Smooth Sailing (28 page)

“Oh, I used one of those in France. They still use them in Japan? I thought everything would be ultramodern.”

“You’ll find out in a couple of months. I’ll take you to see all kinds of toilets.” She started to laugh, knowing she sounded manic. “Uhm, they have very elaborate toilets that do everything you can think of, but they also have the traditional style in a lot of public places. Anyway, I had to go —and go fast. The modern one was in use, and the only one available was the traditional style. I went for it, even though I hadn’t used one before. I truly didn’t have a choice.”

“I sense humiliation coming.”

“Almost. But I learned a valuable lesson. Never wear slacks when you might have to use a squat toilet.” She waited just a second and burst into a laugh. “I came so close to ruining a perfectly good suit it wasn’t funny. But it is now.”

“That’s horrible!”

“It was. It really was. I managed to pull one leg out of my slacks but the other one got stuck. I was moments from disaster. And if I hadn’t held onto the little rail they thoughtfully installed for the uninitiated I might have been thrown from the train.”

“The one I used it France took every bit of concentration I had. I can’t imagine using one on a train.”

“It was a sight to behold. I could have done it without a second thought if I’d stayed in gymnastics, but my poor thighs aren’t used to that kind of move anymore.”

“I have a mental picture I’ll try to get rid of. It doesn’t fit with your polished business image.”

“Don’t remind me. I was itching to tell someone, but I’d never reveal something like that at work. I knew you’d appreciate it.”

“I do.” Kaatje voice took on a more reflective tone. “And I appreciate that you chose me to confide in.”

“You’re the only one. Things have more meaning for me after I share them with you. That’s pretty cool, isn’t it.”

“It’s very cool. But if you’re giggling like this over toilet humor, it’s time for bed. No arguments.”

“But I want to talk to you. You’re the best part of my day.”

“You’re the best part of mine too. But I’m the one person in your life who cares for you more than the deadline. That means I’ll give up some of our time to make sure you get your rest. Go to bed. Right now.”

“Can I kiss you goodnight?”

“Yes,” Kaatje said, chuckling. “But quickly.”

“Smooch. G’night.”

“Sleep well. And call me if you have a second before work. I don’t care when it is.”

“I will. ’Night.”

“Goodnight, my Moppie.”

*

A week passed, with Laurie sleeping so little she was starting to have hallucinations. But everyone was doing exactly the same, and she couldn’t be the one who fell by the wayside. She’d started to think of the opening like D-Day, but instead of the beaches of Normandy, she had to coordinate the movement of men and machinery from all over the globe to a plot of land outside Osaka. Lives were in the balance, or so it seemed.

It was three in the morning and she was ready to lie down on the sofa in her office. Checking her watch, she saw that it was midmorning in LA, and she took the opportunity to call Kaatje. “How’s life in LA?”

“I’m not very good with the international timeline, but I think it’s really, really late in Osaka. Why are you still up?”

“We had a big meeting with our HR people in LA. We knew it would be a long one, since we had to get them to sign off on all of our employment practices and procedures. We decided to do it when
they
were fresh.” She laughed, but it was weak-sounding even to her own ears. “We thought they’d go easier on us if they didn’t have to stay really late.”

“Did it work?”

Laurie yawned. “I’m not sure. We got close to finishing, but there are just enough questions unresolved that I’ll have the damn numbers marching around in my head while I’m trying to sleep.”

“Are you back at your hotel or still in the office?”

No sense in lying. She could always tell. “I’m at the office. I’m going to sleep right here. That’ll let me catch an extra hour.”

“Laurie.” That was Kaatje’s motherly voice. It was pretty precious.

“I know it’s bad, but I honestly can sleep longer this way. That’s my goal.”

“Is there a place you can shower?”

“Yeah. They have a big executive lounge with showers and a soaking tub. I’ll go up there before my first meeting. Luckily, I brought a couple of suits and blouses and underwear to the office. I knew I’d be stuck here at least once.”

“I’d love to talk to you, but you need to get to bed. Now turn off the lights and hit that sofa. Bye-bye.”

Before Laurie could reply the line went dead. She locked her door, took off everything but her underwear, and lay down on the chilly leather sofa. It was tough, but she had begun to get better at turning off her mind and sleeping whenever she got the chance. She was almost out when she sat bold upright, grabbed the phone, and called home once again. “I can’t believe I didn’t ask how your trip to the park was!” She did not have to admit she’d forgotten Margriet and the kids were in LA. Kaatje didn’t have to know everything.

Kaatje laughed gently. “It was great. The kids loved it and Margriet was very impressed by how well we were treated. I think she’ll expect the same thing if she ever goes to your park in Spain.”

“If I send her a pass, which I will, they’ll treat her just as well.”

“We had a great time, Laurie, but it would have been massively better if you were with us.”

“I know. I ache from wanting you.”

“I ache from knowing how tired you are. Bye-bye.”

Laurie hung up and gazed at the phone for another moment. Knowing she could call Kaatje whenever she needed a lift was better than she would have ever imagined. She’d clearly never been in love because no one had ever made her feel as good as Kaatje could—just by hanging up on her. And as soon as they had a few minutes alone she was going to tell her just what she meant to her. Whenever that would be.

*

After a few hours sleep, Laurie called again. “Hi,” she said, trying to get the cobwebs out. “I wanted to talk a little more before I had to go slay dragons.”

“I’m glad you called. We’re down at your lovely pool. For some reason, we’re the only ones here. If we had this kind of weather in The Netherlands at this time of year, you’d have to wait in line to get in.”

“If you had it all the time, you’d hardly notice it. Now talk to me. Tell me how you’re feeling.”

“I feel good. But I have to make some plans. Any chance of your coming back to LA?”

“Slim and slimmer. I’m going to have someone come by and pack up the rest of my suits and send them over. Is that okay?”

“I can do that for you. It’s no trouble.”

“Okay, if you don’t mind. Just put them into a suitcase and I’ll have someone come get it and ship it. Throw any blouses from the dry cleaners in there too.”

“Shoes? Underwear?”

“No, I’m good. I can buy extra underwear, and I brought all of my favorite shoes. Since I’m not coming home…”

“Yeah. Well, I’ll go to St. Maarten and try to scrounge up some business. Maybe some of my friends will throw a few jobs back at me for the ones I’ve given them.”

“Are you sure? You could come over here any time. Even if it’s just for a weekend.”

“Can you take a weekend off?”

Laurie could almost feel the hope drain out of her body. “Not a chance. If I broke a leg, they’d have a mobile unit come in and set it.”

“Look,” Kaatje said. She’d obviously moved away from Margriet and the kids because the phone made some funny noises, then she started to speak louder. “I’d sail solo to Japan if my being there would help you. Will it?”

“Yes and no. Yes because I feel immeasurably better when I’m with you, but no because I’m only crashing in my hotel room for a few hours a night. I’d feel guilty about ignoring you.”

“I don’t want that, and I know you don’t either. I’ll get on-line and try to get a ticket to St. Maarten. Then I guess I’ll come back here and use the ticket you got for me to go to Osaka.”

“That’s too much flying. I’ll call Wendy and have her rebook you. When do you want to go to St. Maarten?”

“No, no, I can pay for the ticket.”

“Don’t waste your money. You’ve lost enough cooling your heels in LA. I’ll have my secretary handle it for you. Actually, can you call Wendy? I won’t have a free moment. Just tell her what you want and she’ll take care of it.”

“Okay.” She let out a soft sigh that hit Laurie right in the heart. “I wish I could see you. The Caribbean seems very far away from Japan.”

“It is. I was really looking forward to having you here.”

“And I’d be there if it made sense.”

Laurie thought of the coming day and how many things she had to accomplish. “Having you here to sleep with would sure be nice. Lovemaking energizes me.”

“We’ll just have to wait a while. Would you rather have me come to Osaka before the opening or stay for a while after? I was planning on staying a week.”

“After—if it’s an either/or choice. My family is coming a week before. When you’re here I want to focus on you.”

“And Teddy Bear.”

“Don’t remind me. I’ve gotta go see to that furry beast right now.”

MARCH SLID INTO April in such a seamless way that Laurie didn’t notice. Her mother’s birthday was in early May, and when Wendy called to remind her of the date, she almost accused her of intentionally screwing with her. More than one team member made statements that smacked of paranoia.

She’d had one weekend off since St. Maarten. That was during her brief trip to The Netherlands, and even that involved a twelve-hour flight and a good bit of jet lag. But everyone else was in the same boat. Short tempers, people bursting into tears for no reason, a fistfight or two, and colds that lingered for months were all part of the deal.

The only thing that made the whole enterprise endurable was Kaatje. Surprisingly, being in Japan made it easier to connect with her emotionally. Japan was thirteen hours ahead, and Laurie could call before she left the hotel for work, or sometimes catch Kaatje around lunchtime in St. Maarten. That was the best. Kaatje was letting her guests relax after lunch, and Laurie was in bed, trying to wind down.

Having those conversations made her appreciate everything about Kaatje. She was consistently kind and gentle, and her playfulness always made Laurie laugh, even after a horrible day. Just a few minutes of loving conversation let her clear her mind and get four or five hours of sleep. She wasn’t sure what Kaatje was getting out of this lunacy, but without her, Laurie was sure she’d be on long-term disability with Jim Haden, the ride-design guy who’d snapped and had to be dragged off the property, kicking and screaming. Everyone felt bad for him, but feeling bad wasn’t going to get the Honey Bear Log Jam working properly.

Whether or not the rides were working, Kaatje was coming in a few weeks. Knowing that kept Laurie going. If the whole park failed, at least Kaatje would be there to watch her career go down in flames. That would make it all okay.

*

It was obvious that the team members wouldn’t have a moment to spare during opening week, and Teddy Bear had generously offered all of the senior vice presidents a Japanese/English-speaking member of the park’s hospitality staff to accompany their families around. Laurie asked her assistant, Michiko, to arrange for the friendliest, least formal member of the group for her family. That didn’t help with the guilt feelings, but nothing could be done about that. Having had to skip Christmas in Cincinnati was still a sore subject, so ignoring her family in Osaka could just be added to the “things to make amends for” list.

There would be a three day overlap of the Nielsens’ and Kaatje’s visits, and she knew Kaatje would adapt very well to hanging out with her family. Even if Kaatje hadn’t been open and friendly, Laurie’s mom was affable enough for two.

It had been such a given that everyone would be there for her when the park opened, but she’d never thought about her not being there for them. As the date drew near, it was obvious she wouldn’t have a second to spare for her family. Everyone she knew was in the same position, and all of them were stressed about it.

She and Fernando were sitting in a windowless office at two in the morning four nights before opening. “My parents and my sister and her family have been here for two days and I haven’t seen my nieces yet,” she grumbled.

“Same for me,” he said, his thin face so haggard that he looked ten years older. “Marisol showed the kids my suits and my shaving kit to prove to them I was here.”

“Ouch.” She was tempted to say more, but it was one thing to not be around when your nieces were visiting and quite another when it was your own children. He’d been in Osaka for a month, and it had to leave a mark to be gone for that long.

He leaned back in his chair, and his shirt tightened against his ribs, which she could have counted. When he was stressed, he couldn’t eat, a reaction she would have liked to have had. “But we’ll get to spend a load of time together in just five days.”