Dream of the Blue Room by Michelle Richmond

Author:Michelle Richmond [Richmond, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Literary, Fiction, General, Psychological, Young women, Death, Psychological fiction, Married women, Yangtze River (China), Friendship
ISBN: 9780553386547
Publisher: Random House Digital, Inc.
Published: 2010-02-23T08:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

Late in the evening, the repairs miraculously completed, we feel the grumble of machine life below us, the engine kicking to life. There is a great groaning, a terrible ruckus, and we begin to move. Buoy lights blink on the river. I can’t stop staring at Graham—the tumble of gray hair over his collar, the tight sinew of his neck, the way he bites his lower lip when he is deep in thought. In these moments it is difficult to believe that he is a man already resigned to his own death.

It is dawn when we reach Wuhan, a day and a half behind schedule. The city stinks of coal, even in the downpour. The dock is crowded with boats. Along the banks hundreds have gathered to stack sandbags for the flood. Shirtless men labor in the glow of flashlights, the headlights of parked cars.

The passengers, meanwhile, are unhappy. A meeting is called in The Room of the Ancient Poets. The walls are decorated with huge Chinese characters, descending from ceiling to floor. Elvis Paris informs the green group that the ship is going on, since it has another tour group to pick up in Chonquing and take downstream. We may remain onboard, or, for a small additional fee, we may take rooms in town and “enjoy the Alternate Vacation Plan, which is described in your brochure.” I have read my brochure thoroughly but have found no such plan. According to Elvis, the alternative vacation involves a plane to Xi’an to see the Terra Cotta Warriors, followed by a train to “the charming city of Guilin, ancient inspiration of artists and poets,” and a three-hour cruise down the Li River, “which is even more beautiful than the Yangtze.”

“I have to make it to the Three Gorges,” I tell Dave, thinking of the red tin stashed in the safe in our cabin.

“Of course. We’ve come this far.”

I find Graham on the edge of the crowd. “What’s your plan?”

“I’m staying,” he says.

Stacy appears, wanting to know if we’re staying or going. Dave tells her we’re in for the long haul. Stacy looks relieved. “So am I.”

Those of us who choose to stay are told that we “embark upon the remainder of the cruise at your own risk. Red Victoria Cruise Line cannot be held responsible for unforeseen dangers encountered due to the unexpected flooding.” This disclaimer is broadcast over the intercom at regular intervals during the morning. “You will spend the day touring exciting Wuhan,” The Voice says. “Those who would like alternate vacation plan, please report to the spectacular Hotel Double Happiness to join the group at 1500 hours. If you choose to go all the way to Chongqing, please report to ship by 1700 hours.”

“So,” Stacy says. “What’s there to do in Wuhan?”

“We should go see the baiji,” Graham says.

“The what?”

“It’s a type of dolphin that’s inhabited the Yangtze for millions of years,” Graham explains. “There are only fifty left. I believe one of them is still in captivity at the Institute of Hydrobiology in Wuhan.

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