Blind at Sea

Laura Bates hummed in contentment as she lay on the cruise lounge chair, her service animal, a German Shepherd named Norman sitting on the ground beside her. And yes, his full name was Norman Bates. He was a big softie though, always giving her kisses and ensuring she didn’t run into people or trip over big cracks in the sidewalk. This was good because Laura was completely blind. Had been ever since she was born, much to her parent’s initial dismay. Laura had never felt dismayed about it though, how could she when she never had her vision? Sure, sometimes she wondered and maybe daydreamed what it would be like to see her family, friends, and her surroundings but overall, she was perfectly satisfied with her life. If she wasn’t blind then she wouldn’t have Norman so there was also that.

The cruise ship then went over a big wave and it must reared up more than usual before going back down because she immediately felt Norman’s large head on her stomach. He obviously was making sure that she didn’t fall off her chair. Laura chuckled as she patted his harsh coat.

“Thanks, buddy,” she said. “It’s taking Olive a while to come back, huh?”

A couple of months ago, her best friend Olive had been extremely lucky enough to win two tickets for a cruise to Bermuda. Olive immediately asked her and now here they were, two days out at sea and so far, it had been a very nice trip. Two days full of fun activities yet plenty of time to just relax in the warm sunlight. They were relaxing right now, or at least Laura was. Olive went to the bathroom several minutes ago and there had been no sign of her since. It could be nothing, and it probably was, but they both signed up for the miniature golf tournament and that was coming up soon.

Maybe Olive got lost? Or maybe there was a line? Laura hoped that she suddenly didn’t get sick.

Laura heard footsteps coming towards her. For a brief moment, she got her hopes up before they quickly fell when she didn’t recognize the footsteps. Olive’s footsteps were lighter and they tended to glide across the floor like she was an ice skater. These footsteps were louder, and they were a few steps away from being actual stomps. Laura sighed.

She knew where the closest bathroom was, maybe she should just-

“Excuse me, how did you sneak that dog in?” asked a female voice. Laura was snapped out of her thoughts as she turned her head in the direction of the voice. Those loud footsteps had stopped, most likely meaning that the bossy, unkind female voice belonged to the person making them. Norman took his head off her stomach and she attempted to place her hand on his head to calm him, though she ended up touching his nose instead.

She had dealt with this kind of people before. The kind who got angry easily, who thought they knew everything, and who didn’t know how to mind their own business. Thankfully, they were not a daily or a monthly occurrence, but they still were definitely annoying. Sometimes, just some patience and logic were enough, though more often than not someone else had to get involved.

If Laura couldn’t calm this woman down by herself, then she hoped that Olive would get back soon before an employee was called. She was confident that the employee would be on her side, but it would still probably cause some hassle.

Laura wanted to go to the miniature golf tournament.

“Don't worry, I have permission. I’m blind-”

“Stop lying! I can see, you’re mistreating that poor thing, making it sit so still! See how scared it is! That’s it, I’m gonna save it!”

Laura, who had Norman’s leash loosely wrapped around her hand, suddenly felt the leather strap begin to slip away.

“No!” Laura cried as she quickly grabbed onto the leash, while Norman growled. Laura had never heard him growl like that before, but she instinctively knew that Norman’s training and usual gentle demeanor were the only reasons he hadn’t bitten the thief.

She had to leave. Now!

“Get away! Please!” Laura cried out as she stood up from the lounge chair while she waved her arm in front of her. Her hand hit the woman’s chest and though she wasn’t a violent person, Laura immediately pushed the woman away.

“Ah!” the woman, or rather the thief, cried with some kind of fake emotion. “Help! She attacked me! Please help, she’s abusing my dog!”

Oh, the little liar! She just wanted Norman for herself!

Laura didn’t bother retorting as she moved forward, just wanting to find Olive and run away to their room, the miniature golf tournament the last thing on her mind.

However, in her rush and despite Norman’s attempt to help, Laura ran into the lounge chair next to her and tumbled over it, a sharp pain shooting up her leg.

The next moment, the leash left her hand.

“No! Norman!” Laura cried, panicked as she reached her hands out and waved them around, desperate to get her pair of eyes, her best friend, back.

But she felt nothing.

“Ha! Serves you right!” the thief cried in triumph while Norman barked furiously. With her heart beating fast, Laura felt her hands around the air until the cool, hard plastic of a lounge chair was underneath her fingertips.

She began to push herself up, planning to run after the thief and her dog, her blindness be darned.

“C’mon! Stop resisting!” the thief cried, letting Laura know that Norman was pulling hard on his leash.

The volume of Norman’s barking increased as well as the number of footsteps as Laura stood up and took a step forward.

That was as far as she got.

“Hey! What are you doing with Norman?” Laura almost sighed with relief.

That was Olive’s voice.

“Wha...Hey! Get off me! Someone help me!” the thief cried as Norman barked even louder and people began to murmur around her.

“Look out! You’re about to go-” cried someone near her.

Then there was a terrified scream.

Suddenly, Norman was at her legs, licking the one that got banged against the lounge chair. Laura quickly got her knees and hugged her precious dog tightly, not caring when she distinctly heard a loud splash.

The thief got what she deserved.