Page 1 of Unchartered Curves

Chapter one

Anisa

Istepped onto the loading dock of the cruise, something I’d envisioned for months. Now I was here. It was hard to take in.

Many times, I’d studied the website for The Infinity Voyager, while in real life I couldn’t believe how large it actually was. The Infinity Voyager did not disappoint.

My hair was sticking to my neck in the humidity, but it felt tropical and like a vacation, after being in Illinois. I couldn’t remember the last time I was even out of the state, between my job and graduate school.

Then of course there was Steven, my ex, the man who was supposed to be on this adventure with me. Now, facing this trip on my own, I was glad he’d broken up with me six months ago. The deadline for this trip forced him to say he’d fallen out of love with me.

I lifted my hair off my neck. Good riddance. I’d missed him a lot over the holidays, right after we broke up, but now it wassummer, and I was excited to take this trip on my own and maybe even meet someone.

The line in front of me to board moved forward. I pulled up my new, hot pink luggage, and felt the heavy carry on dig into my shoulder. It didn’t matter. I couldn’t decide and had packed too many shoes and clothing. None of the comfortable, staid clothes I owned seemed appropriate. I hid my curvy body under layers and tunics a lot, being shy about it. I didn’t want to do that on this trip.

The trip and plane tickets took up a lot of my savings. I had some for extra food and drinks, and maybe even a souvenir or two. I wondered if I could get a bikini. I’d never worn one in my life. But then again, I’d never taken a vacation like this, either. I knew it would be well worth it.

A man turned to his buddy a few places ahead of me and laughed. Something about that laugh was familiar. I smiled, too. They could be a couple, but something about that laugh was so inviting.

If I wore hats, I would throw mine in the air like the Mary Tyler Moore show my mother used to watch with me, and spin around, also laughing. This trip felt more like an achievement than getting my MBA two months ago.

“Did you pack the passport?” The woman in front of me said to her husband.

Nod.

“Your medicine?”

Nod.

I felt like rolling my eyes. Yes, I’d thought I’d be married by 27 to Steve, but weren’t they at all excited? I shouldn’t be so harsh. I was plenty uptight getting ready for this trip.

The laughing man’s friend was laughing now, too, and when he turned, I knew where I recognized them both from. They had each taught a class in my undergrad program.

What were their names again? Professor Duane Ator, and Gill Hernandez. That’s right. Both good looking. I’d thought one of them or both were married, but neither was wearing a ring. And yes, I was checking, to my surprise.

“Did you bring the handcuffs? I can’t believe those didn’t get flagged in our luggage.” I nearly dropped my carry on at the couple’s recent addition. The husband slipped his arm around his wife as they both chuckled.

***

Soon a young man was pushing a cart with my luggage and the couple that were in front of me, as it turned out we were in neighboring cabins.

I could hardly keep from looking at their suitcases, wondering what else they brought.

“So, Anisa,” the wife, who’d introduced herself as Camille, said. “Are you really on your own? I’ll bet you’ll meet someone soon on this cruise.”

“Yes, everyone is very friendly,” Randy, her husband said. “Last time we ended up partying with another couple so much we’ve visited them in Oklahoma a few times.”

They’d already told me they were from Wasau, Wisconsin. I wondered where they bought the handcuffs in Wasau.

“Oops,” Camille’s purple carryon fell off the cart, and we all scrambled to pick up the items that were spilling out of the now open zipper.

I grabbed a lipstick and a long thin item with a feather on the end.

“There it is. You did bring the tickler,” Randy said. “I knew you’d remember.”

I quickly dropped it back in the bag.

When the cabin door shut me inside the room, alone, I couldn’t believe how nice it was.

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