Published July 01. 2021 6:22PM
Kathleen Stauffer
Kathleen Stauffer
The ocean was layered with the legion-blue and emerald-green waves that curl along Florida’s Treasure Coast. We were newly vaccinated and on our honeymoon.
A table of cruise travelers nearby was taking the joviality that so often accompanies vacations and fruity drinks to a new level of loud. Despite a blazing sunshine, their merriment dampened the atmosphere for the rest of us. One bellowing fellow repeatedly ignored his friends’ polite shushes while the rest of us winced, exchanged glances and shook heads in mutual annoyance.
“I’m so retarded!”
“Sh-h-h….” With a futile whisper, an embarrassed dining companion tried a redirect. “I told you, we don’t say that word anymore.”