UPDATE:
Poll closes Saturday, Feb 7, 11:59 PM Eastern
A new week, a new port! The Love Boat Bachelor arrives in Bonaire today. Enjoy!In case you missed them:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter
Six
Port
of Call: Bonaire
Brent offered polite good nights to
his new acquaintances and left the frenzied theater. A full day of rough seas
had made him queasy, and he wasn’t going to admit it to anyone else, but he
needed some fresh air. Just when he thought his body had adjusted to life in
motion, sudden onset nausea reminded him otherwise. He looked forward to the
next morning’s port of call.
He climbed the stairs to the Promenade
Deck. Pushing open the door, Brent heard a couple arguing and cringed at the
thought of counseling them. Not good timing. Brent turned in the opposite
direction to escape, hands in pockets, eyes focused on the planks that would
lead him to safe refuge. A few strides later, he felt a tinge of guilt. And a
game of mental ping pong proceeded. What
are you here for anyway? But I feel sick. What good could I do? But maybe
something you say could help.
Brent pivoted on his heels and
headed for the lion’s den. If past experience refereeing onboard misunderstandings
was his barometer, this next incident could go either way—he’d be absorbing the
impact of the man’s pat on the back for the rest of the cruise or dodging the
couple’s glares.
With a quick whisper of a prayer,
Brent summoned a newfound confidence. Game on!
He approached the escalating tirade
with a wide smile intended to diffuse the tension. “Excuse me. I’m Brent, the
cruise chaplain. Can I be of assistance here?”
“Well, if you could help my husband
that really would be a miracle!” The woman spouted. “If he cared enough about
me, we probably wouldn’t be in this mess. We came on this cruise for our
anniversary, but now I can’t even remember why I married him in the first place
and—”
“Okay.” Brent touched her arm and
nodded to make it certain he’d heard her loud and clear. He wanted to calm her
but also cause a pause in her rant. “Can you back up for me and tell me what
you two are arguing about? But first, tell me your name.”
“My name?” The woman scrunched her
eyebrows and her nostrils flared with her annoyed exhale as her eyes looked up
to meet Brent’s. “My name is Gloria. And Gerome has a gambling problem. He’s
put us in bankruptcy. I’ve warned him to steer clear of the casinos, and now he’s
done gone and lost all our vacation money.”
Passersby glanced their way.
Brent guided the couple a few
footsteps away to a more private seating area. “You know what, Gloria? That is
a tough situation. And you’ve got every right to be mad.” He turned his
attention to Gerome. “Gerome, what do you have to say about this?”
“Poker’s my escape. The woman drives
me to it. Her mouth is always goin’. I get no respect. You know what I’m sayin’?
A man just wants a little respect from his woman.” Gerome grimaced.
“Well, this situation didn’t grow
overnight, and it’s not going to be fixed overnight. I’m a man of faith. What
about you two?”
They both nodded. “Uh-huh, yes sir,
we go to church.”
“Then you know God has a good plan
for your marriage. And it’s not gonna help to blame each other. At the same
time, bad stuff happens that we don’t expect, and we just have to maneuver it
as best we can and try to trust God that he’s going to help us work it out and
maybe use it for good someday. So, it’s late. How ’bout you two try to table
this? No more arguments. Enjoy your Bonaire stop tomorrow. Then we’ll talk
again when we’re back on ship.” Brent stood to signal an end to the
conversation, shook hands with the somewhat dazed couple, and sent them off,
satisfied that in the least, he diverted an ugly argument, and at most, he gave
them some food for thought.
His hands gripped the cool railing.
Ah, that helped. The breeze of eighteen knots against the skin soothed him, and
ironically, watching the boat’s wake calmed his belly. He sighed. Then he sensed
someone watching him. He glanced behind.
The moonlight sparkled against a
sequin dress. A woman sat in a chair under the shadow of the deck’s overhang. Shadows
hid her face, but her silver heels gave her away. She uncrossed her legs and stood
to take a few steps to stand beside him at the railing.
Brent looked down at her.
“Bless your heart,” she said,
looking out onto the ocean.
“Pardon me?”
“Well, I couldn’t help overhearing.
I wasn’t eavesdropping. I promise. I came off the dance floor to get some air.
Anyway, I was already sitting here and overheard your conversation with that
couple.” She looked up at Brent with big, round, beautiful blue eyes. She
placed her hand over her chest and batted her eyelashes in Southern Belle charm.
“I hope you’ll forgive me for watching and listening.”
Brent shook his head. “No, it’s
okay. But, why bless my heart?”
“Well, since you asked. I don’t know
… I just—How long have you been a chaplain?”
“I’m a pastor, actually, but I’m
doing my buddy a favor and filling in for this cruise.”
“Oh …”
“Why do you ask?” Brent’s curiosity
piqued. He turned to face her.
“Did you believe what you were
telling them? I mean—bad stuff happens. Try to trust God. Maybe he’ll work it
out for good someday?” She shrugged. “I don’t know; it almost sounded like you
didn’t believe it. Like you knew what you were supposed to say, but you didn’t
have conviction saying it.”
“Wow.” Brent took a step back. Who
was this woman, and where did she get the nerve? He shook off his offense
momentarily to respond appropriately. He summoned a polite smile. “What is your
name, Miss?”
“Sadie.” She offered a handshake.
Brent returned the gesture. “I’m
Brent.”
“I meant no offense. I was just
curious about your response. I’m sorry. It was none of my business. I’m sure you’re
experienced in counseling couples, and there’s a method you follow.”
She was backpedaling. Doing damage
control. She must have realized how rude and presumptuous her comments were. To
think he was almost fooled by those innocent-looking eyes.
“No worries, Sadie. No harm done. I’m
going to call it a night. It was … nice to meet you.” With a subtle bend at the
waist, Brent offered a how-do-you-do, and walked away, content to leave Sadie
with her mouth open in mid-speech. He didn’t give her a chance to say another
word.
She called out to him from the
distance, “Au revoir.”
A French good-bye with a Southern
accent? Brent shook his head and snickered. Cute and comical at the same time;
it took the edge off his annoyed mood.
****
Brent lay awake staring at the
ceiling, one hand propped under his head. He couldn’t get Sadie’s comments out
of his thoughts. “It almost sounded like you didn’t believe it” replayed in his
mind. He just wanted to minister to the couple and exit the conversation as
quickly as possible. He hadn’t felt good. Sadie didn’t know that. Brent
sympathized with her other—must be better—half. He probably had his hands full.
“I’ll be ministering to them tomorrow.” Brent chuckled and drifted to sleep.
****
Brent awoke abruptly with a
scripture in his head—James 1:19. He groped around the bedside table for his
iPhone. The screen lit up the small cabin. He waited for his eyes to adjust to
the light and focus. The Bible app read, “My dear brothers, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
He remembered his interaction with
Sadie, and with instant conviction, he knew what God was revealing to him.
Sadie was right. God had done so much for Brent already on this cruise. Each
day was a new revelation of God’s goodness. Then, tonight, he’d allowed his
illness to hurry him through a very important moment in the lives of a hurting
couple.
Sadie had spoken the truth in love,
and he had gotten immediately defensive and prideful. He wasn’t quick to listen
or slow to become angry. In graciousness and humility, not backpedaling, she’d
given him the benefit of the doubt that maybe he’d had some method.
Brent asked God for forgiveness for
not trusting Him and for ministering to the couple a double-minded,
watered-down faith. He asked God to renew his faith again and grant in him a
fresh zeal. Did Sadie know the impact of her words when she spoke them? Brent
was caught off-guard when she introduced herself with “bless your heart,” but
that’s exactly what she had done—She’d blessed his heart.
****
Bonaire. Feet on land. Brent
tightened his shoelaces under the warming glow of the mid-morning sun. He felt
lighter. His burden and heaviness gone. His spirit was renewed, and he had a
fresh outlook on life and God. With each stride, Brent’s running shoes squished
the water out from under the sand like squeezing a damp sponge. It might not be
dry, but at least it was land. He glanced behind him to see a trail of sole
prints marking his path like a road map. How appropriate that life had a way of
leaving its print upon our souls not as easily seen as his jogging footprints.
With the pale pink hue of the salt
flats of Bonaire to his left and the gentle, low tide of the Caribbean ocean to
his right, Brent loved being sandwiched between these two most beautiful
sights. Never had he jogged in such serene surroundings. He could get used to
the cruising life with such a glorious stream of ports to enjoy, even if they
were brief stops.
Another runner jogged toward him. In
the air, an apparent out-of-control kite-boarding surfer caught his attention.
Brent kept his pace while shifting his focus between the approaching jogger and
the kite surfer who struggled to level his rainbow-colored, winged craft.
Brent was about to cross paths with
the other runner when the soaring man careened toward them. “Whoa!” Brent
dodged the flailing legs of the surfer only to plow right into the jogger.
“Ack!” The jogger’s backside hit the
low tide.
“Ah!” The kite surfer landed in the
shallows. His board dredged in the soft sand. The poor guy held up his hands. “Sorry.
Sorry. I’m okay.”
Brent rubbed his sore shoulder. As
he extended his hand to offer help, the other runner’s ball cap fell off, revealing
a curly headed brunette. Brent did a double-take. “Sadie?”
Sadie brushed the sand off and
picked up her cap. “Yes, I’m fine. I was hoping I could run right by you, and
you wouldn’t notice me. Last time we talked, you were madder than a wet hen.
Now I’m the one who’s wet!”
“I sure didn’t recognize you in
sneakers instead of heels.”
Sadie replaced her soggy cap, and it
dripped down her face.
“Actually, I’m glad I ran into you.”
“I bet you are.” Sadie stood with
her hands clasping her slender waist.
Brent thought she had enough spunk
that she might retaliate, as if she were the bull and he the red cape.
“No, the pun was not intended.”
Brent laughed.
Sadie echoed the sentiment over this
unusual meeting with a giggle.
Brent caught his breath. “I wasn’t
sure I’d ever see you again, and I wanted to apologize.”
“You wanted to apologize to me?”
“God showed me that you had it
right. I should have offered that couple more than a few condescending words. I’m
sorry I was rude to you because I was offended by your comments. In reality, it
was wisdom and truth, and you weren’t afraid to say it. So, can we start over?
When I say it was nice to meet you, I mean it this time.”
“Likewise. It’s a pleasure.” Sadie flashed
a smile and gave the batting eyelashes the allure of her Southern charm. She
was a two-sided coin—sweet and spunky. Roselle would like her. Brent snapped
himself out of it. She was on the Love Boat. So, where was her other half?
“So, Sadie, where is your husband,
boyfriend …?”
She appeared confused by the sudden
change of subject. “What?”
“Well, this is the Love Boat, but I’ve
haven’t seen you with anyone yet.”
Sadie waved him off. “Oh, gosh, no,
I’m here alone.”
Brent was relieved. And hopeful? No.
He dismissed the thought.
“Say, since we are friends now,
would you like to sightsee together?” she asked. “That is, if you don’t have
any plans already.”
“No.” He paused. “I mean, no I hadn’t
made plans.” Brent rubbed his palm across his forehead. Something about this
girl made him lose all his smooth moves. “Sounds great. Did you have something
in mind?”
“Well, yes I do. I’d like to see the
Indian cave paintings and the village of Rincon. But since we’re so close, do
you mind if we check out the slave huts first?”
“Um, sure.” He’d pegged her for the
spontaneous type, but she’d come prepared.
They rented scooters for the day and
stopped first at the slave quarters, which were rows of tiny huts made out of
sand materials. A full-grown man couldn’t stand inside the shelter. Slaves had
used the huts for sleeping and storage while they worked to harvest salt. Brent
followed Sadie from hut to identical hut, somewhat amused that she was so
enthralled with the structures.
“I read the slaves would walk seven
hours from their homes in Rincon to come here and work all week, then return to
their family for a couple days before coming back again,” she shared.
Brent stood in awe at the multiple
mountains of glistening white salt. Could a grain of salt collected by a slave
still be in those mounds somewhere?
“I have deep Southern roots on my
grandfather’s side,” Sadie said. “But my ancestors weren’t rich plantation owners
who owned slaves. Though, Great-Granddaddy Graham, I’m told, had a black
companion and confidant that was a life-long family friend and like an uncle to
my granddaddy.”
“I don’t know anything about my
family tree. You’re a history buff I take it?”
“Gosh, yes. I could eat it up. You
ready to go? How ’bout we head for Rincon?”
From the slave huts, they headed
north. Brent was content to follow Sadie’s lead. He got a kick out of seeing
her face light up and watching her animated expressions with their self-guided
tours.
After the sightseeing, they stopped
at a small outdoor café for a bite to eat, enjoying the rest and each other’s
company.
“The Graham family—that’s my last
name—we have a rich history. I guess that’s why I’m such a student. Bonaire has
a rich heritage, and it holds special meaning for me.” Sadie readjusted her
ball cap, tucking in her stray hairs. “My great-granddaddy served in WWII, and
the military had an Air Force base on Bonaire. In fact, First Lady Eleanor
Roosevelt visited the troops here.” With elbows on the table, Sadie pressed her
palms together as if in prayer and quite proud of the trivia she was sharing.
“Granddaddy and Mamie—that’s French
for Grandmother—spent a lot of time here with my sister and me.”
The au revoir she’d called out to him made more sense now. “I have a
sister, Roselle. You two would get along great.” Brent looked to his watch.
“But right now, we need to head back to the ship.”
Brent and Sadie returned their
scooters and walked back to the ship together. On board, they lingered on the
gangway. “Miss Sadie Graham, it has been an extreme pleasure getting to know
you and spending today together.”
“Au
revoir, Brent.” She shook his hand, pulling away slowly.
“Au
revoir.” Brent turned and headed toward his cabin with a smile on his face.
Just like the Lord to turn his bad behavior into a blessing. And meeting Sadie
had been a very nice blessing.
Come back tomorrow for Chapter Seven!
Shore Excursions:
Monday:
Write Integrity:
Marji Laine’s blog:
Fay Lamb’s On the Ledge:
Saturday:
Write Integrity: The Big Game Aboard The Love Boat
Friday:
Write Integrity: Chapter Five
Marji Laine’s blog:
Joan Deneve:
Interview
on Quid
Pro Quills
Julie Arduini:
Fay Lamb’s On the Ledge:
Thursday:
Write Integrity: Chapter Four
Marji Laine’s blog:
Fay Lamb’s On the Ledge:
Wednesday:
Write Integrity: Chapter Three
Marji Laine’s blog:
Julie Arduini:
Fay Lamb’s On the Ledge:
Tuesday:
Write Integrity:
Betty Thomason Owens:
Marji Laine’s blog:
Elizabeth Noyes:
Fay Lamb’s On the Ledge:
Monday:
Write Integrity:
Marji Laine blog:
Fay Lamb:
Marji Laine:
Interviewed
on Lena
Nelson Dooley’s Blog
Marji Laine:
Interview
on Carole Towriss blog: 8 Reasons
Romance is a Joke
Julie Arduini:
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