Shuffleboard and Second Chances: Finding Friendship at Sea

I was standing at the railing on Deck 12, nursing a mediocre cappuccino from the Horizon Court buffet, watching the ocean blur into itself when I heard the announcement: "Shuffleboard tournament sign-ups now open in the Atrium. No experience necessary. All skill levels welcome!" I almost didn't bother. The whole reason I'd booked this solo cruise on the Enchanted Princess was to avoid forced socializing and people in general. After a brutal year of layoffs at work and a messy breakup, I'd saved enough for this seven-day voyage through the Caribbean, and my plan was simple: read books, eat good food, and pretend the rest of the world didn't exist. But something about the announcer's tone—cheerful without being pushy—made me think about it. And honestly, I was bored. I'd already finished two novels, and it wasn't even noon on our first sea day. The shuffleboard courts on Deck 12 were tucked away from the main crowds, which appealed to me. Maybe some mindless sliding of pucks around a painted court was exactly what I needed. When I got to the sign-up table about an hour later, I immediately regretted the decision. A woman in her seventies with bright purple nail polish was organizing…