* * *
Miklos stared across the inlet to the rows of bright lights on the ship and pictured Vicki packing her many belongings. She would need to learn how to travel much lighter. He would teach her. He tried hard to sense her and couldn’t. The longer he waited the more he worried.
He couldn’t let himself dwell on his fears. He sulked whenever he thought that he’d never again hear her laugh, play with her in the wilds of nature, cup her breasts and kiss her wet willing cunt. Suddenly he could think of nothing but touching and fondling her body all over, as he had the first time he made love to her. Then he envisioned her sweet mouth wrapped around his cock, sucking hard, and driving him to distraction.
He suddenly didn’t care where she had learned it. She loved doing it for him, and he couldn’t imagine going without it for the rest of his life.
When he saw a couple returning to the ship, he asked for the time. They said it was a little after ten p.m. He was beginning to panic, but there was not much longer to wait. He’d know her answer in less than an hour. She had to come. It was destiny, wasn’t it? She would be thinking of him too. Perhaps remembering his fingers and lips on her clit. Maybe even feeling his pelvis grinding into her while she begged for more. He was as anxious as an ally cat smelling a feline in heat, but separated by a closed window.
Barely able to stand it, he thought about how music would soothe him. There were benches on the land facing the ship and one was vacant. He gathered his things and strode toward the spot before anyone else could claim it.
Strumming his particular brand of Romani music would undoubtedly have a calming effect. It was a blend of the old traditional Rom music rich with influences from the ancient Ottoman Empire combined with modern Romanian music. The new blend was called Romanska. These were the songs his family played when he was young.
Just running his pick over the strings for the first chord, felt so natural and soothingly familiar. He closed his eyes and played a sad love song. He sang as if Vicki were listening and imagined impressing her.
Miklos played for quite a while, lost in the harmonious blend of his native language spoken in voice and instrument. He sang of a lover waiting under the stars for the return of her mate. He was forced back to his present surroundings and circumstances when a silver haired couple stood in front of him and the woman asked if he knew any songs in English.
He was taken by surprise and almost nodded when he remembered the particular song he knew. That one he would wait to sing to his wife and no one else. His blank stare was met by an understanding smile, and the gentleman produced a twenty-dollar bill.
“He doesn’t speak English, Martha, but he sure can sing a pretty song. Spanish probably.” The man put the money in his guitar case, then he and his wife strolled away. Miklos strummed a new song about a couple’s long love sustaining them through all the hardships of life. It was better to think positive.
By the time he had finished that song he had attracted more attention. Several passersby stopped and listened. When anyone asked him if he knew a particular song, he would smile and play another one in his native tongue, and the money in his guitar case grew.
After a few more songs, the crowd had thinned and a man came forward. He said the story of a young man, playing guitar and singing beautifully reached his hotel. The well-dressed, middle-aged gentleman extended his hand and identified himself as Rick, the manager--and he offered Miklos a job.
What exciting news to tell Vicki. He already had a job. With the money he earned he would find a place for them to live. As he thanked Rick and shook his hand, the ship blew its whistle letting everyone know it was about to sail. Miklos’s mood went from exhilaration to despair in seconds.
His boss wanted to know what was wrong. Miklos could hardly speak for the tears threatening to escape, but he didn’t want to refuse to answer his new boss’s question. He inhaled sharply and managed to say, “My wife left me.”
* * *
Vicki groaned and pulled herself up to sit on the edge of her bed. Emerging from her drunken stupor, she glanced at the clock. It said three a.m. She listened and could tell by the hum of the engines that they were underway. Bloody hell! How did this happen? She struggled to her feet, swayed and caught herself by grabbing the rail on the top bunk.
“Simone,” she yelled. “Wake up.”
Simone let out a low groan and turned on her side facing away. Vicki poked her shoulder blade and yelled, “I need to talk to you--now!”
“Mon Deux!” Simone rolled over to face her and half opened her sleep-filled eyes. “What time is it? What do you want?”
“I want to go back to Key West and get off this bloody ship. I want to be with my husband. I want to push the clock back, but that’s not going to happen is it?”
“What are you babbling about?” Simone pushed herself up and sat on the top bunk, glowering over Vicki.
“I’m not babbling. I’m answering your question about what I want. Why didn’t you tell me when it was time to get my arse out of here?”
“You never said you wanted to leave.”
“Of course I did. I must have.”
Simone jumped down and landed hard. “Well you didn’t. You just blubbered and wailed about how unfair it all was.”
“Bugger! I can’t believe this is happening.” Vicki was tempted to start venting all over again, but what good would it do?
She may have thought she didn’t know what she wanted, but in her despair, she did. There was absolutely no doubt. Her lower lip trembled.
“Simone. I messed up. I love Miklos with all my heart and soul. I can’t lose him. And love charm or no love charm, he’s the one man I can’t live without. I know he didn’t steal anything. I know he didn’t lie to me. I’ll never find another man like this. I have to find him.”
Simone rubbed her hands over her arms and Vicki wondered what was coming next. Another lecture? A full out fight? Whatever her roomie had to say wasn’t going to affect how she felt. Miklos was her life-mate. She touched the gold ring on the third finger of her left hand and wished she could hold the man who put it there.
“Vicki. I’m not sure what to say. There are only two things I can think of. One is to get off at the next port and fly back to Key West.”
“How much would that cost?”
“I don’t know.”
Vicki put her hand over her forehead. “I’ve only received one check--what if I can’t afford it? What else can I do?”
“You can wait a week and get off there hoping he hasn’t left the island.”
“Oh my God, Simone. He’s a friggin’ Romani. They roam. That’s what they do. He could be anywhere.”
A long silence passed between them. Simone sat cross-legged on the floor with her chin in her cupped hands. At last, she said, “I may have thought of something else.”
“I’ll try anything, Simone. Absolutely anything.”
The next day they put up a flyer in the crew bar. In bold letters in English and French it asked, “Is anyone getting off in Miami and willing to drive to Key West? If so, call cabin three-nineteen.” It was a long shot, but worth a try.
* * *
Miklos played his heart out in the hotel bar. The saddest songs he knew were all that came to mind. Though he was afraid that the tourists would find his music depressing, they seemed to be mesmerized. At the end of each set, he received roaring applause.
Rick, the hotel manager could be seen standing by the lounge door from time to time. By the end of the last set, Miklos needed to leave, desperately. He placed his precious guitar in its case and was on his way out the door when his boss caught him by the arm. “I need to talk to you,” he said.
Miklos took a deep breath. “I am sorry my songs were so sad tonight. I will try to do better.”
Rick cocked his head and studied him carefully. Clasping him on the shoulder, he said, “At least a dozen people told me how much they loved your music. Key West is full of noise and rowdy bars. You gave our customers
a welcome treat. A beautiful romantic atmosphere where they could hear each other talk and enjoy your rich, melodic voice. I’d like to keep you on full-time and advertise our great alternative to Key West’s wild side. I think our new venture will be quite successful.”
Miklos could hardly concentrate on what Rick was saying. One ear was listening to his boss and the other to his heart threatening to stop beating if Vicki didn’t come back to him. He knew he was being offered a wonderful opportunity, but his reflexes were slow.
When he pulled his attention back to Rick, he heard him say, “I’ll double what I offered yesterday.”
Miklos finally understood what was being said and what he was being offered. A chance to make a good living in Key West, the only place Vicki could find him if she chose to. He nodded. “I thank you, and I will be here without fail every night.”
His boss chuckled. “How about a couple of nights off each week?”
“I would like that very much.”
Rick pulled a pad of paper and a pen from his jacket pocket and said, “I’ll need your phone number in case I need to get in touch with you.”
Miklos froze. A phone number? He didn’t even have an address. He took a deep breath and confessed, “I’m afraid I’m temporarily homeless.”
Rick pulled over a chair and asked to hear the whole story.
As painful as it was, Miklos told him most of it. He left out the part about the visions, and of course, being a witch, but he included how he felt with his lover in his arms and how she would never leave his heart. When he finished his story, he had tears in his eyes.
His boss remained quiet for a while before resting a hand on Miklos’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I’ve experienced prejudice too because I’m gay. I lost my lover a year ago, and I’ve never really gotten over it. Tell you what, you can stay at the hotel until you get settled.”
Miklos shook his head. “No, I cannot let you do that. Thank you, but I cannot afford it and I don’t want to take charity.”
“Where will you sleep?”
“On the beach. In a park. I will find a soft spot to lay my head.”
“Yeah, and you’ll get arrested. Listen, I want you here, not in jail. Tomorrow I’ll call a friend of mine in real estate. He has some rentals. It’s expensive to live here in Key West, but he might be able to find you a room in a boarding house if that’s all you can afford. If I vouch for you, he might be able to find something better and negotiate a deal.”
Miklos didn’t know what to say. He had never been treated with such kindness and generosity. He shook Rick’s hand. “To show my gratitude, I will sing my heart out in your lounge every night.”
His boss chuckled. “Good enough. By the way, do you know any songs in English?”
Miklos hung his head and shuffled his feet. “Only one. It was our song. My wife’s and mine. I--I’m not sure I can…”
As soon as he choked up his boss patted his back. “No. I understand. You can probably learn some new ones. There’s a music store on Duval Street.”
Miklos shoved down the lump in his throat and nodded. “I will do my best for you.”
“Let’s find you a room for the night.” The two men rose and walked toward the registration desk.
Chapter Twelve
Vicki was barely able to be civil to Gizela, who had given her a big smile that day. Undoubtedly her boss thought she had made the “wise choice” and stayed onboard.
Vicki’s smile was gone, replaced by long sighs, even when she was working on the passengers’ hair and spa treatments. One woman noticed her mood when Vicki was giving her a foot massage and asked what was wrong.
Uh oh. “I--I don’t think it’s worth mentioning. What about you? How are you feeling today?”
The abrupt change to cheerfulness didn’t fool the woman, apparently. She leaned forward and studied Vicki’s face.
“The only thing that’s bothering me right now is that something is obviously very wrong, and you probably need to talk to someone about it. I’ve counseled hundreds of people. You can’t fool me for a minute.”
Vicki didn’t imagine she could hold it in much longer. She grabbed her towel, wiped the woman’s feet and tried to imagine what she could say.
“I’m not supposed to burden passengers with my problems, but since you’re concerned, I’ll tell my roommate what’s bothering me. My roommate and I are very close, and I trust her. I’ll talk with her about it. I promise.”
The woman appeared satisfied. “The sooner the better, I’d say.”
Vicki knew that Simone already knew all about Miklos being fired and kicked off the ship for something he didn’t do, but she still needed to talk to her. Part of her was blaming Simone for letting it happen.
“I’m sorry about my mood.”
“Don’t be silly. We all have bad days.” The woman seemed compassionate, so Vicki continued her work without worrying about the passenger complaining to Gizela.
She finished a quick cleanup and said, “Okay, I’ll let you get dressed. Feel free to stay and relax for as long as you like.”
She found Simone at the cash register.
“I checked that bottle of Rum and it said, one-hundred and fifty-one proof. That’s seventy-five percent alcohol and we were treating it like regular rum. Simone, it’s no wonder we passed out. Now Miklos is God knows where, and I’m miserable without him. Even the passengers can see it. I have to do something.”
“Well, you can meet him in Key West later, can’t you? He probably doesn’t have anywhere to go without money, right?”
Vicki shook her head. “He’s a bloody Rom. He might be halfway across the country by the time we dock in Key West again. He knows how to survive with very little.”
“Look, I’ve loved and lost someone before. All I can say to reassure you is that time will take care of it.”
“Oh yeah? So how’s your grief? All taken care of?”
Simone heaved a sigh and slammed the cash register shut. “Are you sure it isn’t just his fucking you’re going to miss?”
“No! You didn’t understand about us. You never did. Since we were only together for a short time you think we weren’t attached. That we’ll just forget about each other and go on. You probably still think I’m better off without him since you’re the one who didn’t want me with him me in the first place.”
Vicki had taken her ring off to do the massage, but now she retrieved it from her pocket and jammed it on her finger. “Miklos is my husband. You may think I’m off the hook because we were married in a Rom ceremony but it’s legal in my heart--and I know what he thinks. To him it’s legal and binding. He’d have to find a gypsy tribe to take him in and ask for a Kris, kind of like a court, to get divorced. What if that’s what he’s planning to do?” Oh, God!
Simone hung her head. “You shouldn’t be here telling me this. You should be finding a way to get your ‘arse’ back to Key West before he gets away.” She rubbed her forehead and let out a sigh. “My work mindset says I shouldn’t get involved, but I’m partly responsible for this mess. I’m sorry about the rum. I knew it was the potent one.”
Vicki crossed her arms and pursed her lips. “Then maybe you can help me find my way back to him.”
Simone heaved a sigh. “Listen, despite what you may think, I’m your friend, and I understand better than you think I do.” She tried to put an arm around Vicki’s shoulder but was shrugged off.
“Vicki, if I had it to do over again, I’d never have lost touch with the one great love of my life. He didn’t go back to Australia so I have no idea where he is. I changed cruise lines, so he doesn’t know where I am. I still wish...”
Simone looked at the floor and swallowed hard. She became silent like she was off in some daydream or thinking something over. “Next stop is Miami--the end of the line for both of us. Pack your things. You’re getting off with me and we’re going to find your man.”
“Are you bloody serious?”
“Absol
utely. I’d tell you to steal a car to find him if you had to, but you’d probably drive off a bridge or on the wrong side of the road.”
“What about your job?”
“I hate this friggin’ job anyway. That’s why I wanted another ship. Lately I’ve been thinking about going back to Montreal. Maybe my Aussie will find me there. It’s worth a shot. Anything for true love is worth trying.”
Vicki threw her arms around Simone’s neck, and said, “I love you, roomie! I’m off to pack right now. I owe you a free massage once we find him.”
“Don’t think about massaging, me, cheri. Think about massaging him!”
As Vicki turned around she saw Gizela striding toward her.
“Vicki as soon as you cash out your last customer, I need to talk with you.”
Vicki plastered on a sickly sweet smile and said, “Simone’s at the register. You can talk to me now, Gizela.”
“Fine. I want you to stay onboard when we reach Miami and clean everything thoroughly.”
“Mmm… I don’t think so, Gizela. I’m going to my cabin to pack now, and when we dock in Miami, I’ll be leaving and not coming back.”
“What?” Gizela glared at her. “What kind of stupid nonsense is this?”
“It’s not as stupid as the nonsense you pulled yesterday.” Vicki took a couple of steps toward the exit before Gizela found her voice.
“You can’t just leave.”
“Sure I can. Watch me.” Vicki continued walking. Gizela caught up to her at the door and blocked her path.
“You can’t leave until you’ve taken care of your last customer. We’re only open for another hour, but you have two more passengers booked. If you quit now, your fellow crew members are going to have to work even harder to pick up your slack.”
Simone faced Gizela squarely and stuck her hands on her hips. “No more blackmail Gizela. You have the ability to pitch in and help, you know. For once, get your hands dirty.”
“How dare you talk to me like that, Simone. For your insubordination, you’ll have to take care of all of Vicki’s customers. Then you can stay on board and clean after that.”
Sensation of the Seas Page 15