“I doubt she’d be interested. Don’t forget her health issues and how she refused to come here last Christmas. I almost had to force her to come to Jonathan and Emilie’s wedding.” Jonathan smiled at the memory. “No, Mary doesn’t strike me as a traveler.”
“Well,” Cody pushed on undeterred, “maybe you could place an ad for a travel companion on one of those travel sites. The web is full of people who love to travel.”
“That’s not a bad idea. I’ll have a look. But what about you and Parker? Don’t you want to see the world?” The second he’d said it, he regretted it. “I’m so sorry, Cody, that’s not what I meant. I mean, wouldn’t you want to experience the world?”
Cody laughed. “Don’t worry, Grandpa, I’m not that easily offended. Are you asking me and Parker to join you?”
“Well, you’re young, you’re strong, and I know for a fact that neither you nor Parker have seen much of the world, or experienced it, I should say. You could take a break in your studies and travel with me, while I still have my strength.”
That made Cody laugh even more. “It sounds like you’ve given this some thought already.”
Jonathan shrugged and blushed. So what if I have? “I may have thought about it a little, yes, but not seriously. It’s just an idea. Sorry if I’m out of line.”
“Oh, Grandpa, no need to apologize. I feel honored you’d even consider us as travel companions. Why don’t we ask Parker tonight, when he comes home from the university? I’m not opposed to the idea. Mathematics won’t go anywhere without me…”
That night, over dinner, Jonathan explained his idea to Parker. “I don’t know how much time I have left. Yes, your granddad made it all the way to ninety years, but there’s no guarantee I will. I might, I might not. But I’m not good at sitting here in the house all day, twiddling my thumbs. I need to feel useful, and right now, my family doesn’t really need me. You’re all doing well, studying, working, growing up. Instead, I’d like to see the world. When I was your age, that was my biggest dream, but your granddad didn’t enjoy traveling. We flew to Europe every now and then, and we attended meetings with the foundation wherever and whenever there was a new project being launched. But we never really vacationed abroad. Or even here, in our own country. I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, and I’ve yet to see Yosemite and the Florida Keys.
“What I really want is to take this big, long cruise, to see the world. Casually, slowly, one port at a time. Does that make sense?”
Parker nodded. “Sure, Grandpa, go for it. I mean, you have the money to do it, so why shouldn’t you? We’ll keep the house ready for you when you get back.”
“That’s not what I mean, son.” Jonathan shook his head. “As I’ve told Cody earlier today, I’d like the two of you to tag along. I’m too old to travel on my own. Besides, traveling is best done in a group, so that you can discuss your experiences, share what you see.”
“Wow!” Parker was stunned. “That’s where this is going… But what about my studies? What would Mom and Dad say?”
“I don’t know. Ask them. As for your studies, you wouldn’t be the first student to take a break. You could continue a year from now. If you’re interested, that is?”
“Interested? Are you kidding? To travel the world? Of course I am. Admittedly, I’d always envisaged doing it on foot, with a backpack, not aboard a cruise ship, but your way sounds a lot more comfortable.” Parker was getting excited, and he looked at Cody. “What d’you think, babe?”
“I’m game. Grandpa had me on ‘travel.’ I’m easy. You know I’d never be able to do any of it on my own. We don’t have that kind of money in our family, and even if we did, with my eyes, traveling alone is not an option. As for backpacking? I think your grandpa’s idea is fantastic. Although I won’t be much help, Park, I hope you realize that. I’ll be an even bigger burden than your grandpa!”
“That’s nonsense, babe, and you know it. You could never be a burden to me, no matter what! That’s not how love works.”
“Don’t argue, boys, please.” Jonathan tried to mediate. “Nobody is going to be a burden on anyone. I certainly don’t hope so. And we won’t be on our own. We’ll be on a ship with hundreds of others, a ship that has sailed that route before, many times. We’ll be safe.”
“I know, Grandpa, that’s not what I meant.” Parker tried to smooth things over. “I was trying to make a statement about love in general, and that Cody could never be a burden to me. I love him too much.”
“Thanks, Park, that’s very sweet of you to say…” Cody smiled.
“Yes, it’s very sweet and also very naïve to say,” Jonathan warned. “But let’s not dwell on that right now. Are we in agreement, then? We’ll leave as soon as your semester is over?”
Parker and Cody both nodded in agreement.
“Well, that is indeed great news. I’ll get things arranged. I’ll need to talk to my travel agency and see what they have available. I think we’d like to travel in style, what say you?” He chuckled, knowing that the two young men would’ve been happy to tag along even if they’d have to camp out on a couch.
“Oh,” he added, “one more thing: let me talk to your mother, Parker. I know how to handle her. And I’d be more than happy to talk to your mother, too, Cody.” He raised his glass, and they toasted to their upcoming trip.
The next day, Jonathan called his travel agency and booked them on a ship from New York, out through the Caribbean, and into the new Panama Canal, over to Acapulco and Los Angeles. From there, they’d continue their journey out into the Pacific, to Hawaii and the Polynesian Islands, then on to New Zealand, Australia and up toward Singapore. After that, they’d gather their bearings and see where to go next.
* * * * *
Chapter 10 - The World is an Oyster
I still can’t believe we’re actually doing this.” Parker was very excited as the butler escorted them to their cabin, or stateroom, as the cruise line preferred to call it.
“Here is your suite, gentlemen.” The butler opened the door and led them into a corridor. “Have you stayed with us before?”
Jonathan, who was walking into the room after the butler, shook his head. “No, this is the first time on a ship for all of us. We are quite the beginners, but we’ll be onboard for a while, which is why we opted for a larger cabin.”
“You’ve made an excellent choice, sir. This is our largest stateroom, with four separate bedrooms, complete with en-suite bathrooms, walk-in closets and your living room has a large private balcony. If you follow me, I’ll show you around. I hope the facilities will be to your satisfaction.”
The butler gave the three men a tour of the spacious suite. Their cabin was in the forward-starboard section of the ship, overlooking the bow. It had a large window front, but no forward balcony. Instead, there was a sort of inner courtyard to the side, with a big whirlpool, a dining table for ten people and several lounge chairs. Along the right side of the cabin were four large bedrooms, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, providing for amazing views right from each of the king-size beds. Each room came with its own en-suite bathroom, equipped with large bath tubs, separate showers and toilets. The walk-in closets were large enough to house a bed, Jonathan thought.
The living room, facing forward, had everything the heart could desire. A large couch, a big view-screen, a bar stocked with all the typical liquors, wine and champagne, another large round dining table, and, of course, a view unparalleled anywhere else on the ship, on the deck above the navigational bridge.
“If you need anything, please call me from any of the intercoms throughout the suite. My colleagues and I will be at your service twenty-four seven. The menus for the various restaurants are here—” he pointed to one of the sideboards “—in case you would rather dine in your stateroom. Otherwise, I’d be happy to make reservations for you in any of the restaurants. A table is set aside for our suite guests in all restaurants for the entire evening. Just let us know, and we’ll make it happen for you
. Now, if there is anything else I can do for you at the moment? Your luggage is already in your rooms and being unpacked as we speak.”
Jonathan looked to the boys, and they both shook their heads. “No, I think we’re fine right now. We’ll just familiarize ourselves with the place. Thank you, Carlos.”
The butler left them to discover their home for the coming weeks.
Parker was giddy with excitement. “Grandpa, have you seen this? This is amazing!”
Jonathan watched and smiled as Parker showed Cody around, explaining how things looked, helping Cody acquaint himself with the new, unfamiliar environment. The sooner Cody learned how to walk about on his own, the sooner he’d be independent.
The ship left the dock at five p.m. and sailed down the Hudson, providing them with an amazing view of Manhattan, Jersey City, and the outer harbor as they sailed by Ellis and Liberty Islands and the other sights on the way out toward the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. From there, it was out into the open Atlantic Ocean, as their ship set a southwestern course toward the Caribbean.
That night, they decided to take it easy and ate in their suite, enjoying the view of the open ocean, the occasional cargo ship passing by.
By the time they woke up after the second night aboard, the ship had already reached San Juan de Puerto Rico, their first Caribbean destination. This hustling, bustling port was a city neither Caribbean nor American, and a place as schizophrenic as the entire island’s political state. Puerto Rico was still not a full-fledged state of the Union, yet more than a mere territory and older than any of the fifty states, and showing it. San Juan, with its cobblestone streets, and the many colorful houses hugging the slopes of the hill up to the forts, had been founded more than a century before the first English settlers reached American shores on the Mayflower.
Jonathan had really looked forward to visit San Juan, but when he woke up that morning, he felt the weight of every one of the eighty years weighing him down, and he was barely able to move out to the living room to inform the boys to head out on their own.
“I’m not feeling well. I’ll ask Carlos to bring me some breakfast later. I’ll just go back to bed and lie down for a bit longer. You boys go ahead and enjoy your day. If I feel better later on, I’ll vid-call you, and we can take it from there.”
“Are you sure?” Cody asked, his voice betraying how worried he was about the old man. “We’d be happy to stay here and keep you company. We could play cards or just read?”
“I’m sure, Cody. I promise I’ll be just fine. There are almost two thousand crew members on board, and the phone is right by my bed. If I need anything, they’ll be right here. It’s probably just the climate change. I’m not used to the humidity and the heat. Give me a few days, and ole’ Jonathan will be good as new. Now go, have fun. Do you have enough money?”
“Thanks, Grandpa. We’ve got plenty of money. We’re not here to buy the island…” Parker laughed and kissed Jonathan on the forehead before putting his arm around Cody and leading him to the door. “You relax and call us when you feel better, okay?” were the last words Jonathan heard before the door closed, and the boys were gone.
Jonathan had never been to Puerto Rico, nor any other of the Caribbean islands, and he silently cursed his age and the frailty of his body that kept him from finally experiencing it fully. On the other hand, it was only a five-hour flight from Chicago at any given time, and he could always return. Besides, he had another six months to look forward to, and plenty of other sights to see. As long as he was fighting fit by the time they reached Hawaii, he’d be fine. It was the Pacific that beckoned him more than anything. Places like Maui, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, and Bora Bora rang like Siren calls in his mind and heart, and he could hardly wait to discover the beauty of those island paradises.
He walked back to his bedroom and lay down. Sleep came easily to him; it was still dark, and nice and cool in the room, as he’d not opened the blinds. He slept for a couple of hours and then woke again mid-morning, feeling slightly better but also angry that he hadn’t felt better earlier. He looked at his watch and decided to take it easy for a little longer, hopeful he’d be able to join the boys for dinner in town later. There was no rush, and he’d long ago learned from watching Dan age before his eyes that it didn’t pay to push the envelope at their age.
He showered and dressed, in a white shirt and a pair of white shorts that were the fashion among the younger kids. Jonathan still felt twenty-five at heart, despite the obvious appearance of a senior citizen looking back at him from his mirror reflection.
Good morning, old man. Glad you could join me today. If only for a day, I could be twenty-five again. I’d run circles around the boys. Then he thought of Cody and immediately regretted his own thoughts. At least I could have been with them, out there, discovering the beauty that is San Juan.
He called Carlos for some fresh juice and a croissant and then made himself a coffee from the machine in the suite’s bar. He was just about to sit down when the doorbell rang, and Carlos asked if he could come in.
“Yeah sure, Carlos. Walk right in,” Jonathan called back into the corridor, but nothing happened. He set down his cup and went to open the main cabin door. Carlos was standing on the other side.
“Please, Carlos, you don’t have to wait for me to let you in. Just walk in if you don’t hear me. I’m too old to run to the door all the time, and if anyone of us wishes to be alone, we’ll put up the sign to our rooms.”
“Yes, sir.” Carlos bowed his head. “I’ll remember that in future, sir. I have your juice and croissant. May I come in?”
“Sure, go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.” Jonathan chuckled. He knew he couldn’t keep up with the brisk pace of his young butler.
“How are you today, sir? How come you’re not enjoying San Juan? Have you been here before?” Carlos asked politely as he set the dishes on the dining table, under his patron’s watchful eyes.
“No, I haven’t. I was actually looking forward to it, but I wasn’t feeling well this morning, so I sent the boys on their own. I’m hoping to catch up with them later on. Maybe have dinner in town.”
“Is there anything I can do for you? Would you perhaps like to see the ship’s doctor? She might be able to give you something strengthening?”
“Thank you, Carlos. That’s very kind of you, but I’ll be just fine. I’m an old man, and I don’t adjust to the heat and the humidity like I used to when I was your age.”
“Yes, sir, I understand. But please, we are here at your service. If there’s anything else, please do let us know. We want to make sure our guests enjoy their time with us as much as humanly possible. Perhaps I could arrange a massage for you? Or a refreshing facial? Our spa manager has some very interesting new offers on her spa menu…”
Carlos seemed worried about Jonathan, which made him feel oddly fuzzy inside. He and Dan had lived together for so many decades that worrying about the other had become a commonplace emotion—something they’d both taken for granted. It wasn’t a sign of not loving the other, quite the contrary; they knew they didn’t even have to think about it. They instinctively knew the other would always be there.
Except he isn’t. Not anymore. The last thought pained Jonathan, reminding him of his loss and the fact that he was now living a life he could never have shared with Dan, ever. Dan wouldn’t have traveled; he wouldn’t have gone on a cruise ship, and he certainly wouldn’t have considered a facial or a massage. Dan’s massages were long swims in the cold water of the lake by their cabin. His facials were lying in the rocking chair on their deck and gazing across the clearing into the distance. But Dan was gone, and Jonathan was alive, and for whatever time he had left on this plane of existence, he would live his life the way he enjoyed it. He could always fall back on their well-oiled routines once he’d passed on and was reunited with the love of his life. That’s unless Sean makes me feel like the fifth wheel on the wagon…
Suddenly sensing the silence around him, Jonathan looked at
Carlos, who was eyeing him suspiciously.
“Are you okay, sir?”
“Yeah, I just got lost in a train of thought. You were saying about the spa?”
“Yes, sir, the spa. I could have the spa manager come up to see you. They are fully capable of delivering most of their services in the comfort of your suite, but you are, of course, always welcome to walk down to deck fourteen aft, where our spa is located. Would you like me to call her?”
Jonathan felt as if he had little choice but to acquiesce the young man. “Sure, Carlos, let’s do that. And if you know of a good place to have dinner in town tonight, please make reservations for us, for seven. I’ll inform the boys to meet me there.”
Carlos smiled broadly and pulled out the chair for Jonathan. “The best restaurant in town, sir. Trust me. You’ll be pleased. And I’ll have the spa manager report to your suite in say thirty minutes?”
Jonathan had to laugh as he sat down, and Carlos pushed the chair toward the table. “No rush, Carlos. I’m on vacation, and I’m sure the good woman has better things to do than visit old men in their cabins…”
Carlos’ expression grew serious. “But no, sir. You and the guests in the cabin next to you—the Swensons from Duluth—are our most distinguished guests on this cruise, and it would be the pleasure of every single staff member on board to serve you.”
He poured Jonathan a glass of fresh juice from the jug he’d brought. Then he took his leave and left the room.
Jonathan thought about what Carlos had said. It made him feel incredibly well taken care of and secure—loved, even—but it also made him uncomfortable. He and Dan, despite all their money, had always lived simple lives. Yes, they owned an incredibly big house, and yes, they had cleaning staff do most of the work inside and around the house, but they cooked their own food, and they treated the gardener and the cleaning crew more like family than staff. For as long as they were physically able, they would lend a hand.
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