Love Letters From the Grave(39)
They had planned on driving around the western half of the island during the fifth day, but changed their minds and revisited the Center and the Punch Bowl cemetery. At the cemetery, they were indelibly impressed by the incredible cost to the nation of defeating the Japanese in the Pacific theater of war, and then at the Center they spent most of their time seeing native dance and ritual performance, talking with as many of the performers as they could. Of the many Polynesian cultures represented, they were most impressed with the Maoris, Samoans and Tongans. They were very impressed with how tall the people were, especially the well-built and light-skinned Maoris and the huge, stout Samoans. Before leaving, they purchased most of the books and booklets, and a few souvenirs, from several of the gift shops. They left the Center with a tremendous admiration of the Polynesian people, as well as with a great respect for the Mormon church.
Early the next morning, they checked out of the hotel, dropped off their rental car near where their cruise ship was berthed, and embarked into the ship, and were immediately escorted to their "cabin." It was a comfortable well-appointed, two-room suite, with a large bathroom and a large balcony, and furnished with two chairs, two lounges and two side tables. George had arranged for one of the best suites on the ship, without Molly's knowledge, as a surprise to her.
After unpacking their luggage and stowing their clothing and other things in the dresser drawers and cabinets, they had several glasses of champagne, toasting the beginning of their romantic cruise around the islands. Then they took a stroll around the ship, sampling some of the gourmet fare before cleaning up and changing into formal attire for dinner. After a delicious gourmet dinner, of which they both ate too much, they strolled over to the ship's main theater to watch the featured stage shows of the evening. There were several very entertaining short shows followed by a highly professional two-hour stage production featuring dancing and singing entertainers dressed in elaborate, colorful costumes.
Finally, they retired to their suite and sat for up to a half hour on their private balcony, chatting about the events of the day and speculating on the coming days events. Before arising in the morning, they would lazily make love. They would then clean up in the bathroom, dress casually and then debark at the morning’s port of call.
This would be their basic everyday routine over the week-long cruise. Unfortunately, George was frustrated with his inability to sexually satisfy Molly or himself during their love-making sessions. As usual, Molly made sure not to show any disappointment, instead making sure that she demonstrated her love, happiness and respect for her husband.
She was becoming increasingly aware, however, that for her, the problem with their marriage was not the physical issue. Rather, it was the lack of anything more normal, more substantial – children, the satisfaction of cooking a wonderful meal or growing crops on the land. It was all too shiny, and, if she was honest, too easy.
After the cruise, George and Molly took a direct flight home to the Pittsburg Airport, arriving late Sunday afternoon. The trip back was tiring, so they didn't bother to completely unpack. Instead they drove to their favorite restaurant for a quick dinner, so that they could get to bed early to get as much rest as possible before going back to work on Monday morning. They easily slipped back into their work routines, and ate out most evenings over the next few weeks, with little other activity.
Molly still visited Aunt Dolores as often as she could, and George went with her when his work schedule allowed. They tried to encourage her recovery and cheer her up by planning to take her and Jesse on further trips. However, with each visit they noticed that her health was rapidly deteriorating, until two weeks after Easter, she passed away.
As summer approached they asked Jesse if he would like to go on the cruise, even though Aunt Dolores was gone, and perhaps to take Maureen along if she wanted to come with them; but he declined. Able to please themselves entirely, they decided to scrap the cruise in favour of a cross-country train trip to spend a week vacation in Yellowstone Park.
The total time it took for the train-trip to the park was approximately six days, with the highlight being the very spectacular scenery they enjoyed passing through Glacier National Park. The bus dropped them off at the famous Lake Yellowstone Hotel, where they had reservations for four nights. This venerable hotel, which was built in 1891, had very comfortable, spacious, rustic, rooms, which were beautifully decorated. Moreover, it had a huge, beautiful dining room and several cafes and bars. On the morning after their fourth night at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, they transferred to the even more famous Old Faithful Inn, a sprawling hotel which was built in 1903 near to the Old Faithful geyser. The scenery was unbelievably spectacular, and they felt quite fortunate to have been able to visit this most spectacular and vast national park.
They arrived home full of stories and memories. Jesse drove them to one of his favorite restaurants which featured "down-home cookin’”, and both Jesse and Maureen were rapt as they listened to George and Molly describe their vacation, especially as neither of them had ever ridden on a train, let alone spent several nights on one.
‘It was wonderful,’ said Molly enthusiastically. ‘You should definitely try it.’
She saw Maureen cast a glance in her direction, then her sister said, ‘I need to freshen up. Molly, keep me company?’
In the bathroom, Maureen asked her sister, in a low, sympathetic voice: ‘What’s going on with you? Did you not enjoy your vacation?’