Chapter 7

When I get back to our room, I come in and throw myself on the bed.

"What's wrong with you?" Alex barely glances up from the TV.

"Where's Beth?"

He shrugs, "Went out. Told me ta stay put. Was real bitchy, so I ain't argue."

"Kai's married."

That got his attention. "Come again?"

"Da's engaged. Her wedding's next year."

"Married?"

"That's what she said." I don't know why this has me so upset. People go on cruises to have flings. It's supposed to be meaningless, fun sex - guilt free. It's not like I planned to take either of them home with me.

"Sir? Are you ok?" Alex turns off the movie he was watching and looked at me oddly.

"Yeah, fine."

"What did they say?"

"I said I'm fine. Did Beth say where she was going?"

"No, just said she be back soon. You have breakfast yet?"

"Not hungry. Whatcha watchin'?"

"Ace Ventura."

Stupid movie. "Get dressed. When Beth gets back we'll go eat."

"Yes, sir."

Alex gets dressed and I wait in silence. I like both Da and Kai; but I can't knowingly sleep with a married woman. That's just wrong.

Beth eventually returns to the room and I take the two of them for breakfast on deck. After, Beth and I change and find the one pool dedicated to people who want to swim laps. I let Alex go wander on his own. Beth's form was off and we spend a few minutes working on that. The morning passes surprisingly quickly.

Alex reappears around lunchtime. "Sir, there's a sushi buffet on the aft deck. You wanna hit it?"

"Yeah." Beth and I get out of the water, "That'll work. How you feelin' Beth?"

"Tired. I'm fine." She dries off and wraps on a sarong that makes her look only half-naked. I can't figure why half the boat ain't hit on her yet.

Maybe because they think I'm her husband.

That thought drops my mood down the sewer. We go for sushi for lunch then I tell the two of them to go play and grab a lounge chair by the main pool so I could sulk on my own. I get maybe an hour to brood before 'Julie our cruise director' starts a pool party game and harasses everyone into playing. I try an act like I'm having fun so I don't ruin it for everyone else.

The woman I'm partnered with was older - a good fifty - but in pretty good shape overall. In the end, in order to win, I grab her, and the ball, tell her to take a breath, and dive under the net marking the goal line. We still don't win but we get a consolation prize for most creative solution.

Barb and I wind up having drinks at the Tiki bar. Divorced. "You ever been married?" she asked me.

"No." I answer, "I'm, uh, still pretty young, you know."

"What does that mean?"

"That means I find you charming and intelligent and I really hope that you find youth appealing."

She laughed, "Oh, please! The last time someone my son's age gave me a line like that, I was my son's age. You don't have to try to seduce me, I'm not trying to sleep with you."

"Pity."

That got a smile. "You like older woman?"

"I like woman. Older is a bonus."

"That makes you the opposite of my ex. His last four flings were all under 30."

"So were mine." I point out.

"Yes, but so are you." She sips her drink. "He's 56."

"My Grandfather's 65; his wife's 28. They just had twins last year."

"Oh the poor girl. That must be awkward at family dinners."

"They pretty happy near as I can tell."

"Well, I'm glad it worked out for them." She finishes her drink and stands up, "Well, I should -"

"Wait," I stand and take her hand, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sure I don't want to be your husband."