Natalie

As I flew around downtown L.A in wings like those Icarus had, I heard a familiar voice call my name. Soon, I recognized it: Alan's! All too soon, I found myself, in bed wearing the same clothes I wore at dinner and with the blanket over me.

"Nat! Get up!" Alan nagged. He, of course was already dressed. "It's late! We're gonna miss breakfast"

I looked at the clock next to the bed in disbelief. " It's only eight! Besides, we're gonna be at sea all day today! Let's go to the buffet a little later!"

"We gotta go to the purser's desk!" he said in exasperation.

"Purser's desk?" I repeated with dread.

"I haven't heard from Charlie! We need to get back to L.A." he paced around.

I knew it wasn't a coincidence that the guy went MIA just after Alan told Don about our marriage. Always the keeper of the peace, Don must have told Charlie, who got so upset, that he decided to avoid his father. What a brat!

I suggested softly "Maybe he's on the verge of a breakthrough in his cognitive theory work?"

"That's not it! Don's excuses just keep ringing hollow" Alan's voice got a bit louder. His eyes dulled in worry and his shoulders hunched with tension.

"Let me take a quick shower babe; I'll be ready in a sec, okay?" I put a hand on his shoulder "Don't worry, I'm sure Charlie is fine"

-----------------------------------

The hot water felt wonderful and woke me up somewhat.

Charlie's stunt aside, it had been a wonderful week! I married the man I loved, and was on a wonderful trip. I could have gone without the assigned seating, but Alan liked to schmooze with new people. Within the group, which consisted of three couples, I was the only one under fifty five. I would have preferred the more flexible arrangement and to have had dinner with Alan only.

I wondered why I was always feeling tired these days? I nodded off during a gin rummy game with Alan, and then again last night while waiting for him to finish showering. Maybe all the work I do is starting to catch up to me?

I must have zoned out because suddenly, I heard Alan say with annoyance

"Nat! you've been in there for twenty minutes!" his tone got sarcastic "Do you hope to use up all the ship's water?"

"I'm uh...washing my hair" I said lamely. Quickly, I showered, washed my hair, combed it, and got dressed.

The pants I put seemed a little snug in the middle.

"Must be all the food" I thought with a shrug. I'd lose a good part of the weight once I got back. My work kept me on my feet, and running around

As we made our way into the elevator I joked "Maybe Charlie eloped too" I wanted to cheer Alan up. It wasn't fair that my husband was worried sick and stressed because of him!

"With Amita? It would be about time he made a move!" Alan cracked a small smile.

"Have you called her?" I asked.

"Yeah, at her office. Larry gave me the number. She doesn't answer."

Soon enough, we were having breakfast, thankfully by ourselves. Neither of us was in the mood for company. I ordered oatmeal with toast. I didn't feel like eating a big, rich breakfast.

"Is that all your eating?" Alan asked with concerned as we ate. He munched on an omelet.

"I not very hungry right now" I shrugged. "If that changes, I'll just go to the buffet"

"We need to settle our accounts and make arrangements to leave the ship" he said.

"Hope you don't regret all the poker you played at the casino" I teased, hating what Charlie was doing.

"Better that then the slot machines" he joshed back and sipped some coffee. He paused, as if in thought. "You know what? I'm gonna call him one more time at the house and his office. If he doesn't answer, we're going home. "

"Sure Babe" I agreed, but inwardly groaned and could barely manage avoiding rolling my eyes.

After breakfast, we returned to our suite, and Alan made the call.

"Hello Charlie? Are you okay?"

Something told me that this conversation wasn't going anywhere pleasant.

TBC