“Can you believe that play? It was amazing, both serious and hilarious. Spot on, right? Just like you preach all the time,” Skip said.
“Truth and fun all rolled into one. I’ll never look at a partridge the same way,” Merissa said.
“Are you in the habit of looking at partridges?” asked Skip. He poked at Amy and they both studied her, waiting for a response to his silly question.
“Probably not. But you must admit it gives one food for thought,” said Merissa, leveling her gaze on Chad, “and sheds new light on the carefree ditty we sing at Christmas.”
“Agreed – much food for thought,” said Chad.
The doors to the elevator slid open, and they piled in. Partridges with happy smiling faces hung from the ceiling and swayed to the background music as the group headed up to the 6th floor.
“See all those happy expressions smiling down at us. They were the birds that escaped the cooking pot tonight,” said Chad. Everyone laughed, and Merissa startled when Chad slipped his fingers through hers – but she did not pull them away – and for that, she scored herself ten for effort.
When they stepped off the elevator, they all turned away from the stateroom hallways and moved in the direction that walked through a quiet internet station filled with couches and chairs overlooking the sea, past the Service desk, and at the far end of the ship walked into the lounge that played the toe-stomping sound of a Brad Paisley tune. Dancers clung to one another’s waists and created a train of circles around a huge Christmas tree in the middle of the room decorated in its entirety with partridges and pears. The staff handed out party hats to everyone. While wearing it, the crowd provided a resting perch in a pear-tree-nest on top of their heads, home base for any misguided or lost partridge flying around the ship. A safe refuge. None did, but the crown-nest created quite the spectacle of people on the dance floor. It was fun and weird at the same time, and Merissa found herself smiling more often than not.
Dove Magic
“I wonder why they call these lovely birds turtle-doves?” asked Amy.
“I’m sure we will find out before the day is over,” Merissa said.
“Or you could ask me,” Chad said.
The girls had been chatting away at breakfast and totally ignoring the two men that once again joined them in the formal dining room. The cruise lines had assigned the table to them, as well, so Merissa expected they’d be joining them for all the meals. Ignoring them was easy for her, but she wondered if Amy was on the outs with Skip – already – for she’d not spoken to him since he sat down other than a brief hello. Or perhaps Amy had once again taken over the martyr role for the grief-stricken fiancé.
Merissa glanced in Chad’s direction. “Okay, I’ll bite. Enlighten us.”
“I’ve been to Europe, and they have some history there,” Chad said.
“Don’t get him going, ladies. He’s been everywhere and is a walking encyclopedia,” Skip said.
Chad disregarded his friend. “The bird has no connection to turtles but its specific name, turtur, leans more toward their purring – you know, the turr-turr-turr song.”
“So turtle dove is a nick-name?” Amy said.
“Yeah, now let’s leave it there,” said Skip. “My brain does not require food this early in the morning.”
“What do doves eat?” asked Merissa.
“Here we go,” groaned Skip, and he buried his face in his coffee cup.
“Seeds and grain,” Chad said, then turned to his friend. “But listen up, Skip. This tidbit is one you might appreciate.”
“What would that be?” Skip’s voice did not sound enthusiastic.
“Friendship.” Chad lifted his eyes and met Merissa’s, then nodded toward Amy, “and love.”
“Yes! Now that is good news. Come on turtle dove!” Skip cheered.
“You are to keep one bird and give another to a very special person. That way, since each of you has only one, and they desire to be together, that will guarantee human friendship forever.”
Skip jumped to his feet and bowed. “Amy, my new friend. Are you interested in purchasing two of those dainty love birds so we can hang out forever?”
Amy played it up, fanning her face with her napkin. “Why, Skip Jacobs, your silver tongue has gotten me all flustered. But we should wait awhile before purchasing the birds. Forever is a long time.”
“Agreed!” Merissa said. “You’ve known the man for one day. You two are a piece of work.”
“I gather you don’t believe in love at first sight,” Chad said.
Merissa leveled her frostiest glare toward him. “Definitely not. Friendship and attraction, yes, but love develops over time.”
“And you, my friend, take far too much time in the developing process,” Amy said in a sarcastic tone.
Merissa knew Amy referred to Kyle – and she had to agree. If only they’d married and forgotten about the huge wedding. She’d known the first month he was the one. Waiting had cost her precious time with him she could never get back. Merissa stopped the regrets before they consumed her. With her defenses down, she said. “Perhaps.” Chad’s intense scrutiny of her held a spark of mystery and warning bells clanged inside her head, declaring that his secretive mood somehow involved her.
“I’m full. Amy, we need to get ready to disembark,” Merissa said.
“Yes! I can’t wait to see the Ernest Hemingway Museum,” Chad answered.
Merissa looked at him oddly. Chad was undoubtedly a man of diversity and surprises. “It’s in Old Town Key West. Within walking distance the brochure says. It was definitely one of my stops.”
“I’ve read all his books, but the Old Man and the Sea –
