Page 107 of Love Overboard
Chaotic.
Put through the blender.
“I found you.”
Lacey spun around. “Emily, what are you doing here?”
The little woman tapped across the small private deck, leaning on a gray metal cane, and joined Lacey at the wall. “I made a deal with the doctor that I could get out of bed if I carried this confounded stick around with me for a few days.”
“You should be resting.”
“I should also lose five pounds, eat less candy, and stop meddling in other people’s lives, but I don’t think any of those things are going to happen.”
Lacey smiled. “I’m glad.”
“Glad I’m not resting?”
“No.” Lacey took the woman’s arm and threaded it through hers. “I’m glad you haven’t retired from meddling. Stubborn people like me benefit.”
Emily stuck a finger in her ear and wiggled it around. “Does the medicine they gave me come with side effects? I could’ve sworn you said to keep meddling.”
“You heard right.”
They stood in silence at the balcony. The blue sky glided overhead with an ever-changing vista of wispy white clouds, marred only by a translucent stream of smoke issuing from the ship’s stack.
“Isn’t that a little what life is like?” Emily pointed a finger. “Mostly sunny skies with an occasional stream of pollution. They’re both there. It’s up to you which one you focus on.”
Lacey side-eyed her. “Getting philosophical on me?”
“I’m old, and I just spent the day in sick bay.” Emily laughed. “Bear with me awhile.”
Lacey patted the fragile hand in the crook of her arm. She stared at the dark veins lining the top. A piece of gauze was taped where the IV needle had been. “Couldn’t you rest another hour or two?”
“A little swooning spell isn’t going to keep me down. How can I rest, knowing what you’re suffering?” Emily tilted her head. “How are you, dear?”
“I called my father.”
She gave a small, approving nod. “How did it go?”
Lacey raised her palms. “He didn’t declare a miraculous healing and say he’d return to work.” She sighed. “But I told him I forgave him.”
Emily leaned her cane against the wall and surrounded her in a wrinkly hug. “I’m proud of you. Not many people have the courage to offer forgiveness when it isn’t asked for or deserved. You made a giant stride in your healing journey.”
Lacey bent and rested her chin on Emily’s shoulder. The woman’s loving embrace applied an invisible balm to her wounded heart. She absorbed the comfort and silently thanked God for her pushy guardian angel.
Emily thumped her on the back. “Now what are you going to do about Jon?”
Lacey groaned and pulled away. “You don’t give in, do you?”
“Correct me if I’m wrong. Didn’t you give me carte blanche to keep meddling in your life?”
“It’s too late.” Lacey gestured to the speck in the distance that was Cozumel. “He got off the ship. What can I do? Jump overboard and do the butterfly stroke to shore?”
“Have you ever heard of a phone call?”
She covered her face. “I said things that can’t be fixed on the phone.”
“Then I’ll have to finagle a way to get you off this ship.” Emily looped her cane on her arm, placed a hand behind Lacey’s back, and pushed her toward the door.
