棚车少年 <p class="ql-block">Once the all clear sounded, the Aldens and Max hurried down the ramp onto Bay Street.</p><p class="ql-block">Grandfather reached over and shook Max’s hand. “Good luck!” he said.</p><p class="ql-block">“I’ll make it,” Max said. “Thanks for all your help!”</p><p class="ql-block">The chilren waved good-bye, for Max was already rushing to a taxi.</p><p class="ql-block">“To the airport!” Max shouted and jumped into the cab.</p><p class="ql-block">“I’m glad Max is on his way,” Jessie said, breathing a sigh of relief.</p><p class="ql-block">“I’m glad, too,” Grandfather said. “He’ll soon be in Miami.”</p><p class="ql-block">“Won’t Carla be surprised to see him?” Violet said with a smile.</p><p class="ql-block">“There’s the police,” Henry said happily, pointing to two officers in white Bermuda shorts.</p><p class="ql-block">“They’re waiting to arrest Tom,” Jessie said.</p><p class="ql-block">“Could we hurry?” Benny asked. “I don’t want to see Tom in handcuffs.”</p><p class="ql-block">“Yes,” Grandfather said. “We only have six hours to see everything. We want to be back in plenty of time for our special farewell dinner.”</p><p class="ql-block">“Right!” Benny agreed.</p><p class="ql-block">They walked down a narrow street toward an open air market.</p><p class="ql-block">While the children wandered through the stalls of straw crafts, Grandfather drank coffee at a nearby cafe.</p><p class="ql-block">Benny stopped at the straw hats. Jessie, reaching for a tall hat with a big brim, said with a smile, “Here, try this one on, Benny.” She set it on his head, and it slid down to his nose. “It’s too big,” Benny complained good-naturedly.</p><p class="ql-block">Laughing, Violet said, “I agree!” She removed his hat and tried on a smaller one. “There!” She stepped back. “That fits fine.”</p><p class="ql-block">“You look like a cowboy, pardner,” Henry teased.</p><p class="ql-block">Benny grinned. “I feel like one, too.” And he hooked his thumbs in his belt, made a comical face, and circled Jessie and Henry.</p> <p class="ql-block">Still chuckling, Jessie tried on a red wide-brimmed hat. “I love this.” She paid for both hats, and they moved on to visit some other shops.</p><p class="ql-block">Just as they had finished exploring and were about to leave to rejoin Grandfather, they met Heather. The young girl, dressed in a spotless white uniform, had a package under her arm.</p><p class="ql-block">“Hi!” Benny said. “What did you buy, Heather?”</p><p class="ql-block">A smiled crossed her face. “Just a doll for my niece.”</p><p class="ql-block">“Would you like to walk back to the ship with us?” Violet offered.</p><p class="ql-block">“N-no,” Heather answered immediately, backing away. “I’m not quite ready.” With these words, she turned on her heels and disappeared among the piles of straw purses.</p><p class="ql-block">Puzzled, Henry stared after her, “She’s still not very friendly,” he mumbled. Then in a louder voice, he said, “Let’s find Grandfather or he’ll be worried.”</p><p class="ql-block">As they arrived at the cafe, Grandfather pushed away his cup and looked about. When he glimpsed his grandchildren, his eyes lit up. “Shall we return to the ship for dinner? We mustn’t miss this one!” he said mischievously.</p><p class="ql-block">“Yes!” Benny answered emphatically. “I’m hungry.”</p><p class="ql-block">Henry laughed. “So, what else is new?”</p><p class="ql-block">Climbing up the ramp, the Aldens went directly to their cabins and put away their new straw purchases. They showered and dressed in their nicest clothes for the big farewell dinner.</p><p class="ql-block">Grandfather and the four children went into the dining room together.</p><p class="ql-block">Ramos handed each one a menu, which listed item after item.</p><p class="ql-block">“I don’t know what to choose,” Violet said, looking at the long list of appetizers. “Shall I get a hot appetizer or a cold one?”</p><p class="ql-block">“You may have both,” Ramos said, “but the stuffed mushrooms are especially good.”</p><p class="ql-block">Violet gave him a grateful smile. “I’ll have that.”</p><p class="ql-block">“I can’t decide between the cream of asparagus soup, the vichyssoise, or the oxtail soup,” Henry said.</p><p class="ql-block">“What’s Vee-shee-swozz?” Benny asked.</p> <p class="ql-block">“Cold potato soup,” Henry answered.</p><p class="ql-block">“I want that,” Benny announced.</p><p class="ql-block">Each Alden decided on the Caesar salad, roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and gravy.</p><p class="ql-block">As they finished, all at once the room became dark. Trumpets blared, and in marched two lines of waiters, bearing trays of flaming dessert.</p><p class="ql-block">Ramos stopped at their table and set before them baked Alaska, which was ice cream covered with meringue and drizzled with hot fudge, and topped with flaming cherries.</p><p class="ql-block">Benny’s mouth formed a huge O. “I’ve never seen such a wonderful dessert!” he exclaimed.</p><p class="ql-block">Grandfather laughed. “I’m sure you won’t want a sundae tonight!”</p><p class="ql-block">Benny patted his stomach. “No, sir!”</p><p class="ql-block">“There’s bingo in the library,” Jessie said, scooping up the last of her ice cream.</p><p class="ql-block">“Let’s go,” Henry said. “The magic show doesn’t start until nine-thirty.”</p><p class="ql-block">So they played a game of bingo, then went into the grand ballroom for the magic entertainment.</p><p class="ql-block">The opening act was a juggler who did all sorts of tricks with three golden tenpins. Next was a magician who pulled a rabbit out of a hat, and sawed a woman in two. For his final act the band struck up “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” while from his sleeve the magician drew yards and yards of silk flags.</p><p class="ql-block">Benny’s foot kept time to the lively music, and when it was over, he turned to Henry, saying, “I wish there was more.”</p><p class="ql-block">Henry looked at his watch. “Do you know it’s midnight?”</p><p class="ql-block">Benny gave Henry a sidelong glance. “Really? I could stay up this late every night.”</p><p class="ql-block">“No way,” Henry said. “It was a good show, though, wasn’t it?”</p><p class="ql-block"> “The best!” Benny said.</p><p class="ql-block">“Time to go to our cabins,” Grandfather said.</p><p class="ql-block">That night Violet went to bed with a smile on her face. What a wonderful day. They had not only seen Nassau, but a magic show as well. It was hard to believe that tomorrow they’d return to Miami. She was sorry to see the end of the cruise, but it would be good to get home, too.</p> <p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block" style="text-align:center;"><b>——————————————</b></p> <p class="ql-block"><a href="https://www.meipian8.cn/4bjg43kc?share_from=self" target="_blank">→ Chapter 11 Sailing Home</a></p> <p class="ql-block"><a href="https://www.meipian8.cn/4bfrsotn?share_from=self" target="_blank">← Chapter 9 The Guilty One Confesses</a></p>