The scared salesman of handmade pens carved out of native woods took off running. It was too bad for his brother, who was halfway under the bus with Odessa’s knee in his groin, pressing down as she mashed the man’s face into the sidewalk.
Big Sarge was outdone. “What the hell is wrong with you two? Get off that man ‘Dessa, and act like you got some home training! And pull down your dress!” A dress that was about her hips with her butt cheeks hanging out for everyone to see as she kneeled on the ground. Frowning was all that his daughter received, but he literally growled at Saxton. “You can’t act like that every time a man comes near your woman, son. Relax a bit. You are acting like some love sick gorilla!”
It was beyond embarrassing for both the Blakemores who politely excused themselves from the group.
“Mom, Dad,” Odessa said. “We’ll see you back on the ship.” And with those words they parted ways.
They were quiet as they took a side street, making their way back to the cruise liner. “Your dad thought I overreacted,” he told her.
“I saw the snake tattoo on his hand,” Odessa said in a low voice as she scanned the streets while they walked.
Saxton slipped his hand into hers. “Yes, I saw the one on the guy you took.”
It was a quiet acknowledgement that they were being followed and watched. It was a heavy burden that draped about both their necks, like a dead albatross of bad luck. The feeling that accompanied the weight was even worse. At the end of the trip someone was going to die. Saxton and Odessa only prayed it would not be one of them.
That thought alone made Odessa stop in the middle of the street as she flung her body into his arms. Tears came from nowhere and she held him tight. He held her back as he asked, “What’s wrong, baby? Why are you crying?”
“I am just so full of emotions right now, Saxton. I just want to take a pair of magical scissors and cut this damned albatross from around my neck. No matter where I go, I am like a magnet for crazies...”
He silenced her cries with his mouth. He provided a gentle kiss of love and encouragement. “As long as I am here, no harm will come to you.”
She used her index fingers to wipe away her tears. “Yes, that is true. But as long as I am near you, it seems harm comes to find you.”
“Then, I guess we’d better stick together,” he told her with a reassuring smile.
The winds of change...
Odessa leaned against the rails on the Lido Deck, watching the sea foam slap against the sides of the boat. The dark blue waters of the Caribbean would soon turn a beautiful aquamarine, graduating into the perfect shade of turquoise the closer the cruise liner came to Barbados, which was their next stop. Yesterday in St. Thomas, she and Saxton visited a few church sites looking for hidden doors and secret passageways. It was always an odd thing to her that not only did the do-gooders use the church as a means of change, but evil doers used it as well. Criminals often hid devious business enterprises under the guise of the cross as a means to conceal the wrongdoing for which they reaped large profits. The slavers used the church as a holding space while the escaped slaves used the church as a sanctuary. The rumrunners often stored products in the bowels of the buildings thinking few would check such a holy place as a stockpile for sin. There is a lot of sin in the church.
“Odessa,” came a voice behind her. Odessa jumped, spilling coffee all over her white linen pants.
“I’m sorry, sweet pea, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Dora told her daughter as she took the cup from Odessa hands. It did not escape her notice that her child was squeezing the cup and a bit more pressure would cause the ceramic ware to crumple in her hands. “Have a seat, let me get you a fresh cup. Be right back.”
Odessa watched her mother walk away. Dora Trodat was a good looking woman. Even in her mid-60’s men watched as she walked by in her swimsuit and sarong, which showed a bit of a very well-toned thigh. Her mother was always a bit of an enigma to her. Dora was the type of mother who had something behind her eyes that was mysterious, cryptic and all seeing. The woman had a way of asking the right questions and Odessa had never been able to lie to her. It always amused Odessa when Ryanne would say their mother would make a great interrogator.
Odessa watched her mother return to where she was seated, shades on top of her natural, low cut hair, just a pop of lip color and eyes... eyes that took in everything she saw. Her grayed temples made her look distinguished and classy. Her mother was a class act.
Dora took a seat, crossing her long legs and bringing the sarong over her knee to provide some modesty. “Now, sweet pea, it is very obvious that whatever happened to you on that cruise to Mexico seriously impacted who you are. I have said nothing, even when a very large, strange white man showed up and said he was your husband. Two years later, you are still married to that man, but you are very different.”
Odessa stared out into the sea. Hearing, yet saying nothing. Her mother continued, “My son spent four days with the two of you and he, too, came back different.”
Her hand trembled as she picked up the coffee cup to take a sip of the dark brew, but her mother was astute. “Look at me, baby,” Dora said. “Tell me what broke you and what you are trying to fix?”
“We had to get married, Mama. But he came back for me to remain his wife, and I love him. I love him so much, but I am like an electromagnet for the horrible,” she told her mother with eyes full of tears. The rest she poured out of her soul, while she sat wiping away salty memories of death, broken lives, snakes, fears, and her brother’s danger.
“And the men in the marketplace?” Dora asked.
Odessa explained the snake tattoos. She told her mother about Mateo. She told her about Delgado, the man she killed in Mexico. Odessa even told her about Grandma Patsy and the man she had to kill to protect Saxton’s grandmother. Her words were soft as she told her mother of the man Grandma Patsy had to kill to save her.
“The children, Mama. The women... it could have been me,” she said even lower. “Mama, some of the women have the children while they are being held captive and they sell the babies...”
It was amazing how calm her mother was with everything she was telling her. A perfectly groomed eyebrow only arched once at the words her daughter spoke. “Odessa, why is a drug cartel leader on a cruise ship with you?”
“He saved Kevin’s life and he likes us,” she told her mother with a laugh.
Dora’s gaze narrowed. “He likes you?”
“Yes, he thinks Saxton and I are exciting and a great deal of fun,” she said with a straight face.
She burst into laughter at the absurdity of the words. Her mother laughed, as well. Dora reached for her daughter and pulled her into her arms, squeezing her tightly. “That’s what I needed to hear was your laughter. I miss the sound of it.”
Dora held her a few minutes more, then let go. “Okay, sweet pea, here is the plan. I made us appointments at the spa for me, you, Hilda, your sister and Mary Jean,” she said. Her eyes got wide when she said Mary Jean’s name. The young woman was a walking fashion faux pas. Today she was dressed in a skirt emblazoned with large, 3-D ants.
Dora told her daughter, “You have six days on a beautiful cruise ship headed to some of the most romantic places in the world. Use these days to make hot sweet love to your man.”
Odessa’s eyes got wide, but Dora playfully hit her arm. “Don’t act all coy with me. That is a lot of man and he seems content. What you need to do is to wear his butt out and make him truly happy!”
Her eyes got wider as well as her mouth, but Dora told her, “Danger may be sexy, Odessa, but there is nothing better than sending that man home, tired as heck, from six days of you riding him like forty going north. He needs to be with his wife. Moreover, that big joker needs to relax. If, in the process, you make me a grandchild, I am okay with that, too.”
Odessa’s brow was crinkled as she stared at her mother, who began to dole out some sage advice to her eldest child. “Sweet pea, you can’t fix an
ything in the world until you first fix yourself. Yes, you managed to escape a horrible fate and rewrote your ending, but you also have to start making entries into your future. Saxton is your future.” She touched Odessa hair. “This hair style is your past. You have been wearing this tired do for nearly three years. It’s time for some changes.”
She grabbed her daughter by the hand. “Let’s do this.”
The glass doors opened into the back portion of the ship as they headed towards the salon and spa. But Odessa stopped short. “Mama,” she said low, “I... I...” and pressed her lips together to bite back the tears. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. The whole thing with Kevin, the snakes, I am just a ball of nerves.”
Dora rubbed her shoulders. “Good sex always relaxes me. That and shooting my gun,” her mother said.
The frown that covered Odessa face was audible as she told her mother, “After hearing that you can feel free to shoot me.”
“Baby, you are grown now. And I can be honest with you and tell you, your daddy is a freak, which is why I married him.”
“I could have gone my whole life and not known that,” she told her mother.
“Don’t hate, appreciate. Why do you think I keep this body in shape and so tight. I love me some Big Sarge,” she said as she kicked up her heel.
Dear Lord, save me from my parents.
Saxton leaned back in the chaise lounge on the Serenity Deck and soaked up some sun. Dwight was next to him on the right, Kevin on his left. Big Sarge sat in a chair underneath the overhang out of the sun. Rashad had found several young women who followed him wherever he went. Big Sarge suggested he take that nonsense to the other side of the ship.
It was a fun day at sea and there was nothing to do all day but relax. The women were at the spa and after sunning, they were planning to have a guys’ only lunch. A lunch that Saxton Blakemore was dreading as much as a prostate exam.
At lunch, they were joined by Dwight’s father, Lou, who was a quiet man and ultra conservative. This was a stark contrast to Big Sarge, who started the conversation with, “The secret to a long and happy marriage is really good sex.”
Kevin spit out his shrimp. Rashad stood up to leave and Lou audibly asked, “What the hell?”
“I am just letting you know. I have been married to Dora for thirty something years and the secret is really good sex,” he said it matter-of-factly, like he was about to tell everyone rain was expected later in the afternoon.
Lou wiped his mouth. “This is not the time, nor the place for such conversation.”
Big Sarge was not hearing it. “It is exactly the time and no better place to have this conversation. Both of these young men are newlyweds and married to my daughters. They are also the future fathers of my grandchildren. I have every damn right to tell them what I’m about to say.” He looked at Lou. “Based on how tight your wife’s face is, you need to hear this as well.”
Dwight’s face showed a flash of anger, but what caught Saxton’s attention was the look in the man’s eye. It did not escape Kevin, Jr. either as both men now honed in on Ryanne’s husband. Dwight looked down and back up again and it was gone. Saxton made eye contact with Kevin, Jr., who arched his brows at him, indicating he had seen it as well. What is up with this dude?
Big Sarge was still leading the conversation. “What I am saying, Lou, is this. If they are doing what they need to do at home, then they won’t be tempted by other women. And the women will come. You can be ugly as hell with a dripping eye and a peg leg, but if you have a job, the women will come after you. Shoot, some of these young women are so bad now, you don’t even have to have a job.”
Saxton rubbed his eyes as if he was tired. What is up with her dad? Big Sarge responded as if he read his mind. “Saxton, what I am saying is, I know the look on my wife’s face when I make her happy and please her. If I am out and about trying to please other women, then someone else will be at my house, putting that look on her face.” Saxton and Dwight both sat upright at his words. “I am telling you both, learn what makes your woman happy. Keep that look on her face. If you can’t keep it on her face, then some other man will.”
The entire table was quiet, including Lou. Big Sarge lowered his voice as if he was giving his platoon marching orders. “Gentlemen, you have six days remaining of alone time with your woman. Use the rest of this week to explore, romance and be her lover. Life is waiting when you get home. Now is the time to learn the fastest route to Smilesville. Even in the future when she is mad at you for doing something stupid and buying something you don’t need, she can come back to this memory of your romantic time together.”
He stood up. “If you will excuse me. I am going to make dinner reservations at The Steakhouse for me and my Dora and just so you know, tonight we will be in the hot tub upstairs. Don’t come up there. Get your own sweet spot.”
Saxton looked at Dwight. Both men followed Big Sarge to The Steakhouse to make their own separate reservations. The grumpy codger was correct. It was time to get some romance going.
Changing course...
It was late in the evening when Odessa caught up with Saxton. He was at the shore excursion desk with her father booking a 4x4 Island Adventure tour. Initially he looked up at her and smiled, dropping his head back down to the desk. His head rose slowly to look at her again and the biggest grin crossed his face. “Wow, look at you!”
Odessa did a small curtsey in the floor before spinning around, showing off her new hairstyle. Gone were the shoulder length wavy curls and bangs. Now a straight, flat-ironed hairstyle framed her face. It gave a look of maturity to her and Saxton found himself wanting her. She asked in a soft voice, her nose slightly crinkled, “You like it?”
“There isn’t much I don’t like about you, Odessa Blakemore,” he told her as he kissed her cheek. But the look she gave him made him pause. “What?” he asked.
“So there are some things about me you don’t like?” She nibbled on her bottom lip, suddenly feeling vulnerable.
How did I walk into this mess? He asked himself, but they were never dishonest with each other and he wasn’t going to lie to her. “As I am certain there are some things about me you don’t like as well, Odessa.” He arched his brow.
“You go first. We each name one thing. And be honest,” she told him as she moved closer.
Saxton looked over his shoulder, hoping someone, anyone, would come to his rescue, but to no avail. He had to confess. “You sure you want to talk about this now?” He waved the envelopes in front of her with the shore excursion tickets.
“Why not?” Her face was stern as she gave him an intense look.
“Ok, now it is,” he exhaled and looked about again, hoping someone, anyone, would walk through with a snake tattoo, a gun, a stiff drink – something. Nope. He was going to have to play. “Okay, I don’t like your cooking.”
She looked almost relieved. “And if you could fix this issue, what would you do?”
“I would send your sexy ass to cooking class. I mean, I understand low cal and low fat, but it has to taste good. Most of what you cook has no taste and is bland.” His eyes were wide. He had been wanting to tell her that for two years and had not. This is it. The end of your marriage. It was great while it lasted.
Instead she smiled at him. “Fair enough. If I go to a cooking class and learn to cook more tasty meals, will you throw away your cheat day?”
He extended his hand for a shake. “Deal!”
“Your turn, Odessa. What don’t you like about me?”
The look on her face was one of deep thought as she searched for the correct words. “You react before you think things through. I would like if you put a bit more thought into some of the things you do.”
There. That was painless.
“Fair enough,” he said as Agent Roget called his name. “I am off to a whiskey and stogie tasting with guys.”
“Stogies? Really?”
“I know, right?”
Saxton placed her finger
s in his hand. “I love you, you know that?”
“And I love you, Saxton,” she said, staring into his eyes.
“I will see you in an hour at dinner?”
“And after that?”
“Meet me on the balcony in our suite in that red silk night thing I like,” he said in a low voice.
“I can do that,” she whispered as he pulled away, his fingers lingering, touching hers.
Romance filled the air as throughout dinner, the spouses made loving eye contact with their mates and Agent Roget made his move on Hilda. With so much love floating about, Odessa’s normally reserved cousin let her guard down a bit as she danced the evening away in the on board night club. Big Sarge and Dora headed to the Serenity adults only lounge to hit the hot tub and Odessa joined her husband in their suite.
“Well, Mr. Blakemore, you had a chance to tell me the one thing that you don’t like about me, here is your chance to tell me the one thing that you do,” she said as the thin spaghetti strap slipped from her shoulder.
It did not take him long to figure out exactly what he wanted to say to his wife. “I love your character. I admire that even in the most adverse situations, you are always calm,” he said into her neck as he lifted her gently and carried her to the bed. “When everything is chaotic around you, somehow you manage to sift through the noise and make it all make sense,” he told her as he clicked the nightstand light. He kissed her softly in the darkness of the room. “What do you like about me?”
Her legs intertwined with his as her calf rubbed against the hairs of his leg. “I always feel cared for when I’m with you. As big as you are, as strong as you are, you are so gentle with me. I love that about you,” she said as her fingers went into his hair.
Cruising with the Blakemores Page 2
