Christmas Cruise in July

by Marlene Bierworth

  Racing down the beach on the back of a horse, Merissa saw he’d caught expressions of freedom and sheer joy on her face. Her long hair cascaded behind her and white-knuckled hands gripped the horn of the saddle.

  The last picture in the sketchbook was Merissa lying on a lounge chair at the beach. She had her eyes closed, but Chad’s model wore a faint smile that warmed her heart today just to see it. Merissa had won emotional victories this week. Sometimes they’d overwhelmed her with expressive highs and lows, sending her teetering from triumphant peaks back to relive the grief. But she’d come out the other side a whole person ready to face the future.

  Merissa took extra care and time in preparing for the evening’s activities.

  Amy teased her friend. “You’ve tried on every dress you brought. Feeling festive tonight?”

  Merissa reached deep inside for a casual remark to hide the real reason. “I saw Chad’s sketches today. He has an uncanny way of seeing past the image and creating an atmosphere you’d swear was breathing life into the picture.”

  “Suppose you’re determined to make the next, best, sketch in his pad unforgettable then leave him drooling over the memory of you,” Amy said.

  “Memory? Do you ever wish we could cruise for the rest of our lives?” Merissa asked.

  “Not particularly. But I think what you’re really saying is that you don’t want to say goodbye to Chad. Am I right?” Amy asked.

  Merissa plunked down on the bed. “It scares me. I think I like him far too much to let this go down in history as just another ship romance,” said Merissa.

  “I know the feeling. But Skip doesn’t live too far from us. I think we can keep the vibes going when we return home.” Amy did one more round of lipstick, put it in her make-up bag and turned to face Merissa.

  “I suspect the North Pole wasn’t too far off on this little outing to the Caribbean,” said Amy.

  Merissa’s smile was weak. “That unfortunately, is the only thing that bothers me. I was hoping when I finally met another man it would not result from someone’s manipulation.”

  Another thought replaced it and Merissa bounced to her feet. “I’ve never asked Chad where he lived. I know where his parents live but not him. Surely he’d be close to his best friend, right?”

  “Sounds about right to me.”

  Merissa walked out of the room with a brighter step. Chad was in the hall and she slipped her hand into his as if she’d done it her entire life.

  In the theater that evening, an orchestra of stringed and horned instruments filled the air with songs of Christmas celebration and when it was over those who wanted, gathered behind the guitar player and marched off to sing-the-ship to peace. Merissa and Chad held hands as they joined in the merriment. As they passed other guests along the way, the crowds parted and created a path for the group to pass through.

  Later, they dined late with Amy and Skip. Everyone was in a celebratory mood.

  “Thanks for the newsflash today. We had a great time at the pool. Funny thing, I didn’t see you two in the square-of-elimination,” said Chad.

  “That’s because we were in the other crowd, watching,” said Skip.

  “Chicken,” Merissa said.

  “Partridge, or doves, or hens, or blackbirds, goose, or even a swan – but I never saw a chicken hanging around on the ship all week.” Amy tried the piping hot soup while craft paper flutes and pipe organs littered the table setting. “Oh, this is so good! I’ll never eat fast food ever again.”

  In the lounge, the male staff wore a lord’s-outfit and played the part expertly as guests piled into the dancehall. The female servers portrayed ladies-in-waiting, and they created quite a show to win the attention of the lords in the room while serving drinks and snacks to the crowd. Soon everyone was bowing and curtsying and attempting some arrangement of formal dancing. Many people plain wiped out and landed on their backsides roaring laughing. But Chad had a fine handle on the art of ballroom dancing, which pleased Merissa. She’d taken lessons and despaired when no suitors showed interest in tackling the skilled discipline. But here she was, aboard the imperial Voyager, being swept across the floor as if she and Chad had always done it together. Soon the dance floor emptied, leaving them alone. As a finale, Chad swung her head backward on his arm and her eyes drifted to the sidelines where couples stood and watched.

  Embarrassed, Merissa curtsied first to Chad and then to the cheering fans.

  On the way to her seat Merissa beckoned the server over. “Can I have a sparkling soda limeade with one of those fancy umbrellas on top, please?”

  “Ginger ale for me, please,” said Chad. “You can skip the umbrella.”

  They laughed and dropped onto a cushioned couch. “You were terrific, Mr. Livingston.”

  “Yeah, it was my mother’s idea – you just never know Chad-my-boy when dancing lessons will come in handy. At least she had the good grace to keep it under wraps. The guys would have teased me mercilessly.”

  “I can’t wait to thank your mother. She made my dream come true. I love ballroom dancing.” Merissa sat to attention. “I’m sorry that was presumptuous of me. I mean – inviting myself to meet your mother.”

  Chad remained silent and Merissa’s nerves shot needles through her. “I mean – I don’t even know where you live?” Merissa glanced his way again and saw hesitation in his eyes. She urged her foolish mouth to shut up. What a way to ruin the moment. “I should have ordered alcohol in that drink?”

  Chad grimaced. “Let’s not go there.” He swallowed hard and wiped his palms on his pants. “Brought me a girlfriend home, once – quite a while ago. Suffice to say I played the fool, and she played the party queen. I thought she was what I wanted, but it ended badly. I dug into my work and moved on. I meet her type all over the world, but Merissa James, I’ve never met someone as pure and loveable as you. If I were to do it again, Mama would like you.” He chuckled. “She’d be planning a wedding before we left the ranch.”

  When Merissa looked startled, he added, “Yeah – My mother has been waiting a long time.” He stood and looked away awkwardly. “Maybe we should turn in. Tomorrow is a big day.”

  The Final Day

  Merissa awoke the final day of the cruise with mixed emotions. She’d put the grief of her first love behind her, but Chad had yet to show interest in pursuing a relationship when they hit land. Was he still waiting for her permission to move forward? He was the most accommodating man she had ever met, and sadly enough, she did not know how to take a romantic lead anymore.

  The last day at sea found the schedule packed with activities. Twelve drummers drumming made for a loud theme and an excited bunch of guests. Amy and Merissa signed up for the parade at the desk before heading up for breakfast. Today they would eat at the dining room for every meal and enjoy being catered to. It appeared their table companions had the same thing in mind.

  “Good morning, ladies,” Chad said. “Merissa, didn’t see you at the gym earlier?”

  “Guess I skipped it. Amy and I promised each other we’d hang out and make some memories today.”

  “And I argue, why can’t that include us,” Skip said.

  “Mind your own business and let the girls do what they want. You already have the entire month of weekends planned to spend with your new love interest,” said Chad.

  Merissa sensed a jealousy tone in his response.

  “That’s cause I know how to plan, unlike you,” said Skip.

  Chad peered in Merissa’s direction, while continuing to address his friend’s remark. “Plans are my biggest challenge in life – as you well know, Skip. My apartment is a drop-off place. I’m already booked to leave Tuesday for China.”

  Merissa wondered if his sudden stepping back from her could be as simple as that. He did not have time for a long-term romance. She’d have to watch for an opportunity to clarify that announcement regarding any future they might have.

  “Please, sit, both of you,” Merissa said. “And Skip, you are more
than welcome to hang out with us today.” She glanced at Chad. “A foursome, is okay, too.” Chad scowled, and a chill ran through her. What was going through his mind?

  “Have you signed up for the parade?” asked Amy. “We are angels – sent to proclaim the birth of Christ.”

  “Perfect choice,” said Skip. “And yes, we’ve signed up. We will walk the halls as magi bearing gifts.”

  “That’s what the twelfth day of Christmas signifies. The giving of gifts and the end of the celebration,” said Chad as if he needed to explain his choice. What bothered Merissa most was the way he emphasized the end of the celebration.

  “I wish this vacation could go on forever,” said Amy. “I for one do not want to face work Monday morning.”

  Merissa sipped on her coffee and directed her question to Chad. “You were so skilled at the crafts event making decorations for the tree. Will you join Skip and make a banner to carry in the parade?”

  “My hands will be full of gold to give to the King.” Chad’s answer was curt.

  “What would our banner say?” asked Skip.

  “Perhaps, Christmas is a time for giving or I give because he first gave to me,” said Merissa.

  Amy chuckled and jabbed her friend. “Merissa thinks of everything in terms of an advertising slogan.”

  Merissa leveled her gaze on Chad. “I just thought since you were so artistic, banners would be a nice challenge. But, suit yourself.”

  Chad straightened in his seat. “And you’re right. I love to create, so, yes, I will be present at the banner making event.” He popped a chunk of sausage into his mouth. When their waiter looked at him with an upraised brow, Chad continued. “You’re right, Sache. I eat in formal settings most of the time, so this being the last day aboard, I shall cut loose – if that’s all right with you.”

  “No problem, sir. Our only aim is that you have a good time.”

  Chad picked up his long-stemmed glass of orange juice. “And a good time we have had in this room under your care. Thank you both.”

  They all lifted their glasses and joined in the toast. “Cheers.”

  The four of them crowded into the banner event. Both adults and children had caught the sprit of Christmas this week and showed up in droves to create a banner worthy to proclaim the Good News. Merissa, Amy, Chad, and Skip found a vacant table with a box of supplies standing ready to use. They each took markers, glitters, and some cheater tracing shapes, then eagerly bent over their banners – which consisted of heavy rolled paper with dowels on each side for handles to make carrying easy during the parade.

  Merissa’s marketing brain kicked into gear and soon her idea took shape. She was to be an angel so she needed to carry a Halleluiah message – tidings of great joy would be overused. Finally, it came to her. A personal message of great joy would give thanks and proclaim the truth at the same time. She had a lot of good news to pick from this week. Joy and gladness are here to stay – Christ is born on Christmas day. Perfect! Merissa’s writing held an elegant flair she was comfortable using in her promotions. The sky was clear that special night Mary gave birth, so she speckled the top midnight-blue of the poster with glitters of gold stars and hung the bottom of a huge full moon full across the top, filtering beams of light through it over the entire banner of words. She stood back and smiled. For a quick job, she felt satisfied.

  Chad was having a hard time concentrating. He shouldn’t have come to this event. It was this whole creative bit that caused his heart such havoc? Sketching all those pictures of Merissa had burst open wide the dreams he’d locked shut years ago. There was no future in the arts, he’d proven that, and for the first time in a long time, he hated thoughts of returning to work on Tuesday. Merissa moved in beside him.

  “What, no picture yet?” she asked.

  “No, nothing.”

  Merissa caught the anger in his voice. “You don’t have to do a banner. Carrying a gold box is fine.”

  “Yes, I think it is.” Chad dropped his marker. “Excuse me.”

  It surprised Merissa to see him walk out the door and head straight for the elevator. A photographer arrived and gathered the group of three together for a shot. Merissa held her banner out front and smiled for the camera.

  When he moved on, Merissa said, “I’m finished you two. Do you mind if I run and check on Chad? He left in a huff.”

  “He’s been huffing all morning,” said Skip. “Talk about a messed up head.”

  Amy nudged me. “Go on. We’ll catch up at lunch.”

  Merissa explored the deck, the gym, and even knocked on his stateroom door before it came to her. Would Chad have gone to the rail at the stern of the ship? Her heart said yes, and she wanted to follow its lead but fear of the one time encounter with the stalker held her at bay. She grew angry at her hesitation. Freedom means free – walk in it, girl, and stop your sulking. The man had left the ship days ago.

  Merissa saw Chad from a distance, leaning over the rail and staring at the turbulent water. She quietly slipped in beside him. “The wind is strong. It’s making the ship rock today.”

  Chad glanced her way. “It’s supposed to settle when the sun goes down.”

  “Good – just in time for the festivities. Did you sign up for the cake challenge?” She regretted the question as soon as the words left her mouth. If fate chose either Chad or her as King or Queen, apart from one another, the evening would never be the same in her memory. What was the chance? Thousands of eligible people probably signed up, hoping for the honor.

  “Skip signed us up,” Chad said.

  “Oh, well, good luck on being crowned King. Hear that all the drinks are free to the winner for the entire evening. And they also give you every picture taken of you aboard as a gift.”

  “Great, I can add it to my stash of photos that no one looks at but me.”

  Merissa chose not to go there. She’d tried something lighter. “Every single woman aboard would think she died and went to heaven to be your Queen for the night.”

  His demeanor turned to annoyance. “What is it with you? You keep trying to pawn me off on anybody else but you.”

  Merissa was about to deny it but recalled voicing casual comments along that line. “I’m sorry. I never meant to offend you. I was paying you a compliment.”

  “All I ever wanted to hear from you was that you liked my abs, that you were falling head over heels in love with me, that you wanted to continue us beyond this voyage.”

  Merissa started to speak, but he cautioned her to remain silent.

  “But now I see it’s for the best we separate. No woman has a future with me. Out of the three hundred and sixty-five days, I’m gone at least three hundred of them. Just forget you ever met me.”

  “Forget? Well, let me ask my heart if that’s possible!” Merissa’s voice rose. “You chose a traveling business career as your line of work, not me. You should be in graphic arts or some great artist where fans break down the doors just to get your autograph. You make your own choices in life and it’s only you who can change them. So, staying single for life is all on you! Enjoy the loneliness, Chad Livingston.”

  Merissa choked on the last few words and when his vacant glare persisted, she hurried away. This was not the way she planned to spend her last day on the ship. She brought her banner to her room for safekeeping and changed into a bathing suit for her last lay on the pool deck. Amy and Skip were there and beckoned her over.

  “You must have read our minds.”

  “Or, the better guess might be that I saw you put on your suit this morning,” Merissa said to Amy.

  “Where’s Chad?” asked Skip.

  “Wallowing in bad choices,” said Merissa, “And not a topic of conversation. I will leave you to reason with your friend.”

  “It’s none of my business, but do you like him, Merissa?” asked Skip.

  Merissa almost said yes, it is none of your business, but then remembered the conversation she’d hammered into Chad’s brain before his declar
ation to stay single and work the business world until-death-do-us-part. She wondered if the man realized that he’d take a piece of her heart wherever he traveled in the world – that it was too late for her to say goodbye. Did she care enough to give their long-distance relationship a chance? That was a biggie. But if Chad knew her heart’s longing, would he change his mind and try his hand at a different profession so he could stay home? She’d hire him in a minute, but that would come across as a desperate attempt to keep him local. Merissa scolded herself. She dissected decisions far too much. She tried bluntness in hopes Skip would pass it along.

  “At the moment, he is closed to me, blaming it on his traveling and lack of time to nurture a relationship. But, on my part – I admit I’ve not been forthcoming with his advances. I should have done better after I settled my grief issue. Chad deserved more than I gave him.” That didn’t come out the way she planned.

  “So, my question was…” said Skip.

  “Yes, I care deeply for your friend. I was hoping our relationship would continue to grow after we went home. I gather he lives close to you, which makes him close to me. Location was another matter we never addressed.”

  “Maybe I can talk sense into him,” said Skip.

  “He’s not listening. Save your breath.” Then she backtracked. “He might listen to you – I don’t know anymore.” Merissa removed her cover-up. “I’m going for a swim.”

  Chad never showed at the dining hall for lunch. Everyone was quiet, and I hated that our separation caused such pain on the final leg of our journey.

  “The parade starts at two o’clock. We need to pick up our costumes at 1:30 then line up for pictures before we lead out singing our silly Christmas ditty.” Amy was reading the day’s scheduled event pamphlet.

  “I’m excited!” Merissa said conjuring up joy from the only source that never failed – the Lord. No one appeared to notice the effort it took and she was glad. The last day should be a special day. She’d continue to tell herself that until she laid her head to sleep tonight.