The GOOD the BAD and the UGLY

This blog was not about posting sunshine and rainbows…the struggles have been real and the rewards immense. But I sadly am a very proud person. Sometimes decisions are made based on that trait. Today may be one

We have a recurring guest. To say the least we consider each other friends. She texts me when she is off the boat asking for advice or help to get back on the boat. I council she and the owner. Ya know my 3rd job description….therapist. I do it gladly…to help them both.

She comes back on the boat for the first time in 3 months. She gives me hugs and kisses and says I missed you more than (the owner). We have a wonderful time getting caught up. On the 3rd day of her being on board, I go to the bathroom and I see her in my room…she is startled that I am there. She says “my love, I need your perfume, it was here yesterday…” I pull it out of my suitcase because I had packed it for my night at the hotel last night. She uses it and we go on with our day.

At the end of the day, they leave together. He has a flight in the morning out of state, and is allowing her to hang out at his home here for the week. I go to put earrings away in my jewelry case…and notice my diamond wedding ring is missing. About $8,000.00. Long story short…it is not on the boat. Knowing our guest has fallen on hard times and may be a bit desperate…but still not wanting to accuse, I text her and say “hey…I know you we searching for perfume in my room, did you happen to see a diamond ring? It’s missing.

She responds these? With a photo of that ring and 4 others. I said yes! Those are my rings…how did they get there? …no response…I text….what happened?….No response I text her “What is goin on?”…no response. I text my boss in Colorado, he is appalled, he says go to my house now…go.go.go..and while you’re there grab the bowl on the table with keys in it.

On my way to my bosses house, the guest starts calling and texting.. I’m driving and not responding…at a long red light due to bridge crossing, I read a message from my boss.. He says, she inadvertently picked your jewelry up while packing…she is sorry.

I replied…umm, no. None of her personal belongings were ever in my room. Furthermore, my jewelry is in case buried under other personal stuff. In order to get to the ring, she had to open the closet, find the case, unzip the case, find the rings and unsnap the closure, pick the rings she wanted to take. Zip the case, and replace it under the other belongings in the closet..

I go to his house and she is acting as if I am drama. I videoed it for my protection. It’s actually comical. She’s yelling, “Do you really think, I need your rings?” I reply… I don’t care what your motive is..my rings were taken…you have crossed a line with me, and I am done.. I grab the bowl of keys for my boss and I leave

Later in the day, my boss texts me. “To avoid this in the future…maybe you should move back into crew quarters.“…I think…ummm what?! She steals from me, and your solution is to send me to crew quarters while no one else is living onboard? And here comes my pride…this job has been wonderful…but for this to be the solution. I even said, how about my jewelry gets moved to locked crew quarters? He says, no, I think it’s best if you just go there…I’m glad you got to enjoy guest quarters while you did!

I’m now creating my first deckhand resume. I met with other friends in the industry who agree. He’ll never find another me…it’s time to bail