August Slipped Away

Not Even All Alone

August 2, 2006

-

"Oh my gosh I see it! Look!" gushed Taylor as she pointed out the window of the taxi which was transporting her, both of her parents, and her younger brother, Austin from the airport to the harbor.

"What? Where? I can't see it!" Austin exclaimed as he craned his neck trying to get a better view out the window.

"How can you possibly miss a giant cruise ship?" Taylor asked with a laugh. "It's like, right there, practically screaming 'Look at me, I'm absolutely humongous for no reason whatsoever!'" she continued to lightheartedly tease.

Austin only rolled his eyes. "Well excuse me if I don't see something right away and-"

"Okay you two, the trip hasn't even started yet, let's all try to get along," Scott said looking pointedly at his two children, particularly at his son. "We're here to celebrate all of your sister's hard work okay? Try to just have fun."

"Alright, alright," the 14 year old relented with a sigh before turning to look back out the window, finally spotting the cruise ship that the Swift family would soon be boarding.

"Ugh this is gonna be so much fun!" Taylor practically squealed. "I still can't believe we get to sail and see a bunch of islands for a month straight! You guys are seriously the best!" she said to her parents.

"You deserve it, honey," said Andrea with her warm smile. "Your dad and I are both so proud of all your dedication and hard work that you put into doing what you love."

Her father nodded in agreement. "Even if it doesn't do well, we still are just as proud."

This comment caught Taylor slightly off guard. It seemed so backhanded, but she just figured that her dad meant well because she didn't want to ruin the mood. "Thanks guys," she said with a genuine smile. None of this felt real to her. The fact that she finally had an album coming out in a few months- an album that she's really proud of at that, the fact that she was about to get to go on the tropical adventure of her life for the next month, none of it. It just seemed like a dream that was too good to be true.

The ship was set to leave the harbor on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 and return exactly four weeks later on Wednesday, August 30, 2006, just in time for Taylor and Austin to start school back in Nashville that September.

It was a rather large ship that included countless things to do while traveling from island to island, ranging from both outdoor and indoor pools, a bowling alley, jacuzzis, a small mini golf course, water slides, lots of little stores to shop at, and areas exclusive to adults, teens, and kids. Not to mention the elegant, and rather huge dining hall and many events that the cruise line had set up for the coming month, ranging from performances to dances to movie nights. It really was a dream.

There were different rooms and suites on the ship, and the particular suite that the Swifts would be staying in included a master bedroom, which was connected to a master bathroom, and two smaller bedrooms which were both attached to the master, and which were met in the middle by a bathroom for the smaller rooms to share. There was also a large balcony which was accessible through both the master bedroom and one of the smaller ones. All things considered, it was very nice and would provide the family of four with enough of their own space while still keeping them very close.

After arriving at the harbor to board and finally getting through security, the Swifts excitedly boarded the ship, barely giving themselves enough time to marvel and the grandness and beauty and everything else the ship had to offer as they quickly made their way to the suite they were to stay in, which was located on the tenth deck.