Chapter 2
The captain ended his speech with, “Remember, my wife always travels on my ships. She is my spy and will report your misconduct and good deeds. I hope she has many deeds to report.” She touched his elbow. He bent, giving her his ear again. He grinned. “Oh, you are also her spy. If you see me kissing or hugging any woman except her, you are required to report it to her.” They shared a gentle kiss, and he dismissed the crew.
Solomon could sense the magic and love between them. His heart ached at his loneliness. 2
After the captain’s talk, Mikhail schlepped to the captain. Everyone else left quickly. “Captain, I’m sorry I was late.”
Shifting from jovial to serious, the captain bore his gaze into Mikhail’s eyes. “Tell me the truth.”
For a moment, Mikhail thought to use humor, which usually got him out of trouble, but he chose maturity instead. “Captain, I was assisting a passenger to her cabin. She uses a walker and was confused about location. I know service and respect are paramount. Please don’t fire me my first week.”
The captain burst into laughter and slapped his paw-like hand into Mikhail’s shoulder, almost taking him off balance. “That is the truth?”
“Yes, sir. I know this line is innovative in many ways, including towards passengers and crew. I am honored to be chosen. Your reputation is stellar. I admit sometimes I need to show more maturity, but I promise to be a good worker. You can check the security video. I was with a passenger, taking her to the Neptune deck.”
An evil grin formed. “Were you kissing her?”
The wife shook her head, rolling her eyes.
Mikhail’s face heated, and it ran through his body. “Just helping, Captain. I know the rules about emotional involvement with passengers.”
“You look so young, maybe nineteen?”
Mikhail smiled. “Thank you, Captain, but I’m thirty. I’m a server and have been since I was fourteen.”
“Okay, then go to work, and I will have the video checked. For your sake, I hope you told the truth. If you didn’t—”
Mikhail swallowed the lump in his throat, bowed his head, and left.
Yes, Captain, I tell the truth, even when it ruins my life.
His thoughts turned to Solomon, sadness filling his heart and spreading throughout his body. Of course, Mikhail recognized Solomon among the crew members. How could he not recognize the handsome bear of a man?
* * * *
After the captain’s speech, Solomon walked back to the kitchen. His friend Jimmy nudged him with a shoulder and spoke in a warm, Canadian accent.
“I saw you staring at that sexy new waiter. Oh, and just your type, eh? What a cute ass in those tight jeans and his boyish smile. The glasses make him look studious. I bet he’s a virgin, eh. Will you have him on this trip?” Jimmy laughed.
Solomon snarled. “I wouldn’t let a corpse bed him.”
“Ah, you know him? He has to be good at his job, otherwise he wouldn’t have been hired.”
Solomon sighed so it would be noticeable. “Yes, he’s good at his work.”
Jimmy smirked. “How welldo you know him?”
“Well enough. We used to be good friends, best friends. Why are you interested in gays all of a sudden?”
“I keep my eye out for you. I wish for you to be as happy as my wife and I are, eh.”
“Thanks, Jimmy. You’re a good friend.” They bumped fists.
* * * *
The crew went through drills from first aid to fire fighting. They were shown a DVD on the use of fire extinguishers and fire hoses.
A rep from the cruise line added, “Never be afraid to drag a fire hose in and use it. We can clean later. That’s far better than letting a fire get out of hand, which on a ship can be devastating.”
Back in the kitchen, where Solomon was the happiest, preparing to serve, there were reminders on the importance of proper food handling and cleanliness by the same stone-faced rep.
“We have one standard, not one that we parade before passengers, and another that we secretly do. The cruise industry is sadly known for making passengers ill. We are fully committed to keeping them, and our crew, healthy. Proper and frequent hand washing is required, as well as prescribed food handling and refrigeration. You will not get in trouble for reporting problems or adhering to protocol. We know crews on some lines are overworked and mistreated. I am a daughter of the founder. Our family supports crew members as part of our extended family. We will work you hard but reward you and give proper time off. There is a fitness center for you.” She kept a stoic face. “I hope, and my father hopes, you will use it.”
Solomon considered making some appearances in the gym. He and Mikhail used to work out, and Mikhail had a way of making it fun. He sighed. “After all those years, he’s back in my life. Damn.”
Jimmy teasingly poked Solomon. “She’s beautiful even when she doesn’t smile. Do you think she’ll marry me?”
“Of course. She’s clearly a masochist.” He chuckled and poked Jimmy back. “Have you asked your wife?”
“Oh, you’re growing a sense of humor. Good. Soon you’ll come into puberty.”
Jimmy and Solomon got along well. Jimmy rarely teased Solomon for his quiet and stoic ways and adherence to Jewish customs or about being gay. Jimmy even quit swearing in respect for Solomon.