Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
harem of girly boys, you make a mockery of cruising and real people at sea! If I want your
opinion, I'll come and ask you!”
“Jesus, Steve!” yelled Linda, finally coming to her senses.
“Hey hey hey! Steady on you two, this is a little island barbecue amongst family members.
The world is ugly enough without creating a fight on a lovely deserted island like this!”
said the shaky but emotionally charged voice of Tony, the rheumy-eyed ex-Vietnam vet. He
had been standing quietly with the others from Neptune's Chariot. “Life is precious, even
to the lowly hermit crab, to snuff out a life like that only means that you have no respect for
it.” His voice drifted away as he lost his nerve, but the point drove home. It was the most
any of us had heard him say. There were tears in his eyes.
“Fuck this Mickey Mouse party, I'm outta here!” Steve spat, throwing the contents of his
glass into the fire. “Coming Linda?” he suddenly turned about and marched off down the
beach, an angry and embarrassed man. Linda dutifully followed him, avoiding the looks of
everyone. I think we all felt bad for her.
Slowly, as in a dream, pieces of conversation began again. The tension lifted as we heard
their outboard engine race angrily back to their boat.
“Well! Charming guy!” Harry said, quickly recovering, and moving closer into the group.
“Mike, bring us that bottle of Baileys; let's have a toast!” he ordered cheerfully. It was evid-
ent what he thought of Steve, and this dramatic turn of events had put the Harry camp in a
much better light.
Mike came over with the Baileys liqueur and paper cups. “Sorry about the cups, but it is
more practical than the crystal.” He offered us all a cup and charged them liberally. We
sipped the nectar in silence.
Kevin, who had been quiet throughout the incident now grinned, offered up his paper cup
and said, “Here's to Gavin for speaking his mind!”
“Hear, hear!” we all agreed.
“That's what thirty years underwater will do to you,” he said humbly, staring into the fire.
His words were met with a relief of laughter. The party picked up; the food was eaten,
and we all had too much to drink. It was fascinating to stare mesmerized into the heap of
glowing orange flames. We were all comfortable with the company now, and we spoke of
incidences and happenings on our relevant cruises up to now. The blackness of the night
was kept at bay by the merry fire, but the warmth of our fellow beings was far warmer than
any fire, and a pretty girl confused between the choice of one or the other twin made for a
memorable evening.
