Claire Gulliver #04 - Cruisin' for a Bruisin' (13 page)

Mrs. Bernbaum’s gnarled hand grabbed her arm, pulling her close as she lowered her voice, although truthfully everyone else at the table seemed to be occupied with other conversations.

“Nate’s luck ran out and he needed money badly. I sold everything, the house, the jewelry, cars, everything; to raise the money he needed. His reputation was at stake, you see. And it saved him, but the stress, the anguish got him. He had a massive heart attack and died. He was only forty-two years old.” The sadness in her eyes took Claire’s breath away.

“Later, after I married Bernie, he tracked down and repurchased every piece of jewelry I had sold. It took him many years to finally recover the
Heart,
but he wouldn’t give up. He said Nate meant for me to have it. He was convinced Nate wouldn’t rest easy if he knew I had sold my jewelry for him. Bernie was such a kind man.”

She let go of Claire’s arm and reached up to fondle the brooch. “So you can see how special it is to me. That’s why I wear it all the time.”

“But Mrs. Bernbaum, aren’t you nervous wearing it. It must be very valuable. What if someone steals it?”

“Dear, no one thinks it’s real. It’s so big, you see. Everyone just assumes it’s costume jewelry and I never say any different.”

“You told me...” Claire was uneasy. Truthfully, she had thought it was costume jewelry and very ugly costume jewelry at that.

“Yes, but I know you’re safe, my dear. I know that much about people. I can tell who is a thief and who is not.”

Just then Ruth asked across the table, “Are you going on shore in Juneau, Mrs. Bernbaum?”

When Claire looked up she saw Ian staring, and at first she thought he was staring at her and felt a little color creeping up her cheeks. But then she saw he was really looking at Mrs. Bernbaum. His gaze was so intense, she looked herself and saw his eyes were locked on the
Heart of Persia
pinned to Mrs. Bernbaum’s shoulder. She flinched with unease.
Did Ian know about the jewel?

Her brief moment of unease disappeared as the whole table joined the discussion about the myriad of choices they had for the next day. This would be their first port in Alaska and everyone was anxious to see everything, do everything.

And when they finally started pushing their chairs back from the table, Mrs. Bernbaum surprised them all by deciding to join them in the Starlight Lounge for a little dancing to help settle her food.

“It’s been such a wonderful meal I just hate to end it. And I feel very good tonight.” She took Dickie’s arm and proceeded to the elevator.

Pearl and Harold had reached the lounge first and claimed two tables close to the dance floor and pulled up enough chairs to accommodate them. The music tonight was a selection of softer dance numbers from the fifties, sixties and seventies. The floor was crowded, but a few couples stood out. These were people who were “dancers” and used elaborate steps to show off their skill. Some may have been professional dancers at one time, some may have taken lessons and some just loved to dance, so had practiced and practiced. One woman, Millie and Claire had watched since the first night, danced with her partner whenever the opportunity arose. She was always wearing some beret or pillbox hat to match her outfit. Tonight’s hat was a beaded red pillbox perched on top of her short curls which matched her red beaded dress. She wore professional dancing shoes. Her husband, who wore a beaded red bow tie and cummerbund with his tuxedo, saw to it she put the dancing shoes to good use.

Her smile was always wide, as was her partner’s. They were both enjoying themselves.

Claire told her mother, “Those people are really perfect for cruising. Every night they have dancing and music available before and after dinner. I bet she doesn’t have to worry about gaining weight on a cruise.”

“She’s certainly good. If I could dance like that I’d probably be cruising more often.”

Claire just looked at her. “Like I’d believe that after it took so long for us to convince you to sign on for this one?”

Millie giggled. “I do thank you for that, dear. I really am glad you and Ruth talked me into it. I know I’m very reluctant to do these things, but I am enjoying myself. And I did love the trip to Italy. So who says you can’t change as you get older?

“Look at Mrs. Bernbaum dancing with Ian. How old is she? Ninety something? Well whatever, that woman still has moves.” Claire watched Ian and Mrs. Bernbaum on the dance floor. Mrs. Bernbaum, tiny in comparison to Ian, still adroitly followed his every step without hesitation.

When the music ended Ian escorted Mrs. Bernbaum back to the table, then took Millie out to the floor. Richard brought Pearl back and took Ruth out. Sean claimed Lucy and Harold had a chance with his wife.

“Don’t you want to dance?” Mrs. Bernbaum inquired. “Don’t feel you have to stay here with me.”

“No, of course not. I’ll dance, don’t worry. The evening is still young and I’ll be here for a while.”

“Well, when Dickie comes back I’m going to my cabin. No sense in inviting the wrath of Anita by staying out too long. And I need to be sensible. Tomorrow will come soon and I’m looking forward to my city tour. Nate talked about Juneau a lot. I’m anxious to see it.”

The next time the dancers returned Claire danced with Sean. Of the two brothers she felt most comfortable with him. He was a genial man, good natured without that slight gleam of mischief she frequently saw in his brother’s eye, which somehow made her uneasy. However, later dancing with Ian, she admitted they were both excellent dancers. The evening wore on, Harold and Pearl left, Richard had never returned from delivering his aunt to her cabin and Antonio joined them, as did Pat and John, an English couple they met at breakfast one morning.

Antonio danced as if he was a professional and took each of the women for a turn on the dance floor, but it was obvious who he was interested in. Claire wasn’t surprised to find Lucy and Antonio had slipped away to pursue their own agenda.

“Mom, I’m turning in. It’s been fun, but it’s my bedtime.”

The others cajoled her to stay a while longer, but she shook her head. “It’s time.” So she left promising to call her mother in the morning when she was ready for breakfast.

Ian and Sean stood on the dock waiting for the other people scheduled on the helicopter tour and dogsled adventure to arrive. Sean glanced around to make sure no one was close enough to overhear. “Ian, I don’t see how you’re going to do it. She wears it every day. How can you possibly get it away from her without the ship’s security people getting on it like a flash.”

Ian smiled. “Did you see it winking last night, Sean? Did you feel the pull?”

Sean was annoyed. He opened his mouth to protest, but then, surprising them both, he nodded. “I have to say it did grab me. It looked beautiful last night. I remember Pap describing it and the look he would get on his face while he talked about it.” Then he straightened, gave himself a little shake. “But Ian, I still think it is too risky. Give it up man. Let it go. It was only an old man’s dream.”

Just then they were interrupted by their guide arriving with the couple who would be joining them for this excursion. They were herded into a van and took off for the heliport, all the time the guide was explaining what they could expect from this excursion.

The tram rose effortlessly up the cable giving them an unhindered view of the dock, their ship and three other ships lined up along the quay. Claire eagerly snapped pictures hoping to capture the view. And while she looked through the lens she blocked out, somewhat, the fact that she was sailing through thin air, with no support but the cable they clung to. Heights always made her nervous.

“This is amazing. Look, there are four ships docked. I guess tourists are a large part of their summer income. That must be close to 10,000 people arriving for the day,” Lucy pointed out.

“No wonder it seemed so crowded when we got off the ship.”

It was a clear day, but cold. Very quickly it seemed, the cable car reached the top and everyone assembled for their guided nature walk. The trail leisurely led them through the forest and meadows; frequently they stopped for detailed descriptions of what they were seeing and to snap pictures. Their guide pointed out an eagles’ nest high on top of a dead tree. And while they stood there listening to him, the eagle returned, claiming it for his own. The guide was knowledgeable and gave an entertaining, educational overview of Alaska, and Juneau in particular, but eventually, the trail brought them to the Mt. Roberts Nature Center.

“Oh goody, a gift shop.” Millie loved to shop.

“And food. I’m a little peckish. What about you all? Do you have time for a bite of something?” And Ruth was always interested in having something to eat.

Claire and Lucy checked their watches and agreed they did have time. “We’ll need sustenance to prepare us for our hike this afternoon.”

“Oh dear, I hope it won’t be too strenuous. I mean it sounded like it’s for serious hikers, Claire. Do you think you’re up to it?” The frown lines appeared between Millie’s eyes.

“Mother, relax. I’m sure I’m up to it. I’m in pretty good shape. All that lifting and shelving cartons of books keeps me strong. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it and it’s a good way to see some of Alaska, the real Alaska.”

Lucy nodded her agreement. She wasn’t worried about keeping up with the others as she belonged to a hiking group which went out once a week. The range of mountains on the San Francisco peninsula, which separated the Pacific Ocean from the bayside communities, provided many opportunities for hikers and Lucy’s group took advantage of their proximity.

“But I do want to pick up some bottled water and some snack food. You never know when you might need them when you’re in the wilderness. It’s best to be prepared.” Then she laughed at Millie’s alarmed look. “Relax Millie, we always take supplies when we hike. It’s only sensible. I’ve never gotten lost or met a bear.”

“Well you’ve never been in Alaska before,” was Millie’s terse reply.

The sun was blinding, the crowd confusing, as people lined up to get on the right bus for their shore excursion. Others wandered about looking for friends and a few people negotiated with taxi drivers. Anita glanced at her watch as she drifted toward the street, trying to avoid being caught up in a group destined for one of the buses.
Dreamy Seas
was docked right behind a mammoth Holland American liner, so the crowd was a combination of passengers from both ships.

She still didn’t see her friend. She wondered if she would show. She sighed. She was looking forward to visiting St. Terese’s Shrine, but if Kim didn’t show up, she didn’t intend to go back on board for a while. She would just wander around town and enjoy being on solid ground.

Where was Kim? She turned around scanning the crowd, pulling her coat tight around her because of the sharply cold wind.

Honk, honk!

She looked at the jerk sounding his horn, did a double take and then hurried to the street. “I was looking for you in the crowd,” she said, pulling open the door to the battered old Jeep Cherokee. She climbed into the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt. “Where did this come from?”

“Rent-a-wreck, just what we need, huh? Did you think I was standing you up?”

Anita nodded, a sour expression passed over her face. “I thought maybe your boss wanted you to do something for him. But I’m glad we’re going. I need to talk to St. Terese about a miracle.”

“Oh, something wrong?”

“I swear Mrs. Bernbaum is losing it. She was up until all hours last night. She even went dancing after dinner, mind you. Dancing! She’s more than ninety; she should act her age. It’s all because of this nephew of hers. He is really a bad influence on her. He gives her these shots of vitamins, at least he says they’re vitamins and she feels she can do anything.” She paused a moment before she predicted with gloom, “She’s going to dance herself right into the grave.”

“Well, at least it won’t be an early grave.” Kim giggled.

Anita frowned at her. “That’s not funny. She’s usually very sensible, but now she’s acting like a flighty teenager. Staying up late, having the ladies over for tea parties, going dancing, and now, today, she’s going on a tour of Juneau with her precious Dickie. They’re planning on taking the tram.” She nodded her head at it as they passed the tram station. “This is not going to last. Mark my words. If she doesn’t slow down, she’ll wear out. Kaput! And that’s just what I told her this morning.”

Kim looked impressed. “So what did she say?”

“She just waved me off. She told me to go ashore and have a nice day.” Anita looked straight ahead her face settled in a grim expression. “It’s just not natural. She’s an old woman; she should act like one.”

Kim had managed to turn the Jeep about so they were now headed down the street in the opposite direction. “Well, let’s do that, let’s have a nice day. I got some maps and I talked to the people at the Tourist Information booth so I know just where we’re going. And if we go too far we’ll just run out of road and have to turn around and come back.

“Did you know that Juneau’s road only goes forty miles and then ends? You can’t get in or out of this town by car. So every person, every car or truck and everything they sell has come in here by boat or plane. It’s like being on an island.”

Anita interrupted excitedly. “Oh, look, there’s the Red Dog Saloon. They talked about it in the lecture about Juneau. I saw it last night on the TV.”

Kim swerved to the left with the road, following the flat land along the water’s edge instead of going straight, which would have taken them up the hills where the town climbed up toward the mountains.

“Maybe when we come back we can go in there for a sandwich. I’d like to see it. I understand it was built during the Gold Rush and inside is like stepping back in time to those days.”

“Sure, why not?” Kim was amenable. She knew they wouldn’t be visiting the Red Dog, but didn’t see any reason Anita should know that, too.