-1Chapter 6 April 12th: Eustace and Annabelle Sherwood, 1st class passengers

I woke up early, but Milady (my pet name for her) looked like a sleeping angel, or like Titania, the fairy queen from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Her beauty, matched with her lily-white skin, reminds me of those ancient Greek or Roman statues, particularly "Nike of Samothrace" or "Venus de Milo." I stand and watch her breathing for a minute. She's as beautiful as the dawn or, more accurately, the moon when it's full in the midst of the cold winter.

As quiet as a church mouse, I sneak out, not wanting to disturb her. I head out to the bow to greet the morn. It really is quite a rush to feel the wind in your face. You almost feel like Poseidon.

A little, chilly, I went back to my cabin to leave a note to Anna stating that I would be in the reception room in case she needed me. However, I returned to find her already getting dressed. She looked relived. According to her, she dreamt she had seen me dead in the ice-cold water. I laughed this off, reminding her that this ship can't sink.

"I know," she says "it's just that…"

She trailed off.

"'It's just that' what?" I calmly asked.

"It's just that in 'Futility' they said the same thing about the Titan, and yet she…well, I don't want to jinx the ship."

"Milady, 'Futility' was just a novel, a work of fiction."

"I suppose you're right."

"What's say we both go down to the restaurant together and have breakfast there?"

"Very well"

After a wonderful breakfast, we head out for a stroll along the restaurant promenade. After a while, Mrs. Paradine comes up and asks if she could talk my to Anna. Alone. Taken aback, I tell my wife I'll meet up with her in the palm court.

(For the duration of the conversation, Annabelle will provide the narrative)

"Yes, Mrs. Paradine, what is it?"

"Call me Isabella, and it's about me and Wynn."

"How may I be of assistance?

"Well, you see, Wynn and I used to be a couple. One night we decided to…physically express our feelings for each other. Not too long afterwards, we broke up. Then I met Eddy a few weeks later. Anyhow, about nine months later, I had a daughter, also named Isabella. However, she may not be Eddy's. Also, I thought I was over Wynn, but these past three days…I don't know, it's almost like I've fallen back in love with him."

Naturally, I was surprised.

I told her, "I'm not sure what to say, since nothing like this has ever happened to me. I will, however, say this: Do what you're heart tells you."

"But my heart seems to be telling me so many different things."

"Well, I wish I could help you more, but I can't. I hate to say this, but you're on your own. I'm sorry. However, I hope life finds you well and I wish you the best of luck, whatever your decision is."

"Thank you anyway, Mrs. Sherwood."

"Call me Anne, and you're welcome."

"Oh, Anne?"

"Yes?"

"Please don't tell anyone."

"I won't."

(Until further notice, Eustace will provide further narrative.)

Later, I heard Mrs. Sturges' daughter, Annette, coming around the corner, talking with a young man, known to her as "Giff". He jokingly taunted her in some way, to which she replied "Gifford Rogers! You cad." she said with a smile. As they rounded the bend, I saw he had a large "P" on his chest. This meant that he went to either Preston or Purdue University. I would have asked, but I didn't want to interrupt. Maybe next time.

Actually, I got the chance to ask him at dinner later that night. It was the latter, Purdue. The dinner was (again) wonderful, as was the music. The band played a piece of music from "Pirates of Penzance" by Sir Arthur Sullivan, among others. So far nothing has gone wrong on this trip.