LITMIR.BIZ

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time on deck would enable him to unwind before attending the cocktail party.

      After showering and carefully selecting his attire, dressing, taking a cursory glance in the mirror to check he looked the part, he left his cabin. Still having time up his sleeve he sauntered around the ship exploring the various facilities and amenities on offer. He particularly noted the direct eye contact he attracted from many of the young and the not so young women. He smiled knowingly to himself, thinking "The choices and the picking are perfect."

      Slowly strolling along the decks, he heard the resonance of children's laughter. Something he considered to be a most delightful sound and so out of curiosity he walked into the children's play area and nursery. As he did, he came face to face with the young woman who would change his world forever.

      There was nothing especially remarkable about Sarah. Nothing he could pin-point. She was of medium height and build, her hair was as dark as the night and hung down to her shoulders, brushed in a manner that could only be described as natural. Her clothing was so apparently cheap and off-the-shelf. She wore only a little make up on her near perfect dark skin, it was obvious she took little time in applying it. Ken was not used to seeing these characteristics in a woman, let alone being attracted to her and would not normally have given a second glance. Nevertheless, he was dumbstruck. She was the most fascinatingly attractive creature he had ever laid eyes on and for just a moment he was stunned.

      “Hello, I’m Ken,” he stammered, surprised at his own apparent lack of self-confidence.

      “Hello back sir and you’re not supposed to be here, this is a restricted area,” she replied in a pleasant, firm but uneducated voice. “Please leave as they do not allow people other than staff and the children's parents to be here. It's a matter of the children's safety.”

      “I’m sorry, I got a little lost, and I truly love to listen to the laughter of children at play. It is a most pleasant sound that takes away all the cares of the world. Once I heard them I just couldn't resist,” he replied. Then he asked “Of course, I’ll leave immediately but can I know your name?”

      Sarah smiled at him and Ken relaxed thinking that his usual charm had once again won out in the situation. To his surprise she emphatically stated, “No you cannot! They are very strict with the children's safety so please leave or I’ll have to call security and that won’t be a very pleasant way for you to start your cruise.”

      Ken was in unfamiliar territory, bemused he laughed nervously at what appeared to be an out of character reaction. She just didn’t seem to be the strict matronly type. He again apologized to her and once more taking in her remarkable aura, he turned to leave, closing the glass doors behind him. He determined that he would find out who she was, immediately crossing the foyer to the reception area. Arriving at the counter he asked whether they had any customer service nomination forms, as he wished to recommend a staff member for her outstanding service. “Of course sir, I’ll give you one. Do you need a pen?” asked the grinning receptionist who, from her place behind the counter had witnessed Ken talking to Sarah.

      “Yes, please,” replied Ken as he took the form, “but I’ll need to know the name of the young lady concerned. She looks after the children, medium height and long black hair.”

      “Oh, that would be Sarah. Best be aware there sir, sweet as sugar but she bites like a crocodile.”

      “That see-through am I?” asked Ken with a grin.

      “You and about a dozen others every trip sir, you’d have more chance with the matron and she doesn't like anyone,” she laughed.

      Ken spent the entire evening and all of the next day thinking of nothing else but Sarah. “This is ridiculous,” he thought to himself, “I’m behaving like a love struck teenager.” He resolved to go to the crèche area and wait outside until Sarah had a break or finished work. He sat for hours, waiting patiently, until finally she opened the door and walked out into the foyer. He watched as she exited onto the deck and was once again mesmerized, he just couldn’t take his eyes away from her. He was highly baffled and could not understand his own feelings or behavior. She was not a physical beauty but somehow, he simply could not resist her. He followed her out onto the deck. Sarah turned to the sounds of his footsteps and as they faced each other Ken simply said, “Hello Sarah.”

      “You again, I thought I told you not to come here.” This time there was not a hint of hostility in her voice. Ken looked into her eyes and saw a flash of something he had never experienced before. Instantly in his heart he knew something had transpired between them and that this was more than just a casual encounter. He felt welcoming warmth radiating from her.

      “Can we meet later?” he asked.

      “No, I can’t, please don’t ask, please,” she pleaded. Suddenly, the warmth dissipated. "So we can be sure of ourselves. I'm not one of those girls you can have your pleasures with and leave at the next port and I certainly am not impressed with nor have any interest in your wealth or position. You'd be better off chasing one of the other girls as you will not get what you're after from me. Do you understand me?"

      Sarah's admonishment left Ken feeling like he had been slapped on the hand for being a naughty boy. Feeling exposed he smiled sincerely at her and replied, "You know what Sarah, you frighten me. You frighten me because I just don't think I could ever leave you anywhere let alone the next port."

      Sarah made no reply, her own emotions confused as she returned inside to the children's play area.

      For the next few days Ken met Sarah at the same location and each time their conversation lasted a little longer than it did the day before. Finally, Sarah agreed to meet him for coffee. It was the breakthrough he had been longing for and from that moment on they spent every possible moment together, mostly just talking and laughing. Sometimes simply sitting together in silence, never touching, not even holding hands. Ken would often smile to himself bemused and wonder how he was going to explain this shipboard romance to anyone, for other than his own heart, there simply was no conquest.

      His father had sent him out to sow his wild oats, to become a man of the world as he had put it and Ken clearly understood that meant the use of women for his own gratification. Single or married, it didn't matter; there would be no commitment beyond a night or two. He would show them a good time with the finer things in life thrown in, buy a gift or two and have a story to tell and then move on. So far as Ken was concerned everyone benefited. How different and unexpected this situation with Sarah was.

      Sarah explained to him that this was her last voyage under her current contract and that she was returning home to her parents and would be taking up a role with the local church, helping the people of her neighborhood. She had spoken little of her home and made no attempt to elaborate on what kind of work she would be involved with. Ken never pressed her, sensing that for some reason she wished to keep it as a private matter.

      At the end of the voyage Ken abandoned his entire travel plans and followed Sarah to her home. She had tried to convince him not to follow but Ken insisted and despite her every attempt at dissuading him, he had turned up on her doorstep. He knocked on the door and when Sarah opened it, he stood staring at what lay before him.

      “Surprised?” she asked "Now you see me for who and what I am, all of the things unsaid between us. A man of your background and class and me of little or no consequence. Ken you must know it can't work, not for either of us."

      Earlier in the day Ken had disembarked the ship and caught a taxi. One of Sarah's fellow workers had given him her address. The driver's response caught him off guard. “You sure that’s where you wanna go mister?” the driver asked. “If you’re looking for a lady I can recommend far better and safer places. Classy ladies who give you a good time and you be safe but you go to that place you ask and you may not come out.”

      Ken replied in the affirmative and they set off on a journey that was to take over two hours. They drove through the outer suburbs followed by an area of the most dilapidated buildings amidst sparse vegetation. It was, without doubt some of the bleakest habitation Ken had ever seen. The obvious poverty and despair of the people shocked him. He had never seen anything like it. Somehow,

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