“Eggs! I’d be sick.”
“Breakfast is the healthiest meal of the day, or so they say,” Merissa said.
“Who are they anyway? I’m not ready for healthy,” Amy said. She placed her sunglasses over her eyes and confirmed her statement with a loud huff.
An hour later the music at the bar picked up in volume as a band started to play. Amy roared laughing and Merissa looked where she pointed. Four musicians had dressed as French hens and the ditty began. “On the first day of Christmas…”
Eager participants jumped to their feet and formed a line, clucking and carrying on as they filed between the chairs, picking up new dancers along the way. When they neared the girls, Merissa shook her head at Amy.
“No way! I do not enjoy making a fool of myself so early in the day.”
“Come on. Look! The guys are almost here, and I for one, am linking up with Skip. Surely you won’t leave Chad at the mercy of these beautiful girls.”
Merissa lifted her brows and Amy groaned disapproval. “You’ve actually been fun lately – like the Merissa I used to know! Don’t give up now. I love that girl you keep stuffing inside – and so did Kyle.”
“Don’t bring Kyle into your scheme,” Merissa warned.
The line had reached them, and Amy jumped into position when Skip released the waist of the person ahead of him. As much as Merissa wanted, she could not ignore Chad. She felt his eyes piercing her before he too opened the line for her to slip in. Merissa bit her lip. To her surprise, everything within screamed to break loose, so when he reached out to her she bounced off the chair and slipped in front of him. His hand felt hot where it touched her waist while hers dug anxiously into the skin of the woman ahead of her. Merissa forced herself to concentrate on her breathing.
Chad spoke in her ear. “Sing. I love to hear your voice.”
Merissa glanced back and offered a smile then opened her mouth to join in the singing. “… three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.” When he smiled, her world lit up, and she felt the rush go straight to her cheeks.
When the swaying group arrived back where the band led the chorus, they stopped and did a wild copycat imitation that the song-leader encouraged. When the folklore ended, Merissa was glad for the humiliation to be over. The dancers started to leave the area, but the cruise director called them back.
“Don’t run away, folks. Here beside me is the great Salene, a master in Zoomba.”
The woman by his side grabbed the microphone and snuggled up to the lead singer. “And Zack here has taught me some hennish moves that will raise that heartbeat and set your body into a rhythm no music has ever done. Are you ready?”
The group cheered. Skip and Amy fell into the new lines that formed and Merissa glanced at Chad. She saw the invitation to stay for the fun in his face, but he did not voice it.
“Why not? It’s exercise, right?” Merissa said.
“That’s my girl.” Chad gripped her hand and dragged them into one of the four lines. Salene took her place at the front and went through a few simple steps with her eager participants, adding a few bizarre chicken-moves into the mix. Merissa was not prepared when the music started and the slow teaching steps became rapid segments in a fast tune that had both her and Chad playing catch-up more often than not. And, as she’d expected, the innocent flapping became a flurry of chaos that brought laughter from the cheering crowds lying safely on the loungers. By the time the song was over, the hot sun left them dripping wet. They headed straight for the outside shower, rinsed off and jumped in the pool.
When Merissa returned to her towel Amy was nowhere in sight. She scanned the area and in the back corner her friend waved. Skip was beside her.
“Looks like Amy stole my seat. Mind if I take hers?” Chad asked.
“I’m glad they’re having fun together,” said Merissa.
“And you – are you having fun?” Chad asked.
“I told you I was, and I don’t lie, Chad. It’s easy to hang with you.”
“Pleased to hear that. Cause there’s no one I’d rather be with.”
“Have you looked around? There are scores of women here willing to be your partner for the cruise. Why bother with me?” asked Merissa.
“Maybe I like a challenge.”
“I’m not worth the money you paid for the ride.”
Chad gripped Merissa’s arm, and she turned to face him. “I never want to hear that again. You are worth it all, and more. I have no grounds with which to base my intuition – I just know this is where I’m meant to be. Tell me you feel nothing, and I will reluctantly leave you to your misery.”
Merissa tuned sideways in her lounger so they sat face to face. “I’m sorry. I’m accustomed to spouting rejection so people will leave me alone. It just slips out sometimes.” She took both his hands in hers. “Have you ever lost anyone you cared for?”
“No, I’ve been spared that, so far. But I know death is a sad fact of life that the living can’t run and hide from,” said Chad. “If the tables were turned, I’m sure Skip would be every bit the interfering pain your Amy is.”
Merissa laughed and could not stop. Chad caught the spirit, and in the end, they had to muffle their mouths with towels to stop the outburst.
“Let’s get an ice cream cone and walk the upper deck. No jogging – I promise,” Merissa said.
The two walked in silence. Licking the cookies-and-cream
