Going with the Flow

Contents

Prologue

California, 1989

Chapter 1

Cruising to the Bahamas, a month later

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Stormy Weather, Mid Atlantic

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Arizona, 2008

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Prescott Valley, September 15

To Corinne—it is in the nature of man to pursue that which his heart tells him is true.

Prologue

California, 1989

Evelyn Jordan, Paddy’s daughter, and her husband, David, had their two-story, Victorian-style home in Menlo Park, California. Although the physical resemblance between father and daughter was unmistakable, there was a big difference personality-wise. Evelyn was a perky, twenty-five years of age extrovert, quick to form judgments about people. She had come to value the deep bond characterizing her parents’ marriage and endeavored to keep her mother’s spirit foremost in her father’s psyche. It wasn’t something she had decided on her own, for her mother had given her a letter just a few months prior to her demise:

Dearest Evelyn,

I want your father to find someone with whom to share his twilight years, but he needs to be careful. There are plenty of single woman near his age out there who will see him as a good catch. Watch over him so that he doesn’t let his loneliness rush him into any relationship with the first woman who tries to snare him. He is too good a man to be ambushed by some unscrupulous, oversexed female. Instead, he should look for the qualities in her he always cherished in his life, and he will find the right person.

Love, Mom

The problem facing Evelyn, however, was that her father had decided against remaining in California and returned, instead, to Arizona where he and Melanie had lived for thirteen years. In fact, her ashes were buried in The Rose Garden, a cemetery within three miles of their home in Mesa. Nevertheless, Evelyn had tried dutifully to carry out her mother’s wishes. She was helped in this regard, since her father had obligingly avoided female entanglement, his grief being all-consuming.

This late afternoon as she sat in the living room, curled up on a sofa, the phone rang, and she quickly answered it.

Dad? Are you calling from the Phoenix airport? You were able to get an earlier flight? Gee, I’m sorry as we planned to meet you at the LAX terminal. I see, well how long do you think the shuttle will take to get you here? That should work out just fine. David should be home by then. Oh, just a minute, Dad, he just came in. She waved a free hand toward her husband. Yes, I’ll say hello. Love you, too. She hung up. He took an earlier flight and is coming by the shuttle from LAX.

David came over and kissed her. How’s Paddy doing?

Oh, it’s hard to say, but he sounded kind of dispirited.

That’s to be expected, as he’s still grieving. It’s only been four months since Melanie’s death. It will be good for him to be with us again. He joined her at the sofa.

Evelyn rose and walked to the bar. Join me? She began pouring orange juice into two tumblers when he nodded.

Perhaps we came back too soon after your mom’s funeral. Paddy put on a pretty good front, but you could tell he was trying hard not to break down.

It would have been better for him if he had. As far as staying over longer, he made it clear he would be okay, and he needed to work on his feelings in his own way. She crossed over, handing him his drink and sat down next to him.

Wait until he hears what you’re proposing.

It has to be his decision, of course, but I still think I can talk him into going on the cruise with us.

He might think he’ll be in our way.

She smiled impishly. Not if I work on him the right way.

David rose, taking both tumblers to the bar. And how do you propose doing that?

I haven’t quite figured that out, but I think I might try to steer the conversation toward how the trip would get his creative juices flowing again.

That could do the trick, although he’s a pretty intense guy. He might feel that a cruise would be too distracting.

Well, we won’t know that until we broach the subject. By the way, when are we going to get away?

Just as soon as I finish the Talbot report. These new SEC reporting requirements are a real grind.

Hey, that’s your bailiwick. You’ve been trying all along to get the firm to disclose more info for the stockholders.

He nodded. Yeah, but now that the government has stepped in, it didn’t take much persuasion to prove the point.

Evelyn appeared anxious, as she asked, How long do you figure it will take Dad to get here?

Oh, depending on how many stops the shuttle has to make, he could be here within the hour.

That should give you enough time to shower.

Okay, sport. I’ll get started. He bent over to kiss her, and a big smile creased his face. Maybe we’ve got enough time to—

More than enough as far as you’re concerned, Mister. But let’s just keep the thought going. I’ll be upstairs in a few minutes and hang up your clothes.

His face took on an unmistakable leer. It’s not maid service, I need, lady.

You’ve got a one-track mind.

You’ll get no argument from me on that score. It comes, my dear, from being a CPA. Get to the bottom line as quickly as possible.

Well, my bottom line is to make sure Dad takes this cruise.

David left with feigned disappointment, going upstairs.

Evelyn fussed with a flower arrangement on the dining room table. She plumped up the pillows on the sofa, walked over to a mirror above the fireplace, and patted her hair. Her movements were arrested by David’s singing from the shower.

She smiled at his boisterous rendition and resumed her chores. A myriad of memories raced through her subconscious: the fairy tales with a Celtic slant her father would spin as she lay in bed after saying her prayers; the affection demonstrated between him and her mother that she observed from the stairway when she couldn’t get to sleep and wanted a drink of water, or had gone potty. She was jolted out of her routine by the doorbell’s ringing. Who could that be? She opened the door and gasped. Dad! How in the world did you make it so soon? She reached out and embraced him, kissing him on the cheek.

I decided to take a cab rather than fool around with the shuttle. I hope you don’t mind.

Of course not! Here, let me take your bag. She grabbed his suitcase.

Thanks, sweetheart, but it’s a bit on the heavy side. He set the much-tagged case down and turned his head toward the stairwell. He’s in pretty good voice.

When he takes a shower, he thinks he’s a Rolling Stone. Come and sit down. You must be beat.

He sat on the sofa, and she followed suit. It was a smooth flight, but somehow no matter how short a plane ride is, it always seems tiring.

I know the feeling. You’re thinking about getting where you’re going, and it seems to take forever.

You’re a sight for sore eyes, Evelyn. I’ve really missed you.

How are you feeling, Dad, I mean besides being bushed?

All right, I guess. I get through the daytime pretty well, but come nighttime, it gets to me at times.

That’s when you and Mom had your quality time.

David called out from upstairs. "Honey? Do I hear you talking to someone?

It’s Dad. He took a taxi.

Oh, good! I’ll be down in a second

Paddy looked toward her with concern etched on his face. And how are you coping?

I got a delayed impact. I guess what with all the arrangements and travelling, it really didn’t sink in until we returned home.

That’s also because you were being strong for me.

I’m just glad that I was there for her at the end.

His eyes moistened. She loved you so much. She always wished she’d had more time with you.

I can’t believe she’s gone, she blurted out, her voice sobbing.

He put his arms around her. That’s it, sweetheart. Let it all out.

She sniffed. I should be comforting you.

You have and you are. Just holding you helps so much. He wrapped his arms around her, then slowly released her Your mother and I had so many good memories.

Evelyn managed a small smile. And a ton of scrapbooks!

His chuckle followed. She saved all the birthday and holiday cards. You could write a biography of her life just by looking through the scrapbooks and photo albums.

You’re the writer. Why don’t you?

Maybe I will someday.

David came bounding downstairs, crossing over to them and shook hands. Hi, Paddy, it’s great to see you again!

You’re looking fit. Still working out at the health club?

David shook his head. Not lately; too many reports to submit to the I.R.S.

That so? Keeping the corporate nose clean, I suppose.

David’s face reddened a bit as he sat on a chair at an angle to the sofa. It keeps me hoping and hopping. Say, honey, have you two decided what you want to do about dinner?

I thought we’d stay here and order a pizza, that is, if it’s all right with you, Dad?

Pizza would be just fine.

David volunteered, I’ll order it from Pizza Palace. What kind of toppings do you want?

How do pepperoni, olives and mushrooms sound?

Paddy interjected, With a thin crust, right?

Right!

At your order, Madame and monsieur. David placed a folded handkerchief across his extended left arm and bowed slightly. He joined them in the laughter that followed and went to the telephone.

Evelyn returned her attention to her father. So, have you gotten back to writing?

I’ve tried several times, but I just can’t seem to stay focused enough to get past the idea stage.

What is it this time, a biography or a novel?

That’s the problem. I keep jumping between writing a novel about the Barbary Coast pirates, or an historical account of the conquistadors.

I guess that’s what is called a writer’s block. What you need is to get off someplace and get a new perspective.

Maybe so, as I do seem to be procrastinating a lot lately.

She paused, deliberately. Dad, David and I are planning a cruise.

That’s great. Where will you be going?

We thought we’d take the ‘Duchess Star’ on its transatlantic cruise to the Mediterranean.

That should be an enjoyable trip. When do you plan to leave?

She smiled coyly. Well, that depends on two things. One is when David can complete the report he’s been working on."

And the other?

On when you could sail with us.

What? You’re inviting me along?

Yes, Dad. I think we’d all have a great time.

I’m sure you and David would. You both need some quality time to yourselves.

No, Dad. Not just us. You need it, too.

Look, sweetheart, I’m tickled that you’d even think to include me, but—

Then, it’s all settled. No buts.

Are you sure this is what David wants, too?

Definitely. We just want the go ahead from you so that we can book passage.

Transatlantic, huh? Maybe it would give me the kind of background material for an historical novel that would prove both entertaining and provocative.

Evelyn responded with a bright smile. And it would be so much fun for the three of us.

Meanwhile, David had returned to the chair and sat down. The pizza should be here in about twenty minutes or so. Did I hear something about the cruise?

Yes, dear. Dad’s going with us. Isn’t that great?

It sure is; all the more incentive for my getting the report done.

That’s my honey bun! This calls for a toast. Dad, what will you have?

Whatever you’re having will be fine.

David rose, making his way to the bar. Orange juice on the rocks coming up.

I can hardly wait. Let’s go all out and get staterooms with balconies.

David returned with a drink, handing it to Paddy. First class, it’s the only way to go.

Evelyn lifted her glass. Here’s to the cruise!

The two men did likewise and hugged her. To the cruise!

Chapter 1

Cruising to the Bahamas, a month later

The obligatory boat drill was conducted as the Duchess Star slowly crept past the Statue of Liberty.

Paddy experienced an emotional high in imagining what the awesome figure must have conveyed to the hundreds of thousands of immigrants, his own parents as an example, looking upon her commanding presence. He was certain, however, that each perception only tended to augment her many faceted inspiration.

Paddy followed Evelyn and David and familiarized himself with the ship’s layout. It consisted of six levels: the topmost featured the pool, a galley for informal eating, a reading lounge and bar; below that were the spacious dining room, another bar, suites, the main galley and purser’s office; level four had staterooms and crew’s living quarters, the casino, exercise room and boutiques; the third level contained staterooms that were second class accommodations, another lounging area, and crew’s quarters; the second level consisted of third-class rooms along with more quarters for the its crew, the dispensary, and administrative offices; finally, the lowest level was given over primarily to the engine room, storage holds, baggage area, a sizeable laundry facility, and the embarking/debarking gangway.

David and Evelyn occupied a suite designated S 520 that was to the starboard side and three suites distant from Paddy’s who slept in S 550. Both accommodations were similar in layout: each had a substantial living/sleeping room, a double bed partially hidden by an alcove, an entertainment center that contained not only a large TV, but a communication console consisting of telephone, computer and writing desk. A bar was conveniently located next to large windows that overlooked the veranda. The latter was accessed through a sliding glass door and offered privacy what with barriers on either side, as well as providing a breathtaking panorama of the sea. There were an adjacent