They were meeting Chad and Skip for a quick bite at the buffet, and then they were off to spend the day at Imperial Cruise Lines Private Island. The guests aboard would share an entire island to themselves. A day of fun in the sun.
Everywhere they walked onboard exhibited massive sun displays, and even nature itself reached out to help the ships efforts to proclaim the greater light God had put in the sky to govern the day. Merissa attempted to focus on the six days of creation – the symbolism behind the six geese a lying – while she eagerly anticipated the huge playground awaiting them onshore. The group occupied themselves with a game while riding the tender toward the island.
“The sky, the seas, and soon we’ll be standing on solid ground. Three very important wonders of creation,” Amy said and rose a hand to stop her imaginary fans from rushing her. “Please, no need for applause. I read my bible, you know.” She cast a comical expression toward Merissa as she voiced that statement.
“Thanks for the clarification. Sometimes I wonder if spiritual food goes straight through your system and out the other end,” said Merissa.
“I know I don’t always show it, but I believe it, and I’m growing just by watching you.” Amy patted her friend’s knee. “Even while draped in dark grief, your light never went out.”
“Amy, you’ll never know how relieved I am to hear that. Some days I felt certain my light had burned out.”
“Naw – you’re too deep into it for that. It’s part of who you are.”
Skip stood and pointed to the sky. “Look at that flock of birds. God created that too, right?”
“Right!” They all cheered him on.
“I’ll be! Will you look at that?” A short distance off, a school of whales dipping and diving were putting on a delightful show.”
Many passengers changed their focus in the direction that Chad pointed. Caught up in the creation-game, he stood and conducted the cramped choir in the ditty they were all becoming familiar with on this cruise. “On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, six geese-a-laying…” When the song ran its course, Chad did not give up. “Listen, everyone, here’s my homemade version,” he said, his arms flailing to quiet the giddy bunch and regain their attention. “On the sixth day of Christmas God gave to me –huge whales swimming in the sea.
Chad then pointed to a stranger and said, “Your turn” and the man stood to his feet and created his story. Before long, they had sung all creation in praise to the God who fashioned it, and Chad collapsed on the seat next to Merissa.
She leaned in and whispered, “That was quite the performance. Did the ship pay you to do that?”
Chad pounded on His heart. “Nope. All packed in here, primed and ready to burst out.” He laughed and wrapped an arm around Merissa pulling her closer. “Do you like that part of me, Miss James?”
“Very much, Mr. Livingston.”
The white sand was blazing hot on bare feet and Merissa had to walk with her flip-flops whenever she left her chair. They swam and played in the turquoise waters until the salt water parched their throats. It was impossible not to swallow some of it while dodging two playful men in the waves. The crew from the ship brought food ashore, and Chad and Merissa devoured the salads and barbeque hamburgers provided at the outside shelters. Skip and Amy had, once again, disappeared from view, but today their absentees did not put off Merissa. She was enjoying Chad’s company. Afterward, they opted to don fins, mask, and face tubes to explore the underwater viewing, where vivid colors of living organisms exploded in beauty against the ocean floor. The miracle of it all overwhelmed her.
After fifteen minutes on their loungers, Chad grew restless. “Are you too tired for a horse ride?” Merissa looked dubious, and he encouraged her. “I can teach you if you haven’t done it before. You should give horseback riding on the beach a chance.”
“Ah, yes, your parent’s favorite pastime. I remember.”
“I’m ashamed to say it’s been a long time since I was home. And I do miss the horses,” said Chad. “But don’t feel pressured. Pretty sure I can persuade Skip to come along.”
“If you could find him. The vanishing duo slipped away two hours ago.” Merissa stood to her feet and reached for his hand. “Let’s go, John Wayne.”
That joy ride just about did Merissa in. She loved the way the wind caught her hair and flung it out behind her. She loved the sucking sound of the horse’s hooves as feet sunk into the wet sand if she got too far into the water. She loved the sea salt that latched onto her face. But mostly she loved riding next to Chad – all professional in his posture, but his face revealed homesickness that opened his heart wide for her to observe.
At four o’clock they boarded the tender and sped back to the ship. The day exhausted the passengers, so the trip was quiet and relaxing. Aboard they marveled at how quickly the lesser light – moon and stars – had replaced the sun displays of this morning. The crew put such a wonderful effort into making this Christmas cruise in July unforgettable.
Chad and Merissa parted at the doors to their staterooms and she shot eagerly inside to wash the sand and salt from her body. A very long shower followed, and she fumbled through the process of readying herself for the evening festivities. The bed looked so inviting. Finally, she succumbed and was fast asleep in two minutes.
Merissa startled when she heard
