Page 14 of Mommy Calls Me Princess

I want my mommy. She makes everything better.

I had zero clue what time it was or even where the hell in the world I am, I have to call her. I need to see her face and hear her voice. I can’t breathe. Help!

“Mommy.” The tears hit as soon as she answered and there was no stopping them.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

“I-I can’t no more. So tired.” Breathing was ridiculously hard. Was this what a panic attack felt like? I don’t like it. Make it stop!

“Darcy, take a deep breath with me.” Mommy drew in a big breath and held it for a couple of seconds then let it out, and I copied her. “Good girl, now another one.” We did it two more times and by then I was able to breathe again. “Now, tell Mommy what happened.”

“Not sleeping. Not eating. So tired, Mommy.”

“Those dark circles under your eyes worry me, Princess. What can I do to help?”

“Hold me, Mommy. I sleep better when I’m with you. You make everything alright.”

“Sweet girl, I’d give anything to hold you right now but that’s just not possible. How can I make it better from here?”

Mommy was so sad, and I hated that I did that to her. But I was sad too and she was my lifeline.

“I’m sorry I woke you up and made you sad, Mommy.”

“Little girl, don’t you ever apologize for reaching out when you need your Mommy. I’d be more upset if I found out later you didn’t call. I’ll never get mad at you for waking me up. My girl will always come first.”

“Mommy, will you tell me a story?”

“How about the little girl who found out she was really a princess?”

“That sounds wonderful.”

“There once was a little girl who lived in a faraway land. Her family was poor, but their house was always full of love.”

Mommy’s voice was so soothing I fell asleep before she finished the story and I wanted to know what happened to the princess.

Phooey.

“Darcy?” McKenna called out, I was buried in the supply room stocking the carts.

“In here.”

“I’ve been looking all over for you. Staff Captain Miller is here and he’s asking for you.”

“He is?” My brain instantly ran through anything I could’ve messed up. He never came to see us unless there was an issue.

“Hello Darcy, Captain Solis has requested a meeting with you.”

I swear to fuck my heart stopped.

“Am-am I in trouble?”

“I don’t believe so, he didn’t seem upset. Just sent me to retrieve you.”

McKenna’s eyes widened. “You better go. I’ll finish the carts.”

“Thank you.”

This return cruise was nearly over, we’d just docked in San Diego for the day, and many passengers disembarked. That allowed our staff to get in and out of their rooms without any interruptions. My team hadn’t missed any calls, and no complaints had been made that we were aware of. Besides, none of that would’ve reached the captain himself. There were enough minions between him and us to address any issues that arose before reaching that level.

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