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younger?” 
    “Twenty-seven
I think.  She’s the same age as my oldest daughter.” 
    “He’s
a moron.” 
    Tammy
laughed and nodded her head rapidly.  “Yes, he is!” 
    “How
long were you married?” 
    “We
would have celebrated our thirtieth anniversary last month.” 
    Jake
looked at her, trying to pin her age.  It was hard.  “You married young?” 
    “Straight
out of high school.  I worked two jobs to put him through college.  After he
graduated and was offered a position, I worked one job.  Once he made tenure I
didn’t work at all.  I haven’t held a job in five years.” 
    Jake
lifted his eyebrows and spoke around his dumpling.  “What did you do?” 
    “I
was a boring secretary.” 
    “That’s
not boring.  Look I have to ask, because I can’t figure it out.”  He paused and
laughed.  “How old are you?” 
    “How
rude!”  She teased.
    Jake
put his hangs up in surrender.  “It’s just that you look younger than I think
you actually are.” 
    “Thank
you.  I’m forty eight.  I’ll be forty nine in July.” 
    “Yes,
you are older than I thought.  I wasn’t even sure if you were my age.” 
    The
moment of truth.  “And you are how old?” 
    “Forty
five.” 
    Not
too bad.  Tammy lifted her cup towards him.  “To single people
in their forties!” 
    He
lifted his as well and touched it to hers.  “To single people in their forties
finding each other on stupid cruises!” 
    They
both laughed until tears came to their eyes. 
     
    Jake
touched Tammy lightly on the elbow as they stepped to the railing to look out
at the sea.  The moon had just risen over the water, and the outline of clouds
could still be seen.  It was the same deck and part of the railing that Jake
had been brooding at the night before.  His mood was exceptionally better this
night. 
    “Tomorrow
we take port at San Juan.” 
    “Yes. 
I’m looking forward to it.” 
    He
eyed her suspiciously.  “You don’t seem very excited.” 
    A
sigh escaped her lips before she could stop it.  “I am, it’s just that I
haven’t traveled much, and what little I did was with my husband.”  She glanced
at him shyly before continuing.  “I guess I’m a little nervous.” 
    “Then
why don’t we explore together?” 
    Tammy
pursed her lips and tried to formulate what she wanted to ask.  She didn’t want
to offend him, and she certainly didn’t want to seem as if she had an
inferiority complex.  But don’t you?  She turned her body slightly so
she was facing him.  “Why do you have this interest in me?” 
    Jake
nodded his head slightly and looked down at his feet.  “I get it.” 
    “You
get what?”
    “You
see these younger beautiful woman vying for my attention.  You see me as
something glamorous; something unattainable, right?” 
    “Honestly,
yes.” 
    Jake
turned towards the sea and pointed into the sky.  “Look the first stars are
appearing.” 
    Tammy
followed his pointing finger with her eyes, but didn’t understand the sudden
change of subject.  Maybe she had offended him. 
    Jake
turned his head and looked at Tammy’s profile.  Her head was tilted upward, her
eyes scanning the sky.  She was beautiful.  His heart ached for her.  She had
been hurt.  Deeply hurt.  And it’s no different than what you’ve done to
women in the past.  Especially Paola.  “Tammy, I noticed you last night
right away.  I think you’re a beautiful woman.  I’m tired of the type of women
I usually attract.  I prefer someone more…real I guess.” 
    Tammy
let her head drop, but she didn’t look at him.  “We can tour San Juan
tomorrow…together…but understand that I’m not looking for a one night stand, or
some silly cruise fling.  We will just be two new friends out seeing the
sights.” 
    Jake
smiled.  “I think that’s a fine start.” 
     
    The
next morning was hot.  The sun was a blazing ball of fire in the sky.  Tammy
was sure they had