by Judith Gould
“I see what you mean,” Jenny said. “It reminds me of Tribeca or SoHo.”
“But it has a long way to go,” Adonis said.
Up the block, he led them into a restaurant. Inside a derelict-looking building was the epitome of ultramodern minimalist decor, with a long, shallow pool running down its center. Greeted by a very chic young woman, they were immediately seated and placed drinks orders while they perused the menus.
“It’s still early for dinner,” he said. “It’s only nine o’clock. Around eleven or twelve o’clock, it will be packed.”
“How in the world do people get to work?” Crissy asked.
“We don’t sleep much.” He grinned. “Actually, a lot of us still have siestas like the Spanish after lunch, then reopen our offices or businesses in the late afternoon and stay open late. It depends on the business, of course, but a lot of Athenians live that way.”
“I think I could deal with that,” Jenny said.
The waitress brought their drinks, and Adonis ordered for them all. “I hope you don’t mind,” he said.
“Not at all,” Crissy said, not having a clue what the menu offered, since it was in Greek.
“This is old-fashioned Greek cooking with a very modern twist,” Adonis said when their food arrived, “but it is very good, I think.”
He asked them questions about the trip they were going to be taking, and they talked about Greek food while they ate. Crissy thought it was one of the best meals she’d ever had. An artfully arranged Greek salad of feta, Santorini tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and peppers was followed by a delicious grilled sole. It was accompanied by a tatziki-topped bread that melted in her mouth. For dessert, they each had a thin slice of honeyed chocolate-walnut cake with homemade pistachio ice cream. They washed it down with an excellent Santorini wine.
“Now,” Adonis said as he signed the credit card slip for the waitress, “would you like to go to a dance club?”
“We have to get up early to get to the ship,” Crissy said, “and I—”
“Oh, come on,” Jenny broke in, “what’s a few hours of missed sleep? We’ve got nearly a month to relax on the ship.”
Adonis looked at Crissy to see her response.
“I’d love to,” she said, “but I’m really exhausted.” She was suddenly aware of her body’s demand for recuperating sleep, and while she enjoyed Adonis’ company and appreciated his interest in her, she didn’t feel that there was a special chemistry between them, not the kind that would carry her through a night of dancing with a big day on the horizon.
“Crissy!” Jenny cried. “Think about it. This is the only night we have in Athens, and you may never come back again.”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s remotely possible,” Adonis said. “I definitely think she’ll be back.”
“Well . . . I don’t know. . . .” Crissy hesitated.
“We certainly don’t want to go unless you do,” Adonis said, “but I think you would enjoy it. Most visitors never get to see a place like this.”
She saw that he was serious, and she hated to disappoint either Adonis or Jenny. Finally she nodded. “Okay,” she said, “but let’s not stay too late.”
After a nerve-racking race through city streets, they arrived at a dance club overlooking the Saronic Gulf. It was a multilevel, expensively decorated place with a crowd of twenty-to fifty-somethings that looked exceedingly attractive and well-heeled, danced wildly, and drank a lot. Adonis was greeted by many of the crowd, and he introduced Crissy and Jenny to everyone. Crissy was surprised to discover that nearly everyone spoke excellent English. They drank champagne and danced for a long time. Crissy, however, enjoyed breaks on the balconies that overlooked the sea. Although it was dark, the lights of tankers, ships, and various—size yachts winked at her from the distance, and the salty tang in the air was refreshing after the smoke and noise of the club.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Adonis asked.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “It was awfully nice of you to ask us out. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s been my pleasure,” he replied, “and I’m glad you’ve liked it.” He edged closer to her and put an arm across her shoulders. “I wish you weren’t leaving tomorrow.”
Crissy was slightly unnerved by his proximity, and she didn’t know how to respond. “I . . . well . . . we have to,” she finally said. “We’ve been planning this for a long time.”
He gently hugged her with his arm. “I know,” he said, “but it’s too bad. I think we could have a very good time together.”
Crissy could swear that her heart was beating faster. She wasn’t prepared for his attraction to her, and wasn’t sure what to make of it. “I’ve recently had a bad . . . experience,” she said. She thought that she might as well level with him. “And I’m not sure I’m ready for . . . for seeing anyone.”
“I’m sorry,” Adonis said. “For you and for me.”
“I guess I have a problem with trust,” she said with a sigh.
“Perhaps I can overcome that.”
She shook her head. “I’m the only person who can do that,” Crissy said. “You’ve been wonderful, Adonis, but I just can’t handle anything . . . anybody . . . right now.”
“I won’t push it.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I think we’d better get going soon.”
“Okay,” he replied. “That is, if I can find your friend. She seems to have danced with every man in the club tonight.”
They both laughed. “That’s Jenny,” Crissy said. “She’ll probably leave a trail of broken hearts.”
He looked at her with a serious expression. “It is you who will leave a broken heart,” he said, “and it is you who is the more beautiful and beguiling.”
Crissy felt that frisson of excitement that she’d experienced when she’d first exchanged glances with him. She didn’t know whether to believe him or not, but she couldn’t deny that she loved hearing what he said. “I don’t know about that,” she said lightly, “but Jenny’s the one who always gets the men, not me.”
“Then American men are stupid.”
“Maybe, but this American has got to get some sleep.”
Finding Jenny did not pose a problem, for she was in the middle of the dance floor with a circle gathered around her, clapping and shouting as she and her partner performed an obscene bump and grind with each other. Her heels, held aloft on a finger by their sling-backs, were twirling in the air, and she was alternately thrusting her pelvis, then her breasts at him as he met her with thrusts of his own.
Adonis smiled, and Crissy laughed. “See what I mean?” she said.
“She’s a little wild, isn’t she?” he replied.
“Still man-crazy at thirty,” Crissy said.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t think she really likes men much. She seems contemptuous of men to me.”
Crissy eyed him curiously. That was an astute observation. “I hadn’t thought about that.”
The dance came to an end, and the crowd applauded wildly. Jenny and her partner hugged and kissed. Adonis took Crissy’s hand and led her through the dispersing observers to Jenny.
“Brava,” Adonis said. “You’ve put on a great show, but now it’s time to leave.”
“Already?” Jenny cried. “It seems like we just got here.” She bent down and slipped her heels back on, then straightened up.
Her dance partner put an arm around her shoulders. “I can take her home,” he said. “I’m Mike, by the way.”
Adonis and Crissy nodded. “Hi,” Adonis said, introducing Crissy and himself. “The ladies are leaving on a ship in a few hours, so I think we’d better get going.”
Jenny looked at Crissy, who mouthed “please.” “I guess you’re right,” she said, then turned to Mike. “It’s been a blast,” she said, “but I really better run.”
“Ah, no,” he said. “I can take you back.” He looked at his watch. “It’s only four. Stay another hour or two, then we’ll go.”
“Sorry,” Jenny said, making a little wave with a hand. “Got to run.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “But I loved meeting you and had a great time.”
They went to the club entrance with Mike on their heels, trying to persuade Jenny to stay, but she was emphatic. After speeding back to the hotel, Adonis walked them to the door. Jenny went in after thanking Adonis and winking at Crissy.
“I’ll be right there,” Crissy said. She thanked Adonis. “You’ve been really wonderful,” she said, “and I appreciate it so much.”
“Here,” he said, “take this.” He handed her an engraved business card. “It has all of my numbers on it. Please call me anytime.”
Crissy took a card out of her wallet and handed it to him. “Likewise,” she said, “but I won’t be there for a month.”
He took the card and tucked it in his trousers, then put his arms around her and hugged her to him. “I’ve loved meeting you,” he said. “You’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met.” His lips brushed her hair.
“Thank you, Adonis,” she said nervously, “but I’d really better get in.”
Reluctantly, he released her and opened the hotel door for her. She went inside, then waved good-bye.
Adonis stood watching her as she walked the short distance across the lobby. When she reached the corner, she waved again. He blew a kiss to her but didn’t move.
When Crissy reached the room, Jenny had already slipped into a nightie and under the covers. “We didn’t bring an alarm clock,” she said.
“I told the desk that we needed a wake-up call before we left,” Crissy replied. “At nine o’clock.”
“Oh, jeez,” Jenny groaned, covering her head with the blanket.
Crissy got ready for bed quickly. After she turned out the light, she lay in bed, her mind whirling with the events of the day. It’s only been a few hours into the trip, she thought, and it seems as if magic has already happened. I met a man who called me beautiful. Beguiling. Others stared at me with obvious admiration.
I hope, she thought sleepily, tonight is a harbinger of things to come.
Chapter Six
When they arrived in Piraeus, the taxi let them out in front of a vast ship terminal. Jenny had almost fallen asleep in the cab, but Crissy was so excited by the prospect of boarding the ship that she was wide awake. The terminal was lackluster, but once they had gone through security, she caught her first glimpse of the ship. Although she’d seen pictures of it, they hadn’t prepared her for the reality of the Sea Nymph.
“Oh, Jenny,” she said enthusiastically, “it looks so much like a yacht.”
Jenny looked at her with a dull expression. “Well, Cris. That’s what it is. A ship.”
“I know, but what I mean is, it doesn’t look like one of those buses they’re building with umpteen decks. It looks like a giant yacht.”
“I guess so,” Jenny said. Crissy could tell that she was hung over, exhausted, and really didn’t care what the ship looked like.
They were early, and only a handful of passengers were boarding. After getting their pictures taken at one of the security checkpoints, they were given key cards to their room. As they walked down the hall, Crissy glanced about, taking in the beautiful wood paneling and the soft palette of colors used in the upholstery and carpeting. The furnishings were very tasteful, she thought, and surprisingly nothing seemed to be plastic or fiberglass. They reached the elevators and took one to the next deck. They went down a corridor, noticing that all the rooms were named. When they found theirs, Crissy saw that it was Mykonos, an island in the Cyclades she’d read about. She swiped the card, and they went in.
“Oh, my God, it’s really nice,” Jenny said.
“It’s beautiful,” Crissy said. They stood in a small entry with a large closet on one side and the bathroom on the other. Immediately in front of them was a small sitting area with a built-in couch, chairs, and a table. On it was a basket of fruit and a bottle of wine. Straight ahead was a large picture window. There were twin beds with built-in bedside cabinets, many built-in drawers, and a mini-fridge. A long desk area against one long mirrored wall held a television set. As in the public areas they’d seen, the color scheme was predominantly sea green and blue, and there was beautiful wood paneling. Crissy gravitated to the window and looked out at the view of the harbor.
Jenny plopped down on one of the beds and curled up. “Oh, this feels so good,” she said.
Crissy turned to her. “Do you want to look around the ship?” she asked.
“Are you kidding me?” Jenny replied. “I want to be right where I am for awhile.” She rose on her elbows. “But first I’m going to check out the minibar, see what’s to drink.”
“How can you have anything to drink now?” Crissy asked.
“It’s the best cure for a hangover,” Jenny replied with a laugh.
Crissy smiled. “Maybe you’re right,” she said. She opened the mini-fridge and looked in. “There’s a split of champagne, white wine, sodas, mineral water, juice.”
“Champagne,” Jenny said. “Let’s celebrate. Just the two of us.”
Crissy took the champagne out and started to open it. There was a knock at the door, and she looked at Jenny questioningly and then went to open it. A porter had their luggage, which he deposited in the entryway. “Thanks so much,” Crissy said, handing him a tip that she had readied in advance.
When he was gone, she opened the champagne. The cork flew off and bounced against the mirrored wall before falling to the floor. They both laughed merrily. She poured two glasses of the bubbly and handed one to Jenny. “To new beginnings,” she said.
“New beginnings,” Jenny echoed, swallowing a large gulp. “Oh, I think I feel better already.” She took another sip. “Did you get a look at some of the hotties in uniform?” she asked.
Crissy blurted laughter. “I did, but I didn’t know you’d seen anything. You looked half-asleep.”
Jenny shook her head slowly. “I may’ve looked that way, but let me tell you, I saw some real hunks.”
“I should’ve known,” Crissy said. She began glancing through the packet of materials that were on the desk.
“Do you miss your boyfriend from last night?” Jenny asked.
“Hmmm,” Crissy replied, “I . . . don’t know. It seems so unreal now. Almost like it never happened.”
“Well, honey,” Jenny said, “it happened. Believe me. And he’s missing you. I can tell you that for sure.”
“Do you really think so?”
Jenny nodded. “Are you crazy? I know so. He really had the hots for you.”
Crissy shrugged. “It was great, and I have to tell you that I loved being . . . noticed. But I think he was just . . . maybe . . . a little—”
“Horny,” Jenny said. “He was horny, Cris. For you.”
“If you say so,” Crissy said. “Whatever it was, it was nice for a change. Anyway, you want to check out the ship with me? This is a small ship, but it has everything: A spa, gym, theater, disco, pool, library, casino, everything. I think I’ll take a stroll around and see what it’s like.”
“Yeah,” Jenny said, seemingly revived by the champagne. “We can check out some of those uniforms, too.”
“That too,” Crissy said, taking the last sip of her champagne.
The door to their cabin suddenly opened, and a young woman burst in, saw them, and smiled widely. “Hi, welcome. I’m sorry to bother you. My name is Iskra, and I’ll be your steward.” Her voice was heavily accented. “I didn’t realize you’d boarded, and was just going to check and see that everything here is ready.”
“I think it is,” Jenny said.
“We’re leaving anyway,” Crissy said, getting up and retrieving her shoulder bag. Jenny pushed herself up off the bed and slipped into her shoes, then got her bag.
“Have a nice time,” Iskra said from the bathroom, which she was stocking with soap and shampoo.
“Thanks,” Crissy said, “we’ll see you
later.” She took a map of the ship out of a folder on the desk before leaving the cabin.
In the hallway, she looked at the map. “This is going to take some getting used to,” she said, “until I get my bearings.”
“Oh, let’s just follow our noses,” Jenny said, already walking toward the elevator and stairwell.
Crissy followed her, still taking in the map. “We’re on Deck Four,” she said. “The Venus Deck.”
“I like the sound of that,” Jenny said, pushing an elevator button.
“Why don’t we take the stairs?” Crissy said.
“Oh, okay,” Jenny said with the slightest grumble.
On Deck Five, they saw another large reception area with an information desk, a shore excursion desk, and, after passing through corridors with staterooms, a large formal dining room with a view out to sea on three sides. They greeted a number of boarding passengers and crew who were hurriedly readying the ship for departure. From the dining room, they discovered another stairwell, this one much bigger than the one near their stateroom.
“Oh, look,” Crissy said, pointing. Up and down the stairwell’s length, huge glass panels were etched with poetry, on one side in Greek, on the other in English. “Isn’t that beautiful?”
“Neat,” Jenny said.
They climbed to Deck Six and passed through a piano bar and card room, then peeked in the library. Aside from the small selection of books in various languages, they discovered a letter-size newspaper of four pages spread out on a table. There were copies in English, French, German, and Dutch. Crissy picked up the English one, and glancing at it saw that it offered news highlights. There were several computers with Internet capability, and they saw that you had to purchase a card to use them.
“Want to email somebody?” Jenny asked.
“No,” Crissy said. “I can’t think who it would be.”
“Me either,” Jenny said.
Back out in the main passageway, they eyed the windows in the three small duty-free shops. The largest one sold liquor, cosmetics, tobacco, candies, and a small selection of jewelry. The two smaller ones offered souvenirs of the ship, bathing suits, sun hats, scarves, and a selection of formal wear. A small casino was farther down the passage.