So, Kristine decided to get prepared. She learned how to say, “I am a student and need your help,” in five different languages. She stocked her suitcase with a full medical kit that included Bonine, Dramamine, ginger capsules, ginger candies and Pepto-Bismol. She even brought along a glass bottle with letters to her parents stuffed into it, just in case the ship went down.
On the day of departure, Kristine’s stomach did cartwheels of joy. After a bon voyage! that involved confetti throwing and waving at strangers until her wrist was sore, her classmates headed inside. There were group games and snacks to enjoy, but she was perfectly happy on the deck. Staring at the water, the thrill of adventure ran up her arms like shivers. Silently, she thanked her father for helping her make the right decision.
“I don’t know about you,” a deep voice said, somewhere from the shadows of the dock, “but I’m not too sure about this.”
Kristine practically jumped out of her skin. Grabbing the rail, she turned and found herself staring into the fleshy face of a football player who had been in her Political Science class. His cheeks were ruddy and there was a smattering of freckles across his nose. At six foot two and two hundred plus pounds, testosterone wafted off him like cologne.
“Not sure about . . . what?” The ship’s foghorn let out a sonorous cry and Kristine pulled the sleeves of her navy sweatshirt closer to her.
“Any of it.” He shook his head as though angry. “I don’t like water, boats, trips to foreign countries, any of it. I never should have come. No relationship is worth this type of torture.” Kristine opened her mouth to speak but he kept going. “You know, I’d give my right nut to be back there.” With his massive hands, he pointed at dry land. “On solid ground.”
His cheeks were covered with a thin sheen of sweat. Suddenly, Kristine saw a way she could contribute to the conversation. “Are you sick?” Her voice was a little too eager. “I have some motion sickness medicine in my . . .”
The guy’s face cracked into a crooked smile. It was one of those face-wrinkling grins full of mischief. Suddenly, Kristine realized he was really attractive and she looked out at the water.
“I’m not sick,” he said. “I’m . . .” He gestured out at the ocean. “I just don’t like boats.”
The ship hit a large wave then and he yelped, grabbing the railing of the boat as if his brute strength was the only thing that could keep him from flying overboard. His upper arm had to be the size of her thigh. In spite of his distress, she giggled.
A wounded look passed over his face. It reminded Kristine of this children’s book June used to read, where the big bear is brought down by a tiny thorn in his paw. “It’s not funny,” he growled. “I don’t want to be here. It’s like I’m being kidnapped.”
Kristine lifted her palms. “Look. I’m not even holding on.”
“Then you’re stupid.” Before Kristine could get offended, he grinned. They stood in silence, the sound of the water churning around them. A seagull gave a cry and laughter drifted out from the game room.
“So . . . Why did you come on this trip?” Kristine asked. “Did your girlfriend make you do it?”
“Yeah.” He ducked his head. “She’s inside, playing some game. Probably getting drunk. She brought a flask onboard. Rum. If she gets sick I’m not going to hold back her hair. No way.”
In spite of his protests, Kristine knew that this guy would in fact hold back his girlfriend’s hair. He was obviously a big ol’ teddy bear, with those sensitive blue eyes and that open, friendly face. She wondered who his girlfriend was. Probably someone in one of the sororities. One of the sororities that Kristine was too shy to pledge, in spite of June’s encouragement.
“Well, it sounds to me like you have two choices.” He started to interrupt her again but Kristine raised her voice above its normal, soft-spoken pitch. “You can walk around wearing one of those life vests they showed us during the safety presentation—”
The guy nodded, his face earnest. “I was considering that.”
“Or . . .” Kristine thought of her father’s words. “You could relax and try to have a good time. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Why waste it being afraid?” The boat was moving faster now and the wind was