“I guess this is good-bye,” David said, reaching out an arm to put a hand on Freddy’s shoulder. He put his other arm around Elise’s waist. He hadn’t held his two children at once since the year Annette got it into her head that they should send out holiday cards. Elise and Freddy had each climbed on a knee, giggling, and the photographer had snapped a candid picture while they were getting themselves properly sorted. Annette didn’t like the way she looked in the picture—apparently her hair had gone flat with all the tumult of tucking and retucking Freddy’s button-down and adjusting Elise’s bow, but David loved it. It captured the Feldmans in a rare moment of pure joy. He displayed it in his office, but for the holiday card Annette chose a more formal pose, everyone with Say Cheese smiles and ample hair volume.
The Feldmans and Connellys were gathered in a holding pen where mountains of luggage waited to be sorted. After splitting two pies at Peace O’Pizza, they had made their way to the departure zone together even though they were scheduled to disembark at different times. The cruise was officially over.
“Thank you so much for taking care of me last night,” Natasha said to him. She really did look better. Her eyes were bright and she had attacked the pizza with gusto.
“Of course,” David said. “Elise was a big help too.” He nuzzled the top of his daughter’s head.
“Sorry your birthday didn’t work out the way you wanted,” Freddy said, looking at Annette. “I feel bad we didn’t get to have our last family dinner together. I know the crew goes all out for birthdays.”
“Trust me, I didn’t need a cake with sparklers and thirty sailors serenading me,” Annette said. “I want to thank you all for coming on this trip. I know how busy everyone is.”
“We should be thanking you and David,” Mitch said. “We never get to be away together like this and it was wonderful.” Everyone nodded and echoed a chorus of thank-you-so-muches.
David wondered if Mitch meant a word of it. If any of them did. He looked poignantly at his wife. Had the vacation accomplished half of what she’d hoped for? She looked exhausted, but she didn’t appear unhappy. She was doing her Annette thing: fussing about, checking to make sure her suitcases had the proper tags, distributing snacks for everyone to take with them as they went their separate ways.
“Elise, you guys better get going,” Annette said, looking at her watch. “The first bus to the airport leaves in twenty minutes.”
“You’re right,” Elise said. “Rachel and Darius, get your stuff together.” The kids were already far gone. With the boat docked in the States, their devices were back in action. “Put those cell phones away and help with the bags.”
“Feel good, Grandpa,” Rachel said, standing on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek. “And don’t worry about me. I realize the jail/balloon-skirt story wasn’t what you wanted to hear, but I promise I’m okay. You just take care of yourself, and when you’re better, come visit me in school.”
“You could come visit him,” Annette said. Her suggestion came out abrasively.
“She’s a busy girl, Annette. It’s okay. I will visit you when I’m better, sweetheart,” David said. “And you too.” He patted Darius on the head.
“Well, he might be more motivated to come to the East Coast now,” Annette said and winked at Darius. David had no idea what that was supposed to mean.
“I will,” Darius said and hugged both David and Annette.
“It was really nice to be together,” Elise said. “This is definitely the most excitement I’ve had in a while.” She attempted a feeble laugh.
Nobody really answered her. Elise’s statement hung in the air awkwardly, everyone imagining the depths of her troubles.
“Don’t miss the bus,” David said, and he beckoned for Elise and Mitch to give him a hug. He had made clear he didn’t wish to discuss his illness and he appreciated that the children were following his wishes. They enveloped Annette, and it was their four heads bowed together for maybe the first time ever.
The Connellys and Feldmans bid good-bye to each other, calling out a round robin of “Thanks again,” “Have a safe flight,” and “Love you” until they were out of earshot.
“I think I’ll go settle the bill at Guest Services,” David said, turning to his son. “I know you’re off the boat in the next wave so I think we should part ways here. Natasha—let us know how you’re feeling. Freddy—what can I say? You’ve always been full of surprises.”
“I try,” Freddy said, with a sheepish grin. “Actually, I don’t try. It just happens.”
“We love you, Freddy,” Annette said.
“Love you too, Mom. And Dad.”
The three of them exchanged another round of hugs, and then brought Natasha into the fold.
“Maybe we’ll see you soon,” Freddy added.
“I bet we will,” David said, smiling.