My husband is the captain of an ocean-going cargo ship. He spends ten months of every year at sea. I've always trusted him completely, though I do have a little habit that no one knows about. Whenever his ship docks to restock, I invite the first mate's wife for a few drinks. The first mate is taciturn, but his wife is talkative and a lightweight. We chat about family, everyday life, and things on the ship. By the third drink, she suddenly leaned over and said, "Your husband is so romantic. Last month, when the ship was docked in Marseille, he specially commissioned a local artisan to make a whole set of jewelry set with ocean-wave diamonds: a necklace, bracelet, earrings, everything. Then he had the supply ship bring it back. I'm so jealous." I lowered my voice. "Really? How come I didn't get anything?" I didn't press her, and she tactfully changed the subject. That night, when I got home, I opened the voyage ledger. On the delivery list from the port of Marseille, the recipient's address in the jewelry section wasn't mine. The sea is unpredictable, and I should leave the ship.
