“Don't make a fuss? What would you have me do? Pretend you didn't walk into the cabin with blood stains on your blouse?”
Martha didn't reply. Why drag this pointless melodrama out any longer than it needed to be?
She made her way to the bathroom and cleaned up, making sure not to touch her face in case that boy was contagious. She probably washed her hands at least three to four times, scrubbing deep and making sure not to miss a spot. She wouldn't chance it and the sooner they got off of this oversized Petri dish, the better.
She stepped out of the bathroom to find Edward standing there, looking somewhat pathetic. She hadn't seen much of him whilst on-board, it was any wonder where he disappeared off to on his own so often.
He merely greeted her with a passing glance and returned his gaze to Christine. Martha never liked that man.
“I left a message on her door, surely she saw it”, Christine proclaimed, continuing a conversation they had started.
“Well the message you left her may have been misconstrued as passive aggressive, it certainly shouldn't be any wonder that she doesn't turn up if that was the case”, Edward replied.
Martha changed into a clean blouse whilst the couple back and forthed about whether or not Rachel was likely to make an appearance… and then she did.
One minute before the allotted time, who should stroll in with but not a shit to give in the world, none other than Rachel.
She propped her back up against the door warily refusing to venture any further into the cabin and Christine took a seat at the dining table, where likely she had hoped they would all gather around. Edward took a seat opposite her, but Martha bee-lined straight for the couch.
“Come and take a seat here with us, mother and Rachel”, Christine requested, a request Martha didn't bother to dignify with an answer.
“I'm good here, thanks”, Rachel replied.
Christine sighed and began.
“I called this meeting because it's long overdue that we had a family discussion, get everything out onto the table so to speak, which is probably a little more difficult with two people refusing to actually sit at the table, but I can only work with the tools I have. It's no secret that we are disjointed, we have serious problems, but they are problems we can resolve”.
“We don't have problems, only you do”, Rachel remarked, a statement Christine very visibly forced herself to overlook.
“Regardless as to what, let's not get bogged down with the details, we are here to waddle through this mess together and find a solution”.
“What do you suggest?” Edward asked.
“I've written down a few things I think are the biggest concerns about myself and together we can possibly think about ways to resolve them as a family unit”. She picked up a piece of paper perched on the table before her and slid her glasses on. “To begin with, I'll start with what I consider to be my own downfalls, by sharing my honesties, hopefully we can all feel more at ease with discussing our issues”.
Rachel laughed.
“This should be a riot. Is this your sworn testimony, the truth, nothing but the truth and the whole truth?”
Christine shot her a disapproving look and continued.
“I have been known to be irrational, hot headed and quick to judge”.
“You could say that again”, Rachel interjected.
“Rachel, let your mother speak. I'm sure it's taking a lot just to admit to these things and your constant quips are getting us nowhere”, Edward chimed in.
Martha shook her head in dismay. This man was pathetic, wouldn't he do them all a favour and grow some balls already.
“I might jump to conclusions sometimes and my stubbornness is often the cause of arguments and segregation. These things I admit and accept, I hope you can forgive me”.
“I forgive you”, Edward replied, taking her hands.
“Are you fucking serious? That's all you have to say? That isn't even the tip of the fucking iceberg, tell everyone everything”, Rachel demanded.
“That was everything”, Christine replied.
“Ha, I should have known this meeting was going to reek of bullshit, should have worn my gas mark”.
“Your turn, Edward. Now remember, we can only help each other if you're completely honest”, Christine proclaimed, passing the buck onto him.
“Hypocrite, how in the hell are you going to tell him to be completely honest when you're lying through your teeth”.
“What are you talking about?” Edward enquired. ”What is she talking about?” He asked Christine.
“I have no idea, my mind draws a blank”.
Rachel burst out laughing.
“This is too much”, she muttered, shaking her head.
“Go ahead, honey”, Christine prompted him.
“Well… I’m not always a strong man, I've been weak at times and lost much of the vigour that once drove me. I still work of course, but I often wonder if I would care for the daily grind were it not for my family. I have often slipped up, wandered astray, been lost and sought purpose in the wrong places”.
“Oh? The wrong places?” Christine replied, “Go on”.
“I've been an aloof husband and father, not always there for you both. I'd like to rectify that, a fresh start”.
“Yeah, that's very much a possibility, why don't you tell us what you mean by led astray and wrong places”.
“Well… I like to escape sometimes, escape from reality and I know it's pathetic, I openly admit that”.
“And what do you do?” Martha's daughter was beginning to sound like a psychiatrist.
“I run away… I run away and…” he choked up.
“And?”
“Gamble… I gamble… I have a gambling addiction. I've been doing it even on board the ship, hiding money from you in order to gamble, partaking in poker games with friends and betting money, our money. I'm truly ashamed of myself,
