand and Benji probably thinks that I’ve forgotten all about him.”

“Doubtful, not to mention that Benji has been on restriction because he sassed the housekeeper and didn’t do his chores.”

“How did you do that to him?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You said Benji is restricted.”

“You also seemed to blame me for it which is ridiculous. Benji’s mouth is what got him in trouble and he followed that up by playing the fool and not doing his chores. His choices, his consequences to deal with. Now let me look at your computer. If one of those so-called friends of yours sent a virus to you with a text or email that may be why you are experiencing problems.”

He nervously watched me, but it was obvious he didn’t know what I was doing which told me it was the other boy(s) that had circumvented the parental controls. “Yes, it appears that someone tricked you into allowing them to have access to your computer. They weren’t nearly as smart as they thought they were. I may be able to repair the rest of the damage but for now it is at least at a point that you can do your schoolwork. Do not try and go online or an alarm will sound. Until I can quarantine what they’ve done they could activate something that crashes your machine. Understand me?”

“Yes Miss Veta.”

I did not enjoy circumventing the truth, but it wasn’t a complete lie. There were things on the computer that I needed to figure out what they were. I would have Dylan give a look at it when he had the time.

From that point forward Frankie worked on catching up on the lessons. When he had questions I answered them, but I did not go out of my way to make them easy or fun. When it was dinner time I said he was free to go.

“I can work on stuff during dinner.”

“No. I need to continue to try and figure out what the odd bits of data are that are on your machine.”

“Um … I mean I can eat dinner here. If you … don’t … um …”

“If you are eating dinner here please order your meal. No, I do not need anything. I am having tea.”

“But …”

“Frankie, order or don’t. I have a great deal of work to do. I am not on this ship to be a tourist but to be a teacher. Between your grandmother’s desire to give you an interim holiday and now your refusal to do any work, the entire schedule must be reworked, and the next two weeks are going to be busy ones with limited opportunities to do lessons. Plus, I am informed your Grandmother is arranging a holiday dinner for the American passengers interested in celebrating Thanksgiving.”

“You’ll like that. Grandmother has great parties.”

“Perhaps you are not understanding the situation. I am not a passenger, I am a person who is on your grandmother’s staff. She has given me the day off which means you will be required to behave appropriately with little supervision. Do not expect she will be pleased if you misbehave.”

“But … don’t you want to have Thanksgiving?”

“Frankie, you are not understanding on purpose. I am not invited. Only passengers that are friends of your grandmother will be in attendance. Now, finish ordering your dinner.”

“But …”

I just looked at him the way Momma would sometimes look at us when we were getting on her nerves. I must have succeeded in getting that point across as he turned and ordered his meal and then started working on the geology venn diagram we had started months ago. Every new sample was added and sometimes a new circle was added such as a location such as “South America” or a narrower one such as “Brazil.” The program was one that I got from the university library and simple enough for Frankie to use, but we’d added so many characteristics that the drawings that are resulting are becoming more and more complex but at the same time very interesting with some surprising overlap.

By the time he left to go to his cabin, Frankie was becoming quite civil. I do not yet know whether to say we have turned the corner and I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but for now at least the worst of the behavior has disappeared for which I am heartily thankful.

The medicine for Vit’s back and my side bruise ran out days ago but we continue to “take care of” each other. And yes, I know that is a rationalization and a euphemism but nothing beyond that occurs. We sleep in our own beds and his hands have not roamed. But I can feel things building. I worry that eventually I will not care if we become “inappropriate” with each other. I never struggled like this with Robert. In all honesty Robert never made me feel like this.

Is it wrong of me to need comfort from Vit tonight? I need to feel there is someone here, physically, that sees me as someone outside of this job I’m no longer enamored of, as separate from the child I am no longer enamored of, but who will understand that I will hold onto my honor and complete the job and care for the child and keep my word not because of how I feel but despite it.

It doesn’t make me sound like a very nice person. That bothers me. But it is my reality for the moment. Who knows what tomorrow brings?

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 73: Nov 11 – Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

Another day in Brazil. The differences in geographic regions of the world is really beginning to sink in. I travelled with Poppa and Derrick extensively given my age, but only in “European-esque” and Caribbean areas. When they went to other areas I was usually considered too young, too medically at risk, or a security risk because of my gender. The Guatemalan interior is about as risky as it got when I was around.

Today we are in Salvador de Bahia. At one point it was Brazil’s capital city and has roots back to the 16th city. The architecture is a unique combination of preserved Renissance era buildings overlaid by a eclectic blend of Arician and Souther American influences. Some streets are mazes, some are wide avenues. You have the traditional pastel painted buildings next to intricate churches. Turning the corner is just another adventure.

And speaking of adventure, Frankie came to me nearly in tears. He asked Nicholas to post something for him on Traveling Marchand and they found some very foul posts. I asked Nicholas and Vit to take him to breakfast and leave me to it. I went through and deleted them and then asked Frankie if he had given permission for anyone in particular to post. He claims not, I suspect however that when they took control of his computer they also harvested all of his passwords. I explained what likely happened, added the information to another forward to Dylan, and then had him change all his passwords to any and all programs he was using online. I also forwarded the information to the school Director to dessiminate on his end. What he does with it is up to him. For my part I installed a program Dylan sent me the link for and proceeded to turn the tables on the jerks doing this. It gave Dylan the information he needed to investigate what was going on. I was shocked at what he has found and am still processing it.

I had barely finished when they came back and dropped Frankie off as they had a different excursion. The only thing that seemed to lift Frankie’s mood was when Nicholas said, “See you tonight Squirt.” It may speak of mending relations or it could have been habit. I’ll watch to see which.

Our morning excusion involved a walking tour of the city. We began in the upper city, the former seat of colonial Brazil and home to its best-preserved examples of 17th- to 19th-century Portuguese architecture. Important landmarks were pointed out and explained such as the Lacerda Elevator—Brazil’s first elevator and the link between the upper and lower cities. Then, we visited Salvador’s cathedral to view its carved and gilded wood ceiling, and its rococo altar and side chapels. From there we continued to the Church of São Francisco for its ornate craftsmanship and beautiful blue-and-white tile walls. Afterward, we took a walk to one of the city’s oldest squares, Largo do Pelourinho. A UNESCO Heritage Site, it reportedly looks much as it did in the 18th century, when it was used for the public punishment of slaves and prisoners. I can’t say for sure, but it certainly felt old as we walked there. Our tour ended, per usual for such things, with an opportunity to independently browse Mercado Modelo’s extensive selection of traditional Bahian handicrafts.

There were two hundred and sixty-three vendors. That’s 263. When people in our group found out I could understand Portuguese, and even speak it after a fashion, I was called on to help with numerous transactions. When the vendors found out I wouldn’t participate in anyone trying to haggle them out of a reasonable profit they returned the favor and helped me to find some good deals. And then out of nowhere Vit showed up and I found out the stinker did indeed speak Portuguese … and a heck of a lot better than I did. Vit gave me a look that said let him purchase the cachaca (a unique cane sugar liquor only found in Brazil) that I had been eyeing. He relaxed when I nodded to let him know I accepted.

When I kept looking at a rack of cantao dresses – like a Brazilian maxi-dress – he whispered in my ear, “It would please me to see you in something like that. No one need know, you could wear it in the cabin late at night.”

I whispered back, “Which one?”

He answered, “I am fond of any of them so long as they are on your body.”

The US$ to the Brazilian BRL is about $4 for every $1US. I had exchanged money on the ship back in Recife and still had a lot left. A lot. I should have asked Evita why when I noticed her giving me such an odd look. Vit told me later that crew are trained not to question passengers’ choices; however, while I may technically be a passenger, I’m also just a staff member. It is probably the only reason our fraternizing outside of her work hours is tolerated.

I decided not to worry about it and decided to get a new bathing suit, a cover up, and a couple of pairs of flip flops as well. I also purchased some beauty supplies, an industry that Brazil is famous for, to replenish what I was using faster than I expected including sunscreen and body lotion and stuff to keep my heels from turning into granite and cracking which they have a tendency to do if I do not pay enough attention to my feet.

Rather than return to the ship Vit found us a little café of sorts and helped us to order. I noted he was in a very good mood and wondered if he had consumed any “rum punch” in the morning. I didn’t say anything but he later whispered, “It was a good morning and I will show you tonight how good.”

Well that left me trying to hold onto my professional face. After our food Vit said he would take my packages back to the cabin as they were meeting someone there for a special VIP tour of a local soccer club. You could see Nicholas practically vibrating and even Frankie told him to have a really good time.

Nicholas just looked at his brother and I wondered if he would say anything, but he finally shrugged and said, “Thanks Squirt. Gimme that bag and I’ll take it back. I’m going to change into my gear and maybe get to play a little.”

After that we had to hurry to get to our next station which was where we would be picked up by a bus for a panoramic tour of both historic and modern Salvador de Bahia. Having already seen a lot of the city by foot I have to admit the bus tour wasn’t all that scintillating, but it was nice to get off my feet. We started with a drive through the colonial-era area of Salvador. We stopped for a few minutes in the Praça Municipal, or city square, and our guide explained the history of the city’s historic center, the buildings surrounding the square and the Lacerda Elevator—Brazil’s first and the link between the upper and lower cities; essentially a repetition of our morning. Then we continued the tour with a shoreline drive to the Barra Lighthouse at the San Antônio fortress. All we had was a brief stop for photos and information about the lighthouse and the fortress, which was built to protect colonists from Dutch attackers. It would have been nice to have time to take more pictures and look around, but these bus tours are go, go, go. Our next “go” was to pass through the Boca do Rio district and glimpse its many famous beaches before heading back to the ship through the modern part of the city.

I didn’t even have to give Frankie instructions to follow me to the cabin. He came in, got his folder, and looked up his next assignment and got started while I changed into the slippers I wore in the suite. And now at the end of the day I am happy to report that it was another satisfactory day in behavior and schoolwork accomplished. He still hasn’t gotten to where I had planned for us to be by this point but not all of that is Frankie’s fault so I will not deduct points for it. The thing is we both know that our teacher/student relationship is not what it was, but neither one of us seems to know how to get beyond the next hurdle. It will either come or it won’t, and I am not sure what to say more than that.

Vit was a little late coming in. We pulled away from the dock at 5 pm but out of necessity he had only had time to change before hurrying back out to accompany Nicholas who was still more floating than walking. Apparently Nicholas is a much better player than I understood. It is not merely because he is young and strong, but he has a talent for strategizing moves on the field and seems to be able to read what the other players are likely to do next. I had no idea, but he enjoys watching other soccer players and studying their moves and the combinations that they use them in.

Vit said, “If he can avoid injury he may very well make a good career out of playing and after that could even become a coach. He has a good grasp of things most young players do not. But he also knows that he needs a backup plan in case the good does not happen for him. Now come here and let me show you how much I am fond of the dress you chose to wear for me.”

I grinned and walked into his arms. “The look on your face alone tells me how fond you are. Tell me what put you in a good mood this morning.”

“Ah. That. Close your eyes.”

I played along as Vit was in a good mood and I didn’t want to spoil it. But I jumped when I felt something cold against my neck and chest where the dress left me exposed. “Vit?”

“Open your eyes.”

What I saw left me speechless.

“Oh … oh ….”

“You … do not like it?”

“Vit its … oh my gosh … positively gorgeous but … but …”

He put his arms around my waist and pulled me gently backwards into an embrace. “Do not be afraid. This is not for a bribe but because I wanted to. I want you to have a memory of me should … should tomorrows not come at some point. We are happy … I am happy … here … now … and it is to commemorate that. It is not a play for anything more but because I am thankful for what already is.”

“Oh Vit.” I know I sounded a little like a character in one of Angelia’s bodice-ripper books but I don’t care. What Vit had put around my neck was a gold chain and hanging from it was a large Paraiba Tourmaline pendant. How did I know what I was looking at? We’d gone by several jewelry stores where our guide had pointed out the semi-precious and precious stones that Brazil was best known for. I was almost afraid to touch it. This was no trinket out of the bubble gum machine. “Vit? Are … are you sure?”

“I knew it the moment I saw it. It is the color of ocean that is sometimes reflected in your eyes.” I was struggling how to reply to something so mindbendingly romantic when he kissed me. “You do not need to say anything. Your face tells me all.”

And like a ninny all I could say once again was, “Oh Vit.”

I think we would have stayed that way for much longer if Vit hadn’t brought us back down to earth. “I will be honorable.”

Breathing heavier than normal I said, “I know. But … sometimes …”

“Shhh. It is enough to know you feel as you do. Come, let us sit and talk. I have something to share.”

We sat on the sofa side by side with me curled up next to him. I noted that there was a shaving case on the small table and he leaned forward to bring it into his lap. “I want to speak to your brothers.”

“Vit …”

“I know you do not need their permission to choose your own way. I also know that what is between us is new and young and … that it is premature to speak with them. Not because I am not sure of our feelings but because this is … ours. I would not mind if others found out if we were in a different setting but …”

I relaxed as I became sure, once again, that Vit understood how I felt.

“And, there is another thing.” He was very serious and I was wondering if I was going to hear a confession I did not like. Instead what he said made me upset in another way. “I have a pride I cannot put aside Veta. I will be thirty-one before we can get to your Pembroke House … and it is your Pembroke. Or perhaps a shared property with your brothers and sisters. I have a need to be independent. Or at least show that I can be so. Before I got this position I was in a bad way. My resources were few and shrinking fast. I do not want to be in that position again … ever again. Must not be if I am to prove myself worthy in your brothers’ eyes.”

“Now just wait a …”

“Veta this is … how to say this … non-negotiable. I am a man, not the boy that hurt you.”

“I know that. Of course I know that.”

“Then please, accept that this is … necessary for me. My honor. And this part of it. It is necessary as life. I will give up my life, my country, even my name if that is what it takes ..”

“What?! Who said …”

“Hush. It is the way it is for some and I accept this. But … not at the expense of … of all of who I am. And I have never been a man to be on a woman’s string. I paid my way even with the one you call the dancer. She did not own me.”

I tried really hard not to be angry, to see it from his point of view and finally conquered it, didn’t show how initially insulted I felt. “Vit, I would never do that to you. The offer for you to come to Pembroke House was made before any of this even seemed a possibility to me. You were … and still are … my friend, a man whom I respect because you’ve proven an untold number of times that you can be respected. I trust you because you can be trusted. And I respect you for the same reason. And I would never allow for my brothers … any of my family … to get away with belittling you. That’s not who we are.”

“I do not make myself clear. I … I neeeed to hold my own, to prove to your brothers I do not come to take advantage of you. And there is also the consideration of how your government would look at me. I must not be a burden.”

“But …”

“Veta, it is a fair thing to ask of me. By your brothers and by your government. A man is not a man if he is not even willing to try … and then follow through with the trying to the doing. A real man should not expect others to take care of him and make it so easy just because he has had troubles.” He cupped my face. “I do not wish that the only thing known of me is that I am an orphan and the troubles that I have had. I want to arrive with a … hmmm … a stake in hand? Do I make myself clearer?”

Trying to understand I responded, “You want to have something to invest so you can prove yourself?”

“Yes. Now you see. I wish to be known as a man who will invest in my own future, my own desires, not have to be supported and take from others that which is not mine. I will be forced to take so much from you, accept so much, this other I must do if for no other reason than my own peace and heart.”

I suspect to some extent it is a man thing but nodded as I continued to try to understand and that’s when he explained it. “We are traveling to countries that have an exchange rate that is favorable to your US dollar which is the currency we are being paid in. It will not be this good every place we visit, and I will have to be careful of laws but Dylan … please do not make that face … your brother understands, and he is willing to help me stay informed so that I can stay within the laws.”

I was silent only a moment before saying, “You probably wouldn’t be who you are – and I like who you are – if you didn’t feel this way. But I’m on record that I’m not asking you to do this, because I already believe in your character.”

“My kokhana,” he whispered right before kissing me again. We both got a little hot and bothered and then Vit said he needed to go take a shower.

I am not a tease, but I am not ready for anything else. Vit can be so intense, and he is so different from Robert that sometimes I frighten myself the way I react to him. I am glad he knows when to stop because I am in danger of forgetting. And he is also good about giving us both breathing room. While he showered, I distracted myself by thinking of what I had learned from Dylan.

Dylan’s job gives him interesting contacts. It would appear that the families of those boys had older brothers with friends that may have taken advantage of them as much as they were taking advantage of Frankie. Or they are in on it as they’ve become radicalized though who knows, and it isn’t in my best interest to stick my nose in. They used those boys to get onto their friends’ computers and then plant a computer virus. But the virus doesn’t activate on that computer but on computers down the line. What that computer virus did is not something that Dylan got into very much – security and all that – but they were raking in pennies that eventually turned into dollars that eventually combined with other dollars to fund some resistance groups. Not all of them of religious affiliation, but several that were politically motivated. Ugh. Dylan already scanned Frankie’s computer and mine and found nothing. But nothing was something in other computers, especially the school’s. It is a very sophisticated scam and the kind of juicy thing that Dylan is best at destroying.

I really don’t want to think about it anymore. It is very stressful considering what is already going on with Frankie. I hope that I am doing the right thing.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 74: Nov 12 – Cruise the Atlantic

Not much to write about today other than the Ship’s Doctor has said I may return to exercising unless I notice a pain in my side. Not really though I can tell that I have been without exercise – or at least exercise of that sort – for long enough that I am fatigued tonight.

After Frankie went to bed, I was invited to join the adults for cocktails in the Explorer’s Lounge. I was surprised but took the time to dress appropriately and I’m glad that I did. It was Mrs. Harrington’s idea and by the evening’s end I could tell she was only nice to put me in my place. I know that sounds strange, but it is what it is. I was polite and ignored her shenanigans. I was polite and did as she bid which was to continue where Vit had left off in reading some of a Tolstoy novel … in the original. Blech. I’m sorry. I am not a fan. The man uses 10 words when one would suffice.

Beyond that, I was then told I could leave. So kindly. So politely. As if bestowing a gift. I believe Madam would have had something to say if I hadn’t found the temerity to give a small grin and wink. Nicholas had just taken a sip of whatever he was drinking, and I startled him so much that he inhaled it in the wrong direction and started coughing. Madam and Miss Hayworth must be old hands at that sort of thing because all they did was smiled benignly … though I could see the humor in their eyes. Vit was looking every place else but at me which told me he was trying not to reveal his own feelings. When he came in tonight he showed me some proper appreciation for giving him a break from having to read for other’s entertainment.

He’s in the shower and I’m finished writing so I do believe that I will sign off for the night.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 75: Nov 13 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Day 1)

We did not dock until 5 pm. But … Rio. Rio de Janeiro. Wow. I am convinced that the advertisements really do not do this flamboyant city justice. Not that I would want to live here. Not in the slightest. But the place is certainly … certainly … well, it is something. I tell you when you see the pictures of people on the beach with very little on, that’s not an exaggeration. And what some of the young girls wandering around the city wear? Poppa would have never let me out of my bedroom, much less the house, wearing some of those outfits. I feel like a prude, but they looked like call girls … and not exactly high-priced ones if I’m being honest.

Our excursion for the day was to watch dynamic and colorful Rio as the sun set from atop Sugarloaf Mountain. It started with an afternoon drive through the city, especially Rio’s downtown district, with a bit of commentary from our driver and guide. All of us marveled at the mixture of colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers. It was a strange juxtaposition. We then ascended Urca Hill by cable car and admired the views of the city and the lush landscape below. We continued our journey in a second cable car that took us to the summit of the “hill” —1,300 feet above sea level. We took in the views as the sun set below the horizon, turning the sky crimson as the day ended. There were breathtaking vistas of beaches and the harbor that were bathed in the lingering rays of the setting sun. As evening approached, we watched the city continue its frenetic pace as lights winked on to illuminate the skyline. We were far from the only people at the top as it is a popular spot with both tourists and locals. After it fell completely dark, we reversed directions and descended by cable car to return to the ship.

However, by the time we returned to the ship, it seemed like a tropical storm had commenced. All eight of us were completely soaked by the time we could get back on board the ship. I nearly slipped going up the gangway and I made Nicholas and Frankie help their grandmother, asked Vit to see to Miss Hayworth and I gave my arm to help Mr. O’Rourke get his wife up the gangway as she had begun to feel unwell from a chill. I helped him get her to their suite and they both decided to stay there for the evening as they have a full day tomorrow. The storm was pretty nasty, and the boat rocked even being moored as it was. I next checked to see if Madam and Miss Hayworth needed anything and then started a pot of tea for them. They too were staying in for the evening. Next, I headed to the brothers only to find that Vit had already taken care of it and the three of them were just coming back from making a hot chocolate run. Nicholas said he and Frankie were going to watch a movie just long enough to dry out and then make an early night of it. That left me and I followed Vit back to the cabin and then fell on the hot cocoa he’d gotten for me like a hyena after it’s prey.

“Are you chilled?”

“No. Just drowned. Is there any way to …” There was a huge clap of thunder making me jump. “Never mind. I’m not climbing in the shower with that nonsense going on. I’m just going to change.”

“Hmm …”

“What?”

“Will … will you wear the sea-colored dress?”

“For you? Of course.”

I dried off and changed quickly. Put the maxi-dress on and then also put the necklace on. When I came out Vit was lounging in the sitting area and then stood up as I entered the room. The look on his face was more than enough to let me know he liked that I left my braid down and when he saw I was wearing the necklace as well he pulled me to him for a deep kiss.

“Sit with me? That is all, though I want more.”

After we sat – me in his arms, our feet propped up on the ottoman – I snuggled in.

He said, “This is good. Much better than pandering to the stupid woman’s vanity.”

“Which woman? There are more than a few displaying their vanity.”

“Hah. But remember I said, stupid and vain. And what other woman could that mean but that Harrington female. No wonder her husband is driven to the vodka and whiskey at every turn. He should have never tied himself to such as she.”

“Not that I’m defending her but he’s not exactly what I would call prime beef himself.”

He snorted then smiled ruefully. “No. He is not. The man would do well to stop bending his elbow so much … for drink or food. He was winded far too easily and it speaks of ill health. And though it has not been long and I selfish for asking this of you for only a few moments … we should both get some extra rest. Tomorrow is going to be a full day.”

Surprised I asked, “You join us?”

“Yes. We were already scheduled for two of the excursions, but Nicholas asked if it was possible for us to do the early morning one as well and there were two slots so … yes, we join you. Do you mind?”

“Why should I mind? The only thing I am growing concerned about is that I find I am wishing everyone else – including our charges – someplace else so we could enjoy some freetime together.”

“As do I. Perhaps there will be a chance at some point, but we must be careful. Too much of this and I will ravish you.”

At the look on my face he groaned. He asked to be first to change and then told me good night when he saw I had pulled out my laptop. But I believe Vit is right, tomorrow is a full day and I better get some sleep in order to have the energy to face it.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 76: Nov 14 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Day 2)

What a day. My feet are killing me, but it was for a good cause. Our morning was exploring historic downtown Rio on foot. From the port, we embarked on a bus for a short drive to the impressive Rio Branco Avenue, where our guided walking tour began. We saw the Municipal Theater, which was modeled on the Opéra National de Paris. Built of marble, granite and bronze, it is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture. We next viewed the National Library, the largest and most important library in the country, and one of the largest in the world. After seeing the NYC Library … let’s just say this library was huge. We also admired the grandeur of the National Fine Arts Museum which is an imposing building housing superb works of art with more than 16,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings and etchings, plus a large collection of folk art. On the return journey to port, we glimpsed the famous Flamengo Park, the largest leisure attraction in Rio, consisting of nearly 300 acres of beautiful, green urban park space. Very manicured and regimentally organized, but super nice and a great place for families and tourists alike.

At this point we transitioned to our next activity … another helicopter tour. We climbed aboard another bus and took a scenic drive to a lagoon, where we met our pilot. We were in the air much longer than I anticipated – close to two hours – while we soared over Rio’s most well-known landmarks. From our window seat, we saw Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado, with its towering, iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. That alone would have been worth the excursion, but we weren’t finished. We witnessed the blend of colorful colonial architecture, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, and the white-fringed beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. We also admired the landscapes of the city skyline amid lush green forest. It was an unforgettable experience. After the flight we were supposed to go straight back to the ship but due to some kind of civil unrest incident we were detoured, and we wound getting what amounted to a a panoramic tour of Rio’s sights.

Later Vit told me that he was listening to the driver and guide speak quietly in Portuguese, unaware that he understood, and they were more concerned than they revealed. The touring companies are finding it more difficult to avoid their customers being affected by such incidences. And the government was beginning to crack down very hard on any kind of outward sign of rebellion. I had noticed that he seemed a little more stoic than he had been recently. I need to be able to read him better, so I can anticipate trouble.

There wasn’t time to return to the ship for a meal, so Miss Veta’s magic backpack was put into service. We also took advantage of a food truck that was “strategically located” near the point where we would embark on our last excursion of the day where we ascended high above Rio de Janeiro and visited its most famous landmark. Located on the granite-domed peak of Corcovado mountain, the Christ the Redeemer statue spreads its arms out in a welcoming embrace to the city below. It was every bit, if not more, impressive than it had been from the air. Covered in more than 6 million soapstone tiles, the art deco statue is 98 feet tall and has an arm span of 92 feet. A cog railway took us to the statue’s base, where we enjoyed stunning views of Rio from above. The journey also took us through the Tijuca Forest, one of the largest urban forests in the world. Our guide explained that this dense, tropical rainforest suffered from deforestation in the 19th century, when much of it was cleared to accommodate coffee plantations. A century-long reclamation project planted more than 100,000 trees, and today it is a national park and is a favorite spot to relax, far from the noise of the city. Assuming you can avoid noticing the drug dealers and the orphan adolescent gang members looking for unwary tourists to fleece in some way.

It was on our way back to the ship that things began to unravel. It seems that the cruise tours are targeted by groups looking to be noticed … or notoriety. Thank goodness I was in comfortable slacks and tennis shoes and not the skirt and sandals that I had originally planned to wear.

We were stopped at a crossing when out of no where a large group of people seemed to rush our bus and the two others behind us. I mistook them for a flash mob until they started beating on the sides of the busses. We saw them bust a window out of the bus directly behind us and the driver and guide started cussing.

“Frankie do not leave my side unless I tell you to and do not lose sight of your brother.”

“Miss Veta?”

I could hear the real fear in his voice, and I saw Nicholas’ eyes widen when he saw me wrap my head scarf around my knuckles but there wasn’t much time as they tried to board our bus. The man started trying to pull the driver out of his seat Vit and the guide went to assist. A woman came in behind the man and she went out a lot faster than she had come on as I was in no mood to be gentle.

“Keep the windows up!” I shouted as I saw some trying to climb in the windows. I broke the mirror I keep in my purse and started stabbing hands that tried to prevent the windows from being closed. It would appear that, as the first bus in line, we were thought to be the easiest to hijack. I yelled for everyone to get down as close to the floor of the bus as they could in case they tried to throw things in the window next. Vit and the guide subdued the man that had attacked the driver and rather than wait on him to give up I simply kicked him in the head while they held him down. The guide and Vit both nodded approvingly as they threw him out and then I wedged myself so that I could hold the door handle so it could not be opened by pushing from outside.

That’s when the military showed up in force and our attackers started running like the rats they are. Vit pulled me back and let the guide handle it and he was told to drive us to the pier. To prevent us from being a further target we had a military escort. Ours was the only bus that had been boarded. I thought Vit and I would have to make a statement but we were all told to hurry onto the ship quickly but that wasn’t really possible. The problem was we couldn’t get very close to our dock and several of the passengers from all three busses were shook up. The local media had begun to circle like sharks as well adding to the chaos. Another bus pulled in after our three and it turned out to include Madam and Miss Hayworth who were shocked to hear what had happened.

We put Nicholas and Frankie with them to wait their turn to be ferried to the ship and then Vit and I, as being closer to the age of the crew than passengers, volunteered to help load the electric carts they sent out to help move some of the banged and bruised to the ship so they wouldn’t have to walk. It took over an hour to get those that weren’t ambulatory off the busses and to the ship. In the end the crew (and us) formed a bit of a bucket line with wheelchairs to move as many as we could as fast as we could. We would load them from the bus and then push them to another set of crewmembers who would take over and give us an empty wheelchair to go pick up the next ones with. Our bus driver and guide handled the local authorities but wouldn’t leave until they saw us head to the ship with the crewmembers.

I felt filthy and wanted nothing more than to go to the cabin and wash up but both Vit and I headed to the brothers’ cabin, and then not finding them them, headed to Madam’s suite.

“Look at you two! Come here and get something to drink. Veta you are red as a beat and Vit you are not much better.”

“Water only please,” I requested.

Miss Hayworth asked, “Are you sure a cup of tea wouldn’t be better Dear?”

“Tea will come after I have washed up a bit, but thank you.”

Madam snorted. “You two are entirely too calm. A little hysterics would make the rest of us feel better.”

I looked at Vit in confusion and I could tell he didn’t understand anymore than I did. Madam saw the look between the two of us and snorted again. “Fine. Be stoic. The rest of us lesser mortals will simply have to get along.”

Nicholas said, “I told you they’d be all right. Now knock it off Frankie.”

I looked and could tell that the boy had red eyes and nose but I didn’t remark on them so not to twit his pride. “Have you washed up yet?

He shook his head. I looked at Madam and she said, “Nickie will take him as they both need to wash up for dinner. You two have the evening off.” I was still processing that when there was a knock on the cabin door. Bottom line was that Vit and I had been requested to come to speak with the Captain.

“Call me if you need me,” Madam said before we headed off.

It wasn’t bad. It had the feel of a visit to a principal’s office for me but Vit seemed completely at ease. There were a couple of other men there and I could just barely follow the conversation as everyone was speaking Portuguese. The words that I didn’t understand Vit interpreted for me and I tried my best to keep up. Essentially, we were asked to give a statement and they wanted to know how Vit and I were able to do what we did. I kept it simple and said that my brothers were insistent that as a female living alone that I could protect myself and the skill I learned in university was great for my resume as a traveling tutor. The men were chauvinistic, and they didn’t have a problem with me saying that I was a bit controlled by my brothers’. Vit they were a little rougher on but not much because the Captain vouched for him.

We were then dismissed a little rudely but then I asked, “Is the driver of the bus all right?”

One of the younger men there rolled his eyes but the senior official nodded slowly. “The man has gone home to his family with only minor injuries.”

“Thank goodness. He said he had a wife and was taking care of his grandchildren since his son died. There are already too many orphans in this world.”

Vit hurried me out after that and when we got back to the cabin after letting the Marchands know that all was well and we were grateful for the evening off he said, “Do not give out any more personal information than you absolutely must.”

“But …”

“No buts. This country appears to be on the brink. It will either calm down or it won’t but in the meantime it is best to not involve ourselves anymore than necessary.”

“And what do you call what we did on the bus if we weren’t involving ourselves?”

“Survival and protection of our charges.”

“You … you didn’t care about the driver and guide?”

He stopped for a moment and then said, “Not in the way that you are doing. I avoid … when possible … getting involved in anyone’s personal life. It is not that I do not have … compassion … or empathy … it is simply a matter of survival.”

He was holding himself stiffly and I did the only thing I knew to do which was to hug him. He jumped as if stung then held himself away and then relaxed and kissed the top of my head. “I am sorry if my way makes you upset.”

Stepping back so I could see his face I said, “I understand where you are coming from Vit. I may not understand all the why’s but … I get it. And the only thing I am upset at is what you had to go through to get as stoic as you are. But … it balances out the fact that maybe I should be more stoic than I am. I don’t know … just don’t think whatever it is that makes you feel like you must protect yourself from me. You are the way you are for your reasons. It is the same for me. Differences aren’t automatically bad, and we can work it out if our differences get at cross purposes.”

Rather than get deeper into that conversation it was agreed that I would wash up and change first while he watched as the ship finally pulled out over an hour later than our originally scheduled 5 pm. When I came out Vit was looking at a paper.

“Madam has ordered us room service.”

“Uh …”

“Steaks.”

“Er …”

“And a bottle of wine.”

“Oh … uh …”

He looked at me and shrugged. “As a thank you for keeping her grandsons safe she says it is a poor one, but she recommends that we stay in the cabin to … in her words … keep the excessively curious at bay.”

“Ew. Yes then … let’s. I do not like being stared at.”

“So … you do not mind that I do not take you to dinner?”

“By eating here, you are saving me.” I shuddered.

He stepped closer. “You really do not like the looking.”

“No. I really do not like being stared at. It is like being rubbed by coarse sandpaper. Besides, that means that I can dress for you and everyone else can leave us alone.”

“Ah. Now that I like.”

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 77 and 78: Nov 15 & 16 – Cruise the Atlantic

The seas for the last two days have been rough. I believe we have been catching the tail of a very late tropical storm. The wifi aboard ship has been very slow but still better than Greenland. Anything is better than Greenland.

There have been several cases of seasickness and that has included Frankie. After twelve hours of it nonstop I asked for and was given permission to give him a stronger motion sickness medication and he dozed off and on the remainder of yesterday and most of today. Tonight, I was finally able to get him to eat some soup and keep it down. He went to sleep shortly after that. The seas have finally calmed but you can tell all the crew are very tired.

Vit and I didn’t have much to do as both Madam and Miss Hayworth did not feel well either and stayed in their suite. Vit and Nicholas spent some time each day in the Fitness Center but after losing my balance several times I gave up on my own exercises, even doing them here in the cabin. Because of the rocking of the boat the meal plan got a little scrapped. It got so bad at one point they asked everyone to remain in their cabins. That was a little exciting … not appreciated however … and we had crew members to come in and secure the table, chairs, and loungers normally out on the veranda.

Vit said it was obvious the Captain was trying to stear us out of the worst of the storm system, but it was simply so large that there was no where to go and no safe ports unless we wanted to risk getting beat up on the shore.

It was about 2 pm today that the seas finally calmed and by then I think we were all weary. I thought of just staying in the cabin and ordering room service but after hearing how tired the crew was, and how our own steward had sustained a broken nose when a stack of loungers had broken loose and fallen, I went to get something light from the buffet.

All I can say is that I hope we don’t run into another storm like this. On the other hand, it has certainly given people something to talk about besides the incident in Rio.

Dylan … blast his super secret connections … heard about things and reached me and then we agreed to keep the incident under wraps rather than tell the rest of the family, as there was no need to worry them. Then I got a call from Devin asking how the weather was and I told him. And then we agreed to keep that under wraps rather than tell the rest of the family, as there was no need to worry them. Angelia called next and I started to worry at a conspiracy except she was calling to let me know that Derrick was down with a cold that was trying to turn into bronchitis and that Christine was looking after him.

“Stop with the romance novels Angie. If something is going to come of it, better for it to be natural than through manipulation.”

“So, you aren’t against something coming of it?”

“I just want Derrick to be happy. With or without Lena. With or without anyone else. He and the boys … look, weren’t you the one warning me about jumping from Robert to someone new too soon?”

“Ohhhhh don’t you dare throw my words back at me,” she laughed.

“Well? Weren’t you?”

“You’re young. Derrick … isn’t. None of us are. It’s different when you are older.”

“Suuuure it is. And what does Derrick think of Sister Machiavellie?”

“Nothing. He hasn’t even noticed. All he cares about are the boys and his blasted tomato garden. I swear I could wring Lena’s bloody neck.”

“So … there’s no hope there?”

“None. Or … no, I don’t think there is any. I’m not sure what Derrick thinks because he’s clammed up. Maybe you can …”

“Oh no. Definitely not. Derrick and I have had an agreement since I went away to college. There are just some topics that we don’t cover in any depth. “

“He said the same thing when I asked him to pump you for information on this Vit Dymtrus.”

“Angie!”

She just laughed again. She loves driving us all a little crazy.

“So how are things?”

“Are you asking or is the family asking?”

“Hmmm. Let’s just say we all are but for right now I’m more than willing to keep things to myself.”

“Fine. He … is a man. A real man. A man that makes me recognize that Robert really wasn’t one yet … and may never have become a man in the same way that Vit has had to become one. Can you let that be enough for now? Not tell any of the others? Not twit Vit about it?”

She was quiet so long that I was worried then she said, “All right. On one condition.”

“And that is?”

“You promise to have fun but be careful. The boys all seem to like Vit. Like him surprisingly well. Which tells me that he must be very like them. And you know how serious they are about their women … to the point that they were usually the ones hurt if things didn’t work out. I want you to have fun … but I’m not sure this is the time for serious for you yet.”

“Trust me, we have enough chaperones that nothing ‘serious’ can possibly happen.”

“Yes well, that’s all well and good but you could wind up hurting each other even if sex isn’t involved.”

“Angie!”

“You say that like I’m going to change. Now hear what I’m saying Veta. Just have fun. But keep the fling under control. And if it winds up not being a fling … well … he has my vote. At least so far. But a little playtime before serious won’t hurt anything and may very well be appreciated at some point down the road. Joe and I …” Angelia rarely speaks of her first marriage, so I knew she was serious. “Look, Joe and I were on our way to a divorce and everyone knew it. We came in so hot and heavy from the get go … and didn’t learn to control the burn and it destroyed our relationship. If he hadn’t been killed on duty … I don’t think we would have lasted another year. On the other hand, Tal and I … one of the reasons we work is we know how to play with each other often enough that we don’t burn out. This Dymtrus … he sounds very serious. If you make anything of this, you are both going to need to learn to balance things out.”

“Well that much I’ve already figured out. We’re working on solutions to … to a lot of things.”

“Good. I’ll try and keep you up on Derrick but … things have gone from happening so fast to now Lena is dragging her feet. Maybe she is having regrets or maybe she is simply trying to cover all her bases. If she gets pregnant … and that’s a big if … I’m going to tell Derrick he needs to push for a divorce.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want her putting his name on the birth certificate of her paramour’s baby. She needs to know up front that she’s not going to be able to manipulate him or the family into taking her back just because she has gotten her way and is over her snit.”

“Er …”

She didn’t really give me time for much commentary after that. I did find out that Thanksgiving was going to be at her house and that most everyone was going to be there though some would only be there for an hour or two. She was just going to set a buffet and let people graze when they got hungry.

At least Thanksgiving isn’t a sea day. I’ll be distracted in that way. Now I need to put this away and stop thinking about it. This isn’t something I can even talk to Vit about.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 79: Nov 17 – Montevideo, Uruguay

Day one in Montevideo, Uruguay. Then two days in Buenos Aires, then back to Montevideo. It’s an interesting way to see a port but parts of me wishes we had been able to do it all together instead of breaking it up like this. Uruguay reportedly has the highest quality of living in the whole of South America; at least in the urban cities. It is quite nice, especially after Rio. I tell you however that I am tired.

Of our two excursions today the first was moderate and the second was strenuous. I’m still not sure who did all the planning for Frankie’s excursions. Sometimes they make sense and sometimes … not so much when you are talking about a 9-year-old boy. And then some days are more challenging than others to create lesson plans with. Today we mainly covered Uruguay’s history and culture; sort of like a geography lesson.

We met our guide and headed to the historic Montevideo Agricultural Market. Built in the early 20th century, this recently refurbished market offers a wide variety of products and services. Geez don’t I sound like a commerciaI. I may sound like a commercial but I was definitely a consumer today. I purchased a torta frita, or fried cake, for Frankie and he insisted we share it. That’s some movement in the positive direction for our relationshiop.

After that we visited the Port Market, an impressive wrought-iron structure that houses a selection of parrilladas, or barbecue, and seafood restaurants. While there we explored the Carnival Museum and strolled through its collection of costumes, drums, masks and multimedia exhibits related to the renowned festival. The exhibits were all in Spanish or Uruguayan Portuguese (a regional 2nd language) but I was able to translate everything for Frankie … and some of the other passengers as well.

From there we enjoyed lunch at Facal, one of the oldest bars in the city. Not really my first choice with a child in tow but they were understanding and made sure there was something nonalcoholic to drink. I tried the famous (or infamous) chivito—a sandwich of thinly sliced steak with mozzarella, tomatoes, mayonnaise and olives—and sampled two different Uruguayan wines. I would have simply had water, but I understood it to be an insult if I hadn’t at least tried the wine. We finished our tour at the Gaucho and Coin Museum, where we learned about gaucho culture and traditions.

Our afternoon consisted of more strolling through an eclectic mix of architecture and historic sites during a walking tour of Montevideo’s Old Town. As our guide explained, the area has undergone a major transformation in the past decade, becoming the premier nightlife center of the city while still retaining much of its old-world charm. We headed to Zabala Square, the only fenced square in Old Town, and visited the French-style Taranco Palace, home to the Museum of Decorative Arts. Frankie wasn’t thrilled but behaved excellently as we were asked to admire the well-preserved colonial-era buildings surrounding Constitution Square and toured the interior of the 18th-century neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral. The rest of the tour was more interesting for him as we browsed the nearby stalls of the flea market before stopping outside the Solis Theater, the oldest of its kind in South America. We wandered along the wide pathways and manicured lawns and viewed the mausoleum of national hero General José Gervasio Artigas at Independence Square and Salvo Palace. After the last bit a bus arrived to take us back to the ship. And through the cruise port which meant shopping vendors.

Most of my shopping was of the ubiquitous type … a jar of dulce de leche, a couple of balls of merino wool so I can practice my crocheting, a leather belt for each of the brats for Christmas gifts that wouldn’t be mailed until after the holidays (and didn’t that light up the eyes of the merchant who gave me a discount for volume), and a box of alfajores (a unique kind of treat or candy that is essentially a dulce de leche sandwich cookie) to add to the snacks I keep in the cabin’s refrigerator for Vit and I to snack on.

On another note, I’m beginning to wonder if my shoes are going to hold up for the entire cruise. Vit was examining his own just the other night and was thinking that he would need to keep an eye out for another good pair of walking shoes. I certainly hope mine hold out … or at least hold out until we get to California where I can see about replacing them with another pair of Skechers. Perhaps I am spoiled, but I know what I like, and that brand is what I like and what I am used to.

I was still full from lunch and Frankie wasn’t exactly starving either so I got a salad and he ordered from the poolside grill before we returned to the cabin for a couple of lessons, and the day’s recap on our social media. I got a strange email from Dylan asking me to contact him when I had some privacy and after Nicholas came to collect his brother for a movie – and Vit had been asked to “the club” by Mr. O’Rourke and a couple of others – I skyped him.

“Dylan? Is the family okay?”

“Yeah. Sorry, didn’t mean to give you that idea. Look, you having any more problems with those Harringtons?”

“Not really. Why?”

“Define not really,” he said rather than answer.

“They are just so extra special nice … like they are paying attention to the peon to try and make their low station in life a little nicer and easier to bare. But what they are really doing when you peel back the layers is making sure everyone knows I’m nothing but a little peon.”

He said a rude word. “Dylan!”

“Yeah yeah. Your ears are just so delicate.” I could almost hear the cogs of his brain turning. “Look, it if gets to be more than that let me know. I’ve gotten some weird hits on the birdies I’ve got out looking for information on them.”

“You want weird? They didn’t leave the boat while we were in Brazil. At all. I mean their home country. And now I hear they have all these muckety muck connections in Argentina and plan on meeting some important people there.”

“Yeah, given what I’ve found out I’m not surprised. Brazil they would have gotten arrested had they left the ship. Some kind of financial shenanigans where one sister cut out the rest of the family for control of a sizeable fortune. As far as Argentina … let’s just say the husband’s German ancestry would probably account for that.”

Putting two and two together I said, “You don’t mean …”

“Just watch out for men with little mustaches and odd salutes.”

Outraged I said, “You have got to be kidding me!”

“Sorry Bitty Bit, it takes a lot of different people to make the world go round, and some of them are pretty damn strange. Just don’t turn you back on them and watch your p’s and q’s. We don’t need too much strange to complicate Vit’s paperwork.”

“Um … can I ask how that is going?”

“He hasn’t said?”

“Nothing beyond that he is doing everything you ask.”

“Yeah well, let’s just say one man’s traitor is another man’s hero.

“What?”

“Yeah, his immediate superiors were all embarrassed by the incident but if you go a little higher … say in the direction of the man he saved … things take a different turn. And then he also saved most of the crew … er … you know about the yacht incident?”

“You mean the fact that I am trying to impress on him that he is not bullet proof? Yeah, I’ve heard.”

He chuckled darkly. “So, he is a good candidate for immigration and then some and I’ve got all the documentation to prove it. He just needs to get the rest of it lined up and Charlie and I are working on that. It helps that he isn’t too proud to ask for help and it sounds like things are perking away. Look, have to run but … I like him. Charlie and Derrick do as well. So … if things … you know …”

“Thanks Dylan but that stuff needs to stay under control until there is some scope to explore it more, under better conditions. Right now … just … thanks. I like Vit enough that even if nothing comes of it, I trust and respect him and want him to have a decent chance at a future he can make something of.”

“Figured that’s the way it is. Now scoot so I can. Take care Squirt.”

I am done for the night. First Angelia yesterday and now Dylan tonight. I am as certain of my feelings for Vit as I can be but I’m just not ready to share them with anyone. I don’t know if that is because of what he has said or if it is how I really feel and if that is how I really feel what does it say. I just don’t want to go into a long examination of what is going on. Angie mentioned having fun with whatever it is. That’s what I want. Not at the expense of my morals but that’s a different topic entirely. Angie also said be careful and that … well I’m not going there. I’m tired and tomorrow is another full day.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 80: Nov 18 – Buenos Aires, Argentina (Day 1)

Holy guacamole Batman. What a day! I am definitely regretting not having better shoes, or at least shoes that would give me more ankle support. I survived today but I am soaking my feet as I type this. Vit insisted once he got a look at my how swollen my ankles were.

It is a good thing that I packed my backpack as well as I did. It is also a good thing I told everyone to have a hearty breakfast. Our trek was an all-day, thirteen-hour extravaganza to Iguazu Falls. Iguazu is the largest waterfall system in the world, with almost 300 separate falls. It is in Iguazú National Park and straddles the border between Argentina and Brazil. Our small group – that included Frankie and I, Vit and Nicholas, the O’Rourkes, and a couple of the other more adventurous couples from the ship – set off from Buenos Aires by small plane for an overland flight to Puerto Iguazú. Upon entering the park, we walked along jungle trails, catwalks and observation decks for stunning views of nature and the cascading falls. And just to have the bejeebers scared out of me, we boarded a zodiac to ride into the falls for an up-close and personal view. Oh … my … gawd. We were so close we were soaked from the spray even wearing the rain suit that was provided. We had a light, boxed lunch in the middle of our initial trek on one of the platforms high in the jungle’s canopy, and then we also had dinner prior to boarding the plane and returning to Buenos Aires.

Frankie was unaccountably nervous if he wasn’t allowed to be right up under Vit, Nicholas, or I but he tried not to show it. Vit looked a silent question at me and I eventually got to whisper that I think that he was more affected by the bus incident in Rio than he let on. It is too easy to forget he is just nine-years-old and if he continues to be nervous, I will sit down and see if I can help him work through his feelings.

I am just happy to be back on the ship, but I don’t think soaking my feet is really going to help. I am done and done in. Time for bed and I just looked over to see that Vit agrees with me as he is barely holding his own eyes open. We’re anchored for the night as we have another day in Buenos Aires tomorrow, but I noticed they’ve set a real guard and Vit insisted on checking the balcony doors on the boys and on our cabins before he was willing to settle. Perhaps Frankie is not the only one affected by Rio.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 81: Nov 19 – Buenos Aires, Argentina (Day 2)

Yesterday was my feet, today is my gluteous maximus. The morning’s excursion was to cycle amid the parks and plazas of Buenos Aires. We did stop frequently to explore many well-known areas along the way, but that only helped my rear bumper so much. Everyone else got a bicycle with a “granny seat” on it. Me I got a racing bike because I was younger. Ugh. Would much rather have had the other.

We met our guides and received a bike, helmet and bottled water before starting what was billed as an eco-friendly tour of Argentina’s capital, a busy metropolis of tall buildings and wide avenues offset by many green spaces. We visited places such as General San Martín Plaza, a former military barracks that is now a tree-lined park. We paused for a photo next to the notorious Floralis Genérica sculpture in the United Nations Plaza before pedaling to Palermo Woods for refreshments amid its forests and lakes. Next, we continued on to the neighborhood of La Recoleta to see the statue of former First Lady Eva Perón (“don’t die for me Argentina), then visited its famous above-ground cemetery where many of the country’s most powerful and well-known citizens are entombed, including past presidents, literary icons and war heroes. I’m glad we had the guides who could explain who they all were as I wasn’t familiar with many of them, a fact I was afraid of offending them with.

Lunch was something called a choripan, basically a sausage that is 70% beef and 30% pork that is cooked outside on a grill. It is Argentina’s number one street food and I must admit that I rather like it since it was served on a bun, essentially looking like a hot dog or kielbasa. After that we were quickly on to our next excursion which I was grateful was easy after yesterday and this morning.

We traded the bikes and the hectic city life in Buenos Aires for the natural setting of the Paraná Delta. Located just north of Argentina’s capital, this stretch of small islands and canals is one of the world’s largest deltas and our guide stated that it has been a popular destination for nature-loving city dwellers for more than a century. We set off by bus for the delta, briefly stopping in the affluent town of San Isidro, known for its tourist market and neo-Gothic cathedral. Upon arrival in Tigre—gateway to the large delta— we boarded a typical island boat to cruise the green labyrinth of channels and streams. We got to enjoy views of the beautiful riverside villas that dot the tiny islands, some of them were built on stilts over the water and accessible only by boat. We saw the Victorian docks that lead to charming English gardens, strangely out of place in their surroundings, and the rowing and boating clubs lining the waterways. After that it was quickly back to the bus and then back to our ship for a 6 pm sailing.

We dined en familia with Madam, Miss Hayworth, and a few of their guests in the main dining room. I was surprised to be included until I found that I was to give Vit another break in reading. I wasn’t as offended as he was on my behalf but when he saw I was treating it like a joke he relaxed and leaned back to enjoy hearing me convert Longfellow to Ukrainian.

When I finished, I chuckled, “Doesn’t have quite the same effect as in the original.”

A man named Henderson said, “Mayn’t but it has its own charm. Had a professor in university fond of doing the same sort of thing and as extra credit we’d have to discover what the original was when it was read in Latin, German, Italian, or the like. Didn’t think much of it then, now I wished I’d taken more time to enjoy it. Ye’ve a lovely voice Miss Petric. Thank you for your time and patience for those of us with tin ears.”

I took Frankie off after that; he was a sleepy boy, so I didn’t ask anymore of him. I did complement him on his behavior which he seemed to appreciate me noticing. I came back here to the cabin and did a bit of work, but I don’t think I’m up to doing much more than waiting for my pictures to load onto my external hard drive. I’m beat, and it is back to Montevideo tomorrow.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 82: Nov 20 – Montevideo, Uruguay

I believe today may be one of Frankie’s favorite excursions. I enjoyed it myself. It was an immersve study of a traditional Uruguayan, family-run, working ranch. We started with a short city tour around Montevideo, a repeat for us but not for others on the bus with us, then headed to Estancia La Rábida, an authentic 2,470-acre estate. It was here that we gained insight into the workings of ranching in this area. We learned about crop growth and the farming tradition of the estate’s dairy cows that produce an impressive 837 gallons of milk daily. Frankie was even given the opportunity to try his hand at milking. We marveled at the sweeping agricultural landscapes that end dramatically at the edge of high cliff tops and swoop down to the coast of the Plata River below. After a tour of the ranch in horse drawn carriages, we relaxed a bit as we sat down to a traditional asado (barbeque) feast accompanied by a variety of fresh salads and regional wines. Fresh milk was provided for Frankie and I though I was a little uncertain about the fact it wasn’t pasturized. During our visit, we had the opportunity to interact with our hosts for an unforgettable experience. We also enjoyed traditional song and dance performances, marveled at the array of wildlife and local bird species – as I said a favorite of Frankie’s – and learned about daily gaucho life. I even got the chance to do a little riding … for which I’m paying a bit in the obvious places but I had lots of fun.

Just as a quick aside that I may insert into some of Frankie’s lessons, it was gauchos (South American cowboys) and vaqueros (Mexican cowboys) that went to Hawaii to help control the feral cattle that had become a nuisance after they were introduced sometime around 1790. By 1830 they had taken over several of the islands and were doing enormous damage to native vegetation in and native animal habitats. From the gauchos and vaqueros grew the Hawaiian paniolos who still today are a breed apart from any other cowboy in the world.

I don’t know what Vit and Nicholas were up to today as I haven’t seen them yet, but Frankie has been fed and watered and put to bed … well as much as you do that with a nine-year-old. I know that Vit returned to the ship at some point while we were out as there are packages on his bed. I also know he must be at dinner as we had sail away at 6 pm. I think I’ll take the time to go wash my hair since he is still out and then while my hair dries, I will organize my post cards. I am really wondering if one photo box is going to be enough. I might need to send these home when we reach California. I’m beginning to collect too many items again.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 83 and 84: Nov 21 & 22 – Cruise the Atlantic

Day 83 I spent in a funk. The holidays loomed over me and seemed to suck all the sunshine away. Frankie had a “day off” since Madam was apparently in need of entertaining … and a trivia partner … which meant I spent most of the day out on the veranda while Vit worked out with Nicholas. I did laundry, went through everything I have on the ship to decide what to send home, reorganized the school supplies that I have, and counted down the days that I was going to NOT see my family. Vit came back and was surprised to find I had polished off most of a bottle of wine with a cheese and fruit tray. To be completely honest I was shocked to find out how much I’d drunk. I’ve never done such a thing.

“Do not be so hard on yourself.”

“Hard? I … I must be an idiot. I must look like a fool. I … I can’t … believe …” I shook my head. “I opened it at lunch. I swear I only had a glass with lunch. I know I refilled the glass a couple of times but … but …”

“Nii. Do not do this to yourself,” Vit repeated. “We all have such days. Look at me Veta. This is no great crime. Simply do not do this to yourself again.”

“I didn’t realize I was doing it the first time around! You must think I’ve completely run off the rails!”

“Once again nii. But it is not good for you to spend so much time alone.”

“Alone doesn’t bother me.” He just looked at me. “It doesn’t its … its not being able to not be alone that is bothering me.”

He took a moment to untwist that ridiculous sentence and then nodded in understanding. “Ah. Yes. The very American holiday that you will not be with your family on. I will speak to Madam and …”

“No! Ugh. Sorry, didn’t mean to yell. Just … don’t Vit. Day after tomorrow we will be in Puerto Madryn and that will keep my mind off it. I’ll deal with these feelings. After all, if I hadn’t gotten this job I might have had to move away from my family anyway.”

That conversation is when he had come in to change for dinner and we sat and I honestly don’t remember even going to bed. I’m lucky I have a head for liquor … or maybe not. Either way I didn’t have a hangover this morning. I decided that since I didn’t have Frankie again … Madam is teaching him cards and yes my eyes roll and I shudder at the very thought – that I would exercise to my heart’s content. I certainly needed to do something to work off all those calories in that blasted bottle I drank. Everything was fine and I was feeling very constructive then the sea got too rough and they closed the fitness center. I was almost tempted to ask for an invitation to do something, anything, but when I got back to the cabin, I found that there were a couple of emails that I decided to take care of.

The first was from Derrick and he seemed to worry that he’d taken me away from friends just to sop his own poor spirits. I started a chat hoping he would pick up and after hellos and him repeating his concern, I laughed at the very idea and explained I’d just come in from exercising and that had been the sum total of my day thus far. When he asked for my plans for Thanksgiving I said, “I don’t have any.”

“None?”

“Nope.”

“Wish I could join you.”

That caught my attention and even without having to ask he explained. He said he isn’t very much into the holidays this year – for obvious reasons – but he is taking the boys and going to Angelia’s. Rueben is coming for a visit as well and brining his half-brother whom I am told is completely fascinated with the odd and extended connections in our family.

My understanding is that Ralston – the young man’s name – was raised by his stepfather who is relieved to find a potential family for him otherwise he would soon be alone. Ralston’s biological mother passed away when he was about Frankie’s age and the step-father was quite a bit older than his mother and is now terminally ill himself. He only continued treatment for Ralston’s sake but now feels free to stop. I thought that to be a bit strange, but Derrick seems to understand and liked Ralston on first meeting. I hope Derrick knows what he is getting into. On the other hand, the Petric extended family tends to be really extended beyond the normal with all sorts of odd connections, adoptions, and fosters who still consider themselves family that Derrick all but agreeing to look after Ralston the same way he did Rueben shouldn’t be a surprise.

He asked me again what I had planned for Thanksgiving and I told him frankly that there were no plans as far as I was aware. Madam has a small gathering planned but it is for passengers rather than staff. I understand the chief chef has been very accommodating and there is a special menu planned for dinner after the port of call. Other than that, not much is being made of it. The ship has a very international crowd, and most do not celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving or have their own at a different date on the calendar. “Not to mention it is a port day and we will be in Puerto Madryn all day.”

“Are you okay with that?” Derrick asked showing brotherly concern.

“I don’t see as I have any choice. I’ve just never been away from all the family at the holidays. It is going to be … difficult. But I signed up for this and this is what it means.”

“Veta …”

“I’ll be fine Brat.”

“What about Vit?”

Explaining I told him, “Sadly he has never celebrated any holidays. You know what state-run orphanages can be like, especially in Eastern Europe.”

“I do,” he said somberly. “I will try and at least get a text through.”

“I want you to focus on yourself and the boys. It is going to be rough.”

A little forlornly he said, “Not as rough as it should be … at least for me. Veta … I’m more and more sure that it is over. And … and that I don’t have a problem with that. I could have taken anything and dealt with it except for her intentional and selfish infidelity. She … she said I was an old man too early for her. She needed a younger man, not just for fertility but because I … I couldn’t meet her needs …….. and hadn’t for a long time.”

I winced a little at his sharing, but it was obvious he needed to talk, or at least explain how things stand. “I’m so sorry Brat.”

“I know. Everyone is. The honest truth is that … I’m not. At least not right now. Maybe I will be sorry later but for now … I am thankful for the peace in my life for the first time in years.”

“Brat?”

And then he revealed even more that I hadn’t known. “Lena and I both hid a lot. We did have good times … and could have had plenty more good times. But she refuses to act her age and accept … that life has a cycle. You should see how she is dressing. Her own mother didn’t recognize her when they ran into each other on the street near their bank.”

“I hope they aren’t putting you in the middle.”

“No. The opposite which is hard in its own way. Lena is burning a lot of bridges. More than I think she is capable of understanding. Her aunt, who at one time was going to leave everything to her, has changed her will and is leaving most of it in an endowment to the Pepin Heart Institute. Her parents are no longer funding the investment portfolio they had meant to leave her and have taken her off as beneficiary; instead they say they are converting it to a trust fund for the boys as Farley’s son is already taken care of. The one cousin that was telling the rest of us that we were wrong has begun to change her tune as well after going for an unannounced visit to her new apartment.”

“What about the boys. Are they still seeing a counselor?”

“Yes. Two. They see a counselor weekly and they see a psychologist monthly. Both of them state that professionally they do not recommend that the boys spend anymore time with their mother than is legally required until she agrees, at a minimum, to family counseling. Further, all communication should be monitored to keep them from getting any more confused than they already are. They sent their recommendations to the family court judge and I gave the woman copies of the correspondence and voice mails that Lena has left me concerning the boys. The Judge decreed that unless Lena agrees to intensive personal and family therapy, she won’t be having any communication with them and custody isn’t even a consideration. Privately both doctors told me to monitor things closely in case Lena gets a stray hair and decides to try and lure them off then kidnap them.”

“What?! That’s … that’s insane,” I responded completely horrified.

“I’m beginning to think that is what Lena is. And whether it was there and just aggravated by the hormones – which she is still taking – or just what I’m not in an objective enough position to determine. I’m … I’m holding off as long as I can, but I won’t fight her if she pushes to settle the divorce. And that’s regardless of what Angie has said on the subject so don’t worry about spilling those beans.”

“She hasn’t said much except for me to stay out of it as much as possible and to keep my head on straight instead of being the way I used to be when my own issues would perk to the top.”

“You were never as bad as she made you out to be. She just sees it … differently … because of what she was going through herself during that time.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Either way it is not the plan to make an already difficult situation any worse.”

We spoke a few more minutes but the connection was awful so we signed off with me just asking him to tell everyone that I’m there in spirit, and thinking of them.

Measuring my problems against the ones Derrick is facing certainly gave me a kick in the pants to get my head on straight. The other emails were just the normal family stuff except for Angelia’s who was frantic because she couldn’t find her copy of Momma’s recipe for Pumpkin Pecan Pie. Lucky for her I was organizing photos on my external hard drive and put the scan of the recipe in Momma’s own handwriting in a separate folder and was able to send it off to her post haste. I swear she was crying. No, seriously, she was crying which told me how stressed out she was getting. I sent a couple of SOS’s off to sisters and sister in laws and told them to check on her and low and behold I got an email a few minutes ago from Angelia saying she was much better and thanks for that help even though I wasn’t even there.

That made me feel better and I’ve been feeling even better, or at least more content and at peace as the evening wears on. Vit left a message that he would like to take me to dinner and to please wait for him to come get me. I suppose I should go ahead and dress, but I’ll have to be careful not to over do it and have people looking at me and wondering exactly what could be in the wind.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 85: Nov 23 – Puerto Madryn, Argentina

I have had the oddest experience today. A penguin took a liking to me. Not a tame, in the zoo, type penguin but a free penguin that lives at the Punto Tombo Penguin Colony. I had no idea such a thing was possible. The guide told me that I must have accidentally stepped in fish guts or something like that. Gross but certainly more understandable than trying to wrap my head around a penguin having a crush on me. It marked an otherwise unremarkable Thanksgiving and gave me something to share with the family, even if it was just via a mass email.

Our excursion today was an all day one. We arrived in port promptly at 8 am and then set off immediately to observe penguins in their natural habitat at Punta Tombo as they migrate from Southern Brazil for the winter to nest. The first leg of our tour was a scenic drive. We headed south of Puerto Madryn to one of the world’s finest locations to witness Magellan penguins, or so the guide mentioned more than a few times. Way more than a few times. There on the sandy gravel peninsula, thousands of penguins migrate during September and stay until April as they incubate their eggs, raise their chicks and prepare for migration back to Brazil after the winter. And when I say thousands, I mean just that. There were penguins as far as my eyes could see. Not all the smell was lovely, but Frankie was in heaven and took so many pictures he nearly filled his memory card on his phone. We witnessed penguins up close, as the enquiring birds wandered the beach to investigate their visitors. That’s when I kept looking back only to find the same penguin at my heels. I tried to watch the birds as they went about their day, but this one bird just would not stop following me around and staring. It got a little freaky until some boss birds or whatever you call the ones that run the colony are called, told him to knock it off with a few well-placed nudges. It was a total meme-in-the-making moment and I was lucky that Frankie had been taking movies at the time.

After that I was able to focus and studied the rest of the penguins as they guarded their offspring against predators and as some of them would risk a hunt for food at intervals. There were a few chicks already and we watched the adult penguins as they nurtured them and taught them to fend for themselves. What a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be so close to these magnificent, flightless birds.

Frankie was composing a page for Traveling Marchand as we were bussed back to the ship and I let him use my computer to skype with Benji. What a racket. They were nearly as noisy as the penguins had been. I was thinking there wouldn’t be a chance for me to do much but between the bus stop and the ship there was a “cruise market” with some vendors and I was able to pick up some post cards and a couple of penguin trinkets, including an enamel charm of a penguin that had the same manic gleam in its eye as the penguin that had followed me around.

Tonight has been quiet. Frankie and Nicholas were called to Madam’s suite for the small get together. Vit was invited to something or other and I decided it best not to be completely alone again, so I snuck up to the buffet and sat in a darkened corner until I got too many looks and then headed back here to the cabin and here I’ve stayed. After leaving port the internet connection was nearly as bad as in Greenland, so I didn’t get any responses to my mass email. But I believe I’ve had enough ruminating and I’m going to put something on the tv, drink a cup of chamomile tea, and then go to bed. Happy Thanksgiving to me. I need to think of the spirit of the holiday instead of just being unhappy about what I don’t have. There, how’s that for a self-lecture.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 86: Nov 24 – Cruise the Atlantic

I managed to shock people, even Madam and Miss Hayworth who had seen it on my resume. That will teach that Harrington female to try and embarrass someone they know nothing about.

Thank goodness that Momma and Poppa were strong believers in music therapy. I may not have always appreciated it, but I’ve come to understand it and myself better over the years because of it. They found that with many of the fosters that it allowed them to express themselves honestly for the first time. The bio-kids were just as equally encouraged to express themselves musically. Most of us can play some type of instrument, and if not that they can sing. My singing voice is adequate enough that I don’t embarrass myself but that’s about it. However, I can play an instrument. I inherited Derrick’s violin. I used to play almost daily even after I stopped taking lessons, but I haven’t for a couple of months. For obvious reasons I decided not to bring Helena … what Derrick had named the violin that I inherited when I became old enough to handle a full-sized instrument.

This ship doesn’t do a lot of the silly things that I’ve heard about that many of the other cruise lines do, but there are the occasional games and contests though they are fairly understated. Well somehow or other that Harrington woman got involved this time around. I hate to admit it, but she is a talented pianist. Emotionally cold in my opinion, but technically excellent. There are several good musicians on board and several wonderful singers, but none reach her level. I was trying to sneak out to get Frankie off to bed when she pounced.

“Ah, Miss Petric. Is it not that tutors usually have a musical talent?”

As politely as I could I responded, “It is customary, yes, unless they are strictly academics.”

“And you?”

“I have not played in a couple of months and did not bring my instrument with me.”

“So. You do not play piano?”

“No. That was my oldest sister’s talent, not mine.”

“Do you sing perhaps?”

“No. At least not as well as so many here have shown tonight.”

“Ah. Surely with so many instruments available …”

"Mrs. Harrington …”

Very high-handedly she said, “Band leader, kindly help Miss Petric.”

The band leader looked caught and I walked over to him and explained quietly. “You don’t just ‘borrow’ a violin. I’m sorry to have bothered you.”

“Violin?” he asked with a Norwegian accent. “We have one that was abandoned a few cruises back. Perhaps …?”

“Who on earth abandons a violin?” I asked on the border of outrage.

From behind me I heard, “Come now Miss Petric, don’t be shy.”

Trying not to grind my teeth I told her as politely as I could, “Your request is not a simple one. As you know instruments are very personal.”

Turning away before she could respond I found the band leader holding a rather beat up case. I opened it with trepidation but then sighed. At one time the violin had been very well taken care of but there were some signs of neglect. It needed polishing, but the strings and bow were in good shape and luckily the instrument was in tune letting me know that someone in the band had been working with it.

I heard several twitters of laughter then turned and gave it my best shot. “I’m sorry for the delay. As I stated I am months out of practice, so I will have to play something familiar.” I gave the old cow an innocent look and Vit said he knew something was coming as my eyes “had a stormy sea in them.”

My intro wasn’t as strong as I hoped but sometimes you just have to keep plowing through. I’d been playing “Carpathian Rhapsody” since middle school and thankfully it was ingrained in my brain like an old wagon rut. Next came a sad Ukrainian melody that I couldn’t remember the name of. Lastly, feeling completely warmed up and not a little full of vinegar I knocked Mrs. H on her backside with Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.

When I was finished and while I quickly put the instrument back in the case I said, “And now is as good a time as any to make my escape and turn the evening back over to Mrs. Harrington. Thank you all for listening, so if you will excuse me ...” The clapping was more than just polite but I wouldn’t say it was much more than polite. I was happy with what I got.

I stepped over and turned Frankie in the proper direction and all but duck-walked the two of us out of there as fast as was seemly.

“Miss Veta!”

“What?” I said feeling safer since we were finally out of company and heading to our cabins.

“You can play!”

“Well … yes. Not as well as I could have if I had been keeping in practice. That’s probably how Nicholas feels since he can’t play soccer every day.”

“But …”

“Bed time. And no soda this time, it is bad for your teeth. There are no dentists on board. Understand?”

“Yes Miss Veta. But …”

“No buts. Tomorrow is a port day and we both need our rest.”

I walked calmly to my cabin, got inside and then nearly fell down laughing. I know. It’s awful of me but the look on that woman’s face was absolutely priceless. I have a feeling I will pay for my show-off performance some time and in some way, but I’ll worry about that later.

I went into the bath and cleaned up for the night only to come out and find the violin and case sitting on the table.

“Now how did that …?”

Vit made me jump when he said, “Compliments of the band leader. He says the violin has found a new caretaker.”

“I can’t accept …”

And that’s when he kissed me. Not one of his normal gentle kisses that gets us started. This one was … well … “wow” doesn’t quite describe it. I’m not sure there is a word in the English language – any language – to describe it. He also didn’t turn me loose like he normally does and instead pressed me tightly against him. He looked at me for a moment and then kissed me again. No, I didn’t try to push him away or or slow him down or anything like that. I was suddenly forbiddingly curious where this was going. And the “go someplace” I could feel down to my toes.

Then, right when I was ready to completely throw caution to the wind, he stopped. He just stopped! After looking at me for a brief moment he opened his mouth to say something only nothing came out. Then he turned on his heel and headed to the bathroom. I wasn’t a moment hearing the shower running. I nearly threw a pillow at the door. Instead I went and sat on the veranda hoping the ocean breeze would clear my head.

A while later I heard Vit say, “Veta?”

“Out here,” I answered quietly despite all sorts of laughter and music coming from the Explorer’s Lounge filling the air.

As quietly he said, “I know where you are. I am asking … if you mind if I come out there with you.”

“Of course I don’t mind.”

“That is good.” He stepped out and I could see he was in his more casual outfit that he wore on sea days. “I should apologize.”

“Why?”

“For my behavior.”

I gave an unladylike snort. “Only if you didn’t mean it.”

“Hmm?” He was surprised.

I turned to look at him. “Vit, I was enjoying it too. Sure, it was … more … than normal but I wasn’t exactly pushing you away. Stop acting like I am a nun. And get that look out of your eyes. No, Robert and I never did … any of this. I … I never realized how cold and clinical our relationship was until I started … feeling … things with you. And … let me finish please,” I said when he would have interrupted. “And I have the sense to know that I wouldn’t be feeling this way if it wasn’t you but that … isn’t really what I want to tell you.” I stood up off the lounger and went to him. He was stiff but then again he was a lot of the time and I knew I could deal with it. “Sure. We got a little carried away. Thank you for … stopping. Thank you for just … being you and stopping. But don’t apologize for what happened. Please.”

“Veta … do you realize where we could have easily gone from there?”

Giving him another snort I turned away and answered, “Like I said, stop treating me like a nun. Of course I …” I sighed and shook my head. “Vit, it feels like I’ve been waiting on someone like you before I even realized someone like you existed. I thought all those stupid books that Angie likes to read were just over dramatized fairy tales women told each other as a form of entertainment and nothing else.”

“Books?”

I didn’t let him see me roll my eyes and then explained the obvious to him. “Books … novels … bodice-rippers … supposed romance used to dress up the lack of erotic life some women seem to think they are due. Or something like that. Just silly books that I was never even tempted to read because I thought they raised false hopes.”

“Ah … um … I see.” Only I could tell by his tone that he didn’t.

“Yeah well … you seem to fit the male lead for all those types of stories. And suddenly I’m starting to think that maybe those books are over dramatic pieces of fluff but maybe they have a grain of truth in them after all. At least with the right partner. But …”

“But?” he prompted after I had stopped.

“But … I’m also aware that we are dealing with real life here and … and that whatever this is between us isn’t ready for prime time.”

“I do not understand that phrase.”

Trying not to get irritated I explained, “It means that we are still in the beginning stages and that we have reasons to keep it all quiet and to ourselves. That we have to be careful … for multiple reasons.”

This time he is the one that sighed. “I am sorry.”

“For what? Recognizing the truth? Being willing to act on what is the truth? Well I’m not sorry. And I refuse to be ashamed of the fact that I … like … what we were doing. And I refuse to be ashamed of the fact that I was frustrated when you … we … stopped. And the thing I’m least sorry about is that I was doing and feeling it with you. So there. Make of if what you will.”

“Come back into the cabin.” I stepped back inside though he seemed to be making an effort to keep some space between us. “Veta … what happened … should not have happened. At least … chort viz’my [damnit]. I want to take you in my arms and do things neither of us is ready for. You are … magnificent.”

“Pardon?”

“I cannot tell you how you make me feel. And I dare not show you. Yet. But one day yes … you will play such music again and then there will be nothing to stop me from … showing you how you make me feel.”

Looking at him I purposefully poked the bear by telling him, “I was only able to play some of it because of what you make me feel.”

He groaned. “Do not Veta. I am … a man on the edge.”

It isn’t nice to tease a man, especially one who is trying to use more sense than I am.

“Vit … the only thing I’m sorry for tonight is that you are right, we needed to stop, and we need to use some sense.”

“I … did not say it that way.”

“No. But it is still the truth in a nutshell.”

He sighed in regret. “Yes. It is. And now … I ask you to let me go to sleep first. I … may not be able to otherwise. Do you understand?”

“All too well,” I said with a rueful grimace. “I have a little bit of work I need to finish and hopefully that will give both of us time to clear our heads.”

He went his direction and I sat and instead of working I started typing and now I’m so tired that I think I can sleep.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 87: Nov 25 – Falkland Islands (Port Stanley), UK (Day 1)

I think I finally got the last of the mud out of places I wasn’t expecting to find it. But it took some work. We are in port for the night and there is some kind of social event in the Explorer’s Lounge. I suppose I could have had a legitimate reason for attending but I’m trying not to make another spectical of myself. I regret showing off last night. I don’t regret being the new owner of the violin, but the rest of it I do. And I think Vit regrets our impetuous encounter last night. He is acting stiffer than usual, even in private. I don’t know how to fix this. I don’t want him to think that I’m going to pounce on him or tease him. Why does this stuff have to be so complicated? Maybe recounting my day will help me refocus.

We arrived in the Falkland Islands at 9 am this morning. They lie more than 300 miles off the coast of South America and are an archipelago made up of several hundred sparsely inhabited islands that are unspoiled and biologically diverse. The primary language on the island is English so there wasn’t a language barrier, and they speak it with a “British” accident since the small country is a territory of the UK though self-governing. There are two main islands with Stanley, where we are docked, being the capitol. In the early 1980s, the British and Argentine governments got into an armed conflict over the Falklands but in the end, the islands remained a British territory and still do to this day. The primary economy driver is sheep farming and tomorrow we will get a view of that but for today we had other nature outings.

Our first excursion of the day was a nature hike and Frankie was enthralled from the get go. We brought binoculars and went bird-watching on a tour of the Falkland Islands’ covering both wildlife and plants. We started out by bus to Whalebone Cove, home to the beached ship Lady Elizabeth and many species of flora and fauna. Upon arrival, we received a tour-specific illustrated checklist and background on the Falklands’ biodiversity from our guide. We learned that land birds make up most of the fauna inhabiting the island. Approximately 63 species breed on the island to be exact, 16 of which are endemic. The Falklands are also home to 163 vascular species of plants. Don’t ask me what “vascular” means because I missed that part when three women behind me insisted on testing the sound barrier with their laughter. I was happy to start walking as it required them to use their breath for something other than conversing with one another. The tour was a 3.5-mile trek over rugged terrain, following the checklist of special points of interest.

Now, I’m not a birdwatcher, I’ve never pretended to be, but I like watching people and birdwatchers can be every bit as interesting to me as they find they’re little feathered friends. They get totally focused and so into it. Dare I call it cute? Not when there are other people around. I don’t think some of the 60-something year old passengers would relish being called “cute” the way they gaze at birds. I also don’t think Frankie would enjoy it but that’s exactly what he is. When Frankie spotted what the guide said was a Falkland thrush and a Magellanic penguin I thought every adult in the group was going to high-five him … except they were all too busy “collecting” the bird via photography. They trade photos of birds they’ve collected like some kids do anime show cards. And yes, I was doing my best not to giggle at some of their excitement that bordered on the silly. I was honestly more enthralled with the spectacular view of Port Stanley from the cove than I was of birds … some of which stunk because of their fishy diet.

That was three hours well spent. We made it back in time to grab a bite to eat. Thankfully we didn’t have to get back on the ship to do it. There was an area set up for a “smoko” … a distinctly Falkland term that meant a sort of casual tea and bakery kind of thing where people stand around relaxing and chatting. However, this time there were also sandwiches and a few hors d’vers trays full of both sweet and savory goodies to keep the tummy rumbles at bay. That suited Frankie, which in turn relieved me because I didn’t want to waste the time going back through security.

Our afternoon excursion was guaranteed to keep Frankie’s interest as well as the first one did; we took a 4x4 to this place called Bertha’s Beach. We traveled along the coast to this protected wetland area that is home to a variety of breeding birds, such as black-necked and coscoroba swans, flightless and flying steamer ducks and various other waterfowl. While we were there, we discovered its colorful flora and endemic flowering plants, and were instructed to keep our eyes peeled for the Pale Maiden—the national flower of the Falkland Islands. We didn’t see any of them in bloom, but we did get a good look at the plant. After that we headed to the far northeastern side of the beach to observe the gentoo penguins. Yes, I said penguins, but thankfully none of them appeared to have any unusual mental health issues unlike a certain other penguin I could name.

The Gentoo Penguin has white, bonnet-like markings, an orange-red bill and a prominent tail making them easily identifiable. Measuring up to 3 feet tall and weighing a maximum of 19 pounds, the gentoo is the third largest member of the penguin family, much bigger than I was expecting a penguin to be … which makes me doubly glad none of them took a particular interest in me. The guide had to encourage a few of our fellow passengers to give it up and head back to the bus … I was all but dragging Frankie who walked backwards to get every photo he could. From there we headed back to the bus and then to the ship for which I was grateful. I had sand in places that were growing uncomfortable.

And why did I have sand in such places? Because one of the ladies on our trek lost her balance and panicked as she was going down and grabbed me and took me down with her. Her husband thought it was a riot and could not stop snickering the entire time. The woman must have had a lot of practice – or patience – as she ignored him like a champ. I on the other hand was ready to leave him behind amongst all the penguin poo by the time we got back on the bus. I knew I was getting some strange looks as we went through security, but it was not until I got to the cabin that I realized why. There was not just sand in my hair … there was also a bit of muck and even a feather … which I decided to save for Frankie to look at with the microscope to determine, if he could, what bird it came from.

Frankie had leave to have dinner with his family which gave me some down time to thoroughly clean up and prepare for tomorrow. I only saw Vit briefly and he was just as stiff and controlled as he had been this morning. Perhaps if I give him some space … Robert wasn’t the only one that told me I could be a bit clingy and intense when I wasn’t careful. On the other hand, I don’t want him to think I was left unaffected … or maybe I should. Does he feel guilty for something? Is he worried he gave me the wrong idea? Oh Lord, I hope I didn’t disgust him. Ugh. What a mess. I better get to work and get my mind off what is undoubtedly just nonsense.

 

[Kathy in FL]

World Cruise Day 88: Nov 26 – Falkland Islands (Port Stanley), UK (Day 2)

Up bright and early and even with a full day ahead of me I absolutely insisted on getting back into my exercise routine. I definitely need some structure and routine to keep my mind out of the gutter. I dreamed of Vit all night. I know why. Of course I do. I feel ridiculous; like a teenager getting her first sight of an anatomically correct male statue.

Last night after finishing my work I headed out to the verandah to enjoy the cool night air and to listen to the music still coming from the Explorer’s Lounge. I must have gotten too relaxed and dozed off as a result. I don’t know what woke me, but I walked back into the cabin and then decided to wash my face and go to bed. I wasn’t paying attention since I was still half-asleep and opened the bathroom door. Vit was in the bath with a glass of wine.

“Yikes! Oh god, Vit I’m … I’m so sorry. Oh Lord. I’m not looking! I swear!” I yipped going backwards and nearly tripping over my feet because I had slapped a hand across my eyes.

I felt like a complete fool and was nearly in tears as I started to retreat out onto the verandah. Jumping overboard sounded pretty good too. And maybe swimming home.

“Veta!”

I ignored him and closed the slider. A few minutes later it opened.

“Veta, come inside.”

“I am so sorry Vit.”

“Come inside.”

I did only because I knew it would look childish to say no. But I couldn’t look at him as I went inside.

“Vit I’m …”

“Sorry. You’ve said that.”

“Well I am. Bad enough that you aren’t even comfortable around me anymore. Now I invade your privacy and …”

“What is this? Why do you think … Nii … I am not asking, now I am telling. Look at me Veta.”

When I did he said, “Dorohyy … my Veta … I am not … uncomfortable. I simply do not desire to ravish you in front of others.” At my confused look he added, “If I dwell on it too much … walking will be difficult.”

It took me a moment to puzzle that out and he grinned in male satisfaction with my face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Nevynnyy [innocent],” he said huskily. “I have never wanted anything as much as I want you. And every day the wanting grows. But as we spoke of, there are reasons why we must still be careful. Not the least of which …” He became serious. “Veta I will not risk … making a child that I may have no chance to be a father to.”

That went way beyond what I had been thinking of.

“If I am unable to follow you to your Pembroke … I will not leave you to raise our child alone. I will not risk a child growing up as I did.”

I swallowed before speaking even though my mouth was as dry as the Sahara.

“Vit, thank god you are who you are because quite frankly I must be going absolutely insane not to have thought of that as a consequence.”

“Hmm?”

“I am not a tease. I don’t want you to think I’m … not … that I’m … a shl’ondra [slut].” I heard him growl low in his throat in displeasure, but I forged on. “I should know better. I was raised better. But you … I mean you don’t make me on purpose but when I’m near you … and even when I’m not … I feel things I’ve never felt before and … and I want that. Want …”

He shut me up with a kiss. Not a bad reward for blathering like an idiot. Only that’s when I realized all he had on was a robe … and all I had on was a nightgown and light robe myself. And when I groaned, he fitted me to him as closely as possible and yes, I got the full monty of sensations.

In a husky voice he whispered, “You … make me feel things I have never felt as well Veta. But in other areas I have a better understanding of how this can feel between us … and have good reason for caution.” He kissed my neck and then the place where the neck of my robe gaped open. He was shaking and pulled me over to the sofa. I wound up seated on his lap even though we both knew it wasn’t a bright idea. It took us a while to calm down sufficiently to talk despite the fact all we did was hold each other.

“We must use caution and find some sanity. I swear woman I could strip you right now and do things to you you’ve never imagined. But we must not. There is … too much at stake. I will not take your innocence before I have a right to. And you … must not hand it to me the way you seem so willing to do. This … you … are worth waiting for. I will savor this. It is an honor I wll not take lightly.”

I groaned. “Stop talking about honor. You are making me all hot and bothered again,” I told him wiggling a bit in his lap. That time he groaned and I’m not going to reveal anymore but we both went to bed both frustrated and satisfied at the same time.

My parents would flip. My siblings would turn into villagers with torches and pitchforks. And I would doubtless be sent for a nice, long vacation to some Siberian-like camp with high walls and a moat for a little re-education. Or maybe not, Angie has tried for years to get me hooked on those stupid books she reads. Like I’m in need of anything to stimulate my imagination at this point. Trying to unlock a chastity belt featured prominently in one of my dreams. I swear I think I’m just about ready to give that Snow Grotto another try.

Nicholas ate something that didn’t agree with him and he stayed in his cabin tonight which gave Vit a night off. He decided to order room service and eat with Frankie and I. While Frankie did his schoolwork, Vit shined his shoes and surprised me by repairing a button hole on one of his shirts. When Frankie asked about it, he said that sailors had to learn all sorts of skills. I’m sure that was the simplest answer, but I also know that Vit is conscientious about his belongings and is very frugal because he all but started with nothing, and was nearly left with the same when he was forced to leave the militia.

Vit surprised me by asking Frankie if he wanted to watch a movie … one on sailing … the boy was so surprised and curious to be invited he nodded enthusiastically. During the movie they had pavlova meringues except instead of fresh fruit as most pavlova’s have, these had two local delicacies … Diddle Dee Jam and Teaberry Jam. I admit that I had one myself and there and then I decided to get a couple of jars to keep and to send home … assuming they lasted that long.

It was growing late, and Frankie finally admitted he was tired and ready for bed. Vit walked him to his cabin and checked on Nicholas at the same time. I began to worry that perhaps Nicholas was really ill when there was a knock on the door. I answered it and Vit walked in with a couple of more meringues and a carafe of tea he had gotten from the buffet.

“Vit,” I chuckled.

“What?” he asked innocently. “Tomorrow is a Sea Day and I will need to be fortified to keep up with Nicholas who appears to be over whatever he ate earlier. I believe he has learned not to fall for a dare.”

“On no … what was it?”

“Raw oysters with some type of hot sauce.”

“Oh dear. Was it the oysters or the hot sauce?”

Vit laughed. “You are familiar?”

“Vit, one suggestion. Never try and win a contest of who can eat the hottest pepper.”

“Hmm?”

“My tongue is flame proof. If you don’t believe me, next time ask Dylan … or Derrick … or Charlie who got in trouble with Poppa for … never mind.”

“You cannot start and not finish such a story.”

So while he ate his two extra meringues, after not being able to convince me to eat one of them, I told him the story of how Charlie used me to get back at this guy who had annoyed him. Peppers really don’t bother me. Poppa thinks that my taste buds are wired different because for a long time eating something sour would make me cry but I would practically drown my food in tobasco sauce. For the sake of brevity I’ll simply write that I was six and I won the hot pepper eating contest.

Vit was all but rolling when I finished. I shrugged and tried to go back to my work, but he caught me up to him and said, “I will have to remember.”

“Yeah well, just don’t ask me to eat those disgusting sour gummy worms that Frankie likes. They make me gag.”

He was already distracted and started kissing my neck right beneath my jaw line and soon that wasn’t enough for either of us. A while later he went off to shower and then headed to bed and I sat to write the day’s events out to get my mind off what we are now doing. My only concern is what happens when what we are doing is no longer enough? Shut up Veta, just get going.

Our first excursion was a continuation of the nature theme from the previous day. We got a stunning bird’s-eye view of wildlife-rich Bleaker Island from above and then got the view up close on a 4x4 safari. First, we drove to Port Stanley Airport and received a safety briefing before embarking our aircraft—a twin-engine Britten-Norman Islander. We took flight and admired the rugged landscape of the Falklands before arriving at Bleaker Island, which operates as a private sheep farm. From the landing strip we set out in a 4x4 vehicle for an excursion around the island. As an added bonus, we saw three species of penguins that live there and got to admire the wild beauty of Sandy Bay, a white-sand beach with crystal clear waters. It was funny to see the penguins returning from feeding in the sea. They would just pop up and out of the water onto the land, like a cork shooting out of an over large bottle. On our way around the island we stopped near a large pond on which many fowl thrive, including the silvery grebe, black-necked swan and brown-hooded gull. I know this because our guide and Frankie explained … in detail … ad nauseum. It was actually funny, but a little less commentary would have been nice as well. We concluded the visit with refreshments and homemade cookies and experienced the warm hospitality of the farm’s owners before returning to the ship.

Refreshments are great, but they do not a full meal make, and Frankie was ready for some real food. A handy ATM allowed me to use the handy-dandy debit card and withdraw a bit of cash (Falkland Island Pounds) and we took a quick run through the cruise port market place. That’s where I got Frankie a sausage dog (the sausage was made of mutton, but I didn’t tell him that) and picked up some teaberry jelly and a couple of other things as we waited inpatiently for our guide to show up.

Right before I could grow worried the guide and bus finally show up and we quickly embarked to experience the Falklands way of life during a visit to a local sheep farm. We took a short drive across the rugged landscape of East Falkland Island before arriving at Long Island Farm. This 23,000-acre farm belongs to a sixth-generation Falkland family and still maintains its long-standing traditions. We started by observing a peat-cutting demonstration; used as a natural fuel, peat was once the main source of energy on the islands. It is similar to the peat that was used during earlier times in Europe to heat and cook with. Next, we saw the shepherds and their sheep dogs as they showcased their skills, followed by a sheep-shearing demonstration. I’ve seen both in documentaries, but it was completely different to see it in person. At the stables, we met the horses and discovered how integral they are to the running of the farm. The last part of the excursion was another demonstration of local hospitality with refreshments and local snacks in the farmhouse kitchen. It was quickly back to the ship after that, and the crew were hurrying us along so I was glad I’d gotten my little bit of shopping done before hand. A few of the ladies bemoaned the lack of shopping but their companions were only interested in getting on board and changing for dinner. Apparently, Frankie wasn’t the only person thinking that snacks were nice, but a full meal was more the thing.

We were a few minutes late getting away from port but not because of passengers. The local port authority was dealing with some prison escapees that had stolen a boat and they decided to question our crew to make sure there were no stow-aways.

That’s when I found out about Nicholas and how Vit would be dining with us. And the rest I’ve already explained. It has grown chilly … chillier I mean. Brr. Time to go to bed and get warm. I just hope not too warm. My dreams have been hot enough.