Chapter fourteen: Desperate to escape her old life, Aster decides to join her husband on Mayne Island.
Chapter fifteen
Aster took her worried self onto the ferry to a blue vinyl bench. Did it overlook the ocean? Her mind was too full to care. Had she remembered her sunglasses? Had she brought her chequebook? She opened her oversized patent leather purse and examined the contents. She didn’t trust her eyes. She had to touch everything--wallet and debit card and credit card and driver's license and SIN card and library card and... Handling her possessions brought her a small degree of comfort. Was her skirt creased? She had to look her best. She stood and ran a hand down her skirt, smoothing it.
How would she retrieve her luggage? Was it safe? Did they ask for ID before relinquishing the luggage? What was stopping someone else from stealing her luggage? Or from planting something in it—drugs or a bomb? She could carry a bomb onto the island and not even know it. What would happen then? Would they put her in jail? What if she got off at the wrong island? How would she get back to Mayne Island? No one knew her on any of those other islands. She could be kidnapped, raped, and left for dead. Oh, she had to stop thinking like that. She was driving herself insane. She should talk to the chief steward. She was so nice, so calming.
The top half of the Dutch door was open; Aster peered in.
The chief steward was hunched over some paperwork, but she looked up.
“I have a few questions that I know you won’t mind answering because as you’ve pointed out the previous times, serving your customers is your number one concern. Now, you’ve assured me that everything will be fine but...”
When Aster finished speaking, the chief steward looked at her with soft eyes. “I assure you, you will arrive safe and sound on Mayne Island. We will dock and you will know we have docked because we will announce that we have docked. Your luggage is safe. It is in the van. It can remain there until we dock. Of course, you may obtain it at any time during your voyage, if you wish. However, I assure you it is safe. If you choose to leave your luggage with us, a crew member will be happy to assist you to obtain it when we dock. The cafeteria and gift shop are open. May I suggest that you spend some time there? I hope you have a pleasant voyage.”
Aster returned to her bench feeling lighter with the peace of mind gained from sharing concerns with someone who cared.
She imagined Kenneth James waiting at the dock, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Upon seeing her, his body would sing with joy. He would run to her with open arms, wanting, demanding a hug. His behaviour would embarrass Aster, but unable to deny him, they would hug. Kenneth James would declare his love for her—loud enough for others to hear. “I love you,” he would say.
Aster would whisper, “I love you too.”
But, of course, they would wait until they reached his truck to kiss. He would drive her to a small yellow house with white trim. Flower beds rich with colour. The sea. A porch swing--her knitting haven. She wouldn't be alone. Others wishing to learn would find her there.
Continuing to teach willing students, the wish was there but it cut too deep. It cut her heart. She had to let it go. It cost too much to claim.
Fifteen minutes later a disembodied voice filled the ferry, “This is Mayne Island transfer point for...”
Mayne Island those words were like a firing pistol to Aster. She grabbed her purse and on unsteady feet, raced to the stairs. She deceased—slowly and carefully so as not to fall. She led a long line of passengers. All were eager to reach the car deck.
***
Row after row of vehicles and finally, there was the van. Surprisingly, there was no one there to help her. No matter, Aster tugged on the back door and it opened. Inside luggage was everywhere.
“This would be so much easier if things were properly organized,” Aster muttered under her breath. “People. No one even took the time to tag their bags.” She heard car doors close. “I need to hurry.” She tossed suitcases out of the van.
Someone giggled. Aster turned around and discovered that she had attracted an audience—a man, a woman, and a few children.
The woman nudged the man, and he spoke up, “Can I help you?”
“No, I’m fine.” He didn’t wear a uniform or anything that identified him as a BC Ferries worker and she certainly wouldn’t accept help from a complete stranger. Maybe he was in a hurry but so was she. And he could simply wait his turn. “I’ll find my suitcases. I tagged them."
“Why would your suitcases be in our van?” The woman asked.
Aster heaved a large suitcase out of the van. “This. Is. The BC Ferries van.”
“Hmm. No, it’s not.” The man’s voice wavered like he was trying to contain a laugh. “The BC Ferries van is at the front of the ferry.”
The next piece of luggage Aster evicted from the van was a long orange duffel.
“Hey, that’s my pup tent!” One of the children, a preteen boy, tore the bag out of Aster’s hand.
“Young man that’s not the way a young gentleman should conduct himself.”
“Look.” The woman squared her shoulders and barked at Aster. “Stop pawing through our stuff. The front of the ferry is that way.” She pointed with her entire arm at the other end of the ferry.
Bow doors slowly opened to a blue sea and a distant island. Aster made her way to the van. She tugged on the side door, but it didn’t budge.
“Hey, stop pulling on that handle,” a man in a beige uniform scolded. “You’ll dislocate your shoulder. The door’s locked. I’ll open it once I find that darn key.” He darted from one side of the ferry to the other searching and searching until. The key was found. The van was unlocked and Aster easily located her three trunk-sized suitcases.
Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants A Baby
Chapter sixteen
