I wrote a draft of this story in response to a prompt I shared with the Fictionistas community back in January 2025, back when I used to host a monthly Writing Prompt Party over there.
This story will take around 3 minutes to read.
Audio of the story, read by the author:
Lido Deck Libation
The ocean breeze caressed my skin making sure that the sun felt warm, but not scorching. With my eyes closed I listened to the gulls, the waves, and the melodic murmur of fellow cruisers enjoying the time with their fellow travelers while I had been enjoying my time alone in the sun.
Then Roger’s shadow covered me whole.
Without opening my eyes, I knew it was him. It was as if the sun had set, or a large storm cloud blew in without warning. Neither was true – at least not in the physical sense.
Hovering over me, knowing I was there working on my tan, his message was clear: he was not happy. The specificities of his discontent could fill a tome. Perhaps he took issue with my bathing suit’s inability to sufficiently hide all my bruises. Perhaps he caught sight of the drink I ordered that may loosen my tongue. Most likely of all, he was infuriated by my momentary joy in his absence.
As his shadow lingered and began to affect the warmth of my spot in the sun, I felt an inner warrior awaken. I would not return to the cabin with this man tonight. I would not follow his lead to learn what message his lingering was meant to send.
If the great Titanic could sink, so could my monster husband, given the right opportunity. I sat up and turned away from his shadowed gaze. I saw a deckhand mopping the poolside deck.
I remembered the tour of the ship we took when we first arrived. There was a spot there where carelessness would be punished (or rewarded, depending on your intentions). Roger was huge, I remembered the rails only came up to hips.
“Hey Rog,” I said, shielding my eyes from the sun he was already blocking. “Let’s go to the Lido deck for drinks. I’m in the mood for something icy.”
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Are you a cruise person? Yay or nay? Why?
The inspiration
Once upon a time I co-hosted a monthly Writing Party for another Substack called Fictionistas. This particular story began in response to the party I hosted back in January 2025. You can see the prompt and the prompt tool I used here:
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Nicely twisty. Will Roger will be rescued by a killer whale wearing a dead salmon for a hat?