The Dinner Cruise

“I think he’s finally going to do it!”

A voice responded from the other end of the line. “Janna...are you sure? You and Austin have been together for seven years. Why would he decide that now is the time to propose?”

“Lisa, don’t be so negative. I’ve been getting signs.”

“Like what?” Lisa asked.

Janna explained. “Well, he’s got extra pep in his step, so much more...vigor, you know what I mean?”

“Okay, I got it. He's a man, though. Not surprising. What else?”

“He’s been making more of an effort by dressing better, like I’ve been asking him to do for years. He’s been wearing nice dress shirts, khakis, and premium jeans. He only wears sweats to the gym now. And he’s taking me on a fabulous dinner cruise tonight, which is what I’ve always wanted. I know he’s finally ready.”

Lisa went quiet for a moment, then responded to her close friend. “I know you’ve wanted this for a long time, but I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”

“I get it, but I think it’s going to happen tonight. He wants me to dress in a very nice outfit. This will be special, I just know it.”

“Okay. I truly hope you get what you want.”

“I hope so too, Lisa. So, how's your pregnancy coming along?”

“It's okay, it's going as well as it can be. I'm thirty weeks along. Hmm, I wish James was still here. You know he called me last night.”

“James is such a dick. I can't believe he walked out on you like that, and while you're having his baby, too! What a scumbag! You’re not going to take him back, are you?”

“I don’t know. He sounded broken up. He told me he shouldn’t have walked out, but he’s got things to figure out, to resolve, something like that. And maybe he’d be back after that.”

“That’s so childish. What husband does that? The baby’s coming. You don’t get a chance to run away from it, but he thinks he does? And he can just come back when it’s convenient?”

“I know, but Janna, I still love him. It’s hard doing this alone, and the prospect of becoming a single mother scares me to death. But if he decides he doesn't want to be with me anymore, I won’t fight him on it. Once the baby’s born, we’ll get the divorce and figure out custody and all. But I don’t want to worry about that right now. At this point, I just can't wait to get this baby out!”

“That makes sense. But that day will come soon enough.”

***

The photogenic couple sat at a small table covered with a clean white sheet, elegant, gold-trimmed dishes, and polished utensils to match. A small candle sat in the middle of the table, flame flickering softly. Janna was wearing a silk magenta bodycon dress with long sleeves, plunging neckline, and hem that barely kissed the knees. Her boyfriend, Austin, sat opposite her, donning a crisp navy dress shirt and pleated black pants.

“I’m glad you came out with me tonight, babe. You look stunning,” Austin said.

Janna blushed slightly and carefully moved a strand of wavy dark hair from her face. “Thanks, dear. This is so nice and fancy.”

He sipped from his glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. “Yeah, it is. I know you’ve wanted to do this, and my schedule finally worked out to where I could take you.”

“I truly appreciate that,” she responded while drinking a glass of house Merlot. “This is such a thoughtful idea for a date.”

The server, dressed in all black, arrived at the table with the main course, filet mignon served medium-rare with asparagus and creamy mashed potatoes. He sat it gently in front of the couple.

As the server walked away, Austin looked down at his plate and mused, “Oh boy, I’m gonna piss plastic tonight!”

“Ugh, that’s a bit crude,” Janna admonished him.

“It’s true.”

She shook her head in slight annoyance, and then the couple began to eat.

“This filet is cooked perfectly,” she commented.

“For sure,” he replied after swallowing a piece. “Very flavorful. When I booked the dinner, the website said they were flying in a guest chef from a Michelin-star restaurant in New York City.”

“Wow, this is incredible, the best meal I've ever eaten! It’s so worth it!”

“Yeah, it’s excellent. So tender and juicy!”

The couple continued enjoying their main course while a violinist could be heard in the background playing a soft instrumental melody. As they were finishing up, Austin reached out to hold his girlfriend's hand. He cleared his throat and began to speak. “Janna, I need to talk to you about something.”

This must be it, Janna thought, while staring into her partner's bold brown eyes. He's finally going to pop the question. This is the best night of my life! I hope it never ends.

“So...there's a woman. We've been talking for some time, it wasn't anything, just friends for the longest. Then...you know, things happened.”

Janna was stunned. “Wh...what? When was this?”

“It was while you were on your business trip back in December. Things...happened. One thing led to another. And we slept together. I've been regretting it ever since.”

Janna pulled her hand back from Austin's grip, but continued to sit in shock.

He took a deep breath. “The thing is, she's pregnant.”

In that moment, Janna felt her world crash around her.

“I need to be responsible. I'll need to help take care of the baby. It’s coming in a couple of months or so. But I love you, and I still want to make it work with you.”

“I...I can't think about this right now.” Janna rose from the table and ran off.

“Wait, Janna! Wait!” Austin called out to her, pained.

***

Janna found her way to the deck, leaned against the whitewashed railing, and stared out onto the calm, flowing river. Her thoughts were racing, but she could not sort them to make them coherent. Hot tears were streaming down her face, staining her makeup.

“Janna - babe - there you are,” Austin called to her, exasperated.

“What do you want?”

He stood next to her on the edge of the riverboat. “Look, I'm so sorry this happened. Things got rough between us for a while, and you were working all the time. I felt lonely and I did something very wrong, very stupid. That wasn't the way. I know I hurt you, but I swear, I want to make things right. I want for us to work.”

She turned her head in his direction, but her eyes barely met his. She remained silent.

His voice began to crack. “I hope you'll take me ba-”

Just then, Austin found himself dumped over the railing and into the river below. He yelled desperately, “Help! Help!” - yet he struggled to tread water.

Janna screamed in panic as she could do nothing but observe the love of her life, the man she devoted seven years of her youth to only to be betrayed, becoming increasingly fatigued from fighting against the punishing waves below. By this time, other passengers were gathered around the edge of the deck surrounding her, watching a man get swept under the current.

As she continued to stand in horror, she possessed the presence of mind to look back for a brief moment. She noticed a familiar face among the group. The unassuming man, dressed in a grey suit, glanced at her knowingly and nodded.

James? A horrifying realization slowly set in.

The man then turned from her and slowly slipped away from the crowd.