The deck was wet from the morning swimmer. I finished my drink and ordered two more, for you and the captain. I knew I shouldn't be drinking that early in the day, I had promised you, but I just couldn't watch the good wine turn to waste in those Russian's stomach.
On my left, your favorite cocktail, on my right, the captain's water. I tilted my sailor hat at the bartender and gave her a tip. She carried a smile with a mild dimple like you, very lovely.
I got up from my seat and straightened my back, but the world turned dark on me. I closed my eyes and tasted salt, but not the fruity flavors from the wine. Ah, I had been leaning on the marble bar table for coolness, and now my bone's stiff. I should blame myself for not putting down that book last night when you begged me to. How did I not understand your concern about me?
The polished wooden floor felt warm under my bare feet. I trod lightly on the wet surface, and walked briskly on the dry, alternating my pace. You are just the pool's width away, and I did not look at you but at the bodies of the swimmers. Among them were children of different ages, their skins still burning red from yesterday's sun. Floating in the pool, treading water beside them, were their parents, mostly womanly, or rather, motherly figures that had scored a balance between healthy and attractive. My eyes were on those, even though my mind was on you.
For whatever stupidity that was still haunting me from the shore, just as I was closing in, I almost flipped backward as I stepped on a toy, a yellow, plastic duck on the floor. I flapped my hands and regained balance, but the drinks took a beating. I could only tell that no one was watching, or even realize where the contents of my glasses had went. A small amount of colored liquid into a pool of water, no problem.
You smiled when you saw me. You introduced me to the captain and we shook hands. You told him to stay when he politely excused himself. I intervened and told you that the captain had works to do, and your lips were angry. The captain stepped forward and hugged you and kissed you on the hand and say his goodbye and went away. You didn't say goodbye. You were looking everywhere, including the back of the captain, but me.
I held your hand, and we went to the bow to reenact the scene of the Titanic.
No comments:
Post a Comment