Mentally she chastised herself. It’s only a meal, after all. How bad could it be? But when the woman’s claw-like hand grasped Claire’s arm to pull her closer and Claire choked on the scented cloud of Jean Nate bath powder which, in spite of its liberal use, failed to mask the slight odor of decay emanating from the elderly woman, she wondered if she could make it through dinner.
“My dear, I’m Florence Bernbaum. And you?” Her voice quavered with age, but her faded blue eyes had a sharp gleam.
Claire forced a smile, then coughed to clear her throat so she could speak. She was determined to be polite and make the best of the situation. “I’m Claire Gulliver, from Bayside. That’s down below San Francisco a bit. Do you know it?”
“Of course, of course, I was born and raised in San Francisco. I’m quite familiar with the area.”
Claire heard her name and turned to smile at the others around the table as Ruth introduced each of their party.
“Sean Gallagher, here, and my brother Ian. We’re glad to meet you all.” Sean still showed the remnants of his Irish good looks, even though his hair was white, his complexion a tad too ruddy and his body, softened by time, had slid down to thicken his waist. His brother was obviously the younger. His hair was still salt and pepper, his large body still looked hard and his handsome face was etched with deep lines around his mouth, eyes and across his forehead, which instead of aging him seemed to add distinction. He smiled his greeting and his eyes lit his face with a bit of devilment.
Claire pulled her leg back from Lucy’s kick. She didn’t need the sharp jab to notice that fate had dumped two of Lucy’s three male targets right in their lap.
“Dr. Richard Walmer,” the man sitting across from Claire said pompously, “and this is my dear, great aunt, Florence Bernbaum.”
Dr. Walmer looked to be in his forties. He was thin, darkly tanned, wore a small moustache and was impeccably groomed. He was obviously taken with his own importance, but to his credit he appeared to be very fond of his aunt.
“The Meriwetters here, Harold and Pearl,” the florid man announced, then added, “from Houston.” His lively wife, probably in her mid-to-late thirties, was almost dancing in her chair, she was that excited.
“This is going to be so fun. I’ve never been on a cruise before.” She looked around the table. “I hope you all will make sure we do everything right.”
Lucy shook her head. “I think we’re with you. This is our first cruise too.”
Ian shook his big head. “Sorry, ladies, this is a first for Sean and me, too.”
They all looked to Dr. Walmer, who reluctantly shook his head. Mrs. Bernbaum nodded. “Of course I sailed before. On the Luraline. What a wonderful ship. It was so sad they disbanded the company. But things change and that was long ago. I’m not even sure cruising is the same now as it was then. This ship appears to be lovely. It is certainly large.
Millie laughed. “Well, Mrs. Bernbaum, you are our resident expert and we will look to you for guidance on the protocol.”
“Good evening, my name is Pedro and I am honored to be your waiter for this trip.” His smile was warm as he passed out the menu cards. “Here are the selections our chef has chosen for the first night of our voyage and while you’re deciding on your choices perhaps I can bring you a cocktail? Will any of you be having wine tonight?” He nodded at the response. “I will send our sommelier over as soon as you’ve seen the menu. I think you will find we stock an extraordinary wine cellar.”
Pedro was back with the drinks in very quick order, took their meal selections and left them to get acquainted over their drinks, promising the sommelier would soon appear.
“What did you order, Mom?” Claire leaned forward to talk around Lucy.
“Lamb chops. I couldn’t resist.”
“I decided on the Turbot in parchment. It sounds divine.” Lucy smiled in anticipation.
“Ruth ordered the Turbot, too. What did you order, dear?” Millie asked.
“I ordered the Pork Roast in Apricot/Orange Glaze. Doesn’t that sound good?” Claire could almost taste it. “I hope the food is at least half as good as it sounds. Wouldn’t it be awful to be stuck on a ship that served mediocre food?”
“Oh no, that won’t happen, not on this ship. We checked carefully. It’s our first cruise, you see. This ship is rated very high in the food categories. That’s why we chose it over all the rest.”
“Well, one of the reasons,” Harold clarified Pearl’s comment. “We chose itinerary first, then food, and then we had a whole list of categories we compared before selecting a Call of the Sea cruise.”
“So, have we selected the best?” Ian asked.
Pearl nodded. “You bet! This ship was voted best in last year’s Conde Nast Readers’ Poll. That’s a really big endorsement.”
Claire was having a hard time following the conversation at the other end of the table. The noise in the dining room seemed to be increasing in direct proportion to the rounds of drinks served. And, while Mrs. Bernbaum had finally released the grip on her arm in order to examine the menu card, she now was leaning toward her, grabbing at her again. Clearly she had something to say.
Claire fought her inclination to turn to Lucy on her other side and graciously bent her head close to hear the old lady.
Mrs. Bernbaum had probably never been big, but she looked as if she had shrunk as she aged and now she was wizened and wrinkled. Her hair was unfortunately thinning, so her pink scalp showed through the white curls covering her head. Her dark blue dress had been fashionable about thirty years ago, and it had probably fit her then. Now it was too big. She had a large patterned scarf draped over her shoulders and fastened to her dress with a large, garish pin, made up of a large red central stone, slightly irregular in shape, almost heart shaped, surrounded by alternating white stones and lime green stones. The entire pin was outlined in small red stones, their color matching the large central stone. It, like its owner, looked a little shop worn, as if the gold luster was wearing off and the stones were slightly dingy. Claire realized Mrs. Bernbaum had made a valiant attempt to dress for dinner and felt ashamed for being so critical of her. She told herself sternly she should be admiring her spunk for taking this trip at her age instead of being so irritated for getting stuck with her as a dinner partner.
“I’m on a life quest,” Mrs. Bernbaum announced firmly. “That’s why I’m going to Alaska.” She saw the puzzled look on Claire’s face. “You know, the hundred things you want to do before you go? I’ve wanted to go to Alaska. I always meant to go, but with one thing or another I somehow waited until it was too late.”
She let go of Claire’s arm and sat back in her chair. “At least that’s what I thought until Dickie just appeared.” She smiled, glancing over at her nephew, who was engrossed in a conversation on his other side. “He made it all possible. He’s a genius, you know. He’s made my dream come true.”
Claire nodded vaguely, not fully understanding what Mrs. Bernbaum was saying.
“Your nephew just appeared?” she asked tentatively.
Mrs. Bernbaum nodded. “Yes, he’s the son of my husband’s nephew. We never knew about him. I’m afraid his father was not the most responsible person around. Sweet, fun, endearing, but he was totally self-absorbed. We didn’t even know he had a son, but Dickie looks just like his father did at his age. I’d know he was his son even if I hadn’t seen the birth certificate. Apparently he left Dickie’s mother before he even knew Dickie was on the way and so maybe he didn’t even know he had a son. Thank goodness Dickie’s mother kept track. She told Dickie he had relatives in San Francisco in case he wanted to look us up someday. So after his mother died, he did.” Her smile told of her pleasure. “And it was a lucky day for me.”
Just then Dickie, Dr. Walmer to Claire, turned. “How are you doing, Auntie?” He gently squeezed her hand setting on the table near him.
“Fine, fine, just telling this young lady how lucky I was you found me.”
Dr. Walm
er looked at Claire and smiled. “Lucky for both of us. We’re the last of our family. Each of us thought we were alone in the world. How lucky we were to find each other.”
Mrs. Bernbaum beamed. “Dickie is thinking about setting up a practice in San Francisco so we can be near each other.”
Dr. Walmer nodded. “Maybe, Auntie, just maybe.” He looked at Claire explaining further, “I recently broke up my partnership in Florida and so it makes sense to settle near Auntie. We’ll see what happens after the cruise.”
“Are you a medical doctor?” Claire asked, feeling the need to make polite conversation.
Dickie nodded. “I’m a Longevity Specialist. I had quite an extensive practice in Florida. But when one of my partners decided to retire, we needed to regroup so I thought it was time for a break. Maybe I was having a mid-life crisis. Anyway, I decided to check out the relatives in California.”
“Longevity Specialist? What is that?”
“Oh my dear, I said he’s a genius, and he is. He knows just how to give me a shot of pep so I can do the things I want to do. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. It’s no wonder his practice was so successful in Florida. And I’m sure it will be even more popular in San Francisco.”
“Actually, Auntie, that’s only a small part of what I do. I specialize in extending life to the maximum. That includes the patient’s ability to remain active and functional beyond previous life expectations. You know, there are new discoveries everyday. I just put those discoveries to use.” He smiled at his aunt again, but just then Pedro and his assistant arrived with their appetizers.
Harold and Pearl were right, the food was exquisite. The meal proceeded at a leisurely pace as course after course was delivered and devoured. Wine had been ordered and poured, and more ordered. It was a wonderful beginning to the trip. Everyone had different plans for the trip and had pre-selected different shore excursions for their many stops, so now they realized they would all hear about the excursions they missed from others at the table, who had taken them.
Finally, after refills on the coffee, Ian announced he and Sean were going up to the Starlight Lounge to check out the music. He had heard there was to be dancing tonight. Harold and Pearl were ready; they said they loved to dance.
Ruth was willing and Lucy was eager. Millie was persuaded by Sean’s assurance it would be fun. Dr. Walmer demurred, saying he needed to see Auntie to her cabin, but said he might be up later.
Claire shook her head. She had put in a full day’s work at her bookshop before even leaving for the ship and it was now her bedtime. “I promise, I’ll get all rested and be ready to party tomorrow.”
Then as they all pushed away from the table, Claire, in a flash of generosity born from her guilt over her uncharitable attitude toward the old lady, offered, “Mrs. Bernbaum, would you like me to walk you back to your cabin and then Dr. Walmer can go with the others?”
“Oh, dear, that is very thoughtful of you. Yes, Dickie, go with the others. There is no reason to see me to my cabin if Claire is willing to do it. I’m a little tired myself. And Anita is waiting for me. She’ll see I get my sleep.”
Dr. Walmer looked skeptical, but as his aunt was so certain he gave in and headed toward the forward elevators with the others.
“What’s your cabin number, Mrs. Bernbaum?” Claire asked, not even flinching when Mrs. Bernbaum’s hand clutched her arm.
“It’s eighty, forty-six. I don’t have the key, but Anita will be waiting for me.”
“Who is Anita?”
“She’s my caregiver. She’s not feeling well. I guess she’s not as enamored with cruising as Dickie and I.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. Did the doctor give her something for sea sickness?”
“No, Dickie did. But so far it hasn’t helped much. I think it’s partly mental. She didn’t think I should take the cruise and she didn’t want to come, so it makes her sick. You know?”
Claire nodded realizing Mrs. Bernbaum was still pretty sharp. “Do you need a caregiver?”
“Well, I suppose not, but she makes my life easier. She takes care of my clothes, fetches and carries for me and sees that I get all my pills at the right time. I’m still capable of taking care of myself, no matter how slow I am at it. However, to hear her you’d think she is all that is keeping me alive.” Now her eyes were snapping with irritation. “She thinks this is a foolish venture. She didn’t want to come, but she really didn’t want me to come without her.”
“Has she worked for you a long time?” Claire asked, thinking Anita didn’t sound like a very pleasant companion.
“Not long, about four years. And she has her good points. She’s very reliable and she is conscientious. I think maybe she’s started thinking that I am the child and she’s the adult. That attitude causes clashes, because while I may be older than God, I still think I’m in charge.” Her laugh was almost a cackle as they arrived at the cabin door.
Claire recognized the stern faced Anita, as the third person in the group blocking her passage earlier. Now, her complexion slightly green, she answered the door with cross words. “Do you realize how late it is? I was getting worried.”
Mrs. Bernbaum ignored her. Hanging on to Claire’s arm she dragged her into the room. “Claire, this is Anita. Anita, meet Claire. And yes, I know what time it is, and since we just finished dinner I think you can expect this is the time I’ll be coming to bed every night.”
Anita shook her head muttering low, but Claire could hear the words, “You’ll need more than a shot of pep from Dr. Feelgood, if you keep this up.”
Claire saw they were in a living room with a small dining area which led out to a good sized enclosed veranda.
“Wow, this is way bigger than my cabin.”
Mrs. Bernbaum shrugged. “It’s small, but comfortable. We have twin beds in the bedroom so Anita shares with me. This is called a suite. I just couldn’t see taking one of those little cabins. Dickie is in one down below and he says it’s fine, but I like having a little more space.”
After depositing Mrs. Bernbaum in one of the armchairs, Claire headed for the door, eager to get tucked into her own tiny cabin in the bowels of the ship. “Nice meeting you, Anita.” And just as she went out the door, “I enjoyed talking to you at dinner Mrs. Bernbaum. Have a nice night.” And as she closed the door and headed back to the elevator, she realized with surprise she had enjoyed talking to Mrs. Bernbaum in spite of her initial apprehension.
* * *
He had managed to contain his fury through dinner and even act pleasant when they went to the Starlight Lounge for music and dancing, but now, out on the deserted deck for a spot of fresh air before bed, Sean erupted.
“The Heart of Persia. That’s your last job? This is your perfect opportunity? Are you crazy, little brother? You don’t remember what happened to Pap?” His angry stride moved them away from the protection of the superstructure out near the pool where the biting cold of the wind hit them with a shock.
“Now keep calm, Sean. Of course it is the Heart. It had to be the Heart. I promised Pap I’d get it back for the family. I didn’t tell you before for just this reason.”
Ian’s righteous attitude only fueled Sean’s anger.
“Darned right you didn’t tell me. If you had, no way would I be here now. In fact, I’m thinking of disembarking when we get to Victoria.”
That alarmed Ian. “Now Sean, don’t be hasty. That would really call attention to me. That would jeopardize the whole plan.”
Sean looked at Ian, calculating the effect on him. “Would it stop you from stealing it?”
“Of course not. I told you I promised Pap. I always intended to get it, and with my retirement looming, it has to be now. Without you here, it will just be more risky for me, but that won’t stop me. I’m going to have it.”
Sean sat down at a table behind the protection of the Plexiglas barrier and looked at his brother earnestly. “Ian, don’t you remember it was this same crazy quest that caused us all so much
trouble. Don’t you remember Pap’s determination to have it is what caused him to hook up with those Zappas brothers? If it wasn’t for the Heart, Pap would be alive today. And we would still be the Rourke brothers. We wouldn’t have had to change our name to Gallagher to avoid the publicity circus the papers made out of the whole affair.”
He shook his head wearily. For a moment in the dim light he looked as if he was about to weep.
Ian laid his hand on Sean’s shoulder a moment before sitting in a chair facing him. “Look Sean, Pap made a critical mistake joining up with the Zappas. They were trash, bad through and through. But he didn’t know that. He didn’t know they would be carrying. He couldn’t have envisioned they would turn that heist into a blood bath. You know he didn’t approve of violence.”
Ian looked off into the darkness, remembering the last time he saw his father, still and gray-faced, tubes attached to him, his hospital room guarded closely by grim faced policemen.
“Maybe it was better he died from those bullets. He would have never been able to stomach the trial and then all those years in prison because of the Zappas.”
“Ian, he had the Heart in his hand. He was guilty. That wasn’t the Zappas.”
Ian shook his head. “Of course he stole the jewel, but he didn’t kill anyone; he didn’t have a gun on him. It was the Zappas, they deserved what they got. Not Pap. Pap just got involved with the wrong people. It was my fault really; if I hadn’t been off on spring break with my friends he would have asked me to help him.
“But I wasn’t there when he needed help, so he found the Zappas.” Ian looked at his brother, the miserly clear on his face.
“You’ve been blaming yourself all these years? You are crazy! Pap was a grown man, Ian. You were a college kid. If you were gone for a few days he could have waited. No, he decided on what he was going to do and who he was going to use. It had nothing to do with you. You’ve been blaming yourself for no reason. If you were available he still wouldn’t have used you. He said you had to finish college before you could go into the business with him. He meant it.”
Claire Gulliver #04 - Cruisin' for a Bruisin' Page 3