Caribbean Cruising Read online

  I was ready to open the door into womanhood. The last item on the list would help me achieve that—even though I knew that it would be the most difficult to accomplish. And I also realized that it could prove the most disappointing if I wasn’t careful.

  So although I was in a hurry, I wasn’t in a rush.

  I wasn’t looking for someone to hook up with for all time. I wanted someone who would create fireworks the last night of the cruise, someone who would make this vacation one I would never forget. I didn’t want to look back on this summer with regret or with a sense that I’d missed opportunities because I’d been hesitant to reach for what I wanted.

  And I so wanted to no longer be a virgin. It was a rite of passage that was hanging over me, and I wanted it over and done with before I started college.

  I spotted Mom and Walter standing outside one of the salons. Mom looked incredibly happy. She’d found her soul mate, her second love. My dad had been her first. But he’d been part of her life so long ago that I didn’t at all resent that she was getting married again. I was truly glad for her.

  Our eyes were the same shade of green, our hair the same light blond. Strawberry blond, Mom always said, because when the sun hit it just right a hint of red glimmered along the strands. Mom’s hair was cropped short and curled around her face. I wore mine straight, past my shoulders. It had a lot of body, but very little curl.

  When first meeting us people usually thought that Mom was my older sister. She was very young when she married my dad. She had me a year later. It was kinda cool having such a hip Mom.

  Walter was a bit older and very distinguished looking—dark hair with silvery wisps at his temples. Gray eyes. Every time I saw him, he was wearing a jacket or a blazer, like he always expected to meet someone important. Or maybe it was simply that he was important.

  “Hey, kiddo,” Walter said as I neared.

  He was always calling me kiddo. At first I thought it was because he never could remember my name. But then I came to realize that it was his way of showing affection.

  “Hey,” I said. And it occurred to me that he might want me to start calling him Dad after tonight. I wasn’t certain I’d feel comfortable doing that. I liked Walter, but I didn’t really see him as my dad. I saw him as Mom’s husband.

  “Is your cabin satisfactory?” he asked.

  I knew Walter wasn’t asking simply to make small talk. If I wasn’t happy, he’d do something about it. I couldn’t imagine having as much influence as Walter did.

  I nodded. “It’s perfect. Thanks.”

  “Do you have any questions about the cruise, getting around, what to expect?” he asked.

  “No, sir. I think I’m cool with everything. I studied all the brochures you gave Mom, so I know what I want to do.” I wasn’t going to tell Walter or Mom that I also wanted to do some things that weren’t in the brochures.

  “She’s probably already created a checklist of everything she plans to do,” Mom said with a loving smile. “Lindsay is a great believer in lists.”

  I was also a great believer in not sharing every list with my Mom. I loved her to death, but it’s a fact of life that there are some things parents are better off not knowing. I figured she’d freak if she knew that I planned to have my own version of a honeymoon during this cruise.

  “All righty, then, I’m going to leave you ladies to make yourselves more beautiful.” Walter leaned over and kissed Mom on the cheek.

  “Although I don’t see how that’s a possibility.”

  I fought not to roll my eyes. As sweet as he was, sometimes Walter got a little corny, although I’m sure Mom saw him as being romantic. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t mind having a guy tell me that I was beautiful.

  “Have fun,” Walter said.

  “We will,” Mom assured him.

  As soon as Walter had disappeared amidst the throng of people, Mom hooked her arm through mine and marched me down the hall, like we were rejects from The Wizard of Oz.

  “Are you sure your cabin’s all right?” Mom asked.

  “It’s terrific, Mom.”

  “Are you going to be okay staying by yourself?”

  “A little late to worry about that, isn’t it?” I teased.

  She laughed. “A mom always worries. I’m just sorry that Julie can’t stay past tonight.”

  “Yeah, she’s totally bummed now that she’s had a chance to see a little of the ship. But I’ll make friends. I’ll be fine.”

  “Walter and I have a two-bedroom suite. You could stay in the other bedroom—”

  “No way!” I cut her off. The last place I wanted to be was where Mom and good old Walter could keep an eye on me. As soon as my obligations regarding the wedding were over, I planned to hit my to do list with determination until every item on it was checked off.

  “I love my cabin,” I assured her. “I’ve been on my own forever. I love it.”

  “I know, but this is a little different. You’ll be going places you haven’t gone to before—”

  “I’ll find someone to hang around with. A lot of the activities are planned. I can hang out with a cruise director if nothing else.”

  “You’re right. I need to get used to the fact that you’re almost a young woman,” she said wistfully.

  And before this cruise was over I planned to cross the threshold into complete womanhood.

  I followed Mom into the salon. It was way upscale. Nothing like the Cut ’n’ Curl where I usually got my hair done.

  We planned for this time to be our last afternoon together as mother and daughter before Walter came into our lives on a permanent basis.

  Mom and I had a wonderful afternoon of bonding. While we had our facial, manicure, and pedicure, we talked about old times and how our lives were about to change.

  Mom, being typical Mom, wanted to reassure me that our relationship would never change.

  But I knew it would. It was changing now, before our very eyes, as our makeup was applied by professionals and our hair was moussed and spritzed and twisted and curled.

  The changes weren’t so much brought about by Mom getting married as they were by me getting out on my own. No curfew. No having to account for my whereabouts.

  Mom might believe that things wouldn’t change.

  But I knew differently.

  I knew that they’ve already begun.

  CHAPTER 3

  After my French manicure dried, I gave Mom a quick kiss on the cheek and promised to meet her on the top deck a little before eight. Then I returned to my cabin where Julie was sitting on the balcony.

  “How was the pool?” I asked.

  “Awesome.” She glanced over her shoulder, and her eyes widened. “Wow! You look more beautiful than you did prom night.”

  We’d both done the glamour thing for prom night. As a matter of fact we’d done so many things together that Mom was always teasing that we were like Siamese twins joined at the hip. That made going on this cruise without Julie seem like it had the potential of being a lonesome idea.

  I mean, I’d taken vacations before—a few where Julie hadn’t come along. But I’d always been with Mom. This would be my first one where I would be completely and totally on my own.

  “Is your mom nervous?” Julie asked.

  I sat on a deck chair. “A little I think.”

  I wanted to remain patient, not rush through one of the most important evenings of my mom’s life. But I was also ready to begin my best summer ever, my best vacation ever, and I couldn’t do that until after the ceremony.

  Midnight was the witching hour. My obligations to Mom and Walter would be over, and I would truly be on my own, with my list in hand.

  In the distance the sun was only just beginning to set, painting the sky in oranges, pinks, and lavenders. The water became a rich blue.

  “You are going to have the best time,” Julie said.

  “I’m counting on it.”

  She held up a hand. “Don’t tell Ben, okay? But I met at least