The Unexpected Fantasy

By Beverly Reynolds

Three sisters, Beth, Linda and Sandra, fantasized for years about someday just the three of them would go on a cruise. As young attractive widows, and with empty nests, their fantasy became a reality. However, the first night at sea, something occurred that would change their lives, quite the unexpected fantasy. They met three handsome and charming European men, whom they fondly called their three amigos. Join them on their ninety-two day fantasy voyage, and enjoy the ins and outs of cruising while visiting exotic ports-of-call. Experience their Bon Voyage!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469162133

Beverly Reynolds

Beverly Reynolds lives in Kentucky with her husband. For several years they owned and operated a bed-and-breakfast. They have sailed on many cruises, and enjoyed traveling in Europe. Besides writing, Beverly is an accomplished artist, and has had numerous exhibits of her oil paintings. She has also painted murals in seven states and Washington, DC. She has begun writing the second book about the three sisters and has plans for the third.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

THE ACTUAL THOUGHT OF IT

It was almost time for the three sisters to meet for lunch and cocktails. Where was it this time? Oh yes, they were to meet at that cute little French bistro. That was Beth’s favorite. She could hardly wait to show Linda and Sandra her new hairdo. Of course, she didn’t want to forget to wear that cute new pair of shoes either. Although it was only a short drive to the bistro, the parking was always a big problem in this part of town. For the first time in many months, Beth found a parking space right away. She thought to herself with a smile. "This must be my lucky day!"

When Beth walked through the door, Robert (pronounced the French way, Ro-bear) greeted her with his usual embrace, kissed both her cheeks, and said to her in his heavy French accent, Good afternoon, madam. Your two sisters are waiting for you. Shall I bring you your usual cocktail, gin and tonic with an orange slice?

Thank you, Robert. That would be just lovely, she replied, smiling and on the verge of a blush.

Before Beth even reached the table, Sandra and Linda were already gushing over her new hairdo. Obviously, they were already enjoying their cocktails. Linda chirped happily, Did you have Samuel cut your hair this time? I told you he was much better than Michael with that kind of style!

Then of course, Sandra had to put in her thoughts on the matter, saying, Oh, I like the way Michael does mine. That did it. They were now on a ten-minute dissertation on the latest hairstyles.

Within a matter of minutes, Robert delivered Beth’s gin and tonic. They toasted to a happy afternoon. They perused the menu, even though they had almost memorized it by now. Beth looked at Sandra and Linda and said in a very matter-of-fact tone, I always manage to order the same thing every time we come here. So I think I will order something entirely different today. The other two, in the same matter-of-fact way, said they felt just the same.

Sandra added, You know what? I’m getting a little tired of our same old routine. How about letting Robert choose our lunch for us?

Robert was only two tables away and had heard his name. Within seconds, he was standing beside their table, pencil and order paper in hand. With a wide grin and in his beautiful French accent, he asked, And what would the three sisters like for lunch today?

Linda looked up at him and very demurely said, Well, Robert, today we are going to let you choose for us. Something you feel would go along with our cheerful moods.

Robert put his pencil and paper into his shirt pocket and, without hesitation, bubbled over with, I feel the best lunch for you three sisters would be one that I will prepare myself. Please excuse me while I leave for the kitchen. As he turned, he added with a bow, In the meantime, I will have three more cocktails sent to your table.

Beth and Sandra both looked at Linda. How in the world did you come up with that so quickly? Beth giggled.

Sandra chimed in, What a great idea! I just wonder what he will cook for us. Well, whatever it is will be wonderful!

When their cocktails arrived and while they were waiting for their lunch, Linda had a most unusual and almost far-off look in her eyes. Finally, she said to the other two, I’ve been thinking about something lately. I’ll run this by you and see what you two think about my idea. She took another drink of her gin and tonic, shifted somewhat in her chair, and looked at them both very intently.

Oh, for God’s sake, Linda, Beth blurted out. What the hell is this about? It sounds too exciting for you to be taking this long to tell us what is on your mind!

Have you met another man? Sandra managed to say with a cough.

No, it isn’t another man, you silly thing! Linda said, astonished at the very idea. Actually, it involves all three of us, she continued. Now she was enjoying the fact that she held the other two in total wonderment, waiting on the edges of their seats in anticipation of what she would say next. Look, it has been three years since Adam passed away and longer than that for Alan and Alex. The three of us have so much time on our hands. All the kids are grown and are into their own family lives. She paused again for another sip of her drink and to collect her thoughts. Linda then continued, I think it is time for us to spread our wings and take flight!

Beth and Sandra looked at each, then at Linda. Beth just had to say something. You know… I’ve sort of had the same thing going through my mind lately too!

And with that, Sandra had to put in her thoughts on the subject. You’re right! Everything about our lives has always been so… well, PROPER. We grew up in the proper way. We married our proper husbands. We raised our children properly and kept our houses properly. It is time to do something just for US! Something totally different, but what on earth would that be?

On that note, Robert came with tray in hand, towel on his arm, and a big grin on his face. He put a plate in front of each of the three sisters and started to describe the dish for them. In his most proud French accent, he bowed to each of them and said, "For my favorite customers, the three sisters, I present this lovely entrée, escalopes cauchoises with Calvados."

Politely, Beth asked, Robert, would you please translate for us? I’m afraid my high school French is a little rusty. Besides, I don’t think that’s even on the menu.

But of course. Robert beamed with delight. "It is scallops of veal with sliced mushrooms and apples. The sauce is made with heavy cream and an apple liqueur from France called Calvados. With my compliments, bon appétit." Then with a click of his heels, he turned and left them to their lunch and a most intriguing conversation.

Not knowing whether to eat first or continue the conversation, they decided it would be a sin to let this beautiful meal get cold, also because they didn’t want to be distracted from the food with conversation or be distracted from their conversation with the food. The meal was absolutely delicious. It didn’t take all that long to eat, and they decided on a glass of Calvados instead of a dessert. Soon they returned to their conversation.

Beth sipped the liqueur, looked at Linda, and wondered aloud, Hmmm, and what would something ‘totally different’ be? Well, said Linda, I first began to think about this several weeks ago, when I ran across some photos of the cruise we took ten years ago with Adam, Alan, and Alex. We really enjoyed that cruise, and the more I thought about it, the more it all became a fantasy. Just think of all the crazy fun we could have! Also, a cruise would be something the three of us would feel safe doing together. What do you two think of the idea?

With that, Sandra quickly said enthusiastically, You can count me in! I’m all for it! Beth squealed with joy.

I do think we need to do a little homework on the subject, suggested Linda. After pausing for a few seconds, she added, Why don’t we get together at my house tonight and see what we can come up with about a cruise? Bring your pajamas. It might be a long night!

With that, they got up, hugged each other, and went to the door. On the way out, the three of them hugged Robert; and he, in turn, kissed each of their hand. Thank you so much for that wonderful lunch, Beth said to Robert.

He, in turn, blushed and said to her, It was my greatest pleasure to cook for the three of you. Have a wonderful afternoon, and come back to see me again soon.

CHAPTER 2

WHERE, OH WHERE, SHALL WE GO?

When Sandra returned home, she proceeded to search for cruise information on her computer. She went to all the cruise line Web sites, found more information than she could ever begin to digest, and printed out several decent itineraries of three different cruise lines. She put all the information in a file folder. Oh, this is going to be so exciting, she thought to herself. She found her overnight travel case, packed a few things, and headed off to Linda’s house.

Not so far away, Beth was doing the same thing. She remembered how long it took them to arrange the cruise for the six of them ten years ago. "What in this world are we getting ourselves into?" she thought to herself. Two weeks ago, she had gotten a brochure in the mail from a very upscale cruise line. Now she was glad she had kept it instead of pitching it out with the rest of the junk mail. She put the brochure and a few items in a tote bag and left for Linda’s for the night.

Sandra arrived about a minute before Beth, and both of them parked their cars in the circular drive in front of the house. Beth said laughingly, Can you believe this? A pajama party at our ages! I know, Sandra giggled. And won’t it be fun!

With that, the front door opened; and there was Linda with a bottle of Calvados in her hand, along with three tiny liqueur glasses. I just had to buy a bottle of this on the way home, she said, smiling like the Cheshire cat. I thought it was just delicious, plus we needed something to assist us with a decision as important as this.

They took their bags upstairs to the guestroom, then went back downstairs to the comfortable big open kitchen. The Calvados and little glasses were on the table, along with several brochures Linda had gotten from a friend who had been on a number of cruises. There were pens, paper, and even an atlas on the table. After all, one can never be prepared enough for planning something as exciting as a cruise!

The three of them sat down at the table. Beth and Sandra brought the information they had and scattered them among what was already laid out in something similar to order. But first things first! The Calvados was almost ceremoniously opened and poured into the tiny crystal liqueur glasses. The three of them raised their glasses high, and Linda made a toast, To our fantasy cruise! They were so eager to get started.

It was Linda who spoke first. I’m not sure where to begin, but let’s just go through everything we have in front of us. After looking at all of the brochures and itinerary after itinerary, it was Beth who came up with the suggestion that before any plans could be made, they should decide WHERE they want to go. They looked at each other questioningly, and it was Linda who came up with the first thing that really made much sense. First of all, she said, how much do we think we can afford? And second, how much time do we have?

Well, that’s easy enough, Sandra said. We were left in very good shape financially when our husbands died, bless their souls, she added reverently. Linda thought for a moment and said, My god, we each have all the time in the world. We have no schedules or any real demands on our time! And don’t forget that Mom left each of us a CD in the bank. She always said she wanted us to travel. Remember how she and Dad liked to go on cruises?

At that point, Beth started fumbling through the brochures and found the one she had brought to the table. She took a large gulp of her Calvados, actually emptying the glass. I think you two should take a look at this one, she said as she pushed it in front of them. Sandra and Linda took the brochure and spread it out in front of them.

After looking over the information and photos, Linda whined, This cruise looks wonderful, but it’s so expensive! At that, Sandra, the most spontaneous one of the three, said flippantly, For goodness’ sake, Linda, stop being so practical! We’re talking about a once-in-a-lifetime trip! What else are you going to spend your money on except presents for your grandchildren’s birthdays and Christmas? This is for US, remember?

With that, Beth decided this was the right time, the time to present them with her one BIG idea. You know, she said thoughtfully, we could make this the time of our lives! What if we went on a WORLD cruise? We would be at sea for about three months. We have the time, and if we book it wisely, I’m sure we could find some good deals. Not only that, since there are three of us, we could even get a suite. It would give us a lot more room, and we could even have any new friends in for cocktails and canapés. We would be able to go in thirds on the cost of a suite. There was silence around the table. That suggestion had to sink in for a few minutes.

Linda was the first to speak. "A world