My Father's Gift (14 page)

The first thing they did, once aboard the ship, was to go to their stateroom on the Penthouse deck to make sure that their luggage was there.  Then they headed for the Lido deck to the lunch buffet, hoping to find that some food was left since they were delayed coming through customs.  They had both been warned about how good the food would be and how plentiful, but they were both hungry and ignored the warnings.  The food was scrumptious and they ate their fair share before going back below.  They were advised to meet in the theater on the Tiffany deck of the ship for instructions about emergency procedures when they first boarded.  Once the instructional session was over, they went to check their dinner seating assignments and to let the program coordinators know they had arrived and were aboard the ship. 

As the ship was about to leave the port, many people were standing around the railings waving to those on shore.  Angela and D’Cerner just looked at each other and with a knowing smile, raced back to their stateroom.  They both wanted to get in a swim before dinner and the first session that was scheduled to begin right after dinner.  By the time they got to the Lido deck to get into the pool, they discovered that others apparently had the same idea and there was barely room to stand in the pool on that deck, let alone swim.  So they opted to sit in the Jacuzzi for a while and relax.  After about an hour of the hot sun and sweltering crowd, they went back to their stateroom to prepare for dinner.  The program coordinators had supposedly arranged for everyone involved in the Leadership Conference to have meals at six o’clock so there wouldn’t be a problem with them getting to scheduled sessions on time.

Angela and D’Cerner had decided to wear navy blue and white for the first night on the ship.  Angela wore a navy suit with white accessories and D’Cerner wore a white pinstriped suit with navy blue accessories.  After giving the stateroom a backward glance and sighing at the mess, they hurriedly left to get the elevators down to the main dining room on the Crystal deck.

When they arrived at the dining room, they were shown to the table that they were sharing with six other people, none of whom they knew.  But since the entire trip was about meeting others to share information and resources, dinner seemed as good a time to start as any other place.  They discussed the menu with the waiters and most ordered the seafood special.

Their tablemates consisted of three praise leaders, two deacons and a Sunday school teacher.  Since D’Cerner was the only ordained person at the table, they deferred to her to bless the food when they were served.  For D’Cerner and Angela the escargot was a special treat.  It was cooked to perfection with the most delightful garlic bread.  The rest of meal was just as delicious and dessert, a tongue-soothing cheesecake, was heavenly.  The lively discourse they enjoyed while eating really made the dinner a blessed event.  They had become so comfortable with each other that by the time they finished the meal they felt like they had known each other for a long time.  They all rose to leave at the same time as if some invisible signal had been given to go to the meeting in the ship’s theater on the Tiffany deck.

The conference committee had arranged to use the theater for two hours the first evening and for the following morning right after breakfast since it would seat more people than any other area.  Separate conferences rooms were scheduled to use for smaller group sessions for later that evening and for the duration of the cruise, for those who were interested.  There was no itinerary scheduled for the evening other than this meeting, so everyone would have some free time.  The next session was scheduled for the following morning, with afternoon sessions available for those with special interest.  After that everyone was on their own until the last morning, when they would have a special praise service.  All of this information was included in the conference agenda that was given to each participant as they came into the theater.

 At exactly seven-thirty, praise leaders began to sing and others joined them.  After two songs, the conference committee called each designated speaker to the front to introduce them.  As D’Cerner made her way to the front of the room to the stage area, she felt the hair on the back of her neck tingle and rise.  She brushed her hand across the back of her neck thinking that perhaps it was an insect and thought nothing more about it.  When she stood up after her name was called and was looking out over the audience, she thought she saw Cal and his pastor seated together, but then she thought her eyes were deceiving her.  She looked again and there they were, sitting in the back with their heads huddled together, deeply involved in their own private conversation. 

D’Cerner was astounded at the impact seeing them together had on her. Suddenly, her heart was pounding madly and her mouth was dry.  She had not thought about him for months.  But there he was, in the flesh, with his pastor.  She wanted to run from the room, but her stubborn pride and dignity made her stay and smile as though there was absolutely nothing wrong.

Angela noticed the slight change in D’Cerner’s demeanor and wondered what had caused it.  She had no idea that Cal and his pastor were on the ship.  After the introductions of the speakers were made, each of the ministries represented was introduced and it was then, she understood the change in D’Cerner.  She silently prayed for her friend because she knew what it was costing her to sit there and continue to smile when she probably felt like finding the nearest place to hide.  As soon as they were finished with the introductions and all questions regarding the conference were answered, Angela found her way to the front of the room to steer D’Cerner out of the theater as fast as she could.  She had a few problems accomplishing this since there were so many people who wanted to stop and talk to D’Cerner.  By the time Angela reached her, D’Cerner’s face was drained of color and she looked as though she was about to hit the floor.  She grabbed D’Cerner’s arm and hurriedly excused them through the crowd out to the deck for some fresh air.

“Are you all right?” she asked D’Cerner.  “You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine,” D’Cerner responded, a bit shaky.  “I guess I was a little shocked to see Cal here.  I had no idea he and his pastor would be here.”

“And if you had known, what would you have done?”

“There’s nothing for me to do, this conference has been planned for over a year.  I had already accepted the engagement.”

“Well now, I suggest that you don’t let it bother you.  We came here with an agenda, so let’s stick to our plans.  It’s only for four days, and this one is just about over.  There are so many people on this ship that you don’t even have to talk to him if you don’t want to.”

“Well, I don’t want to talk to him.  There’s nothing to say.”

“Okay.  Now that’s settled, how about a swim before going to bed?  I know you like to go to bed early when you’re speaking, so I promise I won’t ask you to stay up late.  Personally, I’m going to hit the midnight buffet before I turn in.”

“Okay.  The swim I could use.  But let’s try the pool in the fitness center.  We may actually get a chance to swim in that one.”

“You’re on.”

D’Cerner and Angela went back to their stateroom to change into swimsuits and found the fitness center practically deserted.  They swam several laps before Angela noticed that D’Cerner was swimming as though there was a demon after her.  She watched for a few minutes and then casually suggested they go back to the stateroom so that D’Cerner would have time to go over her notes before going to bed. 

D’Cerner knew that Angela was concerned about her so she didn’t argue with her.  Reviewing her notes was probably a good idea since suddenly, her mind was totally blank.  She had forgotten everything she had planned to say.  Once back in their stateroom for the night, she cleared up the mess they had made earlier and then she studied while Angela changed clothes for her midnight forage.

The next morning during breakfast, their tablemates asked D’Cerner if she would be willing to lead praise and worship the following morning.  She agreed because she loved to sing.  After a breakfast of juice, toast, an omelette and plenty of coffee, they left to go to the first session of the day.

Praise leaders led them in a rousing medley of songs for the first twenty minutes and then the host ministry of the conference took over the proceedings.   D’Cerner was the first speaker for the morning session.  The moderator spent ten minutes apprising the audience of her accomplishments before presenting her. Afterwards, the audience stood and applauded as she made her way to the podium. 

“Would you stand with me for a moment of prayer?” she asked the audience.  After praying, she acknowledged her presenter and commented jokingly about how busy she had been.

“Sister Karen, I love you and appreciate you.  By the way, I was wondering why I’ve been so tired lately. You know you’re getting older when you’re tired and you don’t even remember why.  Thanks for reminding me that I’ve been pretty busy.” 

The audience laughed with her.

D’Cerner’s topic for the morning was effective leadership practices.  She had prepared handouts for the audience and asked for assistance in distributing them.  Once everyone had their notebook in hand, she took them step-by-step over each item and highlighted each with scriptural references.  She proclaimed the importance of positive feedback in working with volunteer corps in ministry and how the best method of instruction was by example.  To conclude her presentation, she announced the publication of her latest book,
Don’t Want Your Blood On My Hands,
which was available at the book tables after the session.  After responding to a number of questions, the moderator concluded the session with prayer and a reminder to everyone about the mini workshops and to enjoy their day. 

By the time everyone had finished chatting with D’Cerner and perusing the book tables, it was time for them to vacate the theater.  As they were leaving, several people asked D’Cerner what she and Angela were doing after lunch and invited them to go on some of their excursions.   After they arrived at the dining room and had taken their seats, several of their tablemates were very effusive with their enthusiastic comments on her presentation throughout lunch.  By the time they finished eating, D’Cerner was emotionally drained.  She encouraged Angela to join the others, but she decided to stay aboard the ship and rest in their stateroom.

*****

D’Cerner woke up startled.  For a moment she was disoriented and had to remember where she was.  She shook her head to clear the clouds and lay still for a few moments, remembering the dream that woke her.  She had dreamed that she and Cal were on a cruise celebrating their honeymoon.  Unfortunately, every time they tried to be alone, there was his pastor hovering near, always needing him to do something.  They had tried to evade her and escape to their stateroom, but just as they closed the door and turned to each other thinking they were finally alone, she appeared in the middle of the bed with a list of things for him to do.  Seeing Pastor Thomas in the middle of their bed was the time-marker at which D’Cerner was awakened.  She shuddered. 

“Could that possibly happen to us?” she thought aloud.  And responding to her own question, she added, “No, you idiot, you’re not married, you’re not even speaking to each other, so you certainly won’t be on a honeymoon.”  

Smiling at that idiocy, she got up and changed clothes, preparing to go the fitness center to swim for a while.

Before she could get out the door, Angela came in, excited about her afternoon excursion with some of the other guests.  Apparently, some of them were brave enough to go snorkeling and had a tremendous time.  After telling D’Cerner about her afternoon, she informed her that several of the men who were pastors had inquired about her.

“Dee, these are really nice looking men.  I don’t why they thought I was your guardian, but each one tried to extricate information about you from me.”

“So, what did you tell them,” D’Cerner said, smiling as she lounged on her bed.

“That all they couldn’t figure out from what they saw, they would have to ask you to fill in the blanks.”

“Thanks,” she responded, trying to sound exasperated.  “That’s all I need with Cal and his pastor on this cruise.  I think perhaps I’ll jump overboard and make this easier for everyone.”

“Okay.  But before you jump, would you at least meet with them?  My personal favorite is Melvin Hollins.  He’s pastoring a fairly new congregation in Atlanta.  He’s far enough away for you to play it safe, but in the meantime, you could develop a great relationship.  If you don’t like him, then you can jump.  Oh, by the way, can I have your luggage?  You won’t need it for the return trip and I plan to melt some plastic in Key West.  As it is, I don’t have room for anything else.”  Angela didn’t crack a smile the entire time she was talking and it was only because they knew each other so well, that D’Cerner knew she was making fun of her.

“What you wouldn’t do to go shopping is amazing, even to letting your best friend jump overboard.”

“Well, if that’s what you want to do, I won’t be able to stop you and I might as well make arrangements for your belongings while you have a chance to agree.  Want to write this down in case there are any questions later?” Angela asked, handing her a pen and note pad.

In response to this absurdity, D’Cerner threw a towel at Angela and they both fell on the beds laughing.

“Okay, you win,” D’Cerner said when she quit laughing.  “When do I meet the fantastic Mr. Hollins?”

“I told him that I’d try to arrange something after dinner.  You’re not speaking tomorrow, so you can stay up late and join me at the midnight buffet.  Perhaps he’ll want to join us, too.”  Angela smiled slyly as she stretched out on the bed.

“Okay, but I’ll have to check with the praise leaders.  They asked me to lead praise and worship and I need to get the music and find out where they’re rehearsing.”

“Great!  Now was that so hard?” Angela asked, smiling.

“Not really.  Okay, want to go for a swim with me?  We’ve got a couple hours to fill before dinner.”