Attention: This material is for young people sixteen and over only.  Viewer discretion is advised…

The next port of call was Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands.  The Cayman Islands are a British port and one of the more posh islands on the cruise itinerary.  Christopher Columbus discovered the island in the 1500’s.

The girls discovered that Grand Cayman was famous for several things… turtles, sting rays, rum and a town called Hell.  In fact, many travelers come to THIS island just to post a letter and send it straight from, well – you know where. 🙂

As the girls boarded the bus to Hell, a familiar looking woman got on the bus…

“We’re over here, Aunt Bea!” exclaimed Prudence.

“It’s been forever since I saw my beautiful little nieces!” said Aunt Bea.  “You’ve both gotten so big and so gorgeous!” She kissed and hugged Bea then sat down next to Purity after their hug hello.

“I thought it might be fun to have Aunt Bea come with us, today!” said Prudence.

“That’s cool!” said Bea.  Aunt Bea had, herself lost quite a bit of weight.  Both Bea and Purity were glad to see her looking well.

“I lost my dead beat boyfriend, the other day,” said Aunt Bea.

“Which is one of the reasons I thought you’d enjoy an outing with us,” said Prudence.

“All right, ladies and gentleman,” said the bus driver in a thick island accent.  “We are now going straight to Hell!  Buckle up!  Here we go!”

Once they arrived in their destination, most of the tourists beat it towards either the post office or the limestone formations behind it. Aunt Bea and the girls wandered over to the gift shop and bought trinkets to commemorate their trip to Hell.

 

 

Aunt Bea bought each of her little nieces a flowing caftan to wear for the remainder of the cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We can wear these over our swimsuits at the pool,” said Bea.

They posted their letters after the crowd died down a bit.

Then they grabbed some lunch.

“I’m thinking hot wings and fries would be an appropriate lunch to have in Hell,” said Purity.

Purity was enjoying using the word Hell in as many sentences as she could.  Bea however, was NOT comfortable being in the location, let alone using the word.

“Why are you so quiet?” asked Purity.  “We can say Hell all we want!”  Aunt Bea and Prudence don’t care…”

“I know but I thought I saw Braiden back at the cruise dock,” said Bea.  “And you know how mom doesn’t let us…”

“I’m eighteen,” informed Purity.  “And I’ll be damned to Hell if I’m not going to say Hell every time I want to say it!  Hell!  If you can’t say Hell in Hell, where can you say it!??”

The tour group got back on the bus after eating lunch and drove to Tiki Beach.

“Ok, that’s it!  My feet are done!” announced Prudence. “I’m not moving from this lounge chair for the next three hours.  The ship sails at 5pm.  That gives us plenty of time to get back onboard.”

“Mind if I take the girls over to those artist easels down the beach?” asked Aunt Bea.  “I haven’t spent any time alone with them in so long.”

“Of course, Aunt Bea,” said Prudence.

“I’ll send over a Mai Tai,” said Aunt Bea.

“Thanks,” said Prudence.

The girls felt uneasy with Aunt Bea at first.  It had been a very long time.  But, Prudence had warned them that getting comfortable with those outside the immediate family might feel rather odd, at first.

Aunt Bea paid for the three of them to rent art easels, paints and brushes. They were then set up on the beach.  Afternoon tea was even being served as folks from all walks of life painted by the seaside…

The girls had a great time talking with Aunt Bea.  It was clear she was struggling with a recent break up.  But the sparkle in her eyes and her laugh was so sincere.  She was so happy to see her oldest nieces.  They painted pictures well into the afternoon.

“Well, this has been fun!” said Aunt Bea as she returned the girls into Prudence’s care.

“How did the pictures turn out?” asked Prudence.

“I painted Aunt Bea a picture to remember us by,” said Bea.  Aunt Bea turned over the canvas in her hand.

“Don’t you love it!” asked Aunt Bea.

“Yes, said Prudence.

“I’m going to hang it in my apartment,” said Aunt Bea.  “It will help me remember my beautiful day with my beautiful nieces.” They hugged and kissed good bye on Tiki Beach.

“Just you remember,” started Aunt Bea, “You’ve already been to Hell and back!  It can’t get much worse than that!” She waved good bye as a speed boat took her to her hotel.

“I really loved seeing her,” said Purity.

“Me too,” said Bea.  She smiled. “One thing I REALLY love about traveling is that I’m surprised that I like a place like this as much as I do.” They still had two more days and nights of their cruise.

“I know,” said Purity. “When we got off the boat, I thought – another island.  But Hell, I so enjoyed my visit to Hell!  I will be back in Hell again someday!”  They both laughed out loud as they followed Prudence back to the ship.