I felt the affection from most of the crew as I sat on the rail, and realized that with all which had occured in the last day, it was my duty to shake myself out of the funk and get life restarted here aboard.

Picking up the public address, I summoned all hands to the foredeck. Scant minutes later, everyone aboard had made way to the bow and Amy was busy handing out and setting up deck chairs, and getting a stool for me. I grabbed her as she rushed past, pulled her up on my lap, and shared the depth of my emotions for her. Her little grin and wiggle helped invigorate my love for the people on this ship... and changed my mood a little.

I spent about ten minutes filling the crew in, then about the same learning about what I had missed.

"And enough history; time for some fun! Everyone on galley duty, let's put out a cold buffet. Everyone else, help set up tables, get plates and tableware. Finally, Alura, you're bartender tonight: mix them tasty but not heavy, and no drunks tonight. If you need help with that, ask Amy to bite their ankles."

The meal and party went long into the night, and finally WB and I made it to the Captain's Cabin quite late. We got to sleep a heck of a lot later.....

Sir Chuck