Yesterday to Tomorrow

By Sheryl Fawcett

Living alone after decades of marriage, friends Carrie, Glenda, and Suzanne decide to celebrate Christmas by taking a three week cruise of the Pacific. The trip is meant to be about laughter, strawberry daiquiris, and above all, forgetting. But lies, confrontations, and romantic entanglements pose unexpected threats.

When Carrie befriends a widower in desperate need of companionship, he could take her down to the depths of despair. A dyslexic teenager just might unlock new purpose in Glenda's future---if her association with him doesn't destroy her reputation first. And Suzanne is startled by the strong physical attraction she feels for a handsome stranger, but will she lose everything by giving in to her passion?

Throw in a dose of international intrigue and a dash of theft, and top it off with a Tahitian full moon. Will all three be on the flight home?

This is the second book of the series, "The Women of Lakeshore Drive." Each book stands alone as a complete story while the series follows the lives of three baby boomers over a progression of time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sheryl Fawcett
• Release date: Nov 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310289767

Sheryl Fawcett

Sheryl Fawcett grew up primarily in Knoxville, Iowa, and attended Grinnell College. She married her high school sweetheart, Rich, and today they live in Omaha, Nebraska. They raised two daughters who blessed them with four granddaughters. Sheryl grew up with a sister and no brothers. With so many females in her life, is it any surprise she creates complicated female characters that intrigue both women and men readers. Her career path has ranged from owning and operating a dance school to selling residential real estate. Now she devotes her time to writing novels and short stories. Her personal motto: I intend to die young at a VERY advanced age!

Book preview

YESTERDAY

TO

TOMORROW

(The Women of Lakeshore Drive: Book 2)

By Sheryl Fawcett

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Yesterday to Tomorrow

By Sheryl Fawcett

Copyright 2013 Sheryl Fawcett

Smashwords Edition

Cover by LFD Designs for Authors

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to provide this book to another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of all authors.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

December 16 Embarkation

December 17 At Sea

December 18 At Sea

December 19 At Sea

December 20 At Sea

December 21 At Sea

December 22 Kauai

December 23 Maui

December 24 Honolulu

December 25 Kailua

December 26 At Sea

December 27 At Sea

December 28 Christmas Island

December 29 At Sea

December 30 At Sea

December 31-January 1 Bora Bora

January 2 Ra'iatea

January 3 Mo'orea

January 4 Huahine

January 5-6 Papeete

January 10 Faa'a Airport

About the Author

Other Books by Sheryl Fawcett

Reading Group Guide

Prologue

Running away from home, make-up totes instead of teddy bears tucked into their bags...

Not sure what they're seeking, only knowing what they're avoiding...

Striving to be happy again, fully aware painful memories lurk in waiting...

Carrie Andrews, Glenda Miller, and Suzanne Henderson first met because of geography, and mutual interests led to friendship. Each faced her own kind of loss. A tight bond formed as they found strength in one another. From loneliness and despair they were determined to move forward, seeking a good life...a full life...as life is meant to be.

December 16

Embarkation

The flagship of the line awaited her passengers at the Los Angeles pier. Early boarding of suite holders was underway. No one could foresee the strange series of events that would occur.

Bill and Alice Campbell and their son, Jason, were in the first group to come aboard. Mr. Campbell stowed his credit card in his wallet while the woman at the counter gave Mrs. Campbell their electronic key cards. She handed a folder of cruise literature to Jason.

If you're like most teenagers on cruises, you'll read through this and be the ship expert for your family. I know the first thing you'll check out is the swimming pool on Deck 9. You can get pizza on the same deck. It's all in the folder.

She gave him a warm smile, silently hoping he wouldn't be bored. Long cruises were not geared to children, especially one with the first five and a half days at sea. He returned the smile, but didn't even glance at the folder he was now holding. He memorized the lay-out of the reception hall while he listened to the woman's instructions to his parents.

As the porter escorted them to Deck 8, he asked an endless stream of questions. 8025 was one of the penthouse suites. 8027, his connecting stateroom. Upon entering he placed his laptop computer on the desk and plugged it in to recharge its depleted battery.

Back on Deck 4, a sweet elderly couple lingered at the reception desk. Andy and Harriet Brown chatted on and on throughout the check-in process before being taken to their 1000 square feet suite port aft on Deck 8. Both were surprisingly nimble for their age.

An hour later, concierge level passengers were allowed to join the boarding process. Glenda, Suzanne, and Carrie were completing registration at the reception desk when Bill Campbell reappeared at check-in and politely excused himself as he pushed to the front of the line.

I am so sorry for interrupting, but I just discovered my fountain pen is missing. It's a blue and silver Mont Blanc. I used it to sign my credit card slip earlier, and now it's missing. I must have left it here. Do you, by any chance, have it?

No, sir, I'm sorry. I haven't seen it. Are you certain this is where you left it?

Distress sounded in his voice, I think so. I'm so careful to always put it back inside its gray felt sleeve and return it to my inside coat pocket. Now it isn't there.

Perhaps one of the other passengers picked it up by mistake. If so, I'm sure they will return it. She raised her hand to beckon another staff member. Sir, this is one of our security officers. He will help you with a lost and found form.

The three women turned toward the elevator and heard someone behind them asking, Did you find a white glove with a pearl button at the wrist?

All right, ladies, be sure you have everything, Glenda warned. This seems to be the day for losing things.

The porter led them to the elevator and entered after them. The doors started to close and slid open again. A little old couple with no hand luggage stepped in and stayed facing the rear of the car. The lady immediately started talking to them.

We had to come back down from our suite to retrieve one of my gloves. She dangled it over her head. I left it on the counter. Suzanne had to smile. Her mother would have worn white gloves if she were embarking on a cruise. The lady kept talking, I'm Harriet and this is Andy. We live in Palm Springs. What about you?

West Des Moines, Iowa. All three of us.

We lived in the Midwest, Kansas City, before moving to Palm Springs. The warm, dry air is just what the doctor ordered. Kansas City isn't terribly far from you. She reached out with her free hand and touched the scarf around Carrie's neck. What a pretty scarf. It's perfect with your lavender blouse.

Thank you, it's one of my favorites.

Andy took hold of her hand and Harriet beamed up at him. Suzanne smiled again. Such a cute couple, holding hands like teenagers. She guessed they were in their mid-80s. Harriet was barely five feet tall with perfectly coifed silver-blue hair. Andy was only a few inches taller, mostly bald with a light fringe of white hair.

The doors opened on deck 7 and Suzanne stepped forward. Oh, you're getting off? We haven't had time to chat.

I'm sure we'll see you later, Carrie said.

Yes, of course. Well, bye-bye for now. She called after them, Don't forget, we're Harriet and Andy. Carrie turned slightly and waved at them as the elevator doors closed.

The reception hall on Deck 4 filled as regular boarding commenced. Among the travelers were two sisters from Vancouver, Sharon Carson and Sally Peters, lightheartedly going with the ebb and flow, and a stern-looking retired couple from Silver Springs, Maryland, Tom and Donna Sandburg.

Joe Murphy stood back in the crowd. He was traveling alone. He surveyed the happy couples and groups around him. It seemed to him he was the only one without a companion. Intellectually, he knew better, but in the midst of the crowd of upbeat people, he felt very alone.

~~~

On Deck 7 Carrie, Suzanne and Glenda deposited hand luggage and jackets in their closets.

Why don't we go explore the ship so we can get our bearings. Brochure pictures don't do it for me.

Excellent idea. We can unpack later. Let's start on Deck 9. I plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, Suzanne said.

The entire center section of Deck 9 was open-air. The swimming pool was flanked by raised Jacuzzi whirlpools. A teenage boy, whistling a tune, came down the steps from one of them right as they walked by.

Hi! said Carrie. Nodding upward she asked, How is it?

Looks nice, but not quite warm enough for my tastes. I didn't see a thermometer, but I'm guessing thirty-eight degrees at most. I'd prefer thirty-nine or forty. Maybe they'll warm it up a bit after we sail, but I suppose they have to keep it lower because of so many old people on board. Heart problems, diabetes, you know.

Carrie was puzzled for a moment. Then, Oh, centigrade temperature. So, that would be... She paused, doing some quick math in her head.

The boy interceded, Under 100 right now. I like around 104.

Right. Me, too.

Still, on a cool day like this, I'd rather be up there in warm water than in the pool. The average temperature in Los Angeles in December is just sixty-eight degrees. Fahrenheit, of course. Not even that warm today; it's in the low 60s like it's been all week. We spent the last three days at the Getty Center. Amazing place. The architecture alone is worth seeing. Other than the garden and grounds tour we were inside most of the time. We also spent a day at the Getty Villa. That's where you can see most of the Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities in the collection. I have loads of recorded notes.

Carrie nodded. He didn't stop talking. I should introduce myself. I'm Jason Campbell. Did you know this ship was built back in 1998, the same year I was born? Refurbished just this year. At a gross tonnage of 30,277 she carries a staff of 400 and only 684 passengers. The mega-ships today carry over 5000. Smaller is kind of nice though. No skating rinks or rock climbing walls, but you have a chance to meet people. We'll get a chance to talk again. He glanced up, Maybe I'll see you in the whirlpool. He trotted off in the opposite direction.

I'm sure he's thrilled at the thought of sharing the whirlpool with women old enough to be his grandmother, remarked Glenda.

Speak for yourself. I'm not that old, Suzanne argued. Glenda and Carrie both raised their eyebrows at her. No further words were needed.

Glenda pointed toward several tables under blue umbrellas at the Waves Bar and Grill. I could use a drink.

Carrie wrapped her arms around herself. The Horizon Bar up one more deck should have a terrific view, and it's indoors. I'm wishing I hadn't left my jacket in the room. Let's go up there instead.

They were soon seated by inward sloping windows overlooking the ship's bow, yet off to the starboard side where they could watch the action on the pier. Carrie and Suzanne had ordered hot tea since they were somewhat chilled when they came in; Glenda, a dirty martini. Noting four deck hands down below checking turnstiles holding the lines, Carrie said, There's four of the 400.

Glenda chuckled, That kid was a walking, talking encyclopedia. He must be missing quite a bit of school, even with the holiday break. Twenty-two days on a cruise plus flight time back from Tahiti, and he said they've already spent four days at art museums. That's almost a month.

Suzanne said, From our brief conversation, or should I say his monologue, I think he could be the teacher.

Two women sauntered in and sat at an adjacent table. Once again, introductions were exchanged. Sharon and Sally were the two sisters from Vancouver. They traveled together often, most recently to Europe.

What about you? Sharon inquired.

Carrie swept her arm around the table, We're vacationing together for the first time.

Are your husbands with you?

No husbands, Glenda interjected. Only the three of us. The three of us and our electrons, that is. Suzanne and Carrie burst out laughing.

Sharon looked at her sister and back at Glenda, I'm confused. Did I miss something?

Carrie shook her head and forced herself to quit laughing. No, you didn't miss anything. It's sort of a private joke.

Confirmed by fortune cookies, Suzanne added, and they started laughing all over again.

Sally said, This sounds too good not to hear.

Oh, it's a long story. Maybe we'll tell you about it some other time.

Amused silence from all three made it clear the story was not going to be told today, but Sharon logged a mental note to pursue it at a later date.

Glenda pushed her chair back. If we're going to finish our general tour, we'd best keep moving. It won't be long until sailing time.

Suzanne and Carrie agreed. They said their goodbyes and headed for the elevators.

Sally said to Sharon, You might uncover some interesting stories in those three. They seem to be good friends, but have never traveled together before. In my quick assessment, that's not because this is a once in a lifetime trip for any of them. I'm guessing they have plenty of money.

Yes, expensive clothes, although not designer wear. Nice jewelry, but not ostentatious. Comfortable with themselves, even in new surroundings. Three distinct personalities. No husbands with them on a lengthy cruise. Yes, I agree. There must be at least one good story there.

If there is, I'm sure you'll find it. What was that odd statement about electrons they found so hilarious? It was the one without the wedding ring that said it.

Your powers of observation are improving, dear sister.

Your devious mind is rubbing off on me. Besides, I think I could actually enjoy their company.

Are you saying I sometimes force you to befriend people you don't enjoy? You couldn't possibly be referring to that weird cowboy fellow we met in Wyoming or the mousy couple in Las Vegas, could you?

Oh, yes, and I could add to that list. They left the bar, arm in arm, on the way to their inside cabin on Deck 4 to unpack and settle in.

On Deck 5, Suzanne, Carrie and Glenda moved forward for a look at the entertainment lounge before strolling through the small casino and into Martini's bar. Suzanne approached the grand piano in the corner and slid her fingers across the keyboard in a rising crescendo of strings. She allowed her right hand to play four bars of the melody of Anchors Aweigh. Carrie and Glenda giggled. The keyboard slide had caught the attention of several other passengers who looked over and smiled as they recognized the Navy anthem.

They window-shopped the Boutique, vowing to check it out more thoroughly tomorrow. Proceeding past another staircase and pair of elevators, they ended up aft for a peek into the Grand Dining Room.

Suzanne said, You know, I understand the attraction of the intimate dinner venues on ships nowadays, but there's still something about the grandeur of the big formal dining room. The high ceilings, crystal fixtures, expansive windows looking out to sea, rows of white linen covered tables set with all their finery...puts your imagination on a movie set. It's reminiscent of that scene in Titanic where Leonardo DiCaprio joins Kate Winslet and her family for dinner.

Well, let's hope that's the only thing that reminds you of the Titanic on this trip, retorted Glenda. Unlike her two friends, this was her first experience on a cruise ship. Carrie flipped a dismissive hand at her.

At that exact moment the PA system announced instructions for the required life boat drill. Suzanne and Carrie found the timing a hoot. Glenda didn't see anything funny about it. Somewhere between that November afternoon when they made the snap decision to book the cruise and the reality of being on the ship, Glenda had become concerned about floating on a one acre island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with no land in sight.

Life boat drills are routine. They have to do them. They usually are shortly after sailing or even the next morning, but now some lines do them before leaving dock, Carrie explained.

Suzanne grabbed her hand and led her away from the solid structure of the dining room doorway. Come on, let's get our jackets and the life vests and go find our station.

They returned to #7030 and #7032 just around the corner from the elevators. Their late booking had left a limited choice of accommodations. At first it appeared they would have to be scattered around the ship, but they were finally able to get two connecting staterooms on the concierge level, although right by the noise of the elevators. Getting a third would have required one of them to take an interior room on another deck. The obvious solution was these two connecting rooms, which they would use as one, for the twenty-one nights on board.

So, after drawing straws, Carrie had a bed and bath to herself the first seven days, Glenda the second week, and Suzanne the final week. It was going to be a lot of togetherness for three women accustomed to living alone. Two of them were used to living alone, that is. After only three months of widowhood Carrie was definitely not used to it.

Upon entering the staterooms they saw their baggage had been delivered, but there wasn't time to unpack right now. All they did was roll the bags into the right rooms and open them up to await their return.

They chose stairs over busy elevators for descending down one deck to the life boat stations. Suzanne and Carrie stood with their life vests dangling from one arm. Glenda had immediately strapped hers on and was examining the tethered light and whistle.

Whatever you do, don't pull those yellow tabs, Carrie warned. You'll inflate to the size of the Pillsbury Dough Boy.

Suzanne stepped in front of Carrie to make room for the growing crowd of passengers. Standing sideways, she noticed a tall man at the next station staring at her. She briefly met his eyes before Glenda asked, Aren't you two going to put on your life vests?

Suzanne turned her attention to her, Yes, Glenda. They'll tell us to put them on soon. The PA system emitted that command a second later. With a smug face, Glenda said, See, I told you we were supposed to wear them.

Carrie and Suzanne noted their assigned life boat and launching procedures, while Glenda listened to every single word with rapt attention. The drill concluded in about fifteen minutes with an invitation for a sailing celebration outdoors on Deck 9. They went inside, up one level, and deposited the life vests back in the staterooms before climbing two flights of stairs to the pool area.

They were quick enough to latch onto the end table by the railing in front of Waves Grill, positioned on the starboard side where they could watch the ship shove off from shore. Waiters scurried about making certain everyone had a beverage for the traditional bon voyage toasts.

Within a half hour, the horn sounded long and loud as the ship slowly drifted away from the pier. Submerged swirls of white water disguised the immense power of side thrusters. Here and there a couple kissed. A few on deck cheered as rolls of tightly wound paper ribbons were tossed toward land. Glenda was rapid firing the shutter on her camera as the many colored streamers unfurled in the breeze.

Carrie saw a man standing alone at the rail behind Suzanne. She followed his sad gaze and saw a couple about her own age kiss and then stand arm in arm with their eyes locked on one other. A lump formed in her throat as she imagined herself sharing such a moment with Jack. She blinked and swallowed hard. Jack was gone, buried in frozen ground beneath the branches of a sugar maple tree in Iowa. She would never feel his loving arms around her again. She pulled her attention back to the man by the rail and saw him shake his head almost imperceptibly before diverting his gaze to the receding pier.

She rose and walked over to him. Won't you join us? We have an extra chair.

Oh, no, I don't want to intrude. I just came up here to watch us cast off.

You wouldn't be intruding at all. We'd enjoy the company. I think the only reason we still have an extra chair is because everyone assumed we had a fourth. So, come be our fourth for a few minutes.

He hesitated, started to decline, and finally nodded wary assent.

She smiled warmly, I'm Carrie, by the way.

Hello, Carrie. I'm Joe.

She motioned toward the two empty chairs at the table. She introduced him to Suzanne and Glenda as they sat down. The four exchanged pleasantries and were engaged in small talk when the waiter came by again. Suzanne and Carrie ordered more hot tea, and Glenda did, too, this time. Joe opted for decaf coffee, with cream and sugar, and the waiter disappeared. Glenda asked him if he had ever been to Tahiti.

No, we've taken cruises down the Mexican coast, and as far as South America. And last year to Alaska, he added.

Are you sailing alone?

Carrie cringed. Neither of the others had seen his sadness a few minutes earlier. If they had, they would know the answer.

Yes, I am. My wife died not long after our Alaska trip. I don't know why I let my daughter-in-law talk me into another cruise, but here I am. I guess she thought it would be good for me.

They each expressed their condolences. Thank you, he said, but it's been over a year now. An awkward silence before he redirected the conversation, So, what about the three of you? What brings you on a cruise to Tahiti?

That's easy, Glenda replied. We're running away. Surprise widened his eyes. No one's chasing us. That's not what I meant by 'running away.' You see, our recent yesterdays were tough on us, too, in one way or another. We are tired of simply muddling through all the today's, so we're on our way to find tomorrow. We're working at learning how to live our lives all over again.

Suzanne was taken aback by Glenda's forthrightness. The three of them had only recently come to grips with that concept themselves, and here she was sharing it with a complete stranger.

That's what my son thinks I should do, move on, find my tomorrow as you put it, or something along those lines. I think I'm more comfortable with yesterday. I understand yesterday. Another awkward silence before he continued in a lighter tone. I hate to tell you this, ladies, but you forgot to study the globe against the cruise itinerary. You're not going far enough. This cruise ends short of the International Date Line. Tomorrow sits on the other side.

Now Suzanne joined in, There would be a time-line problem if we did cross it. To go home, we'd have to cross back eastbound, and it would then become yesterday.

Carrie said, No, you don't reverse direction. You just keep traveling west, all the way around the world.

Do we have that much time?

We could make that much time.

Did we bring that much money? All three laughed. What do you think, Joe? Should we travel around the world?

I think you'd end up at home not knowing what day it was. Personally, I don't think I ever want to go back home. In fact, I don't really have a home anymore. He stood up and smiled down at them, Thank you, ladies, for the chair and the good company. I think I'll rest a bit before dinner.

When he was out of earshot, Suzanne lamented, There goes a sad and lonely man.

You should have seen him before I invited him to join us, Carrie said. He was looking so dejected I thought he might jump overboard and swim back to shore, or let himself sink to the bottom."

That's scary, especially after his comment about not having a home anymore. Suzanne shivered at the thought, which evoked her own memory of not having a home. Breaking the somber mood she announced, I'm going down to start unpacking. Dinner time will be here before we know it. Glenda and Carrie agreed and joined her.

Back in their staterooms they surveyed the closet situation. Suzanne said, I have an idea. Carrie, you put your clothes in this closet. Glenda and I will share the other one except we'll hang our evening wear in yours.

That should make everything fit, Glenda agreed.

Are we going to switch things around every week? asked Carrie.

That sounds like too much work to me. We're all going to see each other run around in our underwear anyway. I don't see a problem with walking back and forth between closets. Do you want to do a switch?

No, except the bathrooms. We are going to have to move our cosmetics and hair paraphernalia.

That's not overwhelming. And we did agree we'd each have a week of a bathroom and bedroom to ourselves, Carrie added.

Settled. Let's unpack.

Wait! Glenda interrupted. First things first. She pulled the welcoming bottle of chilled champagne from the ice bucket. We have two of these, one for each stateroom. We'll toast to the start of our adventure now and save the other one for later. She expertly popped the cork while Carrie fetched a third glass from the other room. She poured the bubbly into the stemware and held hers aloft, To us, dear friends.

Carrie and Suzanne chimed in, Hear, hear! They clinked glasses and all took a drink.

And one more toast, this time to those elusive electrons. They all laughed, drained the glasses and divided the remaining bubbly into them.

Carrie said, At this rate, we'll drink both bottles and still have full suitcases. We can work on this glassful while we unpack. Taking little sips over the next half hour, they organized themselves with speed and efficiency before dinner.

~~~

Entering the Grand Dining Room, they spotted Sally and Sharon waving at them from a table for six beneath the domed center. With a glance at one another Glenda said, Why not? They seem like a fun pair. We don't have to eat with them every night.

After studying the menu Suzanne said, It's good to see some lighter selections. Something tells me I'll carry home a few extra pounds as a souvenir.

It would never show on that long lean body of yours. Me, I'm short and plump. I keep getting rounder and rounder. Sharon's blue eyes were twinkling from her round face. Suzanne hadn't noticed before that she was plump. When you looked at Sharon, all you saw were her infectious smile and baby blues.

I decided a long time ago food was meant to be enjoyed. So, I eat whatever I want, especially dessert. When I get too round for my clothes, and that happens about every couple months or so, I do a week of all liquid, high-protein. Glenda wrinkled her nose. It's not bad. They taste sweet like a milkshake. I feel so noble and self-righteous doing it.

Hey, whatever works for you, Glenda said. Dessert is my weakness, too, but I don't think I could do that liquid protein stuff. I'm thinking more along the lines of wine and cocktails for my liquid diet. Carrie scowled. Just kidding, Carrie. That's ancient history.

Carrie scanned the dining room, as she had shortly after sitting down.

Are you looking for someone? Sally asked.

Not really. We met a gentleman who is traveling alone and I thought we might ask him to join us since we have an empty place. I haven't seen him though.

Ah, a romantic spark already?

No, Sally. Romance is the furthest thing from my mind. I don't want him eating alone on the first night out, that's all.

These greens are fresh and crisp, Sharon commented on her first forkful of salad.

Her sister said, Well, they ought to be. The food was stocked only a few hours ago.

I know, but sometimes they're plated too far ahead with this many people.

I grew up on fresh vegetables straight from an Iowa garden all summer long, Carrie reminisced. Then I lived in California for five years in my teens where 'in season' was most of the year. Nowadays, with so much produce flown in, fresh choices are available year around even in Iowa.

I love our outdoor fresh market on Granville Island...fruits, veggies, flowers, you name it. And, talk about fresh, we have fish markets along the waterfront where you buy right off the boats.

The bus boy cleared dishes and their entrees arrived. Sharon asked Carrie, You said you lived in California for a while. How did you end up in Iowa?

College. We moved to California from Iowa when I was in eighth grade, and I wanted to go back home.

University of Iowa? Were you a Hawkeye?

No, Grinnell College, a private liberal arts school in the small town of Grinnell.

Did the rest of your family ever move back?

My parents stayed in L.A. They were both killed in a car-truck crash a few years after Jack and I were married. When that happened, my brother moved in with Jack and me.

Where is he now?

Who? My brother or my husband? My brother has a family and lives in Des Moines. She swallowed hard and lifted her chin. My husband died unexpectedly three months ago. Her voice cracked by the time she got to 'three months ago.'

I'm sorry. I had no idea. It was an insensitive question.

Not at all. You couldn't have known. Her voice cracked again.

Suzanne swung the conversation around to the sisters, What about you two? You said you live in Vancouver. What kind of work do you do there?

Sharon answered first, I worked as a legal assistant for a number of years when I lived in Victoria. Then I worked in the office of B.C.'s attorney general for a while. I still do legal research part-time. Sally is the one who's had an interesting career path.

Oh, I think eclectic may be a better word than interesting. I was a lifeguard in high school and tour guide at Butchart Gardens while at the University of British Columbia. I taught first grade for a year after college. One day a little boy bit off the eraser from a pencil and choked on it. My old lifeguard training kicked in and I was able to save him.

Wow! That must have been a frightening, yet exhilarating, experience.

It was, and it sparked a new career path. My next job was an EMT with a local fire department. That lasted about five years.

What made you move on?

I met a handsome police detective, married him, and started a very rewarding career as wife and mother. I raised two sons.

Yes, I would have to agree with both your sister and you. You've had an interesting, and eclectic, career.

A modest smile appeared on Sally's face

Is your husband still with the police force?

He was shot and killed in the line of duty when our sons were quite young.

Carrie reached out a squeezed her hand in empathy. That had to be tough.

It was. Thank God the boys kept me busy. There's a part of me that still misses him. Always will, just like I'm sure you'll always miss your husband. Carrie's eyes were misty.

Did you go back to teaching school after the boys were grown? Glenda asked to lighten the mood.

For a few years. Now I travel with my sister and enjoy life. When I'm home, I volunteer for various charities and belong to a couple social clubs.

Dessert was served and, true to her word, Sharon indulged in strawberry shortcake piled high with whipped cream.

As they readied to leave the table, Sharon said, Now you know our life stories. Next time you'll have to tell us about yourselves. And I'm dying to hear about those electrons.

Leaving the dining room Carrie heard her name and saw Sally scurrying after her. You left your sweater.

Oh, thank you. I forgot I had it with me.

The three friends strolled away, politely putting an end to the evening with the sisters from Vancouver. They had enjoyed sharing tea with them earlier in the day and dinner conversation tonight, but there were over six hundred other passengers on board.

They noticed Sally and Sharon entering the casino and rightly suspected they would occupy themselves with slot machines for a while. Glenda suggested a stop in Martini's. Looking around for an empty table they were met by Harriet's beckoning eyes. She and Andy were seated on a love seat by a low table surrounded by five empty chairs. Clearly they wanted company.

Carrie said, We did promise her we'd talk later. They're so cute. Let's find out all about them. They joined the older couple and ordered creme de menthe cordials.

Harriet immediately recalled from their short elevator ride together that they lived in Des Moines. She informed them she didn't miss the snow and ice of Kansas City and much preferred the green fairways bordering their villa in Palm Springs. A simple response from Suzanne about playing golf in the summer launched her into a sales pitch for the Palm Springs climate, telling them they could play golf there almost every day year around.

Harriet, Andy interjected, you don't work for the Chamber of Commerce.

I know, Andy, but they would love the warm weather. Right now they're on a winter cruise to a tropical Pacific island, so you know they don't like being cold.

It was Andy's turn to talk. We've been to Hawaii a number of times, never to any of the French Polynesian islands. We decided a cruise offered a comfortable way to do that. We love exploring the world, but the rigors of travel tire us more than they once did.

Yes, Harriet chimed in, we're not as young as we used to be. We celebrated our 65th anniversary last month. Would you believe I'm eighty-five and Andy is eighty-four? He married a older woman, you know. Her tinkling laughter brought smiles to the faces around them.

Andy continued, Polynesia was the attraction for us. How did you three choose this particular cruise?

Suzanne answered before Glenda could repeat her 'running away' line. There was no way Harriet would have let that rest. We wanted to travel over the Christmas and New Year's holidays. However, we didn't decide to do it until November and there weren't a lot of options. This cruise was a good match and still had a few vacant cabins. We took what was available and here we are.

Andy looked deflated. You mean Pacific islands don't hold any allure for you?

Yes, they do. I said the cruise was a good match. Like you, we've been to Hawaii and not the other islands.

Did you go to Hawaii together?

No, we each went to Hawaii with our husbands. This is our first trip as a threesome.

Harriet's curiosity was piqued. Your husbands aren't with you?

No, it's just the three of us, Glenda said without further explanation.

Not enough for Harriet. What did you do with them. I can't imagine spending the holidays apart from Andy.

Andy admonished her, Harriet, you're getting way too personal. They told you. It's the three of them traveling together.

You must not be married. Harriet wasn't going to be satisfied without more information.

Suzanne decided it was time to wrap up this subject and move on. Glenda is divorced, Carrie is widowed, and I'm separated. She had learned that was the easiest way to explain her marital status. Now tell us more about Palm Springs.

That worked. Harriet extolled on the virtues of Palm Springs for the next ten minutes until the piano player started playing soft cocktail music.

After a few requests, he was playing old Broadway tunes. One couple asked for Almost Like Being In Love from Brigadoon, and then another for Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific. He pounded out New York, New York and several passengers