February 2, 2012
They say that all good things must end, someday . . . It is the nature of life on ships that the composition of the crew continually changes. With contracts averaging between four and eight months, there is a constant rotation of the personnel on board. When you are a team of four, as is our HR department, it is inevitable that in something less than two months you will say goodbye to a teammate. I was blessed to be planted in an outstanding first group with which to work. Distinct but complementary personalities, with a matching integrated diversity of talents. We affably, but pretentiously, called ourselves the Dream Team.
But one always awakes from a dream. Just a week ago we were reminded that Yez was actually a vacation replacement for Laverne, who was the opening crew administrator for the Silhouette. Sadly, I realized, that Yez’s last day would be in the middle of my quick trip off ship to Dani’s Ring Dance. So, the urgency of impending transition began to sink into each of our consciousnesses. It was, without question, time for one final evening of camaraderie.
With all the fine entertainment and dining options available, we chose instead to gather together for an old fashioned family movie night. Perhaps not quite so ‘old fashioned’ as we decided to wrap up work early to ensure we had time to enjoy each other’s company. That’s right; we agreed to sneak out of work at 10 . . . . . . . . . . PM. Such slackers, I know! We would all race to our cabins, put on comfy clothes . . . time for the sweats and t-shirts that never see the light of day, order room service, and put a DVD in the player . . . in Laura’s room. One advantage of having 3 ½ stripes is that she has a suite, with a discreet living room and bedroom. With a large couch, an easy chair and two dining chairs we had more than enough seating for the four of us.
Of course I took ownership of bringing the wine, while Laura ordered the room service. I had not had a burger and fries in 2012, so I indulged my suppressed cravings. The movie we chose with neither current nor blessed with much artistic merit. But Rush Hour: 3 was the perfect diversion for four weary professionals. Despite the fact that Dwight kept getting texts from the latest love interest in his life . . . sorry buddy . . . we enjoyed two hours of family-style fun (with all the good-natured teasing of loving siblings).
We ended the night, though, realizing that our escape from reality was simply that, an escape. Before the sun set the next day I would be off the ship, and before I rejoined SI, Yez would be gone. When that realization set in as our evening drew to a close, we chose not to deal with the very real emotions that were simmering just below the surface. With quick goodnights we left already talking about the plan for the new work day just a few hours away. And we hit the ground running with freshly pressed uniforms replacing the sweats, and none of our encounters quite as amusing as those of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. We race through the morning and soon found ourselves at dock in San Juan (somehow the Captain had pulled in without asking our permission). Yez dropped by my office to remind me that I needed to get to Immigration in SKY B in fifteen minutes. A quarter of an hour later, I walked into the conference center on our ship in my civilian clothes with bag in tow. As an American citizen getting off in an American port, I was given priority with the Immigration agents who just came on board.
Yez handed me my passport and directed me to the front of the line without making eye contact. I was quickly processed through and directed to head to the gangway to be directed to my crew shuttle to the airport. Just before leaving the room I turned and looked for Yez and caught her eye. I asked if I would see her down on the dock before I left. She shook her head ‘no.’ Not knowing what to say to a new friend who had been an anchor to my successful transition I simply held out my arms. She ran across the conference room and we hugged tightly for a minute. With work still waiting, she turned and went back to herding the sign-offs through immigration. I headed in the opposite direction and out the door and onto the lift heading twelve decks down.
When I passed through security and my foot hit the gangway, the Dream Team came to an end. By the time I was scheduled to rejoin Silhouette, Yez would be on Equinox, and Laverne would greet me onboard.
The adventure continues . . .
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