Enchanted: Dotties Story

by Linda Gerald

  Soon, she realized that there was a pattern to the madness. Nothing for her to do but wait. Time dragged while more people arrived. Could they not make things move faster? Perspiration soon formed on her lip, even though the area had air conditioning. It seemed extra-warm for the month of April. Not nearly fast enough, they moved to the top of the line. She heard reference to the second most expensive stateroom.

  “Only because some ‘dirty rascal’ beat us to the best!” The crew from the boat laughed loudly. They already fell under his magnetism. What were they discussing?

  “You will love the Queens Grill. There is nothing like it.”

  An older blonde, behind them, overheard their conversation and squeezed Elizabeth’s shoulder. Happily, she explained that you “owned” your particular table for the entire cruise.

  “Whether you show or not, it is your table. You become very attached. I love that fact. Don’t you?”

  Poor Elizabeth had no idea what any of this meant or what might happen next. She merely smiled, as she tried to understand. Time dragged. Already frail, a little hung-over, the young woman wished they walked by the pond on Enchanted instead of such uncertainty and chaos. This cruising scene may be pleasant to some. Such frantic behavior did not appeal to her.

  Her knees felt as if they may buckle when she finally followed Harry. He was led by a ship employee to the “upper crust” of the boat. No one spoke. Elizabeth felt sure that she had never experienced cruising before. Butterflies fluttered in her throat.

  When the door to their stateroom parted, all of the stress left her body. The crystal blue light streamed through the opened doors of their private balcony. Outside, the water glistened as light reflected like small jewels from the surface. The once overly warm air now felt balmy. Two teak recliners with thick, blue-striped cushioned chairs, waited for occupancy. Heavenly breezes cascaded into the light-saturated room. Clean, salt air filled the space. This refreshing scene would be their home for the next seven days.

  All of their clothes proudly hung in the closet, as if they resided there permanently. Shoes and underwear nestled in the correct place in the drawers. The ship crew had removed all luggage from the cabin due to limited space. It was more than perfect. A large fruit basket and bottle of chilled champagne sat on the coffee table.

  They walked onto the balcony. Time seemed to stand still. Invigorating air flooded over them. Peace and calmness filled the soul of the troubled young woman.

  “Now, I wanted to get your opinion on several things. I’m sorry that I didn’t include you in making the plans, but it was important that I surprise you with the best trip of your life. We are located on the port side of the vessel so that you may behold your beloved Manhattan sail past. If I had chosen the right or starboard side, you could have seen the ‘Grand Dame’ of our city. Did I decide correctly?”

  “Darling, I don’t care. How can we choose between the Statue of Liberty or view of the city?”

  “We are on the port side again for our return so you’ll see both. Your every wish is my command.” He bowed to her.

  They tired of standing alone on their balcony. As they walked into the hall, most of the passengers seemed to seek company. Outside, many travelers walked the decks where even more people stood or waited for the ship’s move from the dock to sail from New York to South Hampton. Music played, excitement built for the trip of a lifetime. Smiles greeted everyone. Joviality rained down.

  Harry offered her a glass of champagne, as the famous ship slowly left the dock. What adventures waited? In the back of her mind, the face of the woman, who she barely noticed in the Monkey Bar, grew larger and larger. It became apparent that was the same woman who yelled at her and tormented her dreams. She shook her head as she refused to let anyone destroy this time. Whoever that person, she did not matter right now.

  TWENTY-ONE: THE QUEEN

  The gentle rhythm of the boat agreed with the handsome couple. They found it easy to sleep until 8 am each morning. Elizabeth insisted that the drapes remain opened each night. This action allowed the stars and moon to shine into their cabin. Many nights, the doors stayed unrestrained all night; so that the fresh, salt air poured into the room. These and other daily nuisances were different from Grover’s crossings with Edwina. She never left doors or blinds opened for security reasons. The outdoors did not fascinate her. Harry admitted to himself that as much as he loved his first wife: life seemed easier and gentler with Elizabeth.

  “This is the closest thing to Heaven that we will discover on earth.” The young beauty stretched sleepily in her bed.

  He looked into eyes of a young woman who entered his life hoping for security. He had provided such. What she gave to him was much more. In many ways, she turned his dull and tedious life from loneliness to pure joy.

  The two slept in twin beds. The topic of sex remained undiscussed. He was afraid that she might jump to the conclusion that such thoughts had been his motivation. She assumed that he had no interest. It did not seem urgent to either. Only the closeness that they shared seemed to matter.

  Each morning, a knock on their cabin door signified, “A proper English breakfast.” This feast was delivered, by the staff, to begin their grand day. This phenomenal treat was carried on a large silver tray by their “private” Butler. It sat on their balcony every morning at the same time. Elizabeth poured delicious, French roast coffee from a large silver pot. Her fresh looks, at this early hour, stole Grover’s heart. He thought women looked much prettier without all the “paint.” Edwina, as well as Elizabeth, believed they needed it.

  The couple appeared destined to gain weight, but the young woman devised a plan. So that they felt free to indulge in delicious and regular food, they needed to exercise often. Quickly, they sprang from a lazy mood to one of high-energy which pumped through their veins. They pulled on exercise attire to walk the decks. Four times, around the Boat Deck, they walked regardless of the weather.

  Elizabeth adored walking in the rain. Those were their favorite times. Laughter reflected from the walls of the ship. They told silly stories of humor from different episodes about the day before. Other shipmates watched them with fascination. Perhaps, a touch of envy that their partner worried more about her hair. It certainly made walking easier when the others remained inside.

  Next, they scurried to the exercise room which contained state-of-the-art equipment. That took another hour of intense work.

  “Elizabeth, I hope that I make it through this voyage. I haven’t worked this hard physically since college. By the time this vacation finishes, I hope that I can walk.” Each day, he groaned as they prepared for dance lessons.

  “Elizabeth, I don’t mind dancing the Waltz or the Foxtrot, but I don’t know about the Rumba. Why do you need to wear those high heels? Aren’t you afraid that you may kill yourself?”

  She gently explained, as they dressed for their dance lesson, that the Rumba is a dance originally descended from Cuba. There are strict rules and proper attire. Grover grumbled. He would have preferred to take a nap. This latest obsession of hers interfered with his plans.

  He hesitantly followed her to a large sunny room located on an upper level. There stood ten other couples. The women looked energized and excited. All of them also wore the stilts of high heels. Harry frowned.The men stood with miserable looks of exasperation. When the dance instructor entered the room, she dressed in a pink leotard with pink tights and a sheer skirt. “Betsy” was tall and blond. Her figure drew everyone’s attention. She was Swedish with long, white hair. Most days, she pulled it severely off her face and swept onto the top of her head. This first day, her white hair fell gently around her face. She looked like an angel. Immediately, the men became interested. Grover smiled at Elizabeth.

  “Harry, didn’t I tell you that you would love this?” His dancing partner didn’t seem to understand the source of his sudden pleasure.

  Grover, who only had eyes for “his” girl, could not help but grin like a schoolboy. The ship k
new what they were doing.

  As the men spread the word, of the brilliant dance teacher, the number of interested couples grew each day. By day three, they more than doubled their number. Also by the end of their time, Harry and Elizabeth polished their moves. They were able to dance with incredible skill. Many other activities waited each day. No one could complete all the classes and events offered aboard Cunard, but they tried.

  Nights were treasured. Each evening, “The Grovers,” decked themselves in formal attire. It proved a difficult task for Elizabeth to select only seven gowns from the dozens which Edwina collected. Harry anticipated the excitement of watching his love blossom into a confident and elegant woman of sophistication. Each evening, she appeared more beautiful. Proudly, he escorted the most beautiful woman on the ship to their table. After the first night, they excitedly waited for that meal all day which loomed as a daily highlight. Edward, their “private” waiter, served them each evening. The ship’s sommelier delighted them with his choices for wine. Never, did he disappoint with his superb suggestions. Desserts capped each night’s indulgence with a delicious sweetness which never seemed “too much.” Nightly visits, to the champagne bar of Veuve Clicquot, found them laughing with an intimate and select group of friends. Many of these visited them in New York and remained friends for life. On their pillow, each evening sweetly lied a chocolate concoction of delight. They hurried back to their cabin after a night of concerts or ballet. Each night’s chocolate treat was different. Racing to bed, with the chocolate from the pillow waiting, became a luxury never to be forgotten. They talked with a new closeness.

  The two lovers had connected to each other from their first meeting. Now, they enjoyed long hours of conversation. Their bond became deeper and stronger. Thoughts of leaving the Queen Mary saddened them. Time there was treasured as it passed slowly, with no distractions of phone or television. Excellent photos waited for approval in the photoshop. These would grace Enchanted and etch these luxuriantly, happy times into their memories.

  Soon enough, the final day arrived. It was bittersweet. Elizabeth’s quietness concerned Harry. During the cruise, her hands never trembled nor were any signs of anxiety or stress shown. Now, in the final hours, her appearance changed. She appeared pale and withdrawn. Harry attributed this to thoughts of leaving the ship. Here, they were shrouded in peace and regularity. Now, they faced the realities of the fact that she did not have memory. On the vessel, it was not needed. He hugged her gently that last night, as he tucked her into bed. Quietly, she turned to view the sky and sea without speaking a word. He kissed her cheek and turned out the light. His love possessed a deep and abiding melancholy. She was his love, nothing else mattered.

  The last day, reality quickly set back into their lives. Peace and quiet escaped; chaos replaced it. Payment and packing filled several hours the day before. Luggage sat in front of each cabin’s door last night as instructed by the ship. This morning, all of the baggage disappeared. Where had it gone? Still, it was necessary to rise early in preparation for the current day’s events. Would their luggage show? Many questions and much uncertainty eroded the earlier relaxed state. Still, it was simpler to disembark than to board.

  Taxis’ waited for the energized cruisers. Harry quickly flagged one. They were on their way to London. Silently, they rode to the Brown’s Hotel. Harry felt sure that something was wrong with Elizabeth. By the time they arrived, her quietness was not the only cause for concern. Her paleness and lack of interest proved that she indeed had problems. Still, she would not communicate. He faithfully took care of all arrangements and ushered her inside of the luxury hotel known as Brown’s. This 5-star hotel, of English Victorian charm, has delighted royalty and stars since 1837. Harry always felt a connection to this beloved “home away from home.” Edwina adored it. Elizabeth appeared totally uninspired. He was surprised by her indifference. The porter walked them to their room. Even he seemed uncomfortable in her presence.

  “Elizabeth, this is a 5-star hotel. I thought you may comment on the beauty and elegance that it reflects. Is something wrong?”

  His question caused copious tears.

  “Harry, I feel just awful. Something is very wrong with me.”

  His frustration quickly was replaced with concern. He walked to her and put his hand on her forehead. Her skin was now flushed, dry, and hot. Obviously, she was ill. Grover could kick himself for not considering that her problem may be physical, not emotional.

  “I’ll call down to the desk. They can make an appointment for us with a local doctor’s office. Don’t worry.” His smile seemed ridiculous. She groaned.

  “No, I only desire sleep. If I can sleep, without movement, maybe tomorrow I may feel much better.”

  He agreed with her. She quickly showered and slid into her feather bed. The small woman looked like a child huddled underneath the thick, lavish linens. He kissed her goodnight. Early, the next morning, his appetite got the best of him. Quietly, he left the room to visit the Albemarle Room for a treat of English A La Carte fare. It proved delightful and filling. Without fanfare, he returned with a smile and tiptoed into the chamber. His smile quickly faded.

  Elizabeth did not appear to have moved. He felt her forehead. It remained dry and hot. With great worry, he tried to entertain himself without making any noise. There was no movement from the small woman.

  TWENTY-TWO: SUSAN

  Jackson worried about the changes in his wife. Immediately after their return from New York, where they spent two glorious days on their honeymoon, she suddenly appeared sullen and nervous. Her attempts, to hide something from him, were apparent but what? Often, he talked to her, while she appeared far away. These distractions, which she experienced, carried over into daily problems. Once, these actions almost caused a fire. Screams from the girls prevented damage.

  The wedding, two months earlier, created such joy. Many times, he pictured Susan walking down the stairs of her little cottage on that cloudless day, when she became his wife. The event occurred just before sunset with a kiss of soft southern breeze. The girls had assisted her earlier with hanging hundreds of lights down the banisters leading to the sandy front yard. He waited for her, at the bottom of the stairs, with twenty of mostly his friends. Together, they all strolled on flower petals to the edge of the bay. There, before the sunset, they were joined as husband and wife by the minister of Susan’s Methodist church. The exhilaration, on the faces of the children, thrilled him.

  Her image, as she descended the stairs, frequently came to his mind. Her gown, of the palest of pinks, almost appeared white. It was tea length with small petals of roses capped with tiny white pearls. The girls looked nearly as sweet in darker pink gowns with the same trim. They all had worn a crown of roses blended with baby’s breath and topped with small white pearls. Never, would he forget the joy and pride which etched that day forever in his memory: “Goodbye to Christine and pain, hello to Susan and joy,” he had thought.

  The days following the wedding were perfect. They had not planned a get-away. Eventually, a few weeks later, he surprised her with a honeymoon of three days and two nights in New York. He had blown his savings on making it a perfect three day weekend. Since that time, his new wife sometimes cried without explanation. Often, she left their home to spend time alone at the cottage. He racked his mind to understand this strange and unexplained behavior. Hadn’t they just promised each other not to have secrets?

  This particular day, he came home from work early hoping to spend time alone with her. Instead, he found a note that she was at her cottage. He stood outside on the deck. He looked in the direction of her little home.

  Susan, please don’t start an emotional roll-a-coaster! I can’t bear another relationship of lies and pain. We began our life together with such happiness. Did I do something in New York to hurt or disappoint you? I honestly can’t think of anything, which I may have done. He hung his head in desperation.

  Across the bay waters, Susan also stood on her balcony and
looked in the direction of her home, which she shared with a new husband. Tears silently fell, as she hugged her arms around a frail and delicate body.

  Christine, please go away. Why, do you continually plague me with that disgusting face? Your vision fills my nights with horror. Now, I have seen you in New York. The very place where I thought that you disappeared from our lives forever. Can’t you please go away? Your life only causes all of our pain. If Jackson finds out the truth, he will never forgive me. My blessed marriage will end. Just die and leave us along.

  Slowly, she walked from the balcony back inside. Just as she did, nearly every day, she found the small box on the shelf in her closet. Carefully, she removed it and sat on the rug. Susan only removed one piece of paper. This invoice appeared damaged from constant manipulations. She gently spread it on the floor. Studying it caused her hands to tremble. Heaves of emotion erupted from her heart. Rocking back and forth, as a small child may do, she sobbed uncontrollably. Years of memories with Christine tucked safely in her mind. Times of closeness, as little girls, when they punctured their fingers to become, “Blood Sisters.” As if that mark could remain, her eyes traveled to the finger they had pressed together on a day long ago. Other thoughts of beautiful, blessed times came to her mind.

  These profound feelings produced tiredness. The woman stretched out on her carpet and closed her eyes. Sleep no longer came easily. Fears that she may lose her new husband and children created constant turning and tossing in long, unending evenings. The other night, Jackson left their bed. He said it was impossible sleeping with her. Now, he slept in a guest room down the hall from her. These signs of marital distress scared her.

  The young woman’s mind churned with memories, as well as worry, about the future. Seemingly unable to control her mind, Susan’s thoughts returned to the past when classmates crowned Christine Homecoming Queen. At that time, Susan still loved her. She helped select the most incredible gown of palest coral. Susan had spent hours shopping for her friend. As she stood in the stands watching the scene unfold on that special night so long ago, pride filled her heart. The most popular girl in school loved her. Others may not think her unique, but the “Home Coming Queen” chose her as the best friend. Christine must have been the most gorgeous woman in the world. Her blue-black hair falling around her slim shoulders caused everyone to watch in fascination. That was always the response of others to the beautiful Christine.