Chapter 18

By 10:30 am, we were at the base of the gangplank, saying goodbye. The Captain had agreed to let us leave the bulk of our luggage on board but we had to clear off while the ship re-fit. We could return when the crew did.

Barb got us a hotel room. The Presidential Suite on the top floor of the Plaza. "What's the point of being an executive with the chain if I can't throw my weight around on occasion? They're sending a car for you."

"What about you?" I slipped my hand behind her neck and leaned in for the kiss.

She stopped me. The sarongs were all packed and a conservative attitude had joined her conservative khakhi pants. "I'm waiting for my son; he's picking me up here."

I let go. "Well, ok. I guess we'll just wait."

An eternity went by - roughly five minutes. Alex and Beth went to get a cup of coffee. A car pulled up and out popped three young kids shouting "Granma!" They wrapped themselves around Barb.

A man got out. His skin was lighter and his eyes were almond but the family resemblance was there. He managed to lean past the kids and kiss her cheek.

Alex and Beth came back as he was fighting with the truck of the car. I grabbed her bags and Alex took them from me.

"Oh, uh, thanks guys. I got this." Her son said, a little surprised that strangers would help.

Just before she got in the car, I took Barb's hand. Her son looked at me and realized that I wasn't just some guy standing there. "Barb, look, I got you this." And gave her the box with the necklace. She tried to protest but I hushed her. "It's nothing big. But I want you to remember me."

She blushed. "I don't think I could ever forget you."

"And I want you to remember your promise."

She blushed even deeper.

"Keep in touch, OK?"

"You too." She smiled. "Thank you, Peter. Have a good life, OK?"

I had to kiss her. I couldn't let her just leave without one last kiss - damn her resistance and damn her son. There wasn't much resistance.

"Mom?"

When I let her go, she was grinning. "I'm never going to hear the end of that. Peter."

"Just don't let it be the last one, hear?"

She slipped out of my arms and hugged Beth. They whispered something to each other and looked at me. Then they actually giggled. She gave Alex a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Try to stay out of trouble."

"Ain't my fault it follows me around." He replied glibly. "Dude, your Mom rocks!"

"Yeah." He looked a little numb as I helped Barb into the car and stole one last little kiss."

"Oh My God!" Beth exclaimed behind me. "That limo is looking for us!"

"You had best go." Barb gave my hand a little pat. "Try and be young for a little while longer."

They left. We got into the limo.

We had three days to kill in Bangkok, Thailand.