The dove in Christianity symbolizes innocence and gentleness, both of which I see in you, and two doves, express faithful, enduring love. Others think it hints at the Old and New Testament and I hope that brings comfort, as it is His Word that will give you the strength to face your future.
And, believe me, it will be splendid! Some lucky man will never be disappointed to make his nest with you. God created you for a happy-ever-after.
Have a good sleep and dream of those French hens that will invade the ship tomorrow.
Respectfully
Chad.
A Day At Sea
Merissa rose early. She dressed in shorts and a matching top made of a wicking fabric designed to draw the moisture away from the body for her morning workout. Today she’d start with a run around the track located on the top deck. Running got her heart pumping, and she’d be sure to catch the sun rising over the ocean somewhere along the route. Merissa escaped the room with only one sleepy rollover from Amy. In the elevator she grabbed the sweatband from her pocket and pulled it over her head, managing not to disturb the French hens that sat on perches along the walls of the small space. The crew exhibited superb attention to the finest details of the Christmas theme. Impressive indeed.
On the fourth time around, she ground to a halt and jogged in place. The man who could write such poetic words designed to heal was also a health fanatic. “Well, good morning, Mr. Livingston. Tell me the secret how you look cool and refreshed while running?”
“First time around. I had trouble crawling out of bed but Skip’s snoring pushed my procrastination out the window and got me moving.”
“Come on then. I’ve been talking to myself – to help the exercise element – and looking slightly crazy in the meantime.”
“So, you want to talk about yesterday?”
“You were great company, and I had fun. Thank you again for sticking with the sourpuss.” Merissa never mentioned the letter he’d slipped under the door and wondered if his question really fished for a response to that.
“When we met on Sunday, I got the impression we were both here for the rest,” said Chad.
Merissa laughed. “Yet, here we are, working up a sweat before breakfast.”
“Did you notice the new hen decor? Wondering how many eggs got laid last night in the hundred perching nests I see scattered everywhere?” said Chad as he moved alongside her and picked up the pace.
“Do French hens lay a better brand of an egg than fowl from other countries? That’s my question,” said Merissa.
“We shall have to ask the chef,” said Chad.
“Is that shortness of breath I hear – already?” asked Merissa.
“My secret is out. I prefer working out on the equipment in the gym, and when I do run, it’s better defined as a quick walk,” Chad confessed.
“Then why are you out here?”
“You want the honest answer?” asked Chad.
“Yes.” Merissa glanced sideways and saw the grin.
“On the way to the gym, I saw you and thought I’d play the runner today. But it appears I got caught.”
Merissa laughed. “Interested in the sweaty girl-type are you?” She slowed the pace. “Let’s fast-walk one more round and then head for your place of comfort.”
“A good compromise. Thank you.”
Forty minutes later, they hurried to their staterooms to shower and dress for breakfast and a lazy morning at the pool. That was Merissa’s agenda for the day at sea, and when she entered the room, she noticed Amy thought along those same lines. She wore her bathing suit and cover-up and was ready to head out the door.
“Shall I wait? I’m just grabbing a bite at the buffet,” Amy said.
“No, you go on ahead. See you on the deck later.”
“I’ll save you a spot in the sun.” Amy tossed her key in the beach bag, picked it up and walked out the door. It closed with a gentle click and Merissa felt relieved to be alone, if just for a few minutes. She’d enjoyed competing with Chad at the gym but now the guilt weighed her down like a burden she could not lift off. The hot water pounded on her body and she turned the handle for an occasional stab of cold to serve as penance for betraying a sweet memory with Kyle. They had competed in everything cardio and strength building – even her least favorite, sit-ups. Today she’d shared that same fun with a new man and a troubled heart condemned her. She knew it was ridiculous, but how did one cast a sentiment like that aside? Sometimes it was as if Kyle had just died yesterday and other times it seemed an eternity.
The one-piece, navy swimsuit, fit where it touched and the light cover-up with palm trees in the pattern, made her respectable enough to enter the enclosed dining area of the buffet. Deciding to skip the dining room this morning, she grabbed her pool bag and headed for the eleventh floor. Merissa noticed Chad straight off. It seemed everyone was opting for a serve-yourself meal on this sunny day.
Running into Chad was becoming uncanny, but she refused to accept Amy’s conclusion that somehow the North Pole was behind this bit of magic transpiring miles from the shoreline. Yet, she believed that a higher source was at work in this entire turn of events. The fact she was here, proved that. The entire cruise remained unexplainable. At times, it even took on the form of a set up – with Chad as the chosen one. She shook her head. What a stupid thought. The man had bought a ticket same as Kyle had – end of the mystery. She’d stick to Amy’s original theory of magic tape
