They waited at the dock near Havensight Mall for the catamaran to arrive. Twenty other people milled around, anxious to board the boat for a fun-filled day of snorkeling, eating, and drinking. John watched from a nearby bench as Mel browsed through the tiny trinket kiosks at the dock while they waited. He smiled, noticing how happy she seemed when she found the perfect thing to buy. She paid the proprietor of the kiosk and slipped the item into her beach bag.
Within ten minutes, the boat docked, and the people lined up to climb aboard. Twenty-two people were more than anxious to jump into the beautiful blue Caribbean and enjoy the multitude of colorful fish. The sea was incredibly clear and calm, making the day ideal for snorkeling. The catamaran crew knew exactly where to take their guests to best see the underwater wonders. John, Mel, and five other people sat out front where the fresh breeze swept through their hair as the crew explained the two snorkeling stops they would make, as well as what to expect afterward. On Water Island, they would enjoy an hour to kick back, have lunch—which was included in the tour price—and drink. Soda and water were complimentary as the catamaran took them out to sea. The Painkillers would come later.
The first stop was a sea turtle habitat along a natural reef. Terry, the second in command for the day, went over safety tips and handed out life jackets, flippers, and snorkels to everyone. When all guests were properly outfitted, he dove into the water and told everyone to follow along while he looked for sea turtles. Spotting several, he pointed them out as the anxious snorkelers swam closer to get a better look. They oohed and aahed at the beautiful turtles only ten feet below. In time, people spread out to avoid a flipper in the face from the person swimming next to them. Terry announced that they had thirty minutes to free swim but were not to wander off too far. He said he was heading to the boat to make drinks and set out a few snacks.
Crap, where is she? John searched each face, hoping one of them was Mel. With goggles and snorkels on, it was difficult to tell one person from the next. He swam in circles trying to find her. Panic was setting in as one by one, the swimmers began boarding the boat, and he still hadn’t spotted her. Just as John neared the catamaran to inform the crew, he heard Mel’s unique laugh on the deck. He looked up to see she was perfectly safe, enjoying a Painkiller with several other guests. Damn it, I’ve just wasted a half hour swimming from one person to the other, trying to find her. He was livid as he climbed aboard and grabbed a Painkiller off the bar.
“John, there you are. I’ve looked everywhere for you. Meet my new friends, Chris and John. Another John, go figure, and they’re staying at Bluebeard’s Castle. How funny is that?”
“Pretty funny,” he said as he guzzled his drink.
“I told them about the iguanas that came after me yesterday. They agreed there are tons of them there. I’m not sure if I want to go back. It sounds pretty dangerous.”
“It’s up to you, Mel. This is your vacation.”
“Okay, I think I’d prefer to stay on flat ground. I’d like to spend the rest of my time at Magens Bay. Chris and John, call me if you decide to visit Magens Bay, but be careful. The cabbies drive like fools over the mountain. Here, I’ll program my number into your phone.”
“All right, folks, it’s time to listen up. Our next snorkeling stop is over a shipwreck. Twenty years ago, the navy pulled an old warship out to open water and deliberately sank it to make a reef. The water is super clear today, so you’ll have a great view of it even though it’s fifty feet down on the ocean floor. When we’re done there, it’s off to Water Island for lunch. We have a half hour here, so pay attention when the horn blows on the catamaran. That means it’s time to swim back.”
“Mel, I want you to stay next to me as we swim. We’ll be in deep open water, and I don’t want you to wander off.”
“Okay, I’ll stick by your side. Thanks for being concerned.”
***
Thank God that went smoothly, John thought as they swam back to the catamaran. The sunken warship had impressed them both, even though John had seen it several times before. All that’s left is lunch on Water Island, then back to the harbor. There’s no way anything else can go wrong.
The catamaran backed in as close to shore as it could. The passengers exited down the eight steps, jumped into the three-foot-deep water, and walked to shore. An outdoor bar and grill was set up with three menu choices. Picnic tables were spread out on the sandy beach under the palm trees, creating a wonderful, peaceful setting. Mel sipped a Painkiller and took pictures while they waited for lunch.
“Check it out. It’s a bar boat coming into shore. I’ve got to take pictures of that, too. How fun! Do you mind if I take a few selfies of us together, John? This trip will be so memorable for me.”
Yeah, me, too. “Sure, go ahead. Snap away.”
Mel took three pictures of them together and several of John and Chris, too. “This is the best vacation I’ve ever had,” she announced to anyone who was listening. “Oh, yay, our food is ready. Yum… I can’t wait to dig into that hot dog and chips.”
The hour went by quickly as Mel described her vacation so far to the people sitting at their table with them.
“So, you two are a couple, and you live in Charleston?” Chris asked Melanie.
Mel swallowed a bite of her hot dog, and John took that extra second as an opportunity to respond. “Nope, we’re just friends but actually have a good friend in common that introduced us. I live at Magens Bay and have for sixteen years now. It’s just Mel that’s from Charleston.”
“Oh, I see. I guess I assumed you were on your honeymoon,” Chris said.
Mel giggled. “John and I have only known each other for a week, but our mutual friend has a house on the beach at Magens Bay. That’s where I’m staying. John’s house is a half mile from there, so it works out perfectly.”
Except it hasn’t yet. You’ve been here two days, and neither of us has stayed at our own place alone. I haven’t gotten any work done either.
“Okay, everyone from the Crystal Catamaran, it’s time to head back to the boat,” Terry called out to the crowd.
“Oh, poo… this is so much fun, and I wanted one more Painkiller before we left.”
“There are drinks on the boat, Mel. Let’s finish our sandwiches and get going. You need to pack up your phone and binoculars, too. It looks like the tide is coming in, and the waves are getting stronger.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, looking nervous.
“It just means we need to get back on the boat. The water might be a little deeper now.”
“Okay, I’m ready,” she said, jamming the rest of her hot dog into her mouth as she stood up. She zipped the cell phone and binos into her beach bag and slung it over her shoulder.
They waited at the water’s edge as the line of people ahead of them boarded the catamaran. The waves were getting choppy and slapping against the steps as people tried to hang on and climb aboard.
“John, the water is much deeper than before. It’s probably up to my chest already.”
“I know, that’s why they’re calling us back. Just hold your bag above your head as you walk out. We have to wait our turn though. It should only be a few more minutes. I’ll be right behind you. Once you get to the stairs, I’ll give you a shove up. Just make sure you grab the handrail and pull yourself up.”
“This is going to be scary. I don’t know if I have enough strength to pull myself up. The boat’s rocking back and forth.”
“Somebody above you will give you a hand. That’s usually how it goes. Okay, it’s our turn. Head for the catamaran.”
Each step Mel took into the water caused her to squeal in a near panicked voice. “The waves are really strong.”
“Mel, it’s four feet deep right now, and you only have ten feet to go. You can do this. I’m right behind you.”
Mel bobbled in the water, coughing every time a wave hit her face. “I’m going to drown. A rip current is going to take me out to sea.”
“You’re fine. The water is only to your neck. You have three feet to go. Grab the handrail and pull yourself up.”
With her beach bag above her head, Mel grabbed the handrail with her right hand and pulled. Her hand slipped off, and she fell backward, crashing into John and toppling him and everyone behind him like dominoes. Landing underwater in his lap, Mel lost her grip on the bag, and it sank to the bottom. She popped up like a bobber, spitting and sputtering, yelling and cursing that her bag had sunk into the black abyss.
Holding his breath to locate the bag, John dropped back down to find it. He saw the red-and-white-striped bag and pulled it up, along with an older woman who was tangled in the pile of flailing arms and legs.
“Mel, get on the damn boat,” he yelled as she flopped like a fish out of water. “There are other people that need to board. Grab the handrail and pull yourself up. You have two free hands now.”
John shoved her toward the steps. Two men on the stairs grabbed her arms and pulled her up. John threw her bag toward her and helped everyone else climb the stairs. When all the people were safely on deck, he grabbed the handrail and pulled himself up. He found Mel inside the cabin, going through her soaked bag. Two Painkillers sat lined up next to her as she swore and cried over the ruined contents.
“I can’t believe this shit. I’m suing everyone. I could have died out there, never to be found again in that shark-infested sea.”
“Calm down, Mel. Everyone is staring at you. What happened back there? Everybody in front of you got on the boat just fine.” John grabbed one of the Painkillers and drank it.
“My hand slipped off the railing. I’m not meant for this lifestyle. Paradise sucks, and all of my things are ruined.”
Chris intervened and sat down on the cushion next to Melanie. “I have a box of rice in our condo. I’ve heard some people have success putting wet phones in rice overnight. It might work.”
Mel sobbed into her hands. “I’m just so pissed off. My cell is probably ruined with all of the pictures I took since I’ve been here. My binos are shot, and my wallet and everything in it are soaked.”
“Mel, there’s a cell phone store just a few blocks from the dock. We’ll walk up there and see what they suggest. Let’s try that first. If they think rice will work, we can buy some at the grocery store across the street. Thanks for the offer, Chris, but I don’t think we’re going up to Bluebeard’s Castle again.”