We stopped at a candy shop, randomly placed on the way to the ‘Teen Disco.’ We sat outside on a white bench that was only feet away from the white banister that over looked the water. I chewed anxiously on sour cherry gummies, while keeping my eyes averted on the partially polished wooden deck floor. My head was filled with shuffling footsteps, chatter and laughter—if I heard the sound of water I knew it would trigger consternation.
“Eva, take a picture of me and Warren.” I gazed up at GG and my brother standing over me and then I glanced over the banister, and just past it was the water, probably sloshing and gurgling at me, laughing. I snatched the camera from her hand, and scowled as they went to stand against the banister, Warren draped his long arm around GG. “You have to stand to take the picture.” Throwing the candy down—on the verge of a tantrum—I stood up and snapped a quick picture and sat back down. “Eva…seriously?” I stood up again and focused the camera on the two…the water capturing me, the beauty of its peril, frightened me, yet soothed my phobia. I snapped the picture and remained standing.
It wasn’t so bad to look at, I thought as a warm breeze swept around the ship, smelling of fresh sea—something I’d like to bottle up and take home. I inhaled through my nose, closing my eyes to enjoy the appeasing of my spirit.
The sun lightly touched my skin, and a shiver of chills ran through my body as the warmth kissed me over and over again. “See Eva, it isn’t so bad.” I lowered myself down, and glanced at them and nodded in agreement.
Then GG stood up and walked back over to the banister, slightly leaning over.
“GG, be careful.” Instinctively the words left my mouth.
“Whoaa… Help!” She wobbled on one foot, slightly kicking the other back, as if she were about to fall forward over the railing. Arms flailing, the wind ripped through her hair. I jumped up eyes wide, pulse ragging, mouth agape. “Kidding.” She glanced back smiling and laughing.
“Not funny.” I growled, and threw my bag of candy at her.
“Kinda is, Warren caught you on camera. You are so easy, just relax.” I looked at my brother who was laughing and slapped his arm. “I hate you guys.”
Chapter 4
About six the next morning I woke up, brushed my teeth and hair, threw on some sweat pants, a tank top and my Nike cross trainers. It was daily ritual—fitness was important to me and I wasn’t going to stop that for seven days. I grabbed a water bottle and a small towel, wrote a note and left it on the nightstand for GG. Before any fear crept up, I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, closed my eyes, took a deep breath and set off.
I walked down the narrow hall, the red carpet kind of squished under my shoes with a soft crunch. Crème wall paper lined the hall with gold borders and Victorian print. I ran my hand over the wall to feel the imprint of the paper against my palm. Golden wall sconces faintly lit the way with a soft glow of orange light—making the silence of the hall serene, while the radio above spewed quiet classical.
I took the elevator down to the lobby and crossed over the shiny marble floor. I looked up to see a maze of stairs leading to different levels of the ship. The blue sky lit up as the sun rose higher and higher, light poured through the glass ceiling hitting the shiny marble floor.
As I passed the concierge behind the counter I smiled and then entered the hall with the glass door openings. The first door was to the spa and the next was a salon. The furthest door down was the gym and I walked into that door. Two treadmills were at the farthest corner and some lifting equipment and machines. This was an extremely condensed version of 24Hr Fitness.
I walked over to the corner where the treadmills were. They were facing a window overlooking…wouldn’t you guess, the ocean. So very scenic.
Quickly stretching, I hopped on as if I hadn’t noticed the fear before my eyes and pushed the “Quick Start,” button and started with a fast walk—‘always warm up before the actual workout,’ that was my father’s rule. The gym door opened and I glanced back to see a man walk in, probably early twenties, average height, neat dark hair, what looked like a Roman nose and olive skin with bright blue eyes. Blue, really it’s inevitable. He wasn’t very skinny but he wasn’t fat, he was solid. I could tell he worked out regularly. Roman Nose was okay, not extremely gorgeous. He smiled and waved and I just turned and continued my walk—I wasn’t interested. Partly because this cruise was only seven days, and that wasn’t enough time to get to know anyone. And I wouldn’t have time to be pen pals, with anyone.
My forty-five minute jog easily turned into sixty minutes. I finished off with a slow walk, and wiped the sweat from my face. I sat down for a minute, to drink the remains of my water. It was still only Roman Nose and me in the small gym. He was lying on a bench lifting about two-hundred pounds worth of weights. Not bad, I thought.
I stood up and made my way for the door, when I heard a gasp for help. The miracle of swiftness swept over my feet and I was standing over the guy—his face strained, hands gripping the weight bar trying to lift it from off his throat. He was gasping, eyes bulging, feet flailing. His knuckles white as snow gripping the bar tighter, and tighter, puffing his cheeks out. He grunted.
I grabbed the bar, praying that I had enough strength to lift it. Fat chance! But I tried anyway…
I braced myself, and used my legs and then realized that once the weight bar was secured, that I hadn’t used any of my strength. I hadn’t done anything to help him.
Roman Nose began chuckling to himself.
“Are you serious? I thought you needed help. I oughta beat the…” I raised my hand to slap some sense into him, but he raised his too.
“I’m sorry.” He laughed again and I turned, rolled my eyes and began to walk away. I was pissed and I wanted to kick his ass or at least have Warren kick his ass! “Please, just wait.” I felt his hand on my shoulder.
“Don’t touch me!”
“Okay, will you calm down at least?”
“What!” My head and body snapped around in some quick mechanical movement. I shoved him into his solid abs. “Dammit! You’re sweaty!” I found my towel where I dropped it on the floor. “That was not funny.” Wiping my hand compulsively.
“I’m sorry, I swear, I just wanted to talk to you—was trying to get your attention.”
“Hello! That’s what normal people say, hello!”
“Hello.” I stared up at him in disbelief. Was he dumb and crazy? “I’m Benjamin.” He smiled something lovely, but I was too angry to care, so I turned and walked out of the gym.
I didn’t mean to, but I slammed the door to the room shut and kicked my shoes off—cursing a hell rain of a storm. GG was up and dressed and turned the television off to turn and stare at me.
“Dang, what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing!” I snapped. “I mean I’m sorry.” I said explaining to her what happened with Benjamin at the gym and she laughed. Which only made me more furious.
“I think that was cute.”
“A puppy is cute.” Cutting my eyes at her, I rummaged through my luggage for clean clothes.
“Eva…will you loosen up. Ever since we’ve been on this ship, you’ve been the rudest... Relax.” I slammed the door as I went into the bathroom, and glanced at myself in the mirror, instantly feeling guilty, because she was right. However Benjamin, was still wrong.
“Okay! You’re right!” I shouted at the door.
“I know. Now hurry up, I’m hungry.”
We sat in the large dining room with my parents for breakfast. Glasses were clinking; low chatter filled the air along with soft waves of laughter. Overhead the chandelier twinkled, and low classical music swirled around the room.
“Yellow looks good on you Eva.” Mom said.
“Viv, Eva was on deck yesterday and she went swimming.” My dad said. Technically I didn’t swim. I sat on the steps of the shallow end of the pool.
“It’s not bad is it, Eva? I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” Mom smiled. Our server appeared with
food. I had a cheese omelet with bacon on the side, with slices of tomato and a fruit cup.
I was halfway finished with my omelet, when I happened to glance up to see Roman Nose. He looked up from his book and spotted me—an eyebrow raised he waved and smiled. I rolled my eyes and sighed. Continuing to eat, at least I tried to, but to my horror he stood up and began casually strolling over to the table. Was he serious?
He stopped between Warren and my father. “Excuse me,” he smiled gently acting as if he had a sense of mannerism. “But I was wondering if you played basketball?” My brother looked up from his plate, “I’m Benjamin. Ben De Luca.” Holding his hand out.
“No. He doesn’t play.”
“Eva…excuse the Sis, she’s sketchy about the ship, makes her a little…you know.” Warren tapped his finger against his head. I scowled, cursing him in my head. “Yeah, I do. I played for Poly High. Starting for USC in the fall.”
“Really?” He smiled his lovely smile. “Well, they have a court, and I was wondering if you wanted to play later?”
“Yeah, of course. Man, are you eating by yourself?”
“Yeah, parents sent me on this cruise alone. Forgot to invite friends…” He shook his head and made some kind of hand gesture, while his bright blue eyes rolled around in his sockets. “They’re kind of old.”
“Damn.”
“Warren.” My mother snapped.
“Sorry Ma.” He smiled at her then turned back to face Benjamin. “Why don’t you eat with us? Did you eat yet? We have room, I’m sure it’s fine, right Ma, Dad?”
“No.” I stood up in protest. Viv and Robert stared at me quizzically. I sighed and slumped back down into my chair, defeated. “Fine, fine...Fu...”
“Eva, don’t you even think about it!” Daddy glared at me. GG erupted into a fit of chuckles, she knew what I was about to say. Benjamin smiled, raising his eyebrows in triumph.
“You and your brother…if I hear you…” She didn’t have to finish her sentence. She always had a way of disciplining us with out the actual discipline. Mom had this look, the evil eye and that put a stop to our disobedience. She pointed her finger between Warren and me.
“I only said, damn. Eva’s the one trying to drop “F” bombs.”
“That’s enough Warren.” Dad warned.
Ben took a seat between Robert and my brother, “thanks.” He said and asked his server to bring his food to our table. Then he and my brother started gabbing away, like best buddies.
He was twenty-one, single—which he made perfectly clear—originally from New York, which would explain his barely there east coast accent. He gave us the run down on why he was cruising alone. His parents thought it would be a good gift after a hard semester and surprised him with a ticket when he got home from school—didn’t think to invite his friends. Oh yeah, did I mention, he attends USC—in California—majoring in Law, he wanted to be a sports manager. He was really gaining points with Warren and my dad—both of them sports fanatics, especially Warren, who was going to USC on a full sports scholarship this coming school year. Ben’s eyes lit up at that news and the more they spoke the more they were acting like best friends. Star crossed lovers. It was disgusting.
Every so often he’d look up from his plate and smile that damned smile. GG would giggle and bump me with her knee. I just rolled my eyes and planned to avoid Ben as much as possible—I was sure he would be tagging along the rest of the trip.
“Eva and I go to UCLA.” GG threw that information out like raw steak to the hungry wolf.
I knew what she was trying to do. Pawn me off on some guy in hopes to have more alone time with Warren. She was smart, but not that smart.
“Really?” Ben’s smile was incredible and the depth of blue in his eyes was just beautiful. But he would never know my thoughts.
“Yes really.” I smiled false and kicked GG under the table. “And now I’m going to my room, so if you’ll excuse me.” Another false smile. I made my round of kisses to Mom and Dad, slapped Warren in the back of the head and proceeded to walk away.
“You’re going on deck…by yourself?” My brother’s words stopped me in my tracks. In my frustration, I forgot about my surroundings.
“Shit.”
“Eva.” My mother warned.
“Sorry.”
“She has a fear of water.” GG said to Ben. My eyes cut into her slivers of annoyance. She only smiled innocently and announced that she would be my guide, as if I were a senile senior citizen or disabled with blindness. Grudgingly I took her petite arm and squeezed as much life out of it as possible. “Relax, or I’ll push you overboard.” She growled through her teeth, so I bumped her with my hip.
“See you in a bit.” Ben called out, the sound of his voice raised the hairs on my neck. This trip was only getting better.
Chapter 5
It was the one day we had to tour the island of Bermuda. We got into a red taxi—a taxi here is any car, any make with a sign that read: “Taxi.” They didn’t have your usual Yellow Cab.
Our driver had smooth milky dark skin. He was an older gentlemen, probably in his 60s, with silvering hair. The creases in his skin were deep, like the face of a bulldog. He glanced back at the back seat. “Boy you tall as a pole.” His accent had that Caribbean rhythm to it. Warren laughed, “you play ball with Kobe no?”
“I play ball, but not with Kobe. Not yet at least.” He smiled. “We need to go into town. Do you know where we can rent some scooters or bikes?”
“Yeah.”
We set off up a bumpy dirt road, leaving behind the big white ship. I inhaled a deep breath and completely relaxed for the first time in three days. The window was rolled down, and I closed my eyes to the palms that billowed and the light breeze that rushed into the car. The sound of the ocean was slowly fading and being replaced with engines and honking cars.
Ten minutes in, I opened my eyes and took in the bold stoned buildings with steep roofs—the corners bulkily, protruding further out than the rest of the structure—almost like bumpers. The buildings seemed sturdy, maybe it was because they were made of cement and that made them look heavy and able to withstand any natural disaster.
Every building was a different color, mostly pastels. Some were bright yellow, and pinks, there was also gray, and burgundy.
“You know, the buildings,” The driver began, pointing, “made special, the island have terrible hurricanes and them building built to stand against winds up to one-hundred and seventeen miles per hour.”
“Really?” Finding the cab driver’s eyes in the rear view mirror, his eyes slightly yellowing, a sure sign that he had seen a lot and probably had great stories to share. They were wise with knowledge. It’s strange how much you can tell by just looking someone in the eyes, it was as if his soul spoke volumes of his past, the hurt, the pain, the happiness. He was happy today, elated with joy, of what I did not know, but I could see a glaze of happiness coated over his eyes. I smiled then looked away, taking out my camera, snapping random pictures.
“Yeah and the roof is made of limestone.”
“Why? What does limestone do?” GG asked.
“Decontaminates the water. Bermuda doesn’t have a natural resource for water, so limestone cleans it when it rains.” Ben answered. I looked over to see him.
“How do you know that?”
“Eva, I’m not as dumb as you’d like to believe.” I stared at him dumbfounded. He stared back at me blank and cold, giving me a fake half smile and then he turned away. Probably annoyed with me, I’ve rejected him because I held his idiocy above his head. I was good at holding grudges, stupid, I know. I already admitted this to myself. I should be over it, but sometimes I didn’t know why I did things. Maybe it was that I felt the opposite of what I portrayed to him? Somewhere I knew I hated the attraction I felt toward him, because it was as if he’d won some invisible battle. Or, simply as GG thought, I got carried away with being a bitch.
“Then where does it go?” I asked.
; “Rain gutters, and then funneled into underground water tanks and then into the plumbing system.”
“So the sink water is rain water? Can you drink it?”
“Yeah, I drink it.” I made a mental note to pick up some bottles of water, I didn’t drink tap water in the states, there was no way I was drinking tap water anywhere else.
The car slowed as we entered the marketplace. More honking wafted through the air, because the road became narrower and congested with cars. The smell of exhaust filled my nostrils and I choked trying to push it out through my nose. Pedestrians crossed at random. Make shift canopies shaded the goods from the sun. There was fruit, and vegetable vendors, t-shirts and tourist vendors. People haggling, claiming they had “good prices.” Excitement was heavy in the air and I couldn’t wait to get out of the car.
“I drop you here.” Warren and Ben paid the old driver, “You have a good time, hear? And be safe, take no wooden nickel. I see you on T.V Kobe.” He smiled a toothless smile at Warren and waved as he drove off.
The streets were crowded, with natives and tourist. We merged with the flock, constantly having to turn this way and that, to push through the crowd. Bumping elbows, apologizing for stepping on toes, and the occasional hard bump, from being pushed from behind. I kept my hand rested on the front of my fanny pack, pick pockets. Police weaved through the crowded streets in white shirts, black ties and police hats—their uniforms were plain compared to the decorated uniforms in the states.
After about an hour of haggling, we decided to rent scooters. GG and I rummaged through our bag of goods, I bought some t-shirts and tanks, one read “I Survived the Triangle,” another read “I Got Lost in the Triangle.” I bought a pair of sunglasses a couple key chains in the shape of triangles and some hand made jewelry, GG and I bought an identical pair of earrings. They were sterling silver triangles and were cool because they were 3-D. One triangle with a smaller triangle dangling in the middle so it looked more like a pyramid.
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