James Rockton is ready to die. In fact, he plans on it. Having lost his life partner to AIDS, he books the South Pacific cruise Richard didn't live to share. James will spread Richard's ashes at sea, and then slip overboard to join him forever. He’s too old and too heartbroken to continue on alone.<br><br>But James doesn’t count on meeting a young man whose parents constantly put him down. Then there’s the obviously gay young art dealer who ogles a crazy young photographer traveling with an older gay man about James’s own age.<br><br>James and Herb begin spending time together, trying not to laugh too hard or get too involved with these young men, who circle each other in rapidly shrinking orbits. After all, James and Herb are old, with gray hair and less stamina. With time, talk, and martinis, will love manage to find them, too?

Fade to Gray

She tossed her head. “It didn’t do anything anyway, for your information!”


“It didn’t help that you were stuck, and my back almost went out trying to get you out. Then along comes our steward, asking if I needed any help! I rather thought you might need his help!”


She said, “Well, he might have been even more help if you hadn’t been there.” I could hear either humor or venom in her voice. There was certainly a sparkle to it. “He is quite good-looking and so very young!”


“That’s enough now!” the husband growled, but still his voice was giving out in chuckles.


And they were both off their heads, laughing again. I had to sit there until they calmed down, so that when they left, I could look like I hadn’t heard a thing. And this was just in the middle of the afternoon. Can’t wait to see what happens tonight.


Chapter 4