Chapter 23

Irene’s Day

The ship had left Sitka and was starting its trip across the open water of the North Pacific on its way to Prince William Sound. Irene was back to normal, and cognitively quite together. They had had a fun day shopping in the little fishing Coast Guard town.

Irene was sitting at breakfast eating when she noticed things were really starting to move around differently. First it was people swaying as they walked around the restaurant. Some of the elderly and even younger people were grabbing at things as if to support themselves, as if they had been drinking. It surprised her when she realized the seaworthy waiters and staff were doing the same thing. She was quite secure in her seat and didn’t think there was any problem until she noticed the tea in her cup was moving though she wasn’t touching it. The ship must be hitting some waves as we leave port, she thought as she watched the room around her.

She was sitting in a dining room on the bow of the ship about five stories above the water. The walls of the room were all glass for observing the beautiful outdoors, and the dining area was filled with white-covered tables of various sizes to accommodate parties of two to eight people. From the ceiling hung large, beautiful, crystal light fixtures, creating just the right ambiance for people eating gourmet meals in the elegant environment.

“Have you heard what the crossing will be like?” Irene said to a waiter who was clearing a table next to her.

“This could be a rough one. I heard thirty-foot seas are predicted.”

“Is that bad?” she asked. She had never been in rough weather and had no idea what was going to happen.

“Last time we crossed in big seas, we all wanted to just stay in bed, and by all, I mean not just guests but also staff.”

“Oh, this should be interesting,” she said with a delighted smile on her face.

“Grandma Irene, don’t you think we should go to our room? I’m starting to feel kind of queasy in my stomach,” said Danielle.

“You are? Wow, I feel fine. If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay here a bit longer. You could go lie down if you want though. I promise, I won’t get lost,” she said teasingly but with a face as innocent as an angel. “I’ll stay right here.”

“If you don’t mind, Grandma, I think I will. Please don’t go anywhere,” she said pleadingly. “I’ll come back in an hour or so. Sound okay?”

“Yes, dear. It sounds wonderful.” The little old lady sat calmly holding her teacup in her hand and enjoying the spectacle of people trying to walk like they had lived on the sea forever. Truth was, some people looked a little green around the gills and were holding their hands over their mouths. The stewards were running around handing out barf bags to the people that looked most likely to lose their breakfasts before they ever left the room.

An announcement came over the loud speaker in the room and warned everyone that the seas were supposed to be heavy during the day. Irene smiled. She was going to enjoy this.

She sat there for an hour listening to other people’s conversations and watching the ocean become more and more agitated. The waves were small at first—maybe only ten feet, she estimated. They were hitting the ship a bit to the port side, which seemed to make things rock slightly sideways. As the waves increased, people were walking with a wider stance for balance. When ladies in high heels tried to walk with a narrow gate and wiggle, their feet crossed too far over and they teetered on their four-inch-high shoes as they tripped themselves. Some continued to try to walk with what they thought was elegance, but Irene thought they failed. The smarter women just took off their shoes and walked barefooted while maneuvering the pathways between the tables to return to their cabins.

Irene continued to watch the “show,” as she thought of it. People were throwing up all around her, but to her surprise she didn’t feel the least bit odd. Maybe she would when she got up, but as long as she remained seated, she was safe and happy.

After two hours, she tired of watching and decided to take a walk. She left a note on the table for Danielle,

Going for a walk. Promise to stay on this deck only. I’m fine.

Grandma Irene

Up and walking, she still felt fine. It was a little tricky traversing open spaces, but when she got to the hallways she found handrails were common. She hadn’t gone far before she decided to go back. After all she was 89 years old and had to take care of herself. It seemed that her granddaughter was like a lot of the people on board, probably sicker than a dog. She got back to the elegant dining room and returned to her table, folded up her note, and put it in her bag. A waiter asked if she wanted a new cup of tea, and she decided she did indeed.

“What a glorious day! I feel like I’m on a roller coaster ride.” She giggled as the waiter almost lost his balance as the ship crested and then plunged down the backside of the wave.

“It’s a bit of a wild ride today, madam. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” said the waiter. After he poured her a fresh cup of tea, he retreated into the galley.

She watched with delight as the waves increased in size. Sometimes they splashed way up the side of the ship and then the ship dropped into a great trough before climbing up the side of the next wave.

At lunchtime, a short waiter came by and offered her the lunch menu. He kept his feet far apart for balance as he said, “It probably isn’t safe for you to be walking around the ship without assistance. I can get someone to help you back to your room or is there anything you would like me to bring you, milady?”

“Oh, yes, I think more tea with sugar and cream please.” She smiled happily. The waiter walked off with her old pot and cup. He soon returned with a fresh pot, a place setting of dinnerware, and a menu and stood ready to take her food order.

“I’m feeling a bit hungry. I think I’ll order grilled Alaska salmon, tomato soup and salad, and crème brulé for dessert.”

“Anything else, madam?”

“No, I think that should be enough.”

While the meal was being prepared, she continued to watch the seas. The waves were now breaking, and she could see the water clearly on her deck. After the ship broke through each wave, it followed with a ride down into the trough at the backside. Very few people came to eat lunch that day. There were few waiters, few people anywhere that she could see. She loved having most of the room to herself.

When the waiter returned, carefully balancing a tray with her delicious-looking meal, he asked, “Would you like to join the other table where people are sitting together?”

She looked in the direction of his nod. There were two men, both of whom looked terribly ill, and two women that were trying to act as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

“No, thank you. I’ll stay right here. I love watching the ocean. It’s rather exciting to me.” No way did she want to sit next to the two sick men. They could throw up any moment, and she was quite content, even proud that she wasn’t seasick. If she got next to them, she just might start feeling queasy herself. She smiled happily and the waiter returned to the galley.

Five hours after Danielle left Irene, Nathan came in and walked over to her table. “Danielle is worried about you,” he said.

“I’m fine,” she said happily. “I’ve loved watching this storm get stronger and stronger. “Oh, here comes another big one.”

The ship had been in a trough and was working its way up the side of the next wave. The water broke on the glass windows, swirling white water around, disrupting their view.

Trying to catch his balance, Nathan abruptly sat down in an empty chair. “She called me and asked how I was doing. She’s so sick. She doesn’t even want to see me. Says she looks terrible and has been going between the bathroom and her bed. She asked if I could come and find you.”

“Oh, I’m fine. See, I didn’t get lost. I promised her I would stay put. I have everything I need. Cups of tea have been coming and going all day. There’s a bathroom right there and there’s so much to see. If I go back to our cabin with her, it will be so uninteresting. I think I’ll just stay here. Anyway, it would be rather hard to move me back now that the ship is fighting these seas so hard.”

She looked so content with her situation. He hoped Danielle wouldn’t get too angry with him, but he couldn’t do as she had asked and move the elderly lady where Danielle could keep an eye on her. He understood Danielle’s need to protect her grandma, but he also understood the need to give the lady her freedom.

“Okay, I’ll give Danielle the message. I’m also going to check on you every half hour. If anything changes, I’ll come move you myself,” he said, knitting his brow.

“I promise I won’t move or get lost.”