Chapter 18: When All Else Fails…
"Are you sure this is the right way?" asked Anne.
"Of course," said Badge. "You think I’d rather stay on the boat for the weekend?"
"Not really," said Anne. "You might want to consider how much…"
"Nah," said Badge. "The line pays for it."
"Oh really?" asked Anne. "Why’s that?"
"They like to keep their captains happy so they don’t crash into anything," said Badge. He walked up to the desk and spoke briefly with the clerk. The clerk handed him a key and Anne and Badge walked off to their room.
#
"It’s not that big a deal," said Julie. "He’s obviously crazy about her, they have been seeing each other for a year and four months, and besides…"
"It’s not that," said Greg. "It just that, she’s our little sister. She shouldn’t be getting married…"
"Who are we to decide that?" asked Julie. "I know it’s hard to see her grow up, but it happens."
"I’m just kind of leery about marriage anymore," said Greg.
"Understandably so," said Julie. "You thinking about getting remarried?"
"Not right now," said Greg. "I think that this might take a bit of time to get over."
"Well," said Julie, "don’t make it too long."
"What’s that supposed to mean?" asked Greg.
"Nothing," said Julie. "Just keep your mind open."
#
"So why this guy?" asked Angie.
"I could ask the same of you," said Carrie. "But I like the way he is. He’s sweet, generous, and he is absolutely crazy about me. He doesn’t even look at other women." She took a drink of her soda. "So why are you seeing Greg?"
"He needs someone more than he thinks," said Angie. "He doesn’t know how to care about himself."
"Huh?" asked Carrie.
"He was that way when I found him," said Angie.
"Hey," said Carrie, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure," said Angie. "Go ahead."
"Your fur is ahh…" she stammered.
"Unique?" said Angie. "My Dad was a fox and mom was a raccoon."
"That would explain it," said Carrie. Bill walked back to the table holding a plate of food and sat down next to Carrie.
"I have no idea if this is a good idea," said Bill, "but I just have to have some garlic bread."
"I’ve always wondered that about you," said Carrie. "You’re always eating garlic. You’re not Italian are you?"
"Nope," said Bill, picking up the first piece. "Pure Australian."
"Right," said Carrie. "You know I won’t kiss you with that on your breath." Bill leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"No, but I’ll still give you one," said Bill.
"You guys make a cute couple," said Angie.
"The same could be said about you and Greg," said Carrie. "You’re really lucky to have him."
"What do you mean?" asked Angie.
"I mean he’ll always be true, and he’ll never try to play mind games with you. He’s very straightforward and when he falls for someone, he falls hard."
"I’ll believe it," said Angie. "There they are now." Julie and Greg walked back into the bar shaking their wet fur as they walked in.
"Man," said Greg. "That was horrid."
"Oh yeah," said Julie. "That rain is freezing."
"It’s only going to get worse," said the bartender.
"Anyone remember to bring an umbrella?" asked Bill.
"I don’t know what you’re concerned about," said Carrie. "You’re naturally waterproof."
"Oh yeah," said Bill. "I guess that does come in handy."
"A normal family," said Greg. "That’s all I ask!"
"Too late for that," said Carrie.
"I suppose that you’re right," said Greg. "Hey Bill," asked Greg, "who was that kangaroo you came in the bar with?"
"Oh that’s Jeff," said Bill. "I think he went back to the hotel, or picked up a girl, or something."
"Knowing Jeff," said Carrie, "he’s probably at your hotel room with someone."
"I’m not going back there then," said Bill. "I’ll just stay in your room."
"What about Jen?" asked Julie.
"Hey, where is Jen?" asked Carrie. "You don’t suppose..."
"Oh, jeez," said Bill. "I wouldn’t doubt it. I’m not even going to go find out."
"It’s probably safer for all of us that way," said Julie.
#
‘This weather is miserable," said Marita.
"True enough," said Geno. "Is that the place?"
"Yes," said Marita. "I need to do something for Greg before I leave for Europe."
"What’s that?" asked Geno.
"A going away gift," said Marita. She opened her laptop and plugged in the phone line. She began typing and soon her fingers became a flurry.
"It amazes me that you haven’t gotten carpal tunnel yet," said Geno.
"Me too," said Marita. She pressed the enter button and waited a few seconds. She then punched a few more buttons and closed the case. "Ready?"
"What did you do?" asked Geno.
"I just left him a bit of change to peddle around with," said Marita.
"How’s that?" asked Geno.
"I just died," said Marita. "And I had a sizable insurance policy in Greg’s name."
"Ah," said Geno. "You still going by the same name then?"
"No, its just Marita now," she said. "I don’t exist anymore anyway."
"Ah," said Geno. "I’d enjoy having lunch with a ghost."
"Is that an offer old man?" she asked.
"Yep," said Geno. "I know a good place around here."
"Better make it quick," said Marita. "It’s starting to rain."
#
"So after we had drank all the Zima," said Bill, "someone yelled really loud ‘Hey let’s play with these lawn darts!’"
"I can only imagine what happened next," said Greg. "My college was never like that."
"That’s because you went to a boring college," said Carrie. "I personally had tons of fun being the foreigner."
"You still have another year, girlie," said Greg.
"So does Bill," said Carrie.
"So married after college?" asked Angie. "Good plan."
"It usually is. That way we can see if we can stand each other."
"Such confidence," said Julie. ‘I’m sure it’ll all work out."
#
"Mrs. Foxx," said Vince, "Will you please tell me where your daughter is?"
"No, Vince," said Mrs. Foxx, "I’m not telling you. If she wanted you to know, she would have told you."
"Fat lot of help you are," he muttered. Vince turned and stalked out the door. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He dialed a few numbers and spoke into it.
"Anthony? This is Vince. I need you to check on something for me..."
#
"So what’s it like?" asked Julie. Greg shook out his fur again.
"It’s worse now, but it is warmer," he said. "I did manage to grab an umbrella or two from a street vendor, though."
"When you say grab," began Julie.
"I bought them," said Greg. He handed one Bill, another to Julie, and held the last for himself. "Ready?"
"Where are we going?" asked Angie.
"Depends," said Greg. "We can either spend the night on the ship, or we can get a room."
"I already have a room," said Carrie. "My fiancé and I will be sharing it."
"I’m staying on the boat," said Julie. "All my stuff is there anyway."
"Good idea," said Greg. "You guys want us to hail you a cab?"
"Nah," said Bill. "We’ll walk. It’s only a block or two away."
"Okay," said Greg. "We’ll see you later."
"Bye now," said Carrie. "I’ll call you when I get home."
"Dear lord," said Julie, "you’re not going to take him to meet mom and dad are you?"
"Why shouldn’t I?" asked Carrie.
"You’ve forgotten about every guy that you brought home?" asked Julie.
"Oh, dad’s in his 60’s now, he wouldn’t do that. Would he?"
"He would try," said Greg.
"Mind if I ask what?" said Bill.
"Arm wrestling," said Greg.
"I’m up for it," said Bill. "I’ll be sure to wipe the floor with him."
"Right," said Greg, rolling his eyes. "See you guys later."
"Take care," said Carrie, as her and Bill walked of into the rain.
"Nice couple," said Angie. "I wonder where she stores all that perky."
"In her quills," said Greg. "It’s got to be in the quills."
#
Julie walked down the hall and threw herself at her bed. At least tonight she didn’t have to share the room with Anne. She snored anyway. She picked up her book and began reading, only to put it back down again and walk up to the door.
"Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!" she cried after Greg and Angie as they walked down the hall.
"What do you suppose she meant by that?" asked Greg.
"I dunno," said Angie. "You taking the couch?"
"Sure," said Greg. "It’s off the floor where you won’t fall on me in the morning."