"Yes, my life changed when I met you, Nikolas. I am so happy that I pray this might never end." The soothing firmness of his embrace made Anna close her eyes and feel secure in Nikolas's strong arms.
Anna was also dreaming about their future home in a suburb of Athens, or perhaps in San Francisco. "Isn't it a little too early to think about that?" Nikolas wondered aloud, concerned about his career as a naval officer. The drums of war were getting louder and louder, but in her happiness, Anna did not hear them. As the night slowly pulled down a curtain of darkness, Nikolas and Anna were effused, body and soul.
At about two o'clock in the morning, a loud, repeated knocking at the cabin door shot through the early hour like bullets. A heavy crackling voice enhanced by alcohol accompanied the noisy interruption.
Anna, who had fallen asleep in Nikolas's arms, sat up, startled awake by the noise.
"Nikolas! Nikolas! Wake up!"
"What is it, Agape?"
"Someone is at the door."
Nikolas quickly pulled on his trousers and went to the cabin door.
"Who is it?" he asked. Although there was no response, he opened the door.
"Mrs. Bouras!" exclaimed Nikolas.
"Anna-where is Anna?" she slurred.
"She is here, Mrs. Bouras," replied Nikolas.
Anna came to the door, now wideawake. "Oh God, Mother, are you all right?"
Anna and Nikolas helped Melpo to a chair. Anna brought a towel dampened with cold water and placed it on her mother's forehead. Melpomeni opened her eyes and tried to sit up but had difficulty, and slumped back into the chair.
"Oh, where have you been, child," she murmured. "I have been worried sick about you. I had to have something to drink to try to calm down. I thought something had happened to you ... you might have been hurt, fallen overboard ... I was so worried, I didn't know where you were … " She struggled to get up again.
"Mrs. Bouras, please." Nikolas reached out to stabilize her.
"Don't you dare touch me, Nikolas Theophilos! Take your hands off me!" Melpo shouted, suddenly full of fury. "You insulted me in front of everybody and now you think you can molest my child, my only daughter-"
"Mrs. Bouras, I can assure you, Anna and I-"
Anna cut in:
"For God's sake, Nikolas! Whatever happened between you and my mother? Why didn't you tell me about it?"
"But, Agape-"
"Don't 'Agape' me!" Anna shouted. Nikolas reached out his hand to her, but Anna recoiled and ran into the bathroom, tears burning in her eyes. She buried her face in her hands and broke down, crying.