this was the gala I attended just yesterday.
“Everyone, this is Luna, the doctor who will be servicing this trip,” Gabe announces. Everybody turns to look at me, nodding faintly. “Luna, these are our guests.”
The oldest man looks me up and down, smiling a little. He offers his hand. “Alejandro Vera. This is my wife, Sofia.” He waves his hand to a very elegantly dressed blonde with literally the biggest fake lips I’ve ever seen in person. Actually, on second glance, I’m a hundred percent sure that she’s had her eyes, nose, breasts, and butt remodeled too. I nod my head.
Alejandro continues. “These four are my daughters and sons…” He waves to several people that are about ten years my senior. “And then the grandchildren are mine as well, of course.”
He looks extremely proud. I know just how to key into that, because he reminds me exactly of my own father.
I smile widely. “How wonderful. It is a pleasure to meet your beautiful family, sir.”
I curtsy, bobbing my head. When I look up again, Alejandro is grinning ear to ear. “Thank you, Luna. Or is it Dr. Luna?”
Bowing my head, I keep the same smile on my face. “Whatever you would like, sir.”
He just laughs, walking over to Gabe and clapping him on the arm. “Well done. I feel safer already, Captain Gabriel.”
Gabe gives him a small smile and looks at his watch. “Speaking of which… we should go over some safety regulations very quickly. Then we can set sail before the sun starts on its downward trajectory.”
“Whatever you say, Captain Gabriel!” Alejandro says. “Just promise me you’ll keep the vino flowing…”
Gabe smiles stiffly. “Of course. Luna, will you just let Emma know when you get downstairs that they are ready for another round?”
“Of course.” I bow again, making a hasty exit.
I scurry downstairs to the bathroom again, almost running into Malkia on my way out. She gives me a look.
“Are you doing okay?”
My cheeks warm. “Totally. I just have to go tell Emma to refresh some drinks…”
I slink away down the hall, feeling very watched. But since I’m not doing anything wrong, what can Malkia even really say?
The pain in my lower body doesn’t stop, but neither does the stream of little tasks slow down. By the time that the guests are finally settled in bed, I’m about to drop where I stand.
My head pounds, my back is killing me, and I’ve run through half the sanitary napkins that I brought for the entire trip. Malkia spots me leaning on the kitchen island, trying to breathe through another set of cramps.
“I’m not even going to ask if you are okay,” she says, startling me.
I straighten, clearing my throat. “It’s just a particularly bad round of menstrual cramps,” I explain, my face going hot. “Nothing serious, I promise.”
She looks at me for a long second, her dark eyes uncertain. Then she shrugs. “Go ahead and go to bed, then. If they are really just cramps you should feel better after some rest.”
I almost sag with relief. “Thank you, Malkia.”
Her lips lift. “See you early in the morning, Luna.”
Hustling myself to my room, I visit the bathroom one more time, shoring up the dam. Then I change into my pajamas and crawl into my bunk.
I’m already asleep by the time my head hits the pillow.
Chapter Eleven
Gabe
The next morning, we set sail just as dawn breaks. The yacht is moored off the coast of Neah Bay, at the furthest tip of the United States. It’s only a couple of hours before we will be in waters that belong to Canada.
After waking and dressing in the dark, I slip down the hallway and make my way up to the main deck. I lean against the railing and shiver as I look out at the dark water. It’s cold this morning, almost cold enough for the jacket that I have slung over my shoulder. There is no moon to speak of, so the sky seems like an endless dark expanse. Water and sky blend together into a twilight morass.
At this exact moment, I miss Michelle so badly that my teeth ache from it.
“Gabe?” Malkia calls softly. She flips the switch that illuminates the stairway. The soft light radiates out into the darkness that surrounds me.
I turn to look at her. My words are quiet against the early morning hush. “I’m here.”
She comes up with a thermos, unscrewing the cap. Fragrant steam escapes the cap, smelling like fresh coffee. She pours a little into the cup