Page 9 of Mommy Calls Me Princess

“Even worse when we hit the areas where there’s no phone or wi-fi reception.” I hated when that happened. There was nothing to do but read when I’d rather be read to. “Are you in your office,Mommy?” I loved the pretty artwork that hung on the walls in there. It was very sensual, commissioned by a local erotic artist.

“I am. Mommy’s had a busy, but productive day as well.” Mommy had the prettiest smile. It lit me up from the inside out and brought my smile out too. I wanted to twist her long hair around my fingers and cuddle up while she read to me. That was my favorite way to fall asleep.

“The Princess and the Frog,” Mommy began. “That was a big yawn, little girl.” When I didn’t respond, not ‘cause I didn’t want to but because I didn’t have the energy too, she started reading again. But the words faded away…

“Rats.” I huffed at the alarm as it blared. “I missed story time with Mommy and Princess Tiana is my favorite.” My day was off to a rough start, and I wasn’t even out of bed yet.

But what made me happy was seeing a text from Mommy.

Mommy:Sweet dreams, sleepy girl. Mommy loves you.

#DayMade

Me: I love you, Mommy. Sorry I fell asleep.

I fired it off then hopped in the shower. Thank the maker of ponytail holders. A little blush and mascara and I was out the door in under twenty.

My teammates funneled in while I double checked the carts to make sure we were ready to roll as the passengers boarded. First calls always came for extra towels even before they’d unpacked. It wasn’t our job to ask what the towels were for. We merely delivered them and went onto the next request.

“Alright, team,” my hand clap gained their attention. “The next couple of weeks will be unlike any you’ve had, and it all begins in,” I glanced at my watch. “About an hour. Don’t getsidetracked, don’t overdo it and if you need help don’t be afraid to reach out via the walkies. Both McKenna and I,” she was my co-lead, “are here for you. Difficult passenger, run out of supplies, don’t have an item they’re asking for—call us and we’ll be right there with it.”

“We promise, you won’t be in trouble, but if you don’t ask for help and you need it, you put yourself, and the ratings the passengers give us at the end, at risk. Don’t do that.” McKenna hit that spot on. More times than I could count a newbie returned to our area in tears all because they were too proud to call us and the passenger got angry at them.

Passengers filed in,en masseat noon. Luggage was still on its way to their rooms as the calls hit back-to-back. It was up to McKenna and me to keep an eye on our crew. While breaks most days were hard to come by, we did ensure everyone took their lunches at minimum. Preferably in two shifts so the floor was always manned.

There was an overnight crew, but that was run by another lead. Saying McKenna and I handled the day shift was redundant given both shifts ran over a standard eight- or nine-hour slot and overlapped. Most days we worked twelve to fourteen hours. The lightest days were the ones where the passengers went ashore for excursions.

Those days were like gold to us.

We didn’t get full days off during cruises, that came during the shift over to a new one. But we were generally on for all sixteen to twenty-one days depending on the schedule. Then we had a day off, another day, sometimes two, to prep the cabins for the next cruise, then we were on again.

The only positive was it left less time to dwell on the fact I’d be sleeping alone at night. No one to show my pictures to when I colored. At least when Vale was on the last cruise we played together. This time I had a smaller room with no roommate. Iboth loved and hated that. At the risk of having someone who didn’t understand me, or the lifestyle Mommy and I lived, the hate was minimized.

I promised myself I’d give it my all these next three months. Not one for doing a job half assed, then it wasn’t worth doing it at all. And I’d keep that promise. But at only two days in, I didn’t see myself coming back for another season. Even if it meant fueling the Seattle workforce with their caffeination fix by working in one of the million coffee shops we had here.

Would it pay as well as this did?

Nope. But it kept me close to home and sharing a bed with Mommy each night.

I wonder if I’ll get my own playroom someday…

A girl can dream. Not like I’ve ever had much to begin with. At least this time I’ve got someone who loves me.

“Not sure how much longer you can press that tablecloth for,” McKenna’s voice drew me back, and I glanced down at the iron press. “You’re lucky you didn’t burn it or you.”

Shit. “Sorry, dazed off.”

Not off to a great start.

“Come on, let’s get lunch.”

Begrudgingly, I followed McKenna to the staff dining room fully aware the grilling would commence as soon as we sat down. We were friends at work but away from the ship we’d never once hung out. How much was too much to share?

Even though I wasn’t hungry, I still grabbed a cheeseburger and fries. Lying to Mommy later when she asked if I ate, and she would ask, was bad. I’d have to get a salad later, so I had my greens too. Luckily, that wasn’t a hardship. This silly girl loved salads.

Immediately I took a bite, delaying the inevitable, but McKenna waited me out. Dang it.

“Spill it. We’ve known each other for two years, and we went through training together. I’ve never seen you this out of focus. What gives?”

---