Night Cruise

Haley’s margarita shook under the intensity of her grip, half-gone liquid falling in droplets onto the fine carpet. Another hand met hers, and with it the stony gaze of a concerned-looking server. He took her glass.

“Would you like water, ma’am? I am afraid I cannot serve you any more alcohol tonight.”

Understandable, though Haley wasn’t shaking from the tequila. She looked across a sea of bodies at her no-good sore clot of a husband, accompanied by yet another cruise bimbo. She snatched the margarita back from the unsuspecting man.

“Ma’am!” he cried.

But Haley was already marching. A destructive, vindictive march. The server tried to call after her again, but Haley’s small frame easily dipped past the evening goers. His voice then faded completely under the revelry of the crowd and live mariachi music. Anyone who she brushed in the rampage could hardly protest before she was gone.

The ship's PA system blipped, and a soft-spoken voice struggled against that of the crowds. “Attention, this is your captain speaking. You may feel motion as we will be experiencing rough weather and strong currents ahead; please take extreme caution when… secure loose items…” Her fury deafened the sound. Cory was busy wronging her. Again. She had no trouble tracking the man down, dark-haired, tall, and stupid.

As Haley arrived, she could see Cory’s hand sliding down the other woman's back. She flicked her glass forward with the instinct of a woman scorned. His white shirt was stained a deep blue. He shot back in vain.

“What the hell!”

“What the hell is right, Cory—what do you think you’re doing?”

Cory squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them in disbelief. “Haley?”

“No shit. I come on this cruise with you, and you ditch me not once, but twice.”

The unsuspecting homewrecker took a step back. “I didn’t, uh, I didn’t know. Yeah—I’m gonna go,” and she did, leaving the two in a cross-armed stance as old as relationships. Haley looked her excuse of a husband up and down; he reeked of alcohol.

Her face twisted from holding back. Tears began to flow, and Haley stormed out.

“Haley,” he called; she didn’t care. He was the embodiment of discourtesy, nothing but money and looks. It wasn’t enough anymore. She didn’t know where she was going—away, or as away as could be on a cruise liner.

She found herself outside the party room, rushing along the promenade. The storm and winds matched her feelings. As nasty as he is. Moments later she arrived at an isolated overlook, unprotected from the elements. The rain came down hard against the deck, and the water below was a mass of crushing movement, smashing against the ship. She put her hands over her face. Not another soul would be foolish enough to brave this weather; then he arrived.

Cory settled on the railing beside her. “Haley—”

“Don’t. There's nothing to say. You did it again.”

His lips tightened, and he looked down. “Haley, I didn’t do anything, I swear.”

“I saw your hand on her, Cory. You can’t lie your way out of this one.”

“She came to me—we were just chatting.”

“Spare me. Last I checked, you don't need to touch a woman to talk to her.” She took a step away and felt the wind whistling in her ears. “I'm a complete idiot.” Heart shattered. Again.

“I can’t believe I followed you on this damn boat. You’re a liar, Cory. A stupid, unfaithful liar.”

“I haven’t done anything since last time, I swear. She wasn't anything, just walking by.”

Haley shook her head. “You were about to. I get sick in the bathroom, then ten minutes later you have a new wife. This isn’t worth saving—it was never worth saving.”

Cory kicked his feet. She hoped he might be furious too, but he was looking down at the water, blank-faced. A moment passed in silence, and she could see his jaw tense.

“I’m a screwup,” he said.

Haley grabbed a strand of her soaking hair and took a breath. She let his words settle in. “You can say that again.”

“I am, Haley. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have been talking to anyone—the drinks, nah… I won’t blame the drinks.”

He was always sorry. And she always forgave him. Our own little cycle of idiocy. I can't.

The seething crept in, gripping right by the gut. Then, intrusive thoughts won.

She took the diamond off her finger and tossed it straight overboard. Mouth open in shock, he tried to snatch it midflight—missed, a diamond to the depths.

He raised his arms and faced her. “Are you crazy? That was thousands!”

“And so was this stupid cruise. It was a mistake, Cory. It was all a mistake, and it's over.” Her arms cut through the air as she spoke. “I’m avoiding you for the rest of this stupid trip, and when we get home I’m moving back in with my mom.”

His face was still.

“Cory.”

He gripped the railing so tight that there was an audible tremble.

She began to feel a sinking in her stomach. Her eyebrows furrowed and lips pressed together. Haley hated that she still cared.

“Cory?”

His face finally softened, and he let go. Cory stared, waiting for her to speak.

“Look, I’m furious. I shouldn’t have thrown it away… but I can’t do this anymore. We’ve talked it out before, and it’s not—”

“You’re right, Haley. You deserve better than this.” His voice was unsettling.

He’d never done this before. Admitting fault, giving in. Not in all their years. Haley felt sick. She bit her lip hard, looking up at him, then her father's old preaching came to mind: You love who you love. She could feel the anger washing away.

“Listen…okay, I forgive you. But we need to talk about this. It can’t happen anymore.”

He coughed up a pathetic chuckle. “You were right to toss it. I haven’t been a good man, I know it. I know.”

The two stared out at the roaring waters together; they were close now.

"Well, we’ve come this far," she said. "One last chance."

He smiled, an old comforting smile he’d given her a thousand times, then stretched out his arms. She felt warm, calm. Haley accepted his embrace.

"I love you—I just can’t see you around women like that," she said.

“I know,” he replied, and she closed her eyes, tucked tight to his chest.

She winced, eyes shooting open as a harsh squeeze to the back of her dress and underarm took hold. Her stomach felt like butterflies, a lifting sensation, and she was halfway over the railing.

Haley screamed into the wind. Her wet hands slid along the smooth side of the ship as she plummeted into the darkness below.