Читать книгу Breaking the Chains - William T Blake - Страница 9

- There he would meet a girl of common class, perhaps one that was almost a lady, although in truth that was the least of his desires -

Ken began his long awaited vacation by taking an extended luxury cruise. On board ship he would meet the one person who would change his life forever and his life and his priorities would be transformed. He would return home a different person to the one that had left.

The ship sailed out of port in the early afternoon amidst the noise and activity of a busy harbor. Many of the passengers lined the various decks to wave their goodbyes whilst others were drinking and dancing to the sounds of the live band. The cruise already displayed the hallmarks of the exciting and pleasurable times that lay ahead.

After boarding Ken spent most of the afternoon settling in to his cabin. Trying to rest prior to going to dinner he sat on the king sized bed, propped up by the many pillows available to him. He took in the extent of his accommodation, an up-market owner's suite. It included a master bedroom with a large television and high quality sound system, a walk-in robe and safe. The ensuite was complete with a bath large enough to accommodate two people, a shower recess and fluffy, Egyptian cotton towels along with designer toiletries. Double doors from the bedroom led into a sitting and dining area which included a fully stocked mini-bar and a repeat of the television and sound equipment. Complimentary French champagne and canapés sat in the middle of the dining table, a treat to welcome him on board. There was even a writing desk with personalized stationery. Ken didn't consider he would do too much writing but perhaps could jot a line or two in a postcard to his parents; after all, they at least deserved a 'thank you'. A powder room again filled with designer toiletries was located to the left of the entry. From his bed, Ken looked out through the double doors, through the sitting area and beyond to the balcony which had the most wonderful outlook over the ocean. Penthouse suites in many hotels would not accommodate what was available in his cabin. He smiled to himself thinking, "This is just what an eligible young man needs to attract the loveliest of ladies, something to bring the bees to the honey." He felt excited at the prospect of adding further to his fast growing list of conquests.

Being the first night out at sea Ken looked forward to a relaxed casual evening. However, much to his annoyance he had received an invitation to attend an exclusive cocktail party being hosted by the ship's captain. To add to his irritation he would have to dress to the occasion. The invitation further extended to a formal dinner where he would be allocated seating with others of a similar social standing and background. He was not at all looking forward to the evening, but as always he would do the right thing.

Attracting the kind of lady he was hoping to meet just didn't happen at these stuffy functions. That would come later when he wandered down to the lower decks. There he would meet a girl of common class, perhaps one that was almost a lady, although in truth that was the least of his desires. He contemplated spending a few days with her and then moving on to seek out his next conquest. He had little regard for any of these women as he considered they benefited most from their liaison with him. It was highly unlikely that any one of them would ever experience the luxury they would enjoy in his company, albeit for just a few days. He would buy them a few expensive gifts, provide the best champagne and dine with them, either in the ship's first class restaurant or perhaps even in his suite waited on by a personal butler. The cost was little more than loose change to him. The conquest was something he could later brag about to friends and colleagues, maybe even provide for a good laugh or two. He never ceased to be amused at how different women could be, from the aggressive and uninhibited to the shy and reserved. He favored the aggressive women; it was so much easier ending the relationship. The shy women almost always took the liaison far more personally, as if there were more substance to the affair than that of a casual fling.

To his utter frustration Ken was unable to rest. Instead, remaining unsettled from the long flight and unpleasant taxi ride from the airport to the cruise terminal. The traffic had been extremely heavy and they had encountered a serious accident involving several cars, a heavily laden truck and a motor bike, all of which added further to his frustration and stress. To top it off there was the officialdom of having to go through customs and the seemingly long hours of waiting to board ship. These were inconveniences that were foreign to him. Ken decided that since he was unable to rest he would get dressed for the evening and spend some time strolling around the ships open decks. He felt sure he would enjoy the smell of the fresh sea air while watching what promised to be a magnificent sunset. He hoped the time on deck would enable him to unwind before attending the cocktail party.

After showering and carefully selecting his attire, dressing, taking a cursory glance in the mirror to check he looked the part, he left his cabin. Still having time up his sleeve he sauntered around the ship exploring the various facilities and amenities on offer. He particularly noted the direct eye contact he attracted from many of the young and the not so young women. He smiled knowingly to himself, thinking "The choices and the picking are perfect."

Slowly strolling along the decks, he heard the resonance of children's laughter. Something he considered to be a most delightful sound and so out of curiosity he walked into the children's play area and nursery. As he did, he came face to face with the young woman who would change his world forever.

There was nothing especially remarkable about Sarah. Nothing he could pin-point. She was of medium height and build, her hair was as dark as the night and hung down to her shoulders, brushed in a manner that could only be described as natural. Her clothing was so apparently cheap and off-the-shelf. She wore only a little make up on her near perfect dark skin, it was obvious she took little time in applying it. Ken was not used to seeing these characteristics in a woman, let alone being attracted to her and would not normally have given a second glance. Nevertheless, he was dumbstruck. She was the most fascinatingly attractive creature he had ever laid eyes on and for just a moment he was stunned.

“Hello, I’m Ken,” he stammered, surprised at his own apparent lack of self-confidence.

“Hello back sir and you’re not supposed to be here, this is a restricted area,” she replied in a pleasant, firm but uneducated voice. “Please leave as they do not allow people other than staff and the children's parents to be here. It's a matter of the children's safety.”

“I’m sorry, I got a little lost, and I truly love to listen to the laughter of children at play. It is a most pleasant sound that takes away all the cares of the world. Once I heard them I just couldn't resist,” he replied. Then he asked “Of course, I’ll leave immediately but can I know your name?”

Sarah smiled at him and Ken relaxed thinking that his usual charm had once again won out in the situation. To his surprise she emphatically stated, “No you cannot! They are very strict with the children's safety so please leave or I’ll have to call security and that won’t be a very pleasant way for you to start your cruise.”

Ken was in unfamiliar territory, bemused he laughed nervously at what appeared to be an out of character reaction. She just didn’t seem to be the strict matronly type. He again apologized to her and once more taking in her remarkable aura, he turned to leave, closing the glass doors behind him. He determined that he would find out who she was, immediately crossing the foyer to the reception area. Arriving at the counter he asked whether they had any customer service nomination forms, as he wished to recommend a staff member for her outstanding service. “Of course sir, I’ll give you one. Do you need a pen?” asked the grinning receptionist who, from her place behind the counter had witnessed Ken talking to Sarah.

“Yes, please,” replied Ken as he took the form, “but I’ll need to know the name of the young lady concerned. She looks after the children, medium height and long black hair.”

“Oh, that would be Sarah. Best be aware there sir, sweet as sugar but she bites like a crocodile.”

“That see-through am I?” asked Ken with a grin.

“You and about a dozen others every trip sir, you’d have more chance with the matron and she doesn't like anyone,” she laughed.

Ken spent the entire evening and all of the next day thinking of nothing else but Sarah. “This is ridiculous,” he thought to himself, “I’m behaving like a love struck teenager.” He resolved to go to the crèche area and wait outside until Sarah had a break or finished work. He sat for hours, waiting patiently, until finally she opened the door and walked out into the foyer. He watched as she exited onto the deck and was once again mesmerized, he just couldn’t take his eyes away from her. He was highly baffled and could not understand his own feelings or behavior. She was not a physical beauty but somehow, he simply could not resist her. He followed her out onto the deck. Sarah turned to the sounds of his footsteps and as they faced each other Ken simply said, “Hello Sarah.”

“You again, I thought I told you not to come here.” This time there was not a hint of hostility in her voice. Ken looked into her eyes and saw a flash of something he had never experienced before. Instantly in his heart he knew something had transpired between them and that this was more than just a casual encounter. He felt welcoming warmth radiating from her.

“Can we meet later?” he asked.

“No, I can’t, please don’t ask, please,” she pleaded. Suddenly, the warmth dissipated. "So we can be sure of ourselves. I'm not one of those girls you can have your pleasures with and leave at the next port and I certainly am not impressed with nor have any interest in your wealth or position. You'd be better off chasing one of the other girls as you will not get what you're after from me. Do you understand me?"

Sarah's admonishment left Ken feeling like he had been slapped on the hand for being a naughty boy. Feeling exposed he smiled sincerely at her and replied, "You know what Sarah, you frighten me. You frighten me because I just don't think I could ever leave you anywhere let alone the next port."

Sarah made no reply, her own emotions confused as she returned inside to the children's play area.

For the next few days Ken met Sarah at the same location and each time their conversation lasted a little longer than it did the day before. Finally, Sarah agreed to meet him for coffee. It was the breakthrough he had been longing for and from that moment on they spent every possible moment together, mostly just talking and laughing. Sometimes simply sitting together in silence, never touching, not even holding hands. Ken would often smile to himself bemused and wonder how he was going to explain this shipboard romance to anyone, for other than his own heart, there simply was no conquest.

His father had sent him out to sow his wild oats, to become a man of the world as he had put it and Ken clearly understood that meant the use of women for his own gratification. Single or married, it didn't matter; there would be no commitment beyond a night or two. He would show them a good time with the finer things in life thrown in, buy a gift or two and have a story to tell and then move on. So far as Ken was concerned everyone benefited. How different and unexpected this situation with Sarah was.

Sarah explained to him that this was her last voyage under her current contract and that she was returning home to her parents and would be taking up a role with the local church, helping the people of her neighborhood. She had spoken little of her home and made no attempt to elaborate on what kind of work she would be involved with. Ken never pressed her, sensing that for some reason she wished to keep it as a private matter.

At the end of the voyage Ken abandoned his entire travel plans and followed Sarah to her home. She had tried to convince him not to follow but Ken insisted and despite her every attempt at dissuading him, he had turned up on her doorstep. He knocked on the door and when Sarah opened it, he stood staring at what lay before him.

“Surprised?” she asked "Now you see me for who and what I am, all of the things unsaid between us. A man of your background and class and me of little or no consequence. Ken you must know it can't work, not for either of us."

Earlier in the day Ken had disembarked the ship and caught a taxi. One of Sarah's fellow workers had given him her address. The driver's response caught him off guard. “You sure that’s where you wanna go mister?” the driver asked. “If you’re looking for a lady I can recommend far better and safer places. Classy ladies who give you a good time and you be safe but you go to that place you ask and you may not come out.”

Ken replied in the affirmative and they set off on a journey that was to take over two hours. They drove through the outer suburbs followed by an area of the most dilapidated buildings amidst sparse vegetation. It was, without doubt some of the bleakest habitation Ken had ever seen. The obvious poverty and despair of the people shocked him. He had never seen anything like it. Somehow, something touched his heart, an unexplainable feeling of pain that went deep into the core of his being and he felt like weeping.

“Surprised, yes, yes I am a little” he replied to Sarah “does it make any difference? No it doesn’t, not in the slightest. I don’t think I will ever meet anyone who could match you in any way. Sarah, you own my heart.”

Sarah and Ken stood staring at each other not knowing what to say, the magical mystery of mutual attraction devoid of words. The silence between them was finally broken when a woman's voice called to her from inside the house. Sarah introduced Ken to her family who would be as strongly opposed to their relationship as his own family would later prove to be. Sarah's father had left the room muttering in words and a language Ken could not understand. Her shocked mother stood and stared showing disbelief, then upon gaining her composure spoke very harshly to Sarah. Ken had not expected such a hostile reception but he didn't flinch, not in the slightest. He immediately determined that he would stay and do whatever it took to win over Sarah's parents. Whatever it took and he didn't care how long it was going to take; he was not leaving without her.

Over the next month Ken spent every possible moment of his time with Sarah. She worked without rest, spending time with disadvantaged children. Teaching them to read and write and take care of themselves. Caring for the old people who had nothing but the clothes they wore and little or no medical treatment to ease their plight. Such pitiable sights to be witness to. Ken lived the life of excess and now he was seeing firsthand the other extremes. Every imaginable type of degradation available to mankind was on display and yet amongst it all, there were people like Sarah who made a difference, just a little at a time. As he stood back and watched, his admiration for her increased. He had never known of such unselfishness in another.

As part of his extensive education Ken had studied and, he believed, understood the world’s social structures. He had seen documentaries on the social economics of third world countries, studied the statistics and demographics, but nothing prepared him for this firsthand experience. The sights, the smells and the violence were overwhelming.

He would return to his hotel room at night filled with a sense of guilt and shame, utter feelings of uselessness consuming him. Emotions that were previously uncharacteristic of him. He didn't know how to make a difference or even relate to the things he now saw and he felt frustrated with himself and his inability to contribute.

Eventually the time came for Ken to leave and so he asked Sarah to marry him and return with him to his home.

Ken approached Sarah’s family and asked their permission for her hand in marriage. They were totally opposed to any union and simply refused to offer their blessing. Sarah was expected to marry into her own culture and kind and her father would not allow a marriage between them to take place. Ken convinced Sarah to return to his home and meet with his parents whom he was sure would greet her with open arms. How wrong he was. Their reaction was even more hostile than those of Sarah’s family.

Ken's father had referred to her as being "that thing," while his mother with a slip of her tongue had only stated "But she's a nig...." The look of admonishment that Ken had given her stopped her short of finishing the sentence.

After weeks of haggling and arguing between Ken and his parents, Sarah announced she was returning home alone and for good pleading with Ken not to follow her. They had both now come to the conclusion that marriage was out of the question and they separated with broken hearts.

Sarah’s calling in life and the expectations of her family would see her either spend her life as a spinster or marry someone from her own background. The person would be chosen by her father. There would be no compromise on that issue. Sarah had protected herself from being hurt by rejecting the approaches of other young men and having let her guard down just this once, was now devastated. She had known in her heart all along that this would be the end outcome. Her relationship with Ken had been doomed from the beginning. She knew the realities of life and where she came from, she was not prepared to marry her own kind and live the life she had seen her mother endure. Equally she knew that she would not be accepted by those above her class and she knew with absolute certainty that her family would reject anyone but the person of her father's choosing. Sarah thus made the decision to remain single and dedicate her life to serving others less fortunate.

Sarah would serve her God for all the days of her life. Consoling herself with the notion that at least she had known true love. She would always treasure the time she spent with Ken. At times she wished she had allowed the relationship between them to become physical but it never had. Ken had always shown and treated her with the utmost respect. She was deeply grateful for having met such a man.

On their last night together they sat talking for many hours. Her last words to Ken were to relate how she had seen a selfish, decadent young man become a mature, caring and loving person who could do a great deal to make a difference to the world in which he lived. “Put your own self to one side and become the man that you are destined to be. Don’t waste the gifts and opportunities God has given you. Make a difference, but please, be aware that you may pay a heavy price to become that person.”

From that time forward Ken deposited funds into an account in Sarah’s name. He made monthly contributions of sufficient value to keep both Sarah and her family in comfort as well as support her charitable work. He may not have been able to marry Sarah and as time passed his longing for her slowly diminished, but he would not forget her. With maturity he became more rational and gained a greater understanding of the realities of life. Sometimes life was not kind.

Sarah had been right, their relationship could never have worked. Ken doubted he would ever see her again. She had impacted his life as no one before ever had and as no one would again for many years to come. Ken felt he owed Sarah a great debt. She had never shown any disrespect to her family or his. She never once compromised her own beliefs or faith. She was the most remarkable person he had ever known and he would always treasure his time with her.