Karin’s Story

The following Sunday morning I asked Ron if we could take a trip from Copenhagen to Malmo, Sweden for the day. I figured it shouldn't be a problem, since I would be able to make it back in the evening to meet up with Gary (of course I didn't tell Ron that). I just needed to divert his attention while I tried to think of some way of getting out of my predicament. He agreed to the short day trip to Malmo, and we left for the harbor. But, as we were walking toward the ferry, I had an unexplained urgency to run, and told him, “Let's hurry and try to make this ferry.” As we ran, I saw the gangplank being removed by a couple of men. I yelled out to them to wait, because we wanted to get on. They stopped and put the gangplank back so we could step onto the ferry. I couldn't explain why I felt we needed to make that ferry, especially since ferries were continually leaving the harbor. But for some reason, I pushed for it as if it were the last ferry. As we stepped onto the gangplank that had been replaced for us, we let out a sigh of relief and rejoiced over having made it. But, just as we were reveling in our accomplishment, I glanced up, and to my astonishment, I saw Gary standing at the upper rear deck of the ferry, taking pictures with his camera. I couldn't believe my eyes. What in the world was he doing here? He said he was going to leave for Sweden on Saturday morning and visit over there while I was gone and be back in time to meet up with me at the café Sunday evening. I quickly considered my options, which were very few at this point. Getting off the ferry wasn't a possibility, since we were already beginning to set sail. I even considered jumping off the ferry, but quickly realized that would cause a whole set of additional problems. So, it seemed my only viable option was to look for a place to hide so that Gary wouldn't see us. Dragging Ron behind me, we quickly headed downstairs to get a cup of coffee and find a warmer, more secluded place to sit. I located the perfect spot below deck - a booth in a dark corner. There we sat drinking our coffee, with my eyes on the constant lookout for Gary. I became increasingly concerned, knowing that he was somewhere on the ferry and felt a need to come clean with him before he saw me with Ron. So, I told Ron I needed to use the restroom and went to seek him out. As I ran frantically throughout the ferry to try and find him, I felt totally undone and was worried sick, thinking he might see me with Ron. My mind and heart raced as I was trying to think of the best way to explain the true story about what I had been up to. As crazy as it might sound, I was already falling in love with him. I knew time was running short but I searched for him to no avail. I found my way back to Ron, but only for a minute, until I just had to continue my frenzied search for Gary. So, off I went again, making up a story about having stomach problems. I was in a complete state of panic by now and was frantically searching the most obvious places; I couldn't find him anywhere. I felt as though my world was falling apart and all my hopes and dreams were quickly vanishing.