Safe Harbor

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

After the captain’s talk, Mikhail schlepped to the captain. Everyone else left quickly. “Captain, I’m sorry I was late.”

Shifting from jovial to serious, the captain bore his gaze into Mikhail’s eyes. “Tell me the truth.”

For a moment, Mikhail thought to use humor, which usually got him out of trouble, but he chose maturity instead. “Captain, I was assisting a passenger to her cabin. She uses a walker and was confused about location. I know service and respect are paramount. Please don’t fire me my first week.”

The captain burst into laughter and slapped his paw-like hand into Mikhail’s shoulder, almost taking him off balance. “That is the truth?”

“Yes, sir. I know this line is innovative in many ways, including towards passengers and crew. I am honored to be chosen. Your reputation is stellar. I admit sometimes I need to show more maturity, but I promise to be a good worker. You can check the security video. I was with a passenger, taking her to the Neptune deck.”

An evil grin formed. “Were you kissing her?”

The wife shook her head, rolling her eyes.

Mikhail’s face heated, and it ran through his body. “Just helping, Captain. I know the rules about emotional involvement with passengers.”

“You look so young, maybe nineteen?”

Mikhail smiled. “Thank you, Captain, but I’m thirty. I’m a server and have been since I was fourteen.”

“Okay, then go to work, and I will have the video checked. For your sake, I hope you told the truth. If you didn’t—”

Mikhail swallowed the lump in his throat, bowed his head, and left.

Yes, Captain, I tell the truth, even when it ruins my life.

His thoughts turned to Solomon, sadness filling his heart and spreading throughout his body. Of course, Mikhail recognized Solomon among the crew members. How could he not recognize the handsome bear of a man?

* * * *

After the captain’s speech, Solomon walked back to the kitchen. His friend Jimmy nudged him with a shoulder and spoke in a warm, Canadian accent.

“I saw you staring at that sexy new waiter. Oh, and just your type, eh? What a cute ass in those tight jeans and his boyish smile. The glasses make him look studious. I bet he’s a virgin, eh. Will you have him on this trip?” Jimmy laughed.

Solomon snarled. “I wouldn’t let a corpse bed him.”

“Ah, you know him? He has to be good at his job, otherwise he wouldn’t have been hired.”

Solomon sighed so it would be noticeable. “Yes, he’s good at his work.”

Jimmy smirked. “How well do you know him?”

“Well enough. We used to be good friends, best friends. Why are you interested in gays all of a sudden?”

“I keep my eye out for you. I wish for you to be as happy as my wife and I are, eh.”

“Thanks, Jimmy. You’re a good friend.” They bumped fists.