Algeria Here I Come
by: E Walk
(© 2008 by the Author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 14

That’s Not Fair 

After John made his call and left a message for his grandparents, I went to retrieve my message.  The message was from the purser’s office, telling that they had a message for me.  The voice gave me an extension to call.

I called the extension and identified myself, “This is Ed Waller in Cabin 1001.  I had a message to call this extension.”

“Thanks for calling, Mr. Waller.  I’m Lionel Spencer, the Chief Purser.  I have a confidential message that I would like to personally deliver to you if that would be acceptable.”

I thought to myself, ’This is odd.  Why didn’t he tell me to come pick it up?’  Instead, I answered, “Sir, we just got back to the cabin.   I can come pick it up.”

“Mr. Waller, I think it would be much better if I delivered it, so that too many eyes and ears don’t observe or hear what is happening.  I’m on my way.”

I shook my head, ‘What can be so serious?  We have nothing to hide or be afraid of.’

The door chimes rang and Albert was standing there with a tray when Allie opened the door.  Allie lit into him, “Albert, I thought we made it clear that you were to just come in if the Do Not Disturb sign wasn’t on the door.”

“Allie, I couldn’t manipulate the tray with the desserts that Josef sent you and put the key card in lock at the same time.  Next time, I’ll bring a cart, okay?”

Albert put the tray on the dining table and when I saw what was on it, I started to laugh.  Josef had indeed sent a tray with one of each kind of dessert. “Albert, I think you may need to help these three young men eat all of that food.  Maybe you should call Daniel too.”

The chime rang and I went to answer, and a handsome gentleman probably in his middle 40’s was standing there.  He stuck out his hand “Good Evening, Mr. Waller.  I’m Lionel Spencer.”

I shook his hand and invited him in.  When he saw John and Jimbo, he got a funny look, “What are you two young guys doing here?”

John looked from the dessert he was eating, “What’s it look like.  We’re slumming so we can find out how the rest of the world lives.  We have to help eat these desserts before they spoil.  Mr. Spencer, what are you doing here anyway?  You never come out of your office.  You’re always too busy counting your money.”

Officer Spencer started laughing, “Wait until I tell your Grandfather how you talked to me.  Actually, I wanted to meet the heroes in person.  Now if you will excuse us, I would like to talk to Mr. Waller and the two Mr. Safis privately for just a minute.”

He led us to the patio after he turned on the light.  He handed me a message, “This message was sent to the ship via secure means.  As you will notice it is addresses to you with a copy to go to the Captain and the Chief of Security.  I have personally delivered their copies. The Captain would like for you to go the bridge at 10:00 in the morning so his senior staff can meet you and talk to you.”

“I’m sorry for the secrecy, but we think it is best that we not alarm any of the other passengers.  Now if you will excuse me, I need to go count my money according to John.”

I stuck the message in my pocket and announced, “We’ll read it after John and Jimbo leave.”

We escorted Mr. Spencer out.  Jim asked, “Why all the secrecy?”

Allie answered, “He just wanted to make sure that Dad was going to be able to pay his bill.  It seems that Dad’s charge card was refused.  I guess that means that I won’t be able to do anything fun on the trip.”

I looked at Allie and wondered, ‘Where did that come from?’

The boys were watching the clock on the DVD player and at 10:25, John and Jim stood and Jim announced, “We’ll meet you at the entrance to the dining room at 8:15 in the morning.  It is much more fun to go there in the morning than to eat in the Lido and fight the crowds.  Many cruisers think that more is better, but we think that the service and the food is much better in the Main Dining Room.  See you in the morning.”

Alli showed them out, “Dad, I’ll be right back.  I have to go to the bathroom really bad.”  He had hardly entered his bedroom than he returned, “Dad, I think you better call someone and tell them that the bedcover was stolen.”

Brahim and I went to see what he was talking about.  Sure enough, all that was on his big queen sized bed was a blanket and a sheet that had been neatly turned down.  On the pillows was a piece of candy and a folder engraved with the name Alexander Safi-Waller.  Inside were several sheets of stationary and envelopes with his name engraved on them and a pen.  There was a schedule for the next days activities and a newspaper with excerpts of the New York Times.  There was also a note that read, ‘Pleasant Dreams Allie’, and it was signed Albert.

Allie forgot he had to go to the bathroom obviously and started for our bedroom.  He stopped at the door, “I’ll take this room and you two can have the nice comfortable room over there.  How come you get more things than I did.  That’s not fair.”

He came and hugged us.  I looked at him, “I thought you said you had to go to the bathroom.”

Allie looked at me, “Oh, I forgot.”  He started to pull open his clothes as he went into the our bathroom.  He really did need to go to the bathroom.

When he finished, I suggested, “Why don’t we go see what this message, that is so important, says?”

We went into the sitting room and my two guys were leaning against me as I pulled the message out of my pocket and started to read,

Dear Ed, Brahim and Allie,

We are just beginning to realize how much you have upset some extremist groups by stopping the flow of oil to them so they can support their efforts to destabilize the governments in northern Africa.

We have been notified that they have followed your trail to London and the hotel.   We don’t think they know how you exited from England as of yet, but it will probably only be a matter of time until they figure it out.  They have some well placed people in the various government agencies in England.

Whatever you do, do not depart the ship unless you are with a large group of people.  We are only telling you this for your only protection.  If something should happen, react immediately.

We will advise you of any new information that we receive.  If you have any questions contact me at www.Khalid04@Algeria.gov

Hopefully you and your boys can make it home safely.

With warmest regards,

General Khalid and Colonel Amir, AIA

Allie looked up at me, “Dad, what does AIA mean?”

I shook my head, “Allie, I don’t know, to be honest with you, but I’m guessing it might be something like Algeria Intelligence Agency. Now why don’t you get your fat belly ready for bed.  It has been a long day.  Do you need me to help you?”

Allie looked at me, “Dad, please help me get ready for bed.  It is very difficult to undress and dress when you have your arm in a sling.”

We had gotten his clothes off except for his briefs, and sent him to brush his teeth.  He returned practically in tears.  “Dad, I can’t do this with just my left hand.  Please help me!”

I went into the bathroom with him and helped with what he needed and tucked him into bed so that he wouldn’t harm his injured arm.  He hugged me with his good arm, “Dad, you won’t leave us will you?”

I looked at him, “Allie, why would I want to leave you?”

Allie hugged me even tighter, “I don’t know, but it seems like no one wants me.  Brahim is all I have and he needs to be able to get on with his life and not worry about me.”

I pushed Allie away, “Allie, stop talking like that.  Brahim and I both love you very much, and we are not going to throw you away like an orange peel.  Get some sleep and things will seem better in the morning.  We have had several very demanding days.  Now go to sleep or John and Jimbo will be pounding on our door.” 

As I was leaving, I turned and whispered, “Son, I do love you and don’t you forget it.”

I heard him quietly say, “Thanks Dad and I love you, too, and don’t you forget it.”

After I turned out the lights in the living area, I went to Brahim’s and my  bedroom.  He looked at me as he was laying there in his naked wonder except for the bandage on his injured leg, and asked, “Hon, you might want to check to make sure that Albert and Daniel didn’t place any bugs in here.  You did advise Allie to wear his ear plugs didn’t you, so he won’t hear you squealing like stuffed pig?”

I went into the bathroom and took care of the nightly needs and returned to the bedroom with full body showing.  Brahim looked at me and started to laugh, “Now isn’t that a fine dish to show a wounded man.  Ed, please get me one of the pain pills.  My leg is starting to really throb.”

I went and got one of the pain pills and knew he wasn’t going to be long for this world.  After I handed the pill and a bottle of water to him, I crawled into bed.  I hugged him, “Bra, I love you and your brother and don’t forget that.”

He hugged me, “Ed, I know that, but Khalid and Amir’s message has me scared.  The bad guys aren’t after Allie and me.  It’s you they want.  Ed, promise me that you won’t do anything to let them take you away from us.”

I leaned over and kissed him, “Brahim, everything will work out.  Now go to sleep.”

Fortunately, the pain pill began to take affect and he was soon asleep.  However, I lay there thinking of what the note from Khalid and Amir said and how it had frightened both my boys.  I was beginning to realize that maybe I wasn’t so invincible after all.

I don’t know what time I finally went to sleep but I do know it was in the wee hours of the morning because all sorts of visions and scenarios were running through my head.  And I thought this was going to be a leisurely vacation.

Brahim and I were awakened by Allie about 7:30.  He was shaking me even though Brahim and I were naked.  “Dad, you gotta get up.  We have to meet John and Jim for breakfast.  Now get up.”

I pulled him onto the bed, “Alexander, stop being so bossy or I’ll divorce you.”

Allie thought for a minute, “Dad, I don’t know exactly what divorce means.”

“Allie, I was just trying to be funny and it didn’t work.  Come on, I’ll help you get your bath so we can keep your bandage dry.”

I finally got  the three of us clean and dry and we arrived precisely at the entrance to the dining room at 8:15.  I was surprised when Jim and John weren’t there.  I was beginning to think that we had been stood up when what to my wandering eyes appear but two ten-year-olds leading a doctor and his wife.

Doctor Sorenson looked at us, “Do you suppose that the next time we could eat a reasonable hour.  Say perhaps 8:45.”

John was determined, “Granddad, you have office hours starting at 9:30.  We have to make sure that you’re presentable by then.”

When we walked in Philippe met us and took us to the Doctor’s table. Josef and Carlos arrived at the table immediately.  I looked around and there was almost nobody there eating.  I looked at Doctor Sorenson, “Where is everyone?  Why aren’t they eating.”

John answered, “Those people that are up are probably on the Lido deck taking huge amounts of food that they can’t possibly eat.  Jimbo and I don’t really like to go there at breakfast time because people are so rude.  They think that just because we’re younger, they have the right to push in front of us.”

Jim continued, “They don’t realize that service and the food is better here in the dining room and we can order exactly what we are hungry for.

Josef and Carlos brought us some coffee and fresh orange juice.  Josef started with Mrs. Sorenson, “What might we bring you ma’am?

Mrs. Sorenson nodded, “I think I would like the fresh croissant stuffed with scrambled eggs and some fresh fruit.”

Doctor Sorenson ordered the big breakfast special with two fried eggs, ham, toast and a side order of hash brown potatoes.  We were to find out that he didn‘t have time to eat lunch.

John was next, “I’d like one fried egg over easy with bacon and some French toast, please.”

Allie was the next up.  He looked at Josef with his big eyes, “I can’t eat pork, so I’ll have the Belgium waffle topped with whipped cream and fresh blueberries, please.”

Before Jimbo could speak, John interrupted, “I’ll have what Allie is having instead of what I ordered.”

“Me too.” added Jimbo.

I was next, “I’ll have the cheese with fresh mushrooms omelet, please.”

All eyes were on Brahim.  He surprised everyone, “I'd like a bowl of rice chex with some fresh blueberries and a banana and a bagel with cream cheese please.”

I was surprised at how quickly the food appeared and I noticed that the dining room was becoming busier.  John leaned over and whispered, “These newcomers are either just now getting up or have already eaten in the Lido and are determined to get their money’s worth from the cruise.”

Doctor Sorenson nodded, “Unfortunately, John’s assessment is correct.  You would be surprised at how many people gain weight on these cruises.  The unfortunate thing is that it is the people who shouldn’t be indulging so vigorously are those who gain the most weight.

As we were finishing our breakfast, Doctor Sorenson looked at my two guys, “Why don’t you two guys come with me before the chronic complainers start to arrive.  The funny thing is they don’t seem to realize that they are paying for their visits to the doctor or they don’t really care.  You’d be surprised at how many times people just want to sit and spill all of their frustrations.  Mr. Waller, I promise to get your boys back to you in one piece, shortly.”

I went to the cabin and the beds were already made and there were fresh towels in the bathroom.  I went out on the balcony and was sitting awaiting the return of Brahim and Allie.  I started to think, ‘What if the two guys find out how boring I am.  They won’t want to stay with me, especially Brahim.’

I guess I dozed off.

To be continued...

Feedback always welcome:     

 Editor's Notes: Things are getting more serious, what with people being determined to do harm to Ed.  I certainly hope that everything will work out alright for our friends.  I am guessing that at the moment they are not in danger, but when they reach a port, all bets are off, with regard to safety, since any passengers who board the ship could be some of the bad guys, or people that they have hired. I certainly hope that the security on the ship is up to snuff, so to speak. 

It really is nice to see how much of a family Ed and the brothers are, already.

I am ready for more.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 02/06/09