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entered the doldrums the way the air remained so still.  “I
thought tropical places almost always had at least a light breeze.”  Her mouth
formed a puckered frown.  
    Jake
could only laugh.  “Not always.”  He appreciated the outfit Tammy had on.  It
was a blue tank top and matching shorts.  She had worn her Nikes again.  What
he liked best was her hair pinned up and the oversized sunglasses she wore. 
She looked like a movie star trying to hide her identity from the paparazzi. 
    The
tour guide called from a bullhorn for all those taking the tour to follow her. 
Jake looked at Tammy quizzically.  “Shall we do the tour?” 
    Tammy
shrugged.  “Might as well.  Have you ever been here?” 
    “Once.”
    “Of
course you have.” 
    Jake
smirked and followed her to the back of the small crowd that was congregating. 
The tour guide was explaining that they would board a bus in the next ten
minutes that would begin their, “exciting and riveting adventure in sunny
Puerto Rico!”  Tammy had grabbed one of the brochures and fanned herself
lightly with it.  A sickening feeling came over her as a familiar voice called
from behind them.  She glanced at Jake.  His jaw tensed and he closed his eyes. 
Before he could even speak, Christy popped her head around his shoulder. 
    “Hi,
Jake!  Are you taking the tour?”  Christy was wearing a hot pink bikini top and
shorts.  Of course she’s wearing pink.   Her hair had been braided in two
pigtails that clung to her scalp before falling to her shoulders.  Sloan
stepped up behind her in an identical outfit, except she wore black.  Her much
shorter hair was simply pulled back with a headband. 
    “We
were considering it.”  Jake said and indicated Tammy with his hand.  I think
you ladies met at the Captain’s dinner. 
    The
two women stared at Tammy for a moment before dismissing her without even
uttering a word.  Tammy had never seen young women as rude as the two of them. 
    “Maybe
we should all go together then.”  Christy tried to pucker her lips in a perfect
pout.  It was probably the one she used to get her way with other men.  Tammy
held her breath and waited for Jake’s response.  “You know, we were considering
it, but I think Tammy and I will see some sights on our own.”  Jake
touched her lightly on the arm indicating that they were going to walk away. 
He turned his head slightly and spoke to them as they were walking away.  “But
you ladies have a nice tour on the bus!” 
    Tammy
looked back at the women as she and Jake began walking away.  His hand was
still on her arm.  The two women were giving them scathing looks.  She wished
she hadn’t seen Sloan bend her head towards Christy and whisper without taking
her eyes off of Tammy. 
     
    “So
what does it say?” 
    “Well,
this cathedral is the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista.  It’s the second oldest
cathedral in the Americas.  It holds the tomb of the conquistador Juan Ponce de
Leon.” 
    Jake
stared up at the gleaming white building.  “Ok, let’s go in.” 
    Tammy
was enthralled with the beauty of the cathedral.  The sanctuary was decorated
in gold and white with impossibly high vaulted ceilings.  Tammy felt an
immediate sense of peace when she entered.  Jake must have felt it too, because
they didn’t talk the entire time they were in the cathedral.  Not even when
they came to the tomb of Ponce de Leon. 
    The
day was still bright and hot when they exited the cathedral.  Jake squinted
into the sky and looked at his watch.  “Where to now?” 
    Tammy
shrugged and looked around.  “I wish we had of opted to go to the Rio Camuy
Caves Park.” 
    “A
cool cave sounds good right about now.”  Jake smiled at her.  “So, let’s go.” 
    She
consulted her map and frowned.  “Jake, it’s an hour away.” 
    “So? 
We don’t have to be back to the ship until ten o’clock!  We have plenty of
time.”  Before Tammy could consent or