Page 22 of Ship Happens

Maybe he and Jacob could’ve fought harder. Owen could’ve offered more FaceTimes, could’ve been braver and gotten over his fear of being somewhere different. They could’ve traded weeks, going back and forth between San Francisco and wherever Jacob was at the time. There would’ve been a newfound desperation to the time they’d have had together, a need to take advantage of every free second to make sure it was spent to its fullest. And then one of them would’ve gone home, the isolation hitting them maybe not right away, but probably on the long, lonely flight back home.

Never getting to hold each other for as long as they wanted to.

That’s not the relationship that Owen signed up for.

Maybe that’s selfish. But it’s how Owen feels. And that gets to mean something.

But could they find some sort of common ground, some forced geniality just to make life easier? That almost sounds emptier than what little they have now.

Owen sits there on the stoop, staring at the billboard of Anh Phoong staring at him from across the street as he lights another pre-roll. “Yeah, Anh, I’d say something’s wrong,” he tells her, his voice quiet in the cold, empty night.

Chapter Five

Your Penis Uses She/Her Pronouns?

“Ho . . . lee . . . shit . . .” Kevin drags out the syllables, saying what they’re all thinking as they take in the pure extravagance of their rooms.

The Garden Suite—as it’s referred to on the cruise’s app that they’ve all been forced to download—is a three-bedroom, three-bath complete with a kitchenette, living room, and access to a private enclosed balcony.

“Holy shit indeed . . .” Owen says a little more quietly, dropping his shoulder bag on the plush sectional that sits in front of a flat-screen television affixed to the wall. “How much did you say this was again, Abby?”

Guilt stirs in Owen’s stomach. He’s never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but when the horse looks like it could easily cost half a year’s worth of rent in his and Jacob’s old apartment, he can’t help but think about the money.

“Trust me, guys, the bonus was a big one,” Abby says as she leaps over the back of the couch, sinking into the cushions.

“Don’t worry about it,” Kaitlyn promises, sidling up to Owen like she knows he’s overthinking things. “Please.”

He gives her a reassuring look, hoping that it’s enough for her.

After suffering through a mandatory safety video, the group was given a guided tour where they were shown the quickest routes to the lifeboats. Of course their guide had accompanied the information with an “In the unlikely event of—” along with a too-chipper smile as he explained the low odds of the ship capsizing or hitting any icebergs.

Low. But not impossible.

Then they’d been led through the entrance into the main atrium, a three-story area of the ship that’s half-indoor, half-outdoor. They were shown a handful of the amenities closest to the suites, the pools, the gym, bars, shops, a pharmacy, and finally a private foyer where the higher-paying guests are provided with their own lounge area, complete with a conversation pit, bar, and sun deck.

And from there, they were finally given access to their suite.

Owen spins when he hears the whistle Jacob lets out, hands on his hips as he stares through enormous windows that look out onto the sea-green waters of the Bay.

“Check out that view,” Jacob adds as he opens the sliding glass door to the balcony. A gust of wind blows in, carrying the smell of the salt water with it as it sweeps Owen’s hair away from his face.

It’s stunning, the water stretching toward the Bay Bridge. Their guide left them at their door after giving everyone their all-in-one medallion bracelets that serve as their room keys as well as their method of paying for the non-inclusive food and drinks while on this trip.

“Pretty suite . . . huh?” Jacob beams at Owen, too proud of the stupid pun.

Owen has to bite back his exasperated laughter, turning away instead.

“Have we called rooms yet?” Kevin asks, leaning over the back of the couch. “I want the master!” In one fluid move, he’s racing down the hallway toward the rooms.

“Over my dead body!” Abigail shouts, racing to catch her brother. “You’re not the one who paid for it!” She slides across the hardwood floors, the two of them tumbling into each other as they fall onto the king-sized bed.

Owen peeks inside the master, taking in the open concept that includes a huge free-standing bathtub that looks out over what he can imagine will be a gorgeous view once they’re moving. Leaving the two siblings to fight things out, he makes his way down the hallway, checking out the other two available rooms. The second one doesn’t look that much different, just with fewer bells and whistles; the queen-sized bed looks comfortable.

The third room is somewhere in between size-wise. The bathroom looks to be a bit bigger than the one in the room in the middle, with a television playing various advertisements for things to do on the ship. The only true difference is the layout of the furniture. There’s a standing closet, a dresser situated in front of a large mirror, and an armchair tucked in the corner that doesn’t look all that comfortable. And the bed is situated against the same wall as the door, giving the person sleeping there the perfect view to wake up to. Right from the comfort of their own bed.

Bed.

Singular.