SINKING SHIPS

The Arrival

When traveling with someone, take large doses of patience and tolerance with your morning coffee." Helen Hayes

Aunt Bonnie had insisted on all the girls joining her for a vacation.  No excuses! She had arranged everything, and they were all to join her for a weeklong cruise.  We were going to spend time together even if it killed us thought Aunt Bonnie.

As Bella took her heavy bags out of the cab herself, she thought this guy will not get a tip from me. He had done nothing but drive her there. His cab was dirty and he had no personality.  Obviously this cab company did not do any customer service training. She wondered if everyone else had arrived yet.  She did not know why she was so nervous but between her nerves and her aggravation with the cab driver she felt like she was going to snap.  She did not know why she let seeing everyone bother her.  They had lost connection over the years. It was not like they had went their separate ways on bad terms.  They all did what was best for them at the time.  As Bella approached the ramp, she looked up at the massive ship and prayed it did not sink. She could feel the warm breeze on her face and the smell of salt in the air.  She loved the ocean.  It had been years since she had spent time at the beach. She took a deep breath “here goes nothing” she thought as she boarded the huge ship.

Abigail sat in the cab wondering why her mother had insisted they all come.  It would have been nice to spend some one on one time with her mother. Bella was not even her daughter.  Why now? Why after all these years had her mother insisted on a “family” vacation.  Abigail exited the cab and waited on the cabby to unload her luggage.  She slowly walked up the ramp taking in the view.  She was happy to finally be boarding the ship.  The reception area was grand with dark rich mahogney wood, marble floors and beautiful flower arrangements throughout the space.  It was breathtaking.  People were bustling around trying to get their vacation started. She just wanted to get settled in and freshened up before she had to see everyone.

As usual, Calista was running late.  Her whole live seemed chaotic. She stumbled getting out of her cab. She quickly grabbed everything and ran up the ramp to the ship boarding right as the gate was being closed.  Relieved she made it; she made her way to her cabin praying the whole way that the ship did not sink.She could not wait to see everyone but was nervous.  She felt like a failure compared to Bella and Abigail.  She loved her mother and hoped she was not a disappointment to her.