Chapter 32 ~ Jam Packed Fun


Sitting on the leopard rug in my bedroom, I was surrounded by overloaded suitcases and the unpacked new dresses. I was stumped. How would I fit everything? These dresses had so much material and traveling with three bags was out of the question.

I must leave some behind. But I’d gone to so much trouble to get these outfits specifically for this trip, and I’d never wear them again. And if I had to wear a dress for dinner for two months, I’d need more than one.

Charlie called from downstairs, and I buzzed him in.

My cell phone rang, and I answered automatically. “Okay, I’ll come downstairs.” I assumed Charlie couldn’t get in. My building didn’t have a doorman, and the buzzers were tricky.

“Shall I call you later?” I recognized Greg’s voice.

“Oh, no. I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else. I’m in the middle of packing. How’s Paris?”

“It’s lonely here without you.”

I was surprised to hear that since he was so irate yesterday.

“Maybe another time. Paris is a beautiful city.” I shut the door to my bedroom for some privacy and sat on the carpet. Charlie would be back any moment. I’d left the front door ajar, and Charlie wouldn’t be happy to know I was talking to Greg. I didn’t have the energy or time to argue.

“Yes, it usually is, but not today. Rainy and cold but I’m working all weekend. Are you proceeding with your two-month trip?”

“Yes, that’s still the plan.”

“Kat, I wish you’d reconsider. Why not two or three weeks instead? Plenty of time for an adventure.”

“It’s too late to change.”

“It’s never too late. Tell the travel agent you changed your mind. End of story.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t want my story to end before it even started.

“Desi wanted to do something like this once. Back when she was in the theater. After years of struggle and auditions, she was selected to go on a Broadway touring show.”

“She did? What happened?”

“She was dating Steve. Her mother and I knew she faced insurmountable odds to succeed. We withdrew our financial support. Desi came to her senses and gave up the tour.”

How awful. I tasted the bitterness of Desi’s lost dreams. “But why? You said before, like Turner, we should follow our dreams.”

“That was different. Turner was a man with talent, and this trip you’ve planned is foolish and irresponsible. Desi came to her senses and made the right decision. She’s happily married to Steve. He’s a good provider. They have beautiful kids and a lovely home in Westchester. She has no regrets.”

“But why couldn’t she have both – a career and a family?” My chest tightened and breathing hurt.

“Now Kat, you know it doesn’t work that way. Something has to give.”

Yeah, and it’s always the woman who does the giving. Charlie called my name from the living room.

“Greg, I’ve got to go. I’m leaving for the airport in a few hours, and I’m still not packed.”

I hung up and knew I couldn’t contact Greg when I returned home. The memory of how Desi was forced to give up her dreams was too painful. I wouldn’t let him destroy mine.

Charlie knocked and opened my bedroom door. I clutched my phone and stared out into space thinking of poor Desi. Now I knew why she was so excited to dress me up last Saturday. I was a character in a dinner party scene and part of her old acting life.

“Everything okay, Kat? Who was that?”

“A friend saying goodbye.” I wanted to forget Greg.

“That Italian guy?”

“Nope.” I didn’t like being grilled, so I wasn’t going to tell him. I was angry at men that pressured women to follow these pre-ordained old-fashioned rules.

Even though I knew I should ignore Charlie, I turned the tables on him. “How many girlfriends do you have Charlie? What’s her name, Krista? The one from the bar who likes to make videos?”

“Nice that you should care. It’s simple. Zero. Krista is a friend. She was part of my deal team at work. Nothing more.”

I sat on the floor moving stuff around in my suitcases, and the dresses that needed packing but would never fit.

“I have to focus on this.” I waved my arms in frustration.

Charlie kneeled behind me and rubbed my back and shoulders but was unable to loosen what felt like a boulder attached to the back of my neck.

“Kat, I don’t mean to badger you. I know you are leaving, but before you leave, I want to know if we have a chance. I’ve only met Matteo and Greg, and perhaps there are others too.” His tone was kind but firm.

“No, no one else.” How had things gotten so complicated from zero men in my life to juggling three? But I still didn’t know if any were right for me.

“Glad to hear it, Kat. I don’t want to share you with anyone.”

“Charlie, I got massive problems right here. I can’t think about two months from now. I have to figure this out.”

I stood to survey the piles from a distance and come up with a game plan. No wonder the women back then traveled with massive trunks and dozens of pieces of luggage. And with servants and staff to lug them around too.

His phone rang, and he glanced at it. “Sorry, I have to take this. I’ll be right back. I’m a pretty good packer.”

Charlie answered the phone but didn’t yell or snap like before. “Yeah Pete, what’s up? I’ve got to apologize about earlier. I was out of line and shouldn’t have yelled at you like that …”

I shut the door not wanting to listen. At least, he apologized to the poor guy. Maybe I’d convinced him to be a smidgen nicer.

I dumped everything out of my suitcases. Men had it so much easier. They just had to pack a few shirts and pants. Women needed that and more with shoes to match. I removed all the tissue paper and rolled the dresses up tight and stuck them in one suitcase. They still took up a lot of space, but I could use the other bag for my toiletries and modern clothes.

Charlie sat on the floor next to me to help, and I told him what I had to take with me. I removed a few casual tops and an extra pair of jeans. For two months, it would have to do. I’d buy whatever else I need in the ports of call. Charlie helped stuff socks and small bits into my shoes and other hiding spots. He even zipped up my bags and rolled them into the living room.

“I’m all done for the day, and you are all packed. And, I do believe, we have about two hours before our car service shows up.” He sat on the carpet next to me, nuzzled my neck and pulled me onto his lap. He leaned in and sniffed my neck. “You sure smell good. You better not fall overboard.”

“Yeah, it’s an Italian, a new guy in my life,” I teased starting to feel better now that the packing was done.

“F for Fascinating by Salvatore Fierro,” I whispered.

“Yes, definitely F. Those sneaky Italians.” He kissed me lightly on my neck. “I know another better F word,” he teased, his voice low and husky.

“Fabulous, fantastic, freedom?” I said playing along and trying to guess.

He pulled me around to face him, and I sat eye to eye with him. “Close. Rhymes with luck.”

Oh, of course, he had his mind on that. He held me tight and took my hair clip off and let my hair fall on my shoulders. His nose caressed my neck, and his breath tickled.

He inhaled deeply and whispered, “I’m going to miss you, my little Miss 99 percent. Nothing’s dull when I’m around you. But what a wild ride you have ahead of you.”

“I hate to tell you this, but besides losing my appendix, I don’t have my wisdom teeth either.”

“Well, then it’s down another notch to 98 percent. Don’t let anyone take any more body parts until they check with me first. Promise?”

Charlie started to tickle me, and I giggled but managed to say, “Yes, I promise.”

He stopped, and I didn’t move still comfortable on the carpet in his arms.

“I’m serious, when you’re back, I want to take you to Wyoming, Kat. You’d like it there.”

“Sure. And we’ve got to visit Richmond in the Spring. It’s only right since you adopted that name.”

“Anywhere you’d like to go, but right now there’s no place I’d rather be.”

His hands reached down into my jeans. And at this moment, I didn’t want to be anywhere else either. The barriers I erected were collapsing as if he had a magic key card to open any door.

The timid and nervous part of me wanted to forget about this trip and stay. Even a once a week Charlie-fix would be enough. But I knew I had to go since I’m not a quitter. Besides if I stayed behind like a love-sick fool and lost him, I’d regret this forever.

~ ~ ~

“Kat, so about Hong Kong. When you get off the ship, I want to meet you there.”

Oh, shoot. I almost forgot to pack the wig. I jumped up, stepped into my jeans and zipped them up on the way to my closet. I dragged my bag filled with costumes from the top shelf.

“Is everything okay, Kat?”

“Yeah. You reminded me that I forgot to pack something.”

I dumped the contents of the bag on my bed and rummaged around looking for it. The wig must be here somewhere.

Charlie stood next to me. He picked up my Catwoman outfit. “This?”

“No, a wig.”

“Good. I’d hate to imagine you running around on the ship in that.”

“I already wore it. Monday night at the parade.”

“You did? Oh, you are brazen. You know, I have a Batman costume.”

I stopped, and my heart skipped a beat or two when he mentioned Batman. “You do? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“No, I do. It’s my favorite, standby costume. Why?”

“Oh, nothing. I just thought … never mind.” How could I explain he’d reminded me of Batman on our first date and not favorably?

“Next year we should dress up and go to a party or the parade together. Here in the real Gotham.”

“Maybe.” I couldn’t think about this while searching for the elusive wig.

“I think Batman and Catwoman were attracted to each other. They even got married.”

“Yeah, well, that’s Hollywood.” I resumed my search for the wig. “Finally. What a relief.” The hair was a crumpled mess. I shook it and found my wide-toothed comb.

“Are you going to Japan too? Do you need this?” He picked up my kimono, a gift from a Japanese friend.

I shook my head no. “What did we agree about unnecessary questions?”

“Come on, Kat. Fine, I guess it’s for a bad hair day. December, Hong Kong. Just give me a week or two-notice.”

“No, sorry. As soon as I get off the ship, I’m flying back.”

“Come on, Kat. It’ll be fun for Christmas shopping.”

“I won’t arrive until January.”

“January? I guess it would be if it’s two months. Okay, post-holiday shopping.”

“No shopping. You have to do that on your own.”

“What’s the deal? Don’t you like Hong Kong? You were there before and got all that press.”

I stared at him wishing he would shut up. I wasn’t going to tell him about the dangers.

“Oh, I know. It’s the drug dealers, isn’t it? You shouldn’t go there, so that’s a disguise.”

I didn’t say anything. I hated to admit Charlie was smart. I wouldn’t have put it together this quick. The wig combing was done, and it looked slightly better. I left the bedroom to stuff it into my suitcase.

Charlie followed me. “Kat, you can’t go there. It’s way too dangerous.”

I ignored him and stowed the wig carefully between some dresses. “No, it’s not. I’ll be careful.”

I took out the small metal disc and Hong Kong cash from my wallet and stuck it in the pouch with medical stuff from Matteo. They were all emergency related and safer together in my carry-on bag.

Charlie scrutinized my every move and looked so worried.

“Take the ship anywhere, but not Hong Kong.” He stomped his foot, and the sound reverberated on the wooden floor.

I stood up after kneeling beside my suitcase, and he put his arms around me. I expected an apology, but he whispered, “I forbid it.”

“You what? You can’t forbid anything.” I wasn’t about to be bossed around by anyone.

“You have to leave now, Charlie. I’m going to the airport alone.” It was too early to head for the airport, but I was ready to go and could shop in duty-free.

“Kat, no.” He slumped down as if all the air was sucked out of him while he watched me. I saw the pain in his eyes as if I was a ‘dead woman walking.’ His concern unnerved me.

I lifted the handles on my suitcases and balanced my carry-on bag and purse on top. I had a lot to lug, but taxis were plentiful at the corner of Columbus Avenue, so I didn’t have to go far. I rolled my luggage towards the door, but he had to leave first so I could lock the door. I wasn’t about to loan him a set of house keys.

He sat at the dining table and put his elbows on the table. His hands were together as if in prayer shielding his nose and mouth. This whole situation was getting ridiculous. I tapped the wall near the door impatient.

He stood with a grimace. “Okay, Kat, you win. Do what you want. I won’t bring it up again. Please let me take you to the airport.”

My heart pounded from a toxic mix of nerves and stress. Maybe I had lost my mind to consider returning to Hong Kong.

“I need a drink,” I said not caring what he thought.

I left my luggage by the front door ready to go and marched back to the kitchen. I plopped my shot glass on the counter and opened the freezer. Charlie came into the kitchen and sat on a bar stool watching me.

“Extra shot glass, Kat?”

I motioned to the wall unit with the shot glasses next to my non-existent liquor collection. Inside the freezer, I found my two Scandinavian buddies waiting. I pulled them both out, but I only wanted one small shot from the bottle with my ship for courage.

I filled my faithful shot glass, a souvenir from Sweden, and admired the little red horse called a Dala horse. The wooden horse carvings, dating from the 16th century, were from the Dalarna region, near my Swedish grandfather’s birthplace.

Charlie returned with his selection. “You have an unusual assortment of shot glasses.”

Most were souvenirs from trips with Axel, and it was hard not to reminisce when my life was happier and easier. Charlie picked the one from Iceland with an Icelandic pony. Of course, we both selected glasses with horses. Axel never wanted to go horse riding, so that was something only Charlie and I shared.

I offered him both aquavits, and he selected the Norwegian one with the ship on it.

I filled up his glass. After we said, “Cheers,” we both drank it down. The cold tickled my throat, and I stared at the ship logo feeling better.

“That’s good. What’s it made of?” Charlie asked.

“Like vodka, it’s distilled from potatoes, and they add spices.”

“Are you going to be drinking it on the ship?”

“Probably. Scandinavians drink this all the time. If it hadn’t been for you and this guy here,” as I pointed to the Norwegian aquavit bottle, “I wouldn’t be doing this.”

He waited, and I sensed he was eager to hear more. “After our date, I had a close call with a taxi, so I needed a drink when I got home. I forgot about these bottles and then …” I drifted off.

“What happened?” He asked urging me to continue.

“That night you said I should do something more productive. I’d been trying to plan a trip for weeks. With help from this guy,” as I pointed at the Norwegian bottle, “I decided to do what he did.”

I pointed to the back of the bottle that explained the journey.

“Get away from people like you and my failed business on a unique trip. And for at least a little while, forget about all these sad memories here.” I glanced up at Axel and Xena sitting on the shelf.

Charlie read the label on the back of the bottle and scrutinized me but was silent for once.

“This is something I have to do. If I don’t do it now, I never will. And the ship is somehow encouraging and pulling me. I know it sounds crazy, but I can’t explain it.” I looked at the ship to avoid seeing a dreaded smirk on Charlie’s face.

“Now, Kat. You aren’t losing it. Sometimes people get messages like this. I grew up in Wyoming with Native Americans. I’ve been to tribal spirit ceremonies and heard the stories. I’ll tell you more about it when we have some time. It’s a gift, not a curse.”

I searched his face for a sign he was lying. He, of all people, shouldn’t understand this. I sniffed with relief since he looked genuine. “Well, life would be easier if these guys had behaved more like bottles.”

He took me in his arms, a warm, bear hug, and whispered sweet reassurances in my ear. Maybe he’s right about Hong Kong, not to mention the warnings from Jackson, Chee, and Robert. Why not deal with some minor inconvenience to reduce my risk?

“Oh, all right. I’ll get off the ship at the port before, fly to Hong Kong, and change planes there. Hong Kong’s International Airport should be safe enough for a few hours. Happy now?”

Charlie smiled and kissed me. “Oh, yes. Thank you, Kat. More than you’ll ever know.”

I knew he was relieved, and I hated to admit it, but I felt the same way.