- This is PART 2 of a 3 Part Fiction Series for #ScholarAndScribe and the #dreemport challenge.
- This is Part One.
- For more on the DreemPort and Scholar and Scribe Challenge, Read This!
Then
Odd, we’d only just met, and I HATED to disappoint her. I was proud of my line handling. Seamanship? I hated to see it, but, clearly she was let down. There was a hidden anger, maybe. Disappointment, too. I seemed to always disappoint her. Basics?
Port and Starboard, Forward, Aft, fine. But navigation? Wind and waves? Current? Finding drift, and time over ground, and plotting? I could see it in her eyes. She kept reminding me, we were heading out where the ocean is deep. She said, “There are giants out there in the canyons, and a Good Captain can’t fall asleep.” Always talking about the future… always quoting songs... was that William Martin Joel? ...and there was a mix on her part, there. Can’t tell. Sadness? Anger?
One thing I could do, was cook though. She loved it. Much of her praise was for my amazing Yia Yia. She simply adored her, even though they never met! She loved that my grandmother raised me to take command of the kitchen. Although, on board, we never called it Kitchen, it was the “Galley.” Me, in the kitchen? Always took away that look (anger? Sadness?) And brought a smile to her face; Not just her mouth, but her eyes smiled, too.
I learned about the weather, too, and some of that helped me in the galley. Planning a meal, looking at the weather charts, seeing if it was safe outside. Days out, and we were expecting rough seas. So, that meant cooking now, for easy to reheat meals. Easy to eat meals. Sometimes it meant more sandwiches. Sometimes, it meant grabbing snack bars. But we lived for those sumptuous meals in the cabin, laughing about our day.
Somewhere offshore of Costa Rica, and the Galapagos, I noticed it. Tension. We’d be moving, and no matter how big a Yacht we were on, I would turn around and she would be bumping into me. Those early days, I am not sure if I ever really was NOT blushing!
That tension, I couldn’t tell, was she mad? Or upset at me?
Now
As I walked along the docks, back toward her, I could see all the other boats. I’d judge. I was looking at other boats, with her eyes, now. I was looking at hatches, and hatch covers. I was looking to see dinghy’s tied down and secure, or not. Rigging taught? Were all the running lights in order? Little details that I never saw before. Lines coiled and flaked just so…
Then
That tension built. Some was my own frustration. Here I was, I thought, crew, and yet she was driving me hard. If I wasn’t sitting watch, I was learning to read weather charts. I was learning about basic navigation, and advanced seamanship. Some of it was clearly coursework. She was a forger Coast Guard instructor. Some of it was simply learning from her, and doing it her way on deck. Classes! I thought for SURE, I was done, with classes. But no…
She was always over me, driving me harder to get it right… NO mistakes.
And I hated to disappoint her. I lived for her smile. And getting it wrong did NOT bring out that smile.
“NO! Come ON! You know this… magnetic deviation? It’s right there on the chart! COME ON. Slow down and think… it’s not a trick, it’s all right there in front of you! We don’t have time for…”
I’d stumble over seemingly simple things. And more, she would get upset. Finally, during one session, I finished taking the test. I handed it to her, and she sat at the table in the pilot house. I took over the helm, while she went over the test. I’d look over my shoulder and see her, brows furrowed. Slightly shaking her head. I was hoping against hope a giant wave would swallow me, so I wouldn’t have to face her, when the grading was done.
“Well… that it’s it then.” She pronounced, and stood. I turned in the helm chair, and faced her, eyes down, “Look at me!” She was always in command.
Suddenly, she moved close to me, almost nose to nose, and whispered, “You passed.” So softly. So quietly, she roared. Wait… what? I what?
She moved ever so slightly,. And our lips were touching, barely
She kissed me, “I am so proud of you…” her voice trailing off.
“Is the autopilot set?” It was. She took in all the instruments, and then, reached a hand to mine. I rose, and took her hand, following her to the bench behind the pilot table. She put her hands on my shoulders, and sat me down, her standing between my thighs, and she moved, once again, to kiss me.
It may have been hours, days, or only 30 seconds, I have no idea. She had the softest, sweetest kisses. It was all we did for the rest of the afternoon.
I know this much, she was not mad or disappointed then.
Now
I loved meals, on board. I love planning for meals. In making my run to the stores, I planned meals based on the schedule. I knew I would be making meals one day a week, and packing them for 4 or 5. I’d make fresh meals one or two days week.
Then
The tension eased, with those kisses daily. It was something we did now. Stop, and kiss, when we moved past each other. But when she wasn’t looking, I saw her face change. Her expression dropped, to something… different. When I knew she wasn’t looking at me, I could see it, I just didn’t know what IT was.
I was new to both expedition trawlers and to her… so, was it some inherent tension about the trip across the Pacific? Or, was it something else? Was she mad at me? Did I do something wrong? At the time, I was barely 18, and my experience with women, was, well, limited to 18 year old girls. Frankly, I was in over my head, and barely keeping my head above water!
We’d just set out west, towards the open ocean. She had said, she finally felt we were ready for the sea and the big crossing. The first part of the journey, weather was good and a following sea was forecast. That meant, winds behind us, and the seas pushing us a little bit faster. We were averaging a good Ten knots, plus. I was smiling.
Now
I remember that first time, I knew. Her face had dropped and she repeated it, “We don’t have time for…” She always cut herself off mid sentence whenever she started to say this.
Then
This was amazing. The wide sea. The air. The fun! I was smiling. And then, I wasn’t.
She snapped at me, for of all things, an open drawer, not quite latched to the weather. Inside, were wooden and plastic spatulas, some whisks, a can opener, corkscrew, ,some other kitchen utensils. I felt lower than low, as she repeated for the thousandth time about safety and basic seamanship. And then, I saw her face drop. She got a fairway look and her mind wandered off to … somewhere.
I stood up, walked right into her personal space, wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her too me. She was mid-sentence going on about… nothing. I put both my hands on her soft cheeks, turned her head to meet me, and reached forward, and brushed my lips on the top of her nose.
“Tell me what it is. Tell me this deep dark secret that has you so mad, and let help you feel better.” She looked back into my eyes, and brushed her lips against the tip of my nose, and started crying. We stood for what felt like hours or only minutes, arm in arm, holding each other, who knows how long for sure? Once she stopped her sobbing, her shoulders stopped bouncing in silent tears, too. Eventually even her silent tears stopped. ...She started to tell me.
This is the SECOND PART of a 3 Week Fiction Series Writing Challenge as part of the @dreemport and #scholarandscribe
To learn more, Click HERE For DreemPort Announcement
With Apologies to Songwriters: Michael Curtis / Richard Curtis / Stephen Stills. I based the journey in this story, loosely, on their amazing Song, Southern Cross
There's a stolen line she speaks, from Downeaster Alexa, by Billy Joel, dearest Dreemie.
My ENGAGEMENT BINGO Card on #dreemers, and Part One Fiction for the #scholarandscribe #dreemport Fiction Writing Challenge.
Leave me a comment, below... and a link to your garden!
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That is love and encouragement, having someone who adore and correct some of our mistakes is a great thing, just as they say, no one knows it all and if this kind gesture could be found in love.
Then that particular love has it all.
Nice entry.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh SO SO GOOD!/GREAT!
I started reading and didn't stop. I think I stopped breathing too :D
I can not wait for next week!!
I have the next week mostly written! Cannot wait to see how people respond to it!
hehehehe this is so fabulous!!! poor 18 year old has not a clue what to do with this woman who has him all wrapped up in knots! hehehe
by the way - that's my favorite song up there so you better be adding credit in this post for those lines! I woudn't miss them anywhere hehehehe (and yes - i know you just forgot cuz you are good with that always)
but what is causing her such anguish.. what is making her so tormented - and most of all - is he going to be the one to solve it all for her???
part 3 ... come quickly!
ooops.
Editing to include credit
Aw... :(
No... the romance... don't let it die.
Bring back the naivety and hope goddammit!!
I've written Part 3 monthly... I hope everyone is going to be OK wiht it!
Well that sounds intriguing
I am happy with the writing, we'll see on how everyone likes the conclusion.
What could be bothering her??? Maybe an ex, or what might have been?
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We shall see what happens to our couple.
Woah so intriguing! I was looking for when she was going to say everything that was eating her up. Hmmm....he is good observer and he is so lovely and sweet to have been noticing that thing eating her up. I guess he is an apprentice to her and same time a lover.
Apprentice, first, and falling in love, next?
I'm loving the romance already hehe
Okay I have a seriously love / hate relationship with part 3... love looking forward to reading it and hating that it's going to be the final part. But that's nothing new for me with your fiction writing.
I hope everyone likes Part3.
It's mostly written. I jsut need to finish editing and tweaking
Wait... I missed part 1...
BRB
I think that SHE is a product of her Parents' Genetics (Nature) while HE is a product of his Environment (Nuture!)
Or, should we NOT mix our metaphors/stories, here without Coffee, Tea or a Cocktail?
Genetics Schmetics.
No such thing.
Now proven 😄
With fresh orange juice?
LOL!
Got it... we're all randomly created... no Deoxyribonucleic Acid to see here!!! move along, move along!
https://drgabormate.com/trouble-dna-rat-race/
:)
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I almost forgot about the bingo card. Not even checking whom I visited there 🤣
You don't have to do the bingo card. IF you do, you can earn extra points from DreemPort for it. Sometimes ,it's fun, too, to see others' writing.
I'm visiting others though. But not marking them on the card. Lol.
Oh my... oh my... the first part had me enthralled. Part 2 had me sitting with bated breath... willing them together... over and over again... you create such wonderful tension and sensuality in your erm... fiction, Greg... I love your style... and I don't want this story to end... ever!!! hahaha. I think the way in which you have utilised the Now and Then back 'n forth construct... switching between changing moods and experiential viewpoints, works so well for this story. Seriously... do I have to wait a whole week for part 3? !LUV !hivebits !LOLZ
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(1/4)
Part three is the story I am dying to read.
Such a soft romance between them both. Do you know what gets me the most? The tiny little bits of detail about sailing. It is in-depth.
I love the strong female personality this woman has. Now we get to see the vulnerable part in part 3 I guess.
I love strong female characters, too!
Eiiiiiiii...
The young one is new to women like this...
But then What could be wrong?
I'm curious part 3 would do justice to my curiosity I think
You got me glued all through
I enjoyed it
there certainly does seem to be some EBB and flow to this story!
I love the back and forth of time. It reminds me of the sway of the ocean. It adds that ebb and flow of the sea to your story about the sea. Loved it and am looking forward to tomorrow when I'll be able to read part 3.
it arrives in about 2 hours (Scheduled Post!)
That's abt 3:10 your time
Thanks for the update 💛
The first picture reminding some memories of a few years ago when I was on a field trip to Saint Martin Island. There was almost the same kind of scenario.
I enjoyed reading your post and I also noticed that you already published the third part of it. I will read it soon also.
Thanks for stopping! I sure hope you enjoy Part III