NON-FICTION
Lovers
Joy and sorrow hand in hand
I noticed them as I waited to board the sightseeing boat for Glacier Bay. They had a glow about them and moved as one, arms draped over one another. She stuffed unruly blond hair under her knit hat and lavished affection on her lover with her green eyes. He regarded her from under dark eyebrows, a smile twitching at his young lips. Once aboard, they made for the bow as if to secure the best spot by the rail. I went to find some coffee.
Despite the cold and threat of rain, the couple stayed on deck, cheering with the crowd at the sight of calving glaciers and breaching whales.
In the afternoon on the back deck, he stared at the wake of the ship. She touched his shoulder and looked at him with a tilt to her head, as if divining his thoughts.
Later, as the ship chugged back to port, I saw them in the lounge, but they were no longer entwined. She sat with her feet drawn up and her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. He stood by the window a few feet from her, looking out.
At the little airstrip, they stood apart as if they barely knew each other. A small white plane with red stripes and a big logo rolled to a stop. Out hopped a smiling red-headed pilot. He was in such a hurry he almost forgot to remove his headphones. He ducked under the wing and, in a flash, he was lifting the girl in the air with a big spin that finished with a soulful kiss.
Her lover of the morning dropped his head and looked away.
