I still can’t believe we’re actually doing this.” Parker was very excited as the butler escorted them to their cabin, or stateroom, as the cruise line preferred to call it.
“Here is your suite, gentlemen.” The butler opened the door and led them into a corridor. “Have you stayed with us before?”
Jonathan, who was walking into the room after the butler, shook his head. “No, this is the first time on a ship for all of us. We are quite the beginners, but we’ll be onboard for a while, which is why we opted for a larger cabin.”
“You’ve made an excellent choice, sir. This is our largest stateroom, with four separate bedrooms, complete with en-suite bathrooms, walk-in closets and your living room has a large private balcony. If you follow me, I’ll show you around. I hope the facilities will be to your satisfaction.”
The butler gave the three men a tour of the spacious suite. Their cabin was in the forward-starboard section of the ship, overlooking the bow. It had a large window front, but no forward balcony. Instead, there was a sort of inner courtyard to the side, with a big whirlpool, a dining table for ten people and several lounge chairs. Along the right side of the cabin were four large bedrooms, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, providing for amazing views right from each of the king-size beds. Each room came with its own en-suite bathroom, equipped with large bath tubs, separate showers and toilets. The walk-in closets were large enough to house a bed, Jonathan thought.
The living room, facing forward, had everything the heart could desire. A large couch, a big view-screen, a bar stocked with all the typical liquors, wine and champagne, another large round dining table, and, of course, a view unparalleled anywhere else on the ship, on the deck above the navigational bridge.
“If you need anything, please call me from any of the intercoms throughout the suite. My colleagues and I will be at your service twenty-four seven. The menus for the various restaurants are here—” he pointed to one of the sideboards “—in case you would rather dine in your stateroom. Otherwise, I’d be happy to make reservations for you in any of the restaurants. A table is set aside for our suite guests in all restaurants for the entire evening. Just let us know, and we’ll make it happen for you. Now, if there is anything else I can do for you at the moment? Your luggage is already in your rooms and being unpacked as we speak.”
Jonathan looked to the boys, and they both shook their heads. “No, I think we’re fine right now. We’ll just familiarize ourselves with the place. Thank you, Carlos.”
The butler left them to discover their home for the coming weeks.
Parker was giddy with excitement. “Grandpa, have you seen this? This is amazing!”
Jonathan watched and smiled as Parker showed Cody around, explaining how things looked, helping Cody acquaint himself with the new, unfamiliar environment. The sooner Cody learned how to walk about on his own, the sooner he’d be independent.
The ship left the dock at five p.m. and sailed down the Hudson, providing them with an amazing view of Manhattan, Jersey City, and the outer harbor as they sailed by Ellis and Liberty Islands and the other sights on the way out toward the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. From there, it was out into the open Atlantic Ocean, as their ship set a southwestern course toward the Caribbean.
That night, they decided to take it easy and ate in their suite, enjoying the view of the open ocean, the occasional cargo ship passing by.
By the time they woke up after the second night aboard, the ship had already reached San Juan de Puerto Rico, their first Caribbean destination. This hustling, bustling port was a city neither Caribbean nor American, and a place as schizophrenic as the entire island’s political state. Puerto Rico was still not a full-fledged state of the Union, yet more than a mere territory and older than any of the fifty states, and showing it. San Juan, with its cobblestone streets, and the many colorful houses hugging the slopes of the hill up to the forts, had been founded more than a century before the first English settlers reached American shores on the Mayflower.
Jonathan had really looked forward to visit San Juan, but when he woke up that morning, he felt the weight of every one of the eighty years weighing him down, and he was barely able to move out to the living room to inform the boys to head out on their own.
“I’m not feeling well. I’ll ask Carlos to bring me some breakfast later. I’ll just go back to bed and lie down for a bit longer. You boys go ahead and enjoy your day. If I feel better later on, I’ll vid-call you, and we can take it from there.”
“Are you sure?” Cody asked, his voice betraying how worried he was about the old man. “We’d be happy to stay here and keep you company. We could play cards or just read?”
“I’m sure, Cody. I promise I’ll be just fine. There are almost two thousand crew members on board, and the phone is right by my bed. If I need anything, they’ll be right here. It’s probably just the climate change. I’m not used to the humidity and the heat. Give me a few days, and ole’ Jonathan will be good as new. Now go, have fun. Do you have enough money?”
“Thanks, Grandpa. We’ve got plenty of money. We’re not here to buy the island…” Parker laughed and kissed Jonathan on the forehead before putting his arm around Cody and leading him to the door. “You relax and call us when you feel better, okay?” were the last words Jonathan heard before the door closed, and the boys were gone.
Jonathan had never been to Puerto Rico, nor any other of the Caribbean islands, and he silently cursed his age and the frailty of his body that kept him from finally experiencing it fully. On the other hand, it was only a five-hour flight from Chicago at any given time, and he could always return. Besides, he had another six months to look forward to, and plenty of other sights to see. As long as he was fighting fit by the time they reached Hawaii, he’d be fine. It was the Pacific that beckoned him more than anything. Places like Maui, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, and Bora Bora rang like Siren calls in his mind and heart, and he could hardly wait to discover the beauty of those island paradises.
He walked back to his bedroom and lay down. Sleep came easily to him; it was still dark, and nice and cool in the room, as he’d not opened the blinds. He slept for a couple of hours and then woke again mid-morning, feeling slightly better but also angry that he hadn’t felt better earlier. He looked at his watch and decided to take it easy for a little longer, hopeful he’d be able to join the boys for dinner in town later. There was no rush, and he’d long ago learned from watching Dan age before his eyes that it didn’t pay to push the envelope at their age.
He showered and dressed, in a white shirt and a pair of white shorts that were the fashion among the younger kids. Jonathan still felt twenty-five at heart, despite the obvious appearance of a senior citizen looking back at him from his mirror reflection.
Good morning, old man. Glad you could join me today. If only for a day, I could be twenty-five again. I’d run circles around the boys. Then he thought of Cody and immediately regretted his own thoughts. At least I could have been with them, out there, discovering the beauty that is San Juan.
He called Carlos for some fresh juice and a croissant and then made himself a coffee from the machine in the suite’s bar. He was just about to sit down when the doorbell rang, and Carlos asked if he could come in.
“Yeah sure, Carlos. Walk right in,” Jonathan called back into the corridor, but nothing happened. He set down his cup and went to open the main cabin door. Carlos was standing on the other side.
“Please, Carlos, you don’t have to wait for me to let you in. Just walk in if you don’t hear me. I’m too old to run to the door all the time, and if anyone of us wishes to be alone, we’ll put up the sign to our rooms.”
“Yes, sir.” Carlos bowed his head. “I’ll remember that in future, sir. I have your juice and croissant. May I come in?”
“Sure, go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.” Jonathan chuckled. He knew he couldn’t keep up with the brisk pace of his young butler.
“How are you today, sir? How come you’re not enjoying San Juan? Have you been here before?” Carlos asked politely as he set the dishes on the dining table, under his patron’s watchful eyes.
“No, I haven’t. I was actually looking forward to it, but I wasn’t feeling well this morning, so I sent the boys on their own. I’m hoping to catch up with them later on. Maybe have dinner in town.”
“Is there anything I can do for you? Would you perhaps like to see the ship’s doctor? She might be able to give you something strengthening?”
“Thank you, Carlos. That’s very kind of you, but I’ll be just fine. I’m an old man, and I don’t adjust to the heat and the humidity like I used to when I was your age.”
“Yes, sir, I understand. But please, we are here at your service. If there’s anything else, please do let us know. We want to make sure our guests enjoy their time with us as much as humanly possible. Perhaps I could arrange a massage for you? Or a refreshing facial? Our spa manager has some very interesting new offers on her spa menu…”
Carlos seemed worried about Jonathan, which made him feel oddly fuzzy inside. He and Dan had lived together for so many decades that worrying about the other had become a commonplace emotion—something they’d both taken for granted. It wasn’t a sign of not loving the other, quite the contrary; they knew they didn’t even have to think about it. They instinctively knew the other would always be there.
Except he isn’t. Not anymore. The last thought pained Jonathan, reminding him of his loss and the fact that he was now living a life he could never have shared with Dan, ever. Dan wouldn’t have traveled; he wouldn’t have gone on a cruise ship, and he certainly wouldn’t have considered a facial or a massage. Dan’s massages were long swims in the cold water of the lake by their cabin. His facials were lying in the rocking chair on their deck and gazing across the clearing into the distance. But Dan was gone, and Jonathan was alive, and for whatever time he had left on this plane of existence, he would live his life the way he enjoyed it. He could always fall back on their well-oiled routines once he’d passed on and was reunited with the love of his life. That’s unless Sean makes me feel like the fifth wheel on the wagon…
Suddenly sensing the silence around him, Jonathan looked at Carlos, who was eyeing him suspiciously.
“Are you okay, sir?”
“Yeah, I just got lost in a train of thought. You were saying about the spa?”
“Yes, sir, the spa. I could have the spa manager come up to see you. They are fully capable of delivering most of their services in the comfort of your suite, but you are, of course, always welcome to walk down to deck fourteen aft, where our spa is located. Would you like me to call her?”
Jonathan felt as if he had little choice but to acquiesce the young man. “Sure, Carlos, let’s do that. And if you know of a good place to have dinner in town tonight, please make reservations for us, for seven. I’ll inform the boys to meet me there.”
Carlos smiled broadly and pulled out the chair for Jonathan. “The best restaurant in town, sir. Trust me. You’ll be pleased. And I’ll have the spa manager report to your suite in say thirty minutes?”
Jonathan had to laugh as he sat down, and Carlos pushed the chair toward the table. “No rush, Carlos. I’m on vacation, and I’m sure the good woman has better things to do than visit old men in their cabins…”
Carlos’ expression grew serious. “But no, sir. You and the guests in the cabin next to you—the Swensons from Duluth—are our most distinguished guests on this cruise, and it would be the pleasure of every single staff member on board to serve you.”
He poured Jonathan a glass of fresh juice from the jug he’d brought. Then he took his leave and left the room.
Jonathan thought about what Carlos had said. It made him feel incredibly well taken care of and secure—loved, even—but it also made him uncomfortable. He and Dan, despite all their money, had always lived simple lives. Yes, they owned an incredibly big house, and yes, they had cleaning staff do most of the work inside and around the house, but they cooked their own food, and they treated the gardener and the cleaning crew more like family than staff. For as long as they were physically able, they would lend a hand.
Jonathan had often caught Dan cleaning the toilets before the cleaners came. It was typical for them—not wanting to make other people uncomfortable, or to feel like lesser beings, both in terms of their profession or their humanity. They had seen enough of that during their many public engagements on fundraisers and other events. They’d seen how many of their so-called society friends treated the wait staff like garbage and yelled at the bell men and valets, whereas more often than not Dan would tip the valet and then go get the car himself.
The simple life they led in their cabin in the forest translated into how they lived when in town or elsewhere. Maybe it was their humble beginnings, both men having started out from literally nothing. Jonathan shook his head at the memory of meeting Mary and Dan’s family in Maine, and how his late husband’s fate had been much like his own.
Another ring from the doorbell pulled him from his reveries. “Come in!” This can’t be the spa manager. It’s barely been five minutes since Carlos left. For the second time this morning, nothing happened. Jonathan got up, not a little upset that he had to walk all the way from the living room to the cabin door, just to let another staff member into his cabin. He quickly got over it when he saw the master of the vessel standing on the other side of the door. “Captain? What an honor.”
“Mr. Jackson? My name is Olsen, Sverre Olsen. I just wanted to drop by to welcome you aboard ship and see if everything is as expected.”
“It is excellent, thank you, Captain. I was just sitting down for a cup of coffee. Please, come on in.” The captain bowed his head and walked past Jonathan into the cabin. “Can I get you something? We have a very well-stocked bar here.”
The captain laughed. “Not while I’m on duty, I’m afraid. We have very strict rules about alcohol aboard. At least for members of the crew. But I’ll join you for a coffee. Let me call Carlos—”
“Nonsense,” Jonathan interrupted him. “The day I can’t make my own guests a cup of coffee is the day they’ll seal the lid to my coffin.”
“If you insist…” The captain sat down at the table while Jonathan operated the coffee maker.
“Cream? Sugar?”
“Black is fine, thank you.”
Jonathan brought the cup to the table and set it down in front of his guest. “I was just thinking about servitude and how we treat people in service.”
Captain Olsen’s eyebrows rose in query. “I hope everything is as it should be.”
“Oh yes, absolutely,” Jonathan waved away the captain’s concern. “It was the amazing service we’ve received on board that got me thinking. No complaints. But, you see, my late husband and I lived a very simple life, this suite notwithstanding, and I always feel a bit uncomfortable when people treat me as if I’m some celebrity, or VIP. I’m not sure I’m making myself clear…”
The captain nodded. “Oh, I think I see what you mean. We’ve only been out of port for a couple of days, and we like to take our time getting to know our guests. You’re going to be with us for a long time. All the way to Singapore, I recall?” Jonathan nodded. “I’ll have a chat with my staff, and they’ll instruct their people to treat you just the way you would like to be treated. If you want Carlos to call you by your first name, he’ll do that.”
This time it was Jonathan’s eyebrows that rose.
“But of course,” Captain Olsen continued, “you are our most important asset. You’re our guest. At the end of the day, it is you, our guests, who pay our salaries, and for this ship. Without our guests, there would be no cruise line. But I’m sure you understand it’s much easier to adjust our services to our guests’ wishes once we’ve gotten to know them. Believe me, Mr. Jackson, very few guests would feel welcomed by the traditional welcome from my Norwegian home, where we address each other by first name only.” The captain chuckled. “It’s a lot easier to relax formalities if a guest asks us to than it is to make everything more formal. That gets awkward very quickly…”
Jonathan nodded. “I see your point, Captain. Thank you for clarifying it. And you’re right. Even I would feel odd if people addressed me by my first name, particularly if I’d never met them. I’m Jonathan, by the way. Mr. Jackson was my late husband.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, Jonathan. My name is Sverre. No need to ‘captain’ me either. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve read about you in the file the Miami office prepare for us on our VIP guests. Your humanitarian work speaks for itself. You’re a great man, and we feel honored to have you on board.”
“Sverre, please, you’re making me blush….” Jonathan did indeed begin to sport a crimson color on his cheeks. “I was merely fortunate to have inherited a large sum of money by my mother, and lucky to have great financial advisors. Dan and I made more money from investments than the original sum Mom bequeathed to me. I never felt the money was meant for me, but thank you. I’ve lived a very good life. I’ve had an amazing and loving partner, we have two beautiful children, six amazing grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. I’m very privileged, money or not…” Jonathan whispered the next sentence. “I’ll tell you a little secret, though. It’s nice not having to turn every dollar, and to be able to do this.” He blushed some more.
“Jonathan, it is our job to make sure you get the most from your trip. Now please understand that this is—despite its seventeen decks—a small community, and Carlos informed me that you were feeling a bit under the weather. What I’m about to suggest is standard procedure on board, particularly with passengers in risk groups, like our older guests. Are you feeling better, or shall I call the doctor?”
“Thank you for the offer, Captain…Sverre. I feel a lot better, but I’ll ask for the good doc if I need, I promise.”
“Please do. Harriet is an amazing physician, and she’d be happy to see you any time, day or night. Just call Carlos or dial nine-one-one if urgent.” The captain looked at his watch. “Oops, I have to run, operations meeting in ten. But listen, Jonathan, I’m glad we had this quick chat. I’ll see you Sunday at the captain’s table with your grandsons. And if there’s anything I can do, you know where to find me.” With that, he downed his coffee in one big gulp and took his leave, leaving Jonathan to a cold cup of coffee and a half-eaten croissant.
Just as he got up to fix himself another cup, the doorbell rang again, and he spent the next forty-five minutes chatting to Val, the spa manager, about the various treatments, finally settling on a new laser-based facial technique that, according to Val, would shave years off of his face. “I could certainly use that!” Jonathan chuckled.
Once Val left, he sent a short vid-message to the boys, informing them about dinner and that he’d send them the name of the place later. After his facial, Jonathan felt a lot better and thoroughly relaxed. He decided to disembark and go for a walk, to see at least a little bit of San Juan before dinner and before darkness descended upon this beautiful old city.
* * * * *