Open Seating (18 page)

“What did you have in mind?” Steve Granger asked. Bryce took his eyes off the menu and was about to reply when he realized the guy was already wasted. His belligerent tone and casual slouch set Bryce’s teeth on edge. He hated drunks.

“Steak.”

“Figures,” Steve replied.

“What does that mean?” Bryce asked coldly.

“It’s obvious you like a good piece of meat.”

Heidi, Steve’s wife, clapped a hand over her husband’s mouth and then apologized to the group. “Don’t pay any attention to him,” she said. “He’s been drinking since four in the afternoon.”

“Shut up,” Steve said, pushing her away. “I don’t need you to make excuses for me.”

Bryce could feel Seth’s hand applying pressure on his thigh, silently warning him not to lose his shit, which was really too bad. He was dying to get up and wipe the smirk off Steve’s face and even throw him over a railing, but instead he said, “Takes one to know one.”

“Up yours,” he snarled. “I’m no queer.”

“No, you’re just an asshole,” Bryce snarled.

Steve struggled to get out of his chair and probably lunge at Bryce, but he was brought down by a surprising source, Andrew Callahan. “Either shut up or leave,” he said irritably. “You’re ruining everyone’s dinner.”

Steve glared at the older man. “How can you let those queers eat at our table?”

“I’d much rather dine with these fine gentlemen than you,” Andrew said. “You’re a disgrace.”

Just then, the captain came over to the table. Apparently, a personal meet and greet from the man in charge of their voyage was the reason the evening was dubbed Captain’s Night.

He took one look at Steve Granger and frowned. “Is there a problem here?”

“Nothing we can’t handle,” Bryce said amiably.

“Let me know if that changes,” the captain said, never taking his eyes off Steve. “This is a hate-free zone, and troublemakers are escorted off the ship and sent home at their own expense.”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Seth said, finally speaking up. “Thank you.”

“How are you enjoying the trip so far?”

“We had a lovely tour today,” Jeannie chimed in. “Your crew was particularly helpful with the tendering process.”

“Good to know, ma’am. Please inform us if there’s anything else we can do to make this a pleasant and memorable experience.”

“Will do,” Andrew said. “Appreciate your concern, Captain.”

As soon as the captain walked off, Steve stood to go. “Get up,” he addressed his wife rudely. “I’m not going to sit here and stare at those homos for another second.”

“You go,” Heidi said. “I’m hungry.”

“We’ll go upstairs and grab a pizza or something.”

“I’d rather not,” she insisted.

“Heidi,” Steve growled. “Get your ass up, or you’ll regret it.”

Bryce wanted to intervene, but he knew this was a private matter between husband and wife, so he watched helplessly as the beleaguered woman stood and gathered her purse and the pink shawl she’d draped on the back of her chair.

“I’m sorry,” she said in a voice choked with tears. “Have a good evening, everyone.”

“My God,” Jeannie said when they were out of earshot. “That poor woman.”

“It’s people like that who give marriage a bad rap,” Bryce remarked.

“Don’t condemn the institution because of one rotten apple,” Jeannie said. “That guy is an abusive alcoholic. Marriage isn’t the problem, Bryce. He is.”

Bryce shrugged. “I guess.”

“There’s no guessing about it,” Jeannie retorted. “Sharing your life with someone is a beautiful part of being human. Andrew and I have been married for forty-two years, and not once, in all that time, have I ever wished I was carefree and single. Now especially, having Andrew by my side means the world to me.”

“I agree.” Andrew laid his hand over Jeannie’s. “I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t have that special someone. Granted, some marriages are made in hell and others in heaven, but there’s no need to assume yours will be bad. There’s always divorce if you find you’ve made a mistake.”

“Divorce is messy and expensive,” Bryce opined. “I’ve seen too many friends lose their life savings over a rotten settlement. Why put yourself in that kind of a situation?”

Andrew picked up a dinner roll and slathered it with butter. Before taking a bite, he said, “A lot has changed since I was a young man with regards to dating and commitment. Sticking with someone through thick and thin seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur. People go into relationships with an exit strategy in mind and leave at the first sign of trouble. It’s sad to think of all the good years they’re willing to trade in for momentary peace. I’ll admit that loving someone and riding out the highs and lows of human interaction isn’t easy. If you want a simple life free of conflict, join a monastery and bury yourself in prayer and meditation. If, on the other hand, you want to die without any regrets and experience life to the fullest, put your fears aside and take a chance on love. It’s worth the risk.”

“Hear, hear,” Ian Donovan said from his side of the table. “I can’t imagine life without my dear Fiona.”

Bryce raised both hands in mock surrender. “I give up. You folks are definitely great proponents for marriage. Will you be happy if I tell you I’ll take your advice under consideration?”

Jeannie grinned. “If that’s the best you can offer, I’ll take it.” Turning to Seth, Jeannie asked, “How about you, Seth? Do you believe in love and commitment?”

“I’m a romance writer, Jeannie. How can I not?”

“Of course,” she replied.

“Have you ever been married?” Andrew asked.

Seth nodded, feeling like a pheasant under glass, but he answered truthfully. “For twenty years.”

“I’m a little confused,” Matt Crawford said, finally speaking up after being silent throughout the altercation with Steve. “Where’s your husband?”

“He passed away,” Seth replied dully.

“I’m sorry,” Matt said quickly. “I didn’t mean to stir up bad memories.”

“It’s all right.”

“Was he ill?” Glynis asked curiously.

“Yes,” Seth said.

“Let’s change the subject,” Bryce said, coming to the rescue. “Anyone up for some gambling tonight?”

“I wouldn’t mind trying my luck at the roulette table,” Matt said enthusiastically.

“Like hell you will,” Glynis snapped. “We don’t gamble.”

“
You
don’t,” Matt shot back.

“Neither do you,” she said snidely.

“Aw, come on, Glyn. We’re on vacation.”

“And we can afford it because we don’t throw our money away on games of chance.”

Bryce watched the exchange in amusement. At least there was one couple left at the table who weren’t poster children for marriage. Thank God. For a moment he thought he’d fallen down some hole where everyone lived happily ever after.

“Let’s do karaoke instead,” Bryce suggested.

“Sounds great,” Ian and Fiona seconded. “We can sing all of Tom Jones’s hits.”

“Who?” Seth asked.

“What’s new, pussycat,” Ian warbled, doing his best Tom Jones imitation.

“Whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa.” Fiona followed suit in an off-key falsetto.

“God,” Seth groaned. “Are they serious?”

Bryce jabbed him with his elbow. “Be nice.”

“I’m always nice,” Seth hissed. “But really? Karaoke with the Donovans?”

“It’ll be a hoot.”

Seth rolled his eyes. “I can hardly wait.”

After that, dinner progressed without incident. Everyone shied away from topics having to do with life and death. There had been enough confessionals for one night. Bryce hoped that Matt’s question about Mark hadn’t shoved Seth back into his dark place. He was just starting to climb out of that dismal hole, and the sudden reminder might be enough to send him spiraling back down again. He enjoyed this new and improved version of Seth and would do anything to keep the former tight-assed clock-watcher away for good.

He bumped him with his shoulder. “You okay?”

Seth looked surprised. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“What Matt said.”

“I’m fine,” Seth replied. “It’s hard to stay angry or depressed when I’m having a good time. I know it sounds disloyal, but every day with you has turned into an adventure.”

Bryce put his arm on Seth’s shoulder and drew him closer, lowering his voice. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear you say that. You deserve to be happy.”

“So do you, Bryce.”

“I’m good, babe. Don’t worry about me.”

“You sound so jaded sometimes. It makes me wonder what happened and if there’s anything I can do to help you change your mind.”

“Stop speculating on my past and let’s concentrate on the future. I did tell our companions I would give their glowing recommendations on marriage some serious thought. That should be enough for you as well.”

“I’m not asking you to marry me, Bryce.”

“I know.”

“Then why did you make that statement? Do you honestly think I’m expecting a proposal by the end of the trip?”

“Let it go, Seth.”

“Why would you even think that?”

“Because you’re such a romantic!”

“I’ve also had my bubble burst in the worst way.”

“Mark didn’t cheat.”

Frowning, Seth said, “He may as well have.”

“Oh man, don’t start.”

“What are you two arguing about?” Jeannie interjected.

“Nothing,” Bryce said immediately.

“Hey, I’ve got mommy ears,” Jeannie joked.

Bryce couldn’t help smiling. “You’re a piece of work.”

She bobbed her head. “I won’t deny it. Spill.”

“Seth isn’t in the mood for karaoke, and I’m trying to convince him it’ll be fun.”

“Would you like to see a movie under the stars? Andrew and I are heading upstairs for that.”

“What is it?” Seth asked.

“It’s an old-fashioned concept like a drive-in theater. They arrange the recliners normally used for sunbathing around the pool in a tight bunch in front of this giant movie screen that’s elevated so everyone gets a good view. You’re out in the open under the stars. They even serve popcorn.”

“Sounds great,” Seth said. Turning to Bryce, he suggested, “Let’s join them.”

“You’d rather do that than sing and dance?”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay.”

ACTING ON
the advice of their fellow passengers Glynis and Matt, who’d done this once before, they stopped at their cabin to change. They ditched their suits and changed into more practical (and comfortable) sweats. Although it was only September, they were on their way to Cork in Ireland, and temperatures had dropped slightly while northerly winds had picked up. No storms were expected, but it would be unrealistic to hope for a sultry evening when summer had officially ended a few weeks ago.

Before walking out, they grabbed navy blue fleece throws with the ship’s logo embroidered in gold. They were still in protective plastic and tucked away in one of the upper shelves of their closet. Each cabin had a pair for additional warmth on cooler nights or to be carried on board lifeboats in case of an emergency. It wasn’t unusual to find them covering passengers who’d chosen to sit out on the teak decks during the day, resting on wooden recliners designed to replicate those used on the great ocean liners of old. Reading, gazing out on the ocean, or dozing were other favorite pastimes while at sea.

On the Sun Deck, they located Andrew and Jeannie already seated. The older couple waved to make sure they were spotted, and Bryce raised his hand in response. Before joining the Callahans, who’d saved two chairs for them, they stopped at the bar to load up on drinks and a tub of popcorn.

The crowd of moviegoers was a surprising mix of young and old. Bryce had mistakenly assumed the audience would be the elderly, too lazy or feeble to spend the rest of the night carousing below deck. Instead, he saw a few young couples snuggled under a blanket and romantically squeezed into one chair, along with several other couples who looked no older than Seth and him. The movie was rated PG-13 so there were no families with small children.

“What are we watching?” Seth asked Jeannie while he shook out the folded blanket and made himself comfortable.

“
The Theory of Everything
.”

“What’s it about?” Seth prompted.

“It’s a biopic about Stephen Hawking,” Jeannie replied. “The actor playing the lead won an Oscar for this role.”

“Sounds great,” Bryce said, “but I don’t have a clue who or what you’re talking about. Fast cars, war flicks, science fiction, and detective stories are my thing.”

Seth cleared his throat, and when he asked his next question, it came out strangled. “Isn’t he that famous scientist in the wheelchair? The one with ALS?”

“Yes,” Jeannie replied. “Also known as motor neuron disease.”

Bryce stood immediately. “I’m sorry, but we made a mistake. This isn’t the type of film we’re interested in.”

“Sit down, Bryce,” Seth ordered. “I want to watch this movie.”

“No, you don’t.”

Seth turned toward the big screen, ignoring him.

“Come on, babe,” Bryce begged. “There’s no need for this.”

Seth didn’t even blink.

“Babe,” Bryce insisted. “Don’t do this to yourself. We can still catch the karaoke or whatever….”

His voice trailed off as he realized he was talking to someone who’d completely tuned him out. Short of throwing Seth over his shoulder, there was nothing he could do to force him to walk away from this fucking film, which was sure to upset him. Bryce would spend the rest of the night dealing with tears and recriminations, not to mention the possible long-lasting aftereffects. Would Seth shut down again and treat him like a stranger? Bryce didn’t know what the film entailed, but hearing the name of the goddamn disease that upended Mark’s life was enough to make him recoil in horror. Who on earth would willingly subject themselves to this kind of torture when it hit too close to home?

Jeannie touched Bryce on the arm, trying to get his attention. “Bryce, what am I missing here?”

“My partner was diagnosed with ALS and decided to kill himself rather than deal with it,” Seth volunteered in a voice devoid of expression. “I want to learn more about the disease and this man who beat the odds.”