"But I saw him fall off the machine," she explained to Allison Thompson for the third time. Allison coughed and spoke in her measured voice.
"Ms. Rose. No one is allowed in the gym until everyone has been checked and boarded, reunited with their luggage. This is a strict policy. You must have thought you saw a man, but the sun's glare distorts the view." Allison tugged on her sunglasses to make her point.
Viv could tell by the tone in her voice that Allison had already decided Viv was one of those women who wanted special attention. She knew that tone of condescension. At her age, she'd even used it herself on occasion.
When Viv didn't back down but tried yet again to tell her story, Allison's voice became clipped, though syrupy sweet, as if she were speaking to a small child. "The glass on the window is hard to see through. You can see the glare from the sun right now." She pointed upward. Her refusal to accept Viv's point of view along with the overly pleasant voice only irritated Viv more.
Taking a moment to calm herself, Viv glanced toward the wall of windows. She had to admit she couldn't see through the glare. But then, Viv rationally concluded, the sun wasn't in the same position earlier, when I saw the guy fall off the elliptical.
"I saw what I saw," Viv calmly stated. "A man, well-built, late thirties, working out on the elliptical. Then he toppled off. He might have had a heart attack." She shuddered. And because she'd had a recent experience with the police, she added more detail. "He was wearing a tank top, well-muscled, black pants. I'd say around six foot tall with curly dark hair."
The information technology senior manager's jaw tightened.
Maybe I got her attention, Viv thought.
Allison Thompson pulled out her cell phone and began to text as Viv watched. She pocketed her phone. "Your luggage has been delivered to your suite. May I lead the way? We'd like to offer complimentary champagne as our thank you for your patience."
"But…" Viv began to object.
Allison turned her back, walking toward the sliding glass doors.
"Come along," Allison directed.
Viv had no choice but to go along.
Once they exited the elevator, Viv followed her escort down the narrow corridor. Each evenly spaced door they passed had a number over the peephole. Other than the numbers, the doors looked identical.
"Are we almost there yet?" she asked Allison.
"Just a bit farther," was the curt reply.
She treated me like a child, and now I'm acting like one, Viv thought. I remember the opposite, when some childhood expert told me to treat my son like a grown-up and then he'd stop being such a baby. Is this one of those things that comes back to haunt you as you age?
Viv couldn't wait to peel off Allison. Once she reunited with Rex, she knew he'd listen.
The door to stateroom 563 opened. Allison stopped as Rex, dressed in a fluffy white bathrobe and holding a flute of champaign, grinned at Viv. "You're right next door," he explained with a nod to room 561.
"I saw a man fall off—" the words tumbled past her lips.
"We'll talk soon," he said hastily, disappearing into his room. The door closed loudly.
"The veranda between your rooms is connecting," explained Allison. "You can speak to him once I get you settled in."
Tapping a key card on the pad, Allison opened the door, letting Viv go first. Once they were both inside, she handed Viv a paper and her own key card. "Daily notices will be left either outside the door or on the counter under the TV. The only other thing…" Allison gave the room a quick glance. "The only other thing is to show you how the toilet works."
"I've got this," Viv told her, and then a tap came at the door. She opened it to find Rex on the other side.
"Did I just hear you say you saw a man fall? Where was that exactly?" He strode past Allison to take Viv in his arms. To her relief he'd shed the bathrobe and dressed in slacks with a polo shirt. He smelled of patchouli and pine.
"You can go now," he dismissed Allison. "Send the steward with a few snacks. I think the lady could use some cheese and crackers at least, after her experience."
"Yes, sir," Allison said smartly.
Before Viv could say thank you, the ship lurched under her feet. Grabbing the end of the counter for balance, her stomach dropped.
"Legend of the Sea has stabilizers," Rex explained. "But it may be rough for a bit. We're heading out of the harbor toward open seas." He pulled her by the hand to sit next to him on the bed. "I'm sorry you had to wait so long. Tell me what happened."
"I'm not sure if I believe it myself," she began.
"Try telling me from the beginning."
"I feel a little queasy," she admitted.
"Let's step outside on the veranda. The fresh air will help."
Once outside, he offered her a chair, giving her time to catch her breath. He sat next to her, looking over the rail toward the vast expanse of sea. "I love this part: pulling away from the shore and heading into the unknown."
Viv heard longing in his voice. Then she remembered he'd also traveled on Navy ships during his time in the Marines.
The glass door opened from behind. "Your light respite is ready, sir," a man stated. Viv closed her eyes to feel less queasy.
"I'll take care of this," Rex assured her.
He returned with a silver bucket under one arm. Placing it on the table, he explained, "Another complimentary bottle of champagne. The real stuff. I'll get the glasses and the snacks and be right back. You just stay put until you get your sea legs."
A loud blast followed by an announcement came over the loudspeaker. "This is your captain. Operation Rising Star has begun."
Viv had no idea what he meant, so she closed her eyes again. She leaned back in her chair, the sound of water splashing against the hull coming as a welcome relief.
She heard the door open and turned to see Rex carrying another tray.
"I hope there's a bottle of water and a lemon there," she said.
"Your wish is my command," he assured her, as the ship let out three long blasts.