Chapter 10 Luka

Mr. Griffin, a short man with a tanned face, lumbered towards them. His belly strained against his stained polo shirt. Luka felt a familiar knot of tension coil in his gut. The man’s booming voice made his head throb in the heat.

“Alright, deck jockeys!” Mr. Griffin bellowed. “You two mopping molasses? This deck ain’t going to shine itself, ya hear?”

“Yes, sir,” Luka and Charlie responded in unison.

Luka’s eyes stung from the strong disinfectants as he pushed the soapy mop across the massive deck. The rhythmic swish-swish was accompanied by the distant laughs of partying passengers and Charlie’s muttered curses. The relentless sun beat down on his neck, and the tang of chlorine filled his lungs. He wasn’t born for this, glancing at the filthy deck, more suited to a surfing board than a mop. But he would make his father proud of him again.

Charlie grunted beside him. “Deck’s bigger than Kansas,” he grumbled, his mop hitting a stubborn stain with unnecessary force. “My arms are going to fall off.”

Luka laughed. “At least we’re not in Kansas,” he replied. “Think of it as…ocean breeze therapy.”

Charlie snorted. “Yeah, right? Therapy with a side of splinters and suspicious slime.” He jabbed his mop at a murky patch. “You think this boat’s ever actually clean?”

Luka shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Our job is to pretend it is.” He dunked his mop with a sigh. He hated this job, the endless monotony, the ache in his muscles.

“We’re working hard, Mr. Griffin,” Charlie muttered.

Mr. Griffin scoffed. “Hard work don’t cut it if it ain’t smart work! You gotta put your backs into it, lads! Circular motions, overlapping strokes! Show that grime who’s boss!” He thumped Luka’s mop with a meaty paw, nearly sending him sprawling. “And for Pete’s sake, smile! Tourists love a happy deckhand!”

Luka gritted his teeth, the knot in his stomach twisting tighter. He forced a smile, the muscles in his face screaming in protest. This job was about swallowing his pride as much as scrubbing the deck. Every demeaning order, every patronizing pat on the back, chipped away at his dignity, leaving behind a dull ache of resentment.

“What happened to Brent?”

“He was sent to another deck. I’m sorry I got you in trouble,” Charlie said.

“You didn’t get me in trouble. I didn’t have to go. I wanted to. I just wish he hadn’t found me so early.”

“Brock told me he wanted to fuck me,” Charlie said.

“Did he?”

“Nope. He got a phone call from Captain Clarke.”

“Alright, deckhands,” Mr. Griffin barked, his voice clipped and short. “You two are movin’ like snails on sedatives. This deck needs to gleam like a star in the night.”

Luka fought the urge to roll his eyes. He knew the drill. Ten minutes on explanations, five on barking orders, and the rest left to their aching muscles and blistered hands. He forced a smile, pasting on his best “eager-to-please” expression.

“Yes, sir, Mr. Griffin,” Luka said, his voice chipper despite the scowl creasing his brow. “We’ll get right on it.”

“You lads have fifteen more minutes, then I’ll see you in the morning.”

Luka was surprised it was almost time to leave. He was sweating like a pig. No wonder Captain Clarke told him to shower and change.

“I’m having a talk with Captain Clarke during lunch.”

“About what?”

“Whether he’ll fuck me or not.”

“I knew it. He locks you in so no one can touch you. He’s fucking scary.”

“That’s not why. I think he will, though.”

“When?”

“I don’t know. I’m not in the mood right now.”

“Me either. I have a date tonight with Brock.”

“That’s Captain Clarke’s best friend.” Luka thought about Brock trying to come on to him. He had moved on to Charlie fast, but he certainly wouldn’t mention that.

“I know, he told me.”

“Where are you going?” Luka grinned and looked at the ocean.

“He’s taking me to dinner in the Grand Dining Room, then I don’t know.”

“I’m stuck in my cabin. I don’t know if he’ll have dinner with me or not.”

Mr. Griffin walked in between them. “Clock out. See you in the morning.”

“Yes, sir.”

Both put away their buckets and mops, then left.

“Are you going to be sent to the second shift, too?” Luka asked.

“No. I work one shift like Brent does. Is he making you work two shifts?”

“Yes. That’s what he said yesterday. I’m dead now.”

“We only worked six hours.”

“I’ve never worked a day in my life.”

“Really?”

“I was in college.”

“Hey, you guys.” Brent caught up with them in the elevator.

“How was your morning?” Charlie asked.

“Mopping. I need to shower, then eat.”

“See you guys tomorrow,” Luka said.

“Aren’t you coming to the mess hall?” Brent asked.

“Can’t.” Luka rushed off and walked down the hallway to his cabin. He unlocked the door and went straight to the shower. Every muscle in his body ached like an old man’s. He was in good shape, but that mopping was not good for his back. After he washed and rinsed his hair three times, he scrubbed his body, then rinsed. He toweled himself as soon as he got out and crawled into his bed under the covers. All he wanted to do was sleep, not work another shift. Just as he closed his eyes, Captain Clarke opened the door between their cabins.

“Hey, what are you doing in bed at noon?” Captain Clarke asked.

“I’m beat. Every muscle in my body is hurting.”

“I got an excellent report from Mr. Griffin about you. Are you hungry?”

“Yes, food sounds good.”

“Would you like a cheeseburger and fries with a milkshake?”

“Mmm, chocolate shake, please.”

“Do you have clothes on?”

“I was too tired to get dressed.”

“Some plans have changed. Get out of bed, and put on a pair of dress slacks, a white shirt, and tie. Black shoes and socks.”

“Yes, sir. I thought I had to work in my uniform.”

“That’s what’s changed. I decided you can work one shift, then I have other things for you to do. Since I’m in charge of you, I’ll decide on your rehabilitation.”

“Sounds good to me.” Luka got up and quickly dressed while Captain Clarke watched him with a grin on his face.

“Sit down at this table with me while I brief you on the changes.”

“Yes, sir.” Luka worried Captain Clarke was going to tell him there was no way they could have a relationship. He couldn’t handle another letdown.

“Hey, don’t look like that. It’s all good.”

“When you use words like, ‘brief me on changes’, that doesn’t sound positive.”

“I told you last night I want you. I had to think about how to make us work that would be fair to you. I’ve eased up on some of my rules and beliefs.”

“You have a lot of rules.”

“We’re going out for lunch. Today, I want you to be with me all day. You need to see what I do as a captain. I’ve taken the liberty of enrolling you in three online courses. I have your transcripts because they were included in the court papers. You will take classes in the afternoons. One way to teach you independence is to steer you in the right direction.”

“Why would you do that for me?”

“Because all punishment will not fix the problem. I expect you to do all the work assigned and get good grades.”

“Who paid for the classes?”

“Your father. I spoke to him, and he said if I could enroll you in school to finish up your degree in cybersecurity, he’d pay for it.”

“Did you talk to him today?” Luka wanted his father to stay in the United States so they could have a relationship. He’d never allowed Luka to visit him in Brazil, and his mother had said it was too dangerous being Rafael’s son.

“No, before we left. He gave me the money for the classes, and if I couldn’t get you in, he told me to save it for when your year is up.”

“Do you know if he returned to Brazil?”

“I don’t know. We’re still going to talk about us beginning a relationship.”

“I’d like that.”

“I’m taking you to the best hamburger restaurant on this ship. You’ll love it.” Captain Clarke stood tall and extended his hand, firmly grasping Luka’s, then pulled him closer.

Luka could feel the heat generated by their bodies as they pressed against each other, creating a comforting cocoon.

“You feel so good,” Luka said.

“I’d love to see your lips swollen.” Captain Clarke’s fingers traced Luka’s lips.

“I’d love your long tongue down my throat.”

“Do you like long things down your throat?”

“I do, sir.”

“We can work on that soon,” Captain Clarke said.

“Why wait? I’m willing to take your cock down my throat and suck you dry,” Luka said.

“Damn you, Luka, don’t tease me like that.” Captain Clarke lowered his hand and covered his erection through his slacks.

“Why won’t you let me?”

“We have to talk first.”