The Cruise - Part 9
*******
Last Time:
As Bo and Nora began to get passionate, they were interrupted
by the Captain.
After clearing up the "marital status" confusion, Nora
asked Bo and the Captain to leave.
Bo returns and tries to get Nora to talk through their problems.
He realizes that they should stop trying to pick-up where they
left off and should, instead, start over.
*******
Day 2 on Cruise:
Nora is sitting in the "Hip Hop" dining room starting to eat from the breakfast buffet. She felt very tired after a long night of restless sleep. She wanted to eat her breakfast in peace and then find a nice, quiet spot where she could relax and enjoy a book. Lost deep in thought she didn't see Bo walk in and sit at a table across the room. He, of course, saw her right away. He thought she looked tired but still stunning. The waitress brought him a cup of coffee and he started sipping it, looking at her over the rim of his cup. She had a puzzled look on her face as she absentmindedly picked at her breakfast. Bo was sure he was partly to blame for her look and he was determined to fix it.
As she continued to fiddle with her food, she didn't notice that her napkin had fallen to the floor. Bo thought this was a great opportunity and he was out of his seat in a flash. Just as Nora finally realized that her napkin had fallen and she was reaching down to pick it up, a hand touched hers at the same time she touched the napkin. She glanced up quickly and the most amazing blue eyes were looking back at hers. She smiled, recognizing Bo.
Nora: (Starting to straighten in her seat, both of their
hands still on the napkin) Bo, I . . .
Bo: (Kneeling and looking confused) Oh, I'm sorry have we met.
Nora: (Now returning his confused look with one of her own) Bo...
(realizing what he was doing) Oh, I get it (smiling) you're playing
games.
Bo: (Standing and releasing her napkin, laughing as someone might
when there was a case of mistaken identity, tilting his head slightly
with a questioning look) Do I favor someone you know?
Nora: (Smiling and deciding to play along) Oh, I'm so sorry, I
thought you were someone else. I see now, after a closer look,
that you're not who I thought you were.
Bo: (Smiling that playful smile and extending his hand) Good morning,
I'm Bo Buchanan.
Nora: (Reaching out her hand and placing it in his) Why, good
morning Mr. Buchanan, I'm Nora Buch... Um... Nora Gannon.
Bo: (Smiling) It's very nice to meet you Ms. Gannon. Are you enjoying
your cruise?
Nora: (Coyly) Why yes I am, thank you. And you?
Bo: Very much, lot's to do. Perhaps I'll see you around this evening.
(Turning) Have a nice day Ms. Gannon (He walks away)
Nora: (Slightly disappointed that he left, she says quietly to
herself) You can call me Nora.
Nora watched Bo leave the restaurant wondering about their
entire exchange this morning. Thinking about his handsome face,
she places her napkin on the table and decides to go for a walk,
smiling to herself as she leaves. She was barely to the door when
she heard her name being called.
Captain: (Coming up behind her) Nora!
Nora: (Turning) Good morning, Capt... Um... John. (The Captain
flashes her his great smile.)
Captain: Good morning. I hope you slept well.
Nora: (Hoping to cover how tired she felt) Just fine. You rocked
me to sleep like a baby.
The Captain looks confused.
Nora: (Smiling and trying to explain) Well, this is your ship
isn't it?
Captain: (Catching on) Yes! Yes, it is. I'm glad I could be of
service Ma'am. (Leaning closer with a slight grin) I'd be happy
to rock you to sleep anytime.
Nora: (With a flirting smile) Why, Captain, do you flirt with
all of your female passengers?
Captain: (Feigning hurt feelings and grabbing his chest at his
heart) I'm crushed, Ms. Buchanan! I save my best lines for only
the MOST stunning passengers.
Nora: Then I am truly flattered.
They both laugh at their banter.
Captain: I guess I need to go spread my cheer through the rest
of the passengers (leaning close) It's nice to see your smile
this morning. I hope you will join me at my table this evening
for the costume party?
Nora: (Looking surprised and running her hand through her hair)
Oh my gosh! I forgot about renting a costume!
Captain: We have a shop on-board (looking at his watch) They should
be open now. Please come to the party, we'll have a great time.
Nora: (Patting his arm) Well, if I'm going to go, then I need
to go (laughing) Maybe I'll see you tonight.
Captain: I look forward to it.
Nora rushes off in search of the costume shop. She finally
finds the shop on Level 2. The clothing racks were almost bare.
Nora started looking through what was left.
Sales Lady: Good morning, may I help you find something.
Nora: (Still going through the clothes) I sure hope so. I'm looking
for a poodle skirt.
Sales Lady: (laughing) Oh, I'm sorry but our poodle skirts were
gone by yesterday afternoon.
Nora: (Turning around exasperated) Great! Could you show me what
you have left in my size.
Sales Lady: (Looking Nora up and down from head to toe and stepping
to the rack) It appears I only have two outfits left that would
fit. (She reaches and pulls them off the rack. One was an orange
and white 50's cheerleading outfit. It had a megaphone stitched
to the top and a smaller one stitched to the pleated bottom skirt.
Nora frowned.
Sales Lady: (Holding up the other) If you don't care to be a cheerleader
we have this one. (It was a pair of yellow tight clam diggers
and a tight black cotton knit top with a low scooped neckline.
There was a matching yellow scarf which accessorized the outfit.)
Nora: (looking stunned) So I have the choice of being a cheerleader
or a ... Um... (trying to think of the right words) a... Well,
it's not Annette Funicello that's for sure (The sales lady laughs).
Sales Lady: (Reaching behind the rack) We have these to go with
the cheerleading outfit. (She's holding up a set of pom-poms.)
Nora: (Frowning) I'll take that one.
Sales Lady: (Smiling) Good choice.
Nora pays for the rental, still trying to figure out how she was
going to wear it out in public and she left the store.
The sales lady turns and looks in the back room.
Sales Lady: Well, how was that?
Bo: (Stepping out and smiling) Perfect (He hands her a $50 bill)
Sales Lady: (Big grin) Thank You!
Bo: Oh, believe me, it's my pleasure.
The costume party started at 6:00. Everyone was having a
wonderful time. All the hits from the 50's were being played.
The costumes were amazing. There were poodle skirts, bowling shirts,
letter sweaters, greased hair and poney tails galore. There were
Elvis, Annette Funicello, and Frankie Avalon look-a-likes. The
Captain was seated at his table trying to stay interested in the
on-going conversations but he kept looking at his watch.
Captain: (To himself) Nora, where are you?
Bo sat across the room also waiting patiently for Nora's
appearance. He glanced over to the Captain's table and saw him
looking at his watch with a frown on his face. Bo noticed that
there was an empty seat at the Captain's table and he had a good
idea who it was being saved for. At his table were the same couples
from the night before and Marcy. Marcy made an attempt to wear
a poodle skirt and sweater but the look did not suit her frame.
She looked out of place.
Marcy: (Looking at Bo) This is so much fun. You know (touching
his hand) you owe me a dance this evening. You left last night
before we had a chance to cut-a-rug. (Laughing at her own use
of the words)
Bo: (Smiling sweetly) I'm sorry, please put me on your dance card.
After watching the Captain dance, I didn't think you would want
to dance with anyone but him.
Marcy: (Again touching his hand) Oh, Bo, you sell yourself short.
I saw you dancing with the Captain's date and you were holding
your own.
Bo: (trying to sound sincere) I wouldn't even presume to think
I could dance as well as the good Captain (briefly pointing over
to his table)
Marcy glances over to the Captain's table. She notices that the
seat next to the Captain is vacant.
Marcy: (Looking at the Captain) Well... I guess the Captain has
an empty seat at his table this evening. Maybe I should go introduce
myself?
Bo: (looking over at the table) You know, I bet he would really
like that. He's probably too shy to ask for your company.
Marcy: (Smiling) You think so?
Bo: (Smiling) I'd bet my Chevy on it!
Marcy: (Getting up) Wish me luck!
Bo: Remember, you may need to make the first move.
Marcy gives Bo a thumbs up and heads to the Captain's table. Bo
has a huge grin on his face. Marcy walks up to the Captain and
taps him on the shoulder. The Captain quickly turns around expecting
to see Nora, he had a hard time hiding the look of disappointment.
Bo chuckled. Marcy engaged the reluctant Captain in a long-winded
conversation, being so bold as to pull the empty chair out and
sitting down at his table.
Bo: (Now looking at his watch) 6:30! Come on Nora, stop stalling.
Nora has been sitting in her room trying to work up the
nerve to venture out wearing her costume. She would stand-up,
look in the mirror, turn slightly and then sit back down.
Nora: (Running her hand through her hair) I can't go out in this!
(Trying to work-up her resolve) OK, Nora, ole girl, you should
be proud that you could even get into this costume. Come on now
get out there and have a good time, it's 50's music, remember!
(Again standing and looking in the mirror, closing her eyes) OK,
OK, I can do this. (Without looking in the mirror again, she opens
the door and steps out into the hall, looking up and down the
hall to make sure the coast was clear) (To herself) I can do this.
I can do this.
Marcy is still sitting at the Captain's table, not letting him get a word in edgewise. He was trying to be polite and kept smiling and nodding, hoping she would get to the point and leave. He was so involved in his thoughts of how to get rid of Marcy that he didn't see the doors open and Nora step through. But Bo saw her immediately.
Bo: (Under his breath) Oh My Gosh! (He had to quickly look around at the others to see if they saw his lustful expression. Everyone was involved in their own conversations. Nora wore that outfit like no one else could. It was incredibly form fitting. She didn't possess a curve that was not accentuated. The low cut of the top flattered Nora's full breasts and she was obviously uncomfortable about displaying so much cleavage because she kept pulling the top up at the shoulders. The clam diggers also left nothing to the imagination. Nora was in excellent shape, no doubt remained about that. Nora glanced over to the Captain's table and saw that he was occupied, she continued to look around the room, then their eyes locked. A large smile crossed Nora's lips as Bo stood and motioned for her to join him. She gave one last glance at the Captain's table and headed toward Bo.
Bo looked down right handsome. He had on a pair of tight
blue jeans with a white cotton shirt and a leather jacket. His
hair was greased and combed back. The smile on his face never
faded, nor did his gaze ever leave Nora. She approached his table,
still occassionally pulling up her shirt.
Bo: (Extending his hand to the chair next to his) Ms. Gannon,
would you do me the honor of having dinner with me?
Nora: (Smiling brightly) Mr. Buchanan, I would be the one honored.
Bo reached over and pulled out the empty chair. She came over
and sat down. Bo got a wiff of her perfume and smiled.
Bo: (Trying to keep his gaze on her face) You certainly look like
a "hep chick" this evening (smiling)
Nora: (Beginning to get into the spirit of the evening) You're
quite the "cool cat" this evening yourself.
Bo: (Letting his gaze drop) I've never seen you look so gorgeous.
Nora: (Playing) Why, Mr. Buchanan, we just met remember. Oh, and
please, call me Nora.
Bo: (Getting into the game again. Looking at her face and hair)
Actually, I think "Red" better suits you, if you don't
mind.
Nora: (Smiling) Not at all.
The dinner was wonderful and Nora was enjoying the conversation with Bo. They both got reacquainted. The Captain soon realized that Nora got seated at another table because her seat at his table was occupied. He pouted through most of his dinner and his conversations with others at the table were short and limited. The time for the Captain to lead the first dance quickly approached and with no other options open to him he invited Marcy to the dance floor. They danced to "I'm so Lonesome" and the difference in dance partners was startling. No one possessed the grace of Nora on the dance floor.
Bo and Nora stopped talking to watch the Captain lead the
first dance. Bo glanced at Nora to see if he saw any signs of
regret on her face because she wasn't out there with the Captain,
but her expression never changed. Bo rested his arm on the back
of the chair. The song ended and then "I Only Have Eyes for
You" started to play. Bo got out of his seat and placed his
hand in front of Nora.
Bo: (Smiling) May I have this dance.
Nora: (Sliding her chair back without hesitation) You may.
The dance floor was getting crowded and Bo lead Nora to the middle of the floor. Pulling her hand, he whirled her around in front of him and took her tightly into his arms. She looked into his face and smiled and for the rest of this song and through "Blue Moon" they thought of nothing but how good holding one another felt.
Bo: (Whispering in Nora's ear while they were dancing) Have
I told you how beautiful you look this evening.
Nora: (Smiling) I think you mentioned something earlier.
Bo: (Smiling) Oh, OK. So long as I didn't forget to mentioned
that you are taking my breath away.
Nora: (Holding him close) Noted!
They continued to steam up the dance floor and the Captain, who was still trying to shake Marcy so he could cut in.
Bo: (Continuing to dance with Nora, oblivious to the number
of songs they had danced through) Have I mentioned how stunning
you look in that outfit.
Nora: (Smiling and again pulling up her top) Oh, this "little"
thing.
They both laugh and Bo holds her tighter. Suddenly he feels a
tapping on his shoulder and when he looks around the Captain is
standing there smiling at Nora. Bo still has not released Nora
from his arms.
Captain: Excuse me, Mr. Buchanan, but I would like to cut in.
Nora was a little disappointed in the interruption but agreed
to dance with the Captain. Bo grumbled and went to stand by the
edge of the dance floor, never taking his eyes off of Nora.
Captain: (Smiling and taking Nora in his arms to dance to "Make
the World Go Away") I've been trying to do this all night.
Nora: (Looking up into his handsome face) Do what?
Captain: Dance with the most beautiful woman on this ship. (Clearing
his throat) I must say, I love your costume.
Nora: (Looking down briefly and realizing that the Captain was
getting quite a view) I was meaning to talk with you about your
selections of costumes available in your shop.
Captain: (Smiling) I approved all costume selections. Is there
a problem?
Nora: (Again tugging at her top) No, No problem at all.
Captain: (Holding Nora back slightly to get a good view of her
costume and causing Bo's temple to start pulsing) I don't ever
remember seeing this one before (smiling) I would definitely remember.
After finishing the song Nora was becoming very tired.
Nora: John, If you don't mind I think I'll call it a night.
Captain: (Looking disappointed) OK, let me walk you back to your
room.
Nora: (Touching his arm) No, that's OK. I realize you need to
stay and entertain the other passengers. I'll see you tomorrow.
(She reaches up and places a kiss on his cheek) Good night.
Captain: Good night, Nora.
As Nora walks off the dance floor, Bo falls in beside her.
Bo: Are you calling it a night?
Nora: (Smiling) Yeah, Bo I'm beat after last night and all our
dancing, I'm just beat.
Bo: (Walking with her) You know, now that you mention it, I'm
beat too.
Nora casts him a sideways glance.
Nora: Oh, really.
Bo: (Stretching and yawning) Yep! Beat.
Nora: (Realizing that Bo was headed her way) You don't need to
walk me to my room, Bo. I'm a big girl.
Bo: (Looking surprised) I'm not, I'm going to my own room.
They are now approaching Nora's door and Bo is still with her.
Nora: (Stopping at her door and pointing) Well, here I am.
Bo: (Pointing to the door next to her's and looking shocked) Oh
my Gosh, is this a coincidence, or what. Our rooms are right next
door to one another.
Nora just looks at him, not believing that they have been sharing
a wall. Bo leans near her while her hand is still on the doorknob
and gives her a quick but passionate kiss.
Bo: (Stepping to his door) Thanks for the date.
Nora: (Looking surprised) Was this a date?
Bo unlocks his door and looks back where she is still standing.
Bo: Sleep tight, Red. (He walks into his room and closes the door).
Nora: (Stilling standing outside her room) A date?
To be continued. . .
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