Ocean breathes salty

When I was fourteen I lived in Alaska and spent the summers working at a candy shop that catered to the cruise ship tourists. My best friend was named Taffy. She didn't work at the shop, we knew each other from Juneau-Douglas High School.

Taffy's older sister was named Ginger. Both girls lived with their mother, Candy, whohad a strange sense of humor.

Candy's live-in lover was named Neelie. She thought the family cat was an alien from outer-space that was staying with them temporarily on a scouting mission, and Candy believed her. I don't remember the cat's name, but it was no alien. It was just a big, fat, dumb cat.

When the cruise ships pulled into the channel each day, Taffy and I would eagerly make plans. Which big boat would we try to sneak onto?

The ships didn't just mean tacky older tourists, they also meant cute, young and restless crew members.