Page 85 of Love Overboard
“Have I ever told you you’re ridiculous?” Lacey grabbed the stacked trays and headed for the trash cans.
“Not in the last hour.” Her friend followed at her heels. “You’ll tell the Shippers?”
“Yes. I’ll tell them.”
Abby squealed and wrapped her arms around Lacey’s waist from behind. They waddled together to the cans.
“I wish I could go to the ball.” Abby released her and put the silverware in a shallow tub with water while Lacey dumped the food scraps in a trash can. “You chose the right job as a hostess. You’ll get to wear a gown and play Cinderella while I’m stuck with all the Hansels and Gretels.”
“I never pictured myself as Cinderella.” Lacey stacked their trays with the others. “Not even when I was younger.”
“Cinderella or not, you found yourself a real Prince Charming.” Abby laced her fingers together and squeezed her lids closed. “Please, Lord. Just one more knight in shining armor for me.” She opened one eye and peeked. “Don’t forget to put in a good word for me with the Shippers.”
“I’ll remember. You want the four fairy godmothers to hook you up ASAP.” Lacey looped her arm around Abby’s, and they walked out of the staff mess. “I have high hopes for this ball. It will be great for the public relations department. Who doesn’t love a fancy masquerade?”
They made their way down Route 66 and rode the elevator to the seventh floor. As Abby and Lacey exited the car, they met Gerry, Daisy, and Althea.
Lacey’s first instinct was to run. Then she reminded herself she was with Jon now. No reason to hide from the Shippers. “Good afternoon, ladies. Where’s Emily?”
Gerry shifted from one foot to the other. “She went ashore for … something.”
“How’s your day going?” Abby asked.
Althea crowed. “I am on a roll.” She pulled a handful of cash from an envelope and showed it off. “My son-in-law’s a pastor in Chicago. He told me he’d be praying for a blessing, and the Good Lawd answered. This is yesterday’s winnings. Can hardly wait for bingo today.”
Gerry tsk-tsked. “I wonder what your preacher son-in-law would say about your constant gambling.”
“How is this gambling?” Althea’s eyebrows sloped. “The ship lets seniors play for free. All it costs me is my time.”
“She’s got you there.” Abby pointed at Gerry, who lifted her nose.
Daisy tittered softly.
Althea tucked her envelope in the front pocket of her red sequined fanny pack and zipped it shut. “This is going in my wedding-funeral fund.”
Abby’s gaze slid to Lacey.
Lacey sighed internally and took the obvious question. “What exactly is a wedding-funeral fund, Mrs. Jones?”
“A little emergency stash of mine. One of the things I like best about these boats is the steady stream of romantic opportunities walking up the gangplank. The love of my life might be in the next group of passengers.” Althea paused to pat at the short silver curls around her face. “If he does come, I want to be sure I’m ready. Weddings are a costly business. I speak from experience. I already paid for three of them.”
“And where does the funeral part come in?”
“The only thing more expensive than a wedding is a funeral. I want to have everything paid for in case I kick off before I find my next Mr. Right.”
Abby gave a breathy giggle.
Lacey hurried to ask another question before the older woman noticed Abby’s merriment. “Isn’t that a bit morbid, Mrs. Jones?”
“Why, baby? There are two things you can’t avoid in life: love and death. Be prepared for whichever one comes first.”
“She ought to know.” Gerry lowered her nose enough to join the conversation. “With three husbands under her belt, she’s the authority.”
“Which one was your favorite, Althea?” Abby winced as Lacey kicked the side of her foot.
“Not the first one.” The thrice-married expert wrinkled her upper lip until her top row of teeth showed. “He was the opposite of a keeper. But was I happy when I dumped the cheater? I still cried myself to sleep every night for two months.” She reached over and put a hand on each of their shoulders. “Take my word. Don’t ever put yourself through that pain. Divorce feels like someone gave your heart a bikini wax.”
Lacey flinched at the analogy. “Got it, Mrs. Jones. Thanks for the advice.”
