Page 23 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
“We’ll be on our way soon enough,” Earl said, as if placating a child.
“How soon?” James demanded. He rose to his feet and raised his hand in the air to gather Earl’s attention. “I need to get to Seattle. I don’t have time to waste sitting around here twiddling my thumbs while—”
He was cut off by a volley of irritated voices.
“My band is stuck here, too, you know,” the guy by the window shouted. “We’re supposed to be playing for a wedding.”
“Hey, hey, people, settle down,” Earl cried, his voice loud enough to garner attention. “I get it. No one is happy with the situation. Complaining isn’t going to change anything. Just relax . . . The necessary part is sure to arrive anytime now.”
“Relax? You want us to relax?” someone else said with a loud, disbelieving groan. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“You mean to say the part hasn’t even arrived?”
A loud rumble of unhappy voices filled the area.
“We should sue the state.” The suggestion came in the form of a shout.
“Yeah. Anyone here an attorney?” another person asked.
A bevy of loud discontentment rolled through the deck like a tsunami after an earthquake.
“We’ve already been here well over an hour,” the grandmotherly woman with the tin box of cookies in her lap said. “How much longer is this going to take?”
Earl Jones held up his hands as if someone had pointed a gun at him. “Quiet down. Quiet down. You’re all talking at once. I can’t make sense out of anything you’re saying.”
His plea was ignored.
“You be quiet.”
“Yeah. You’re no help whatsoever.”
“You have to wonder what kind of people the state hires to operate these ferries.”
“Who is responsible for the maintenance of these ferries, anyway?”
“You’re right, we should sue.”
Looking completely exasperated, Earl demanded, “Sue us for what?”
“For emotional distress,” a woman shouted. “I’m missing my family’s celebration. It’s the first one in five years. My grandmother flew all the way from New Jersey to be with us.”
“I’m supposed to pick up my kids for Christmas,” a man shouted. “I have no way of letting my ex know why I’m late, since she’s blocked my number. She’ll probably take me to court to keep my children away from me after this.”
“I’m sorry, folks,” Earl said. “I know everyone has places to go and people to see. It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances.”
“You think this is unfortunate?” a man standing in the back said with a groan. “I’ll tell you what’s unfortunate. I have tickets to seeThe Nutcrackerwith my daughter. I paid a small fortune for those tickets.”
Another voice chimed in. “My boss said if I was late one more time, I should look for another job. I’m late because this ferry never seems to run on schedule. What’s with you people, anyway?”
Earl eased his way to the stairwell. “I’m sorry, folks, but I can’t tell you anything more. I’m just as eager to reach Seattle as you are.”
“Yeah, right.”
Having said his piece, Earl flew down the stairs as if escaping a burning building.
Avery didn’t blame him. The longer he remained on the passenger deck, the louder the chaos became. She understood everyone’s frustration. For her own part, it hadn’t been as frustrating as it was for the others. Her only concern was her brother.
She hated the thought of Reed waiting at the ferry terminal. He’d texted earlier and assured her he was able to change their lunch reservation. That time had long since passed. Avery hoped he had the good sense to head back to his condo and wait for news. He lived within walking distance of the waterfront.
