The Busted Flush

[rashid]

OOC - For Chanaud on account of she's a parrot head too and I promised her first. This is the first private thread I've participated in - hope y'all like it



IC

The pain in my back forced me out of a deep, fatigue induced sleep. I twisted on the cushions under me, trying to get just comfortable enough to avoid opening my eyes and forcing my lanky, 6'2" frame to get up from the 6' bunk.
Eyes still closed, I listened to the wavelets lapping at the hull of the Busted Flush and the screech of seagulls stealing whatever they could from the fishermen in the harbor.

I didn't want to get up.......My head hurt, my body hurt and all I did want was to go back to sleep and wake up to a whole new reality. Not gonna happen......

I hadn't even made it to the cabin last night. Sometime in the wee hours I'd stumbled aboard and passed out on the quarterdeck. I don't drink often enough to do it well so my suffering was intensified by lack of experience. With a sigh I heaved my carcass off the bunk, rolled over on all fours and crawled to the short stairwell leading to the galley. Coffee - I had to get some coffee into me and shower last nights excesses from my weary bod.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm in the charter business on the south coast. It was my dream for twenty years. Everything I ever owned was invested in the Flush and it wasn't working. I needed more business. Just one more charter each week would make the difference but how was I going to make that happen? I was damn near broke and getting just a little desperate.

The coffee helped some - the shower helped some more and by the time the sun worked its way over the horizon, I felt almost human. Unfortunately my situation was still my situation but the combination of hot sun, hot coffee and clean clothes brought my stress level down to where I could remember why I'd started all this in the first place. Therapy

Nothing like a whole new life to mend a broken heart. One more day in Des Moines, buying groceries from Higgly Piggly or force feeding cattle for a living would have killed me more certainly than a bullet to the head. When Louise left me it was as if God had finally removed my last excuse to hide out from myself and, once the road was clear I just did it.

I loved it here. I loved the fishing, I loved the freedom, hell I even loved the customers (although I surely loved some of them more than others) I just needed a little bit more to meet expenses so I could hold it all together untill the business really took off.

Meanwhile I'd soak up some sun and let the body heal

 

[rashid]

I finished the coffee

changed into fatigues and lifted the hatch on the old 6-71 lurking under the quartedeck. time for a bit of routine maintenance. Turning wrenches has a way of soothing my mind - tighten this - adjust that - tap the dial and make sure its doing what it's there for. There is a zen in mechanical things and while I'm engaged nothing else intrudes into my awareness. Time passes and the sun travels the sky inch by inch until finally, when the work is done and I waken from my trance, it's blood red tentacles wrap themselves around the hills in the distance as if to hang on to the daytime just one final minute before falling off the edge of the world.

Suddenly I realize I'm hungry. Quickly, the tools go back in the tool locker, the hatch slams down and I'm over the side for a quick dip before showering and heading off to Earnies for some food. Earnies cafe' may be the oldest working establishment on the south coast. In the 20 years I've been showing up here everything has changed but Earnies Cafe'. The foods still great, the company is even better. No one asks too many questions of a personal nature but everyone is willing to help a neighbor or rescue a stranger in distress.

This night the place is very quiet. no one here but that redhead from pier 10 and she keeps to herself. More coffee and some cherry pie and ice cream passes for dinner and I let myself fall into the television on the counter. mindless bliss - life ain't so bad really...................

 

[chanaud]

Brett

A commanding voice echoed through the speakerphone, “Get in here, Brett!”

Drops of coffee spilled from my mug and onto the keyboard as I jumped a few inches from my seat. I set the mug down with a sigh and stood up immediately. There wasn’t enough time to clean the droplets of coffee but there was enough time for a pill. My hand trembled as I reached in my desk drawer. The trembles grew as I tried to open the damn childproof cap. After a few struggles, I was able to stick a pill in the back of my throat and swallow it down with a swig of my steaming coffee.

“Yeah boss?” I strode in with complete confidence. My insides were trembling like a frightened rabbit. The pill hasn’t taken effect yet.

“Brett, sit down.” The look in his eye was dark and menacing. The panic started to kick in but the pills subdued it in time. With his large hands folded on top of the dark oversized desk, he leaned forward and stared hard. After a few long moments, his face melted as his smile grew into a wide grin. “Congratulations, baby. Gulfwind Marine caved! They sign tomorrow morning.”

All the air rushed out of me allowing me to collapse in my seat. My father stood up and I followed his lead quickly. “I don’t know how my baby girl did it and frankly I don’t really care. But baby you did it! They just called me five minutes ago and want to meet us at 9 am. I’ve always known you could do it! You may have your mother’s looks, thank God! But you definitely got the brains from me.”

Liar! I thought. He never had faith in me. In fact, his words were the opposite a month ago. The business has no room for a woman especially a looker like me. This project took all the life out of me. I gave my soul 24/7. For what you ask? Why don’t be silly…for my father’s approval.

“Now that you brought our main competitor to their knees, what’s next? Are you ready to give it all up and get married?”

His words whipped me hard. A bottle of Valium couldn’t control the knives from shooting out of my expresso colored eyes.

“I told you I’m not ready to get married. I still have bigger plans.”

His eyes narrowed in wariness. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’ve been studying Biloxi for the last two weeks. Millions visit the casinos but only stay for a few days because there’s nothing else to do. Biloxi offers sunshine, warmth and just casinos. I think we should change all that and build a marina. Our marina can offer cruises, fishing charters, and various beach activities. The best part of all this is land is cheap there.”

I allowed a pause as I saw the wheels turning in his eyes. “We’ll take Biloxi by a storm and turn it into another Daytona. Imagine our own resort.”

“You’ve already staked out the land?”

“I haven’t actually visited but I’ve studied every tax records, land surveys, deeds… I can fly out right after we sign tomorrow morning. I’ll talk to a few people and get a feel of the area. Please say yes, if the area isn’t what I expected, all we lose is a plane ticket and minor expenses. You can even deduct it from my commission.”

As soon as I saw the slow nod, I jumped up and gave him a bear hug. “Thanks Daddy, you won’t regret it.”

 

[rashid]

Tuesday morning

brings a party of 6 aboard looking for a date with a barracuda. Never have figuered out the attraction but hell, I'm just the skipper They're payin for the fuel and they get what they want. The women start out in bikinis and end up half naked on the fo'csle while the guys swill beer and bullshit each other on the quarterdeck. Everyone has priorities - I just steer the boat. The ol 6-71 hums along at a steady 1500 rpm and the Flush cruises nicely at about 8 knots in a choppy sea. A light wind hits us off the starboard bow, temp's about 85 with light humidity and I'm as close to heaven as it gets.

This is what it's all about. The people come and go but the ocean is forever. At the end of a long days charter, I have happy clients, enough bread in the bank for next weeks moorage and the payment on the Flush. One more this week and I get to buy groceries.

As life goes, it's a bit lonely but it sure beats the next best thing.

Evening finds me alongside the dock with a face full of fresh shrimp, a nice glass of white wine and the stereo crooning 'Slow Boat to China' by the one and only Jimmy Buffett. I just wish I had someone to dance with...........

 

[chanaud]

Brett

Gulfwide Marine signed exactly at 9 like they promised. The few times I looked in the old man’s eyes, I felt remorse. He was trying to save his business on the hope that one of his grandkids would be interested, since none of his own weren’t. But time ran out. He didn’t have any capital to expand with his competitors so he was easy bait for the large corporate sharks like us.

Instead of joining the congratulatory drinks, I hopped on the Delta and took a direct flight to Biloxi. The plane ride unnerved me. I felt the walls close in. Tiny beads of sweat covered my forehead and traveled down the back of my neck. I sat there willing myself to relax but more I forced myself to, the quicker the panic was setting in. My trembling hand reached inside my purse and found the smooth bottle of relief I so desperately craved. After draining my Vodka and orange juice and two pills did my breathing slowed. Feeling comfortably numb, my eyelids finally relaxed enough to closure.

My body was still numb when I exited the terminal. Eyeing the first sign of a ladies restroom, I darted in. Only after splashing cold water on my face did I dare to look in the mirror. Not too bad, I thought. Just a little Visine was needed to rid of the redness.

The rental car company had two choices, a white Cadillac Deville or a tiny two door Kia. My long lean body preferred the Cadillac. An hour later, I was pulling into the Marriott Courtside…

 

[rashid]

The following morning

I got up early and just for a change of pace decided to actually eat breakfast. Naturally I ended up at Earnies with coffee and a couple over easy with a slab of ham and some of luella's pan fried potatoes - Nothing like a little health food to start your motor running.

I finished the food, read the paper and then I got restless. I felt a bit off kilter, like one of my shoes was too big or something but I couldn't put my finger on it -

On my way out I stopped and looked in the mirror behind Earnies cash register; I grinned at me. Silly ass.........Then I got into the Ranchero and drove up the coast. Sometimes I do that - get in the car and go - no rhyme nor reason - just go - enjoy the moment.

When I stopped, I had discovered paradise. A small cove in the middle of a long, empty stretch of coastline, across the highway from a clapped out old gas station that appeared to have been abandoned in the 50's. It took my breath away and for almost an hour I just sat on the long hood of the truck with my back against the windshield.

Once again I was reminded that God does good work and when I got back to Biloxi and the casino glitter, it seemed even more obnoxious than usual. There's not many places left for a man to live a normal life and since that's what I'd come here for in the first place, it grated on me.

Ten minutes later I pulled into the parking lot at the marina, narrowly avoiding sudden death as a white Caddy hurled itself onto the highway and headed for town. Behind the wheel I could make out only a mass of red hair and a white knuckled grip on the steering wheel. Another rat in the race..........."Am I going to live too long? I thought, Am I really going to have to watch everything I love go straight to hell?" It sure was starting to look like it.......

 

[chanaud]

Brett

The hotel room was nothing special. The room was decorated in the same mundane colors and factory made wall paintings. The king sized bed monopolizing the room made me sigh. What a waste for just one person. I didn’t bother to unpack but I did change into a comfortable pair of old Levi’s and ‘Dockside Marine’ corporate t-shirt. After pulling my hair back in a neat single ponytail and washing the jetlag from my ashen face, I was ready to scope the town.

I had two choices. Turn east and run into a strip of flashing neon lights. Or follow the smell of the salty breeze. My sleek long car turned west. After all, that’s why I’m here and I’ve always felt more comfortable near the water.

The scenery wasn’t much. Wait, I’ll be honest. It was bleak, horribly bleak. This is what casinos bring to a town. Though the gamblers don’t bother to see this. No, they lose their money in the slots and fly home to their suburbia life. As I drove further, I thought about what it took to clean this long jaunt from the strip to the water. The first thing that had to go was the trailer parks. Collaborate with developers to build enticing neighborhoods. You know, the kind with neatly manicured lawns with, swimming pools and cookie cutter homes.

My nose tickled at the first scent of the ocean. I rolled the windows down and allowed the warm breeze to coat my skin. Ahhhh…Yessss… The familiar scent made me feel at home. This is where I belong. It didn’t matter the city, state or country. The ocean was my home.

As the pungent scent of the ocean grew stronger, tourist shops appeared. Cheesy signs like 3 t-shirts for $10.00 were everywhere including tiny grocery stores and grew more expensive as I drove on. It felt like I went back in time. It looked like Myrtle Beach before the Shag was popular. I pulled out a notepad and a scripted Cross gold pen, and made notes of certain businesses that interested me. There were two small marinas. But, I already knew that through my initial investigation.

An Earnie’s Café caught my eye and my stomach. I drove by the entrance but the rumbling in my stomach begged me to stop. I made a U turn at the next intersection and pulled into the parking lot. The parking lot was semi-full. Judging from the older modeled vehicles, Earnie’s was a local hangout. And judging from the number of cars, the food was decent.

A woman in a pink single piece uniform greeted me. She had red beehive hair and matching red lips. When she asked me, “Table or Counter”, I can tell it was a fresh piece of Big Red gum that she was smacking on.

“Counter please”

She nodded, tilted her head to the direction of the long counter and returned to her tables without further word.

 

[rashid]

Earnies

That night I untied the Flush from her slip in the harbor and followed the compass up the coast to the cove I'd discovered the day before. From the water it was even more beautiful in a twilight zone kind of way - as if God had put an invisible wall around it so no one but me could even see it.

I spent the following day there writing in my journal and thinking about life, love and the future of both on the third rock from the sun. It was hard to see how either could survive the onslaught of corporate and private greed rolling over us like a cancerous cloud. It seemed clear to me that bigger might be more efficient in terms of buying power and killing the competition but it sure wasn't doing us any favors in the quality of life department.

A bittersweet day. By late afternoon I felt somewhat restored, as if just being here had cleared my heart and fed my soul and I made my way back to the marina in time for dinner at Earnies, feeling pretty good about life.

When I pulled the Ranchero into the parking lot, I couldn't help but notice that the white Caddy was back. It stuck out like a diamond necklace at a hobos banquet and I imagined the driver would look just about equally out of place inside...........

I didn't know how right I was

 

[rashid]

The instant I stepped through the door

I spotted Cadillac Girl sitting at the counter sipping a milk shake. She was smoother and more elegant than the GM version would ever be. Luella looked up from the cash register and greeted me with her usual "hi tomcat - have a seat", before hustling off to the kitchen to badger the rest of the staff.

I stood in the entrance with a stupid grin pasted on my face for way too long, thinking how much I needed someone to dance with. After a week or so, I found a booth and sat down only moments before I turned into a complete ass.
As I passed behind her stool towards the booth, I could feel her turn to watch me sit. Suddenly I was VERY hungry.

 

[chanaud]

After ordering a cup of coffee, I studied the paper menu aged with grease stains. It offered simple sandwiches for the light fares and full home cooked meals for the heavier appetites. By now, my stomach was grumbling impatiently from the enticing odors off the grill. The waitress seemed in no hurry to take my order. She was busy discussing her boyfriend’s woes with a group of truck drivers. Their coos of sympathy just encouraged her to continue and I knew it was going to be awhile until my appetite will be sated, so I pulled out a notebook and started listing my ‘To Do’ list.

A bell rang behind me bringing in a rush of fresh air. Though I was deep in thought, I was forced to pull away and turn from my seat. The bright sun formed a glow around a silhouette. My eyes squinted and through the glare, I was able to tell he was tall and lean. I frowned at the annoyance of being disturbed. But, something about his catlike walk kept me from turning away. I had to see the face that matched this smooth glide. Only when he was directly behind me, did I notice his face. Though his skin was tanned and weathered from the outdoors, I can see clearly his eyes danced with youthfulness. His face was straight aiming for a booth. A sideway glance made me smile. I knew what he saw – I didn’t belong here.

As I reached for my cup of black coffee, I noticed my hand was trembling again. My eyebrows furled into a knot. There shouldn’t be a reason why it should be doing that. My father wasn’t nearby and I was totally relaxed. Or was I? My heart was beating in my head forcing a rush of heat to my cheeks. Beads of sweat framed my heart shaped face. The trembling was increasing rapidly.

Immediately, I grabbed my bottle of relief and shook out two pills in one deft movement. After downing it with a quick gulp of the scalding coffee, I reached for my pen again and stared at the blurred page before me and waited for the pills to kick in.

Only after my breathing slowed and coolness reached my cheeks did awareness kick in. A magnetic force turned my head around. There he was staring at me. His face was expressionless but his eyes said it all – he saw everything.

 

[rashid]

from

my vantage point in the booth I gave Cadillac Girl the once over while I waited for Lu to finish her business in the galley and come back out to tell me what I was going to have for dinner. She wasn't dressed for the counter at Earnies, her hair and makup denied her relationship with a strawberry milkshake and the more I saw, the more she seemed out of context.

Then, as I watched her from behind, she began to tremble as if the air in the room had turned to frost. Seconds later her hand darted out somewhat frantically and came up with one of those plastic pill things you get prescription meds in from your local pharmacist. Twist the top, pop some pills and just as quickly the shaking eased off and she came back to normal.

In less than two minutes it was over as if it had never happened and I was left holding a bag of adrenaline, poised for action with no action to take. Something was wrong - physically, emotionally, or both, but it was none of my business. I was a boat bum and she was a Cadillac Girl. I figured she was someone elses dance partner and if my help wasn't needed I'd stay out of it. Still a bit concerned, I was easing back into the booth when her head swiveled around and hostile eyes skewered me where I sat.

"Sorry" I said "are you ok?"

 

[chanaud]

A small jolt went through me when I saw his watching eyes. This was the first time I got caught. A wall of defense immediately clouded my eyes. My spine straightened and I answered him in my board meeting cold tones.

“Of course, I’m ok.”

A realization came over me. This man is innocent. He’s just extending his kindness and doesn’t mean any harm. This is what people do outside of my world.

“Yes, thank you. It’s just jet lag. It should pass soon.”

My soft tones tried to convince him. His eyes narrowed into tiny slits. He wasn’t buying my story. My eyes darted away desperately looking for a distraction. I spun in my barstool to shield his watchful eyes with my back.

 

[rashid]

It's just jet lag.....

Lame as it was, I let it pass. People tell me what they want to tell me when it suits them to do so. Meanwhile I mind my business and leave them to theirs.

Hostility as a protective device I understood. I also got the breeding which generated the apologetic follow up. Turning her back to me just said she knew I wasn't buying it and she was afraid she might like me and spill the beans and then, God knows, I'd use the knowledge to lord it over her like every other asshole in her life.

Fair enough.

But the question of what she was doing here in the first place begged an answer - Earnies didn't see a lot of Cadillac Girls.

"Well miss", I said, taking a battered business card out of my shirt pocket, "my name's Thomas Dermott and my friends call me Tomcat. I own a charter boat down here on the warf called "the busted flush" and I'd be honored to show you around the basin sometime, if you have an inclination to see the sights. Hope you enjoy Biloxi"

I left the card on the counter and hit the door without coffee, pie or any other thing that might have passed for food. Once outside I gave it 30 seconds thought, decided she'd either show up or she wouldn't and went home to the Flush and slept. I had planned maintenance to do in the morning.

 

[rashid]

I slept well enough

and the following morning I had the usual coffee and donut for breakfast and then started in on my maintenance routine. Nothing spectacular, just the usual make and mend. Pump the bilge, change the fuel filters on the diesels, check oil levels, top off the fuel tanks and record the # of gallons in the running log, polish the brass etc.etc.

It's mostly mindless work and throughout the day the image of the Cadillac Girl at the counter in Earnies kept creeping into my head like a nagging wife. Much as I wanted it to go away and leave me in peace it wouldn't. What was she doing here? What was so wrong in her life that she needed to medicate herself to cope? Why was she so damn pretty and most important what the hell was wrong with me that I felt the need to protect her from whatever it was?

"Tomcat" I thought, as I tapped the dial on the voltmeter to check battery levels, "it's time you learned to mind your own business. Whatever she's doing in Biloxi it has nothing to do with you son - better you should concentrate on your next charter - daydreaming about pretty girls won't pay the bills..........."

Just before noon I closed the hatch to the engine compartment made myself a ham sandwich and climbed up to the pilotage with a cold Corona to take a break in the big captains chair. With my mouth full and a cold beer within reach I relaxed and used the time to read the current copy of Wooden Boat. I still have dreams of moving up to a 50 or 60 footer but I want the style and grace of an older wooden hull with all the trimmings. Sheath it in cold cure to protect the wood and a boat like that will last a lifetime.

To me a wooden hull is more part of the sea. It's connected. The modern stuff is pretty but it just kind of sits on top and never really joins with the sea like a real boat. Thinking about it, I realized I felt that way about almost everything modern. It all just kinda sits on top. Next thing I knew some jackass would want to sterilize my marina too. And then where would I go??

It was hard to imagine worshiping the IS in a plastic temple, wearing polyester pants.

 

[rashid]

The next couple of days

just kind of blended into one another. I bought groceries, varnished some of the mahogany trim below deck, did brake maintenance on the Ranchero and generally puttered through life in a most amiable way.

Tuesday afternoon came and went. Ditto wednesday and thursday and friday. Every day pretty much like the last except for one thing. Every time I flirted with one of the local lovelies all I saw was the cadillac girls face. I was like a kid with a crush and no place to put it - as if the IS had decided it was time for me to notice the gapeing hole in my life.

Saturday morning at Earnies I sat in my usual corner, sipping coffee and gazing out the window at the boatyard full of people fixing this and painting that, when suddenly a couple of land sharks cruised past the glass taking pictures of everything in sight and writing notes on a clipboard. Suits, sunglasses and shiny shoes. Yup - they belonged here alright.

When Lu came over to top off my coffee and drop more cream I pointed and said " what's up with that?" "I dunno" she answered, "they've been around for the past couple of days - even came in for coffee yesterday. Had all kinds of plans and drawings laid out on the table, but none of it made any sense to me."

That afternoon I took a trip back to my little cove for a quiet talk with the IS. Someone was about to shoot holes in my perfectly imperfect life and I needed to complain a bit about the humans having free will thing that keeps the IS from interfering with the stupid things we do.

 

[chanaud]

Brett

He handed me his business card and was gone before I had a chance to introduce myself. Just as well. He was a local. He was someone, who hates the likes of me. I should be used to it. I’ve faced it in too many times in this business. But, for some reason, this time, I had to, no; I wanted to explain my story. This brief encounter left my throat dry and tongue-tied. I can tell he was unlike any of the men I knew from back home.

As I drove to my hotel room, his business card burned a hole through my jeans pocket. He saw too much, forget him. But, I couldn’t. His eyes continued to haunt me.

I called home and gave them an assessment. Dad didn’t waste any time. He dispatched the team immediately. I had to roll my eyes when they showed up in suits. I even made a comment. They just stared at me with blank eyes, and shrugged. They didn’t care. They weren’t here to soak some rays. They were here to crunch numbers, and present it to the board.

The next few days were a whirlwind. Everyone and everything was put on the backburner. I ate, slept, and lived for this presentation.

The walls were closing in on me. I had to get out. Get some time for myself. I created an excuse that I had to research a certain lot. The suits just nodded without looking up from their spreadsheets. They won’t even miss me.

Back in the Cadillac, I headed west, towards the water. I rolled down the windows, popped in Santana’s Supernatural CD, and allowed the road take me to where I need to be.

When I reached the water’s edge, I stopped. I wondered where I should go. North offers open beaches and tourists. South offers local hangouts and private coves. It didn’t take long to decide. The wheels turned left.

The twists and turns of the road were confusing. I took gulps of the fresh salty air as if I’ve never been near the ocean before. My auburn tresses were blowing around my frame, and out the open window. After driving few miles, a marina came in sight. I pulled in. I didn’t feel like driving anymore. The sea breeze was calling for me. I figured someone should be around to take me out.

I checked myself in the rearview mirror, and had to laugh out loud. My hair was a mess. A quick run through with my long, slender digits satisfied me. I grabbed a navy Nike baseball cap, and walked out, looking for an adventure.

There were rows and rows of docks. Every boat had it’s own personality. Some were named with clever puns. Others were stated simply. One in particular caught my eye. I had to smile. Someone was a fan of John D. McDonald. I continued on. As I passed each boat, my head kept turning back, hoping to catch Travis McGee, himself.

When I reached the end of the dock, I stopped and gazed out to the endless sea. The toes of my shoes were dangling over the edge of the dock. The tide was leaving, beckoning m, and taunting me. I felt my body pulling with the wind. I had the sudden urge to ride with the waves….

 

[rashid]

When you walk

to the end of pier 12 after going through the gate at the top of the ramp, you'll pass six plastic boats before you reach the Flush. You'll know her the second you lay eyes on her. She's a real lady.

42' of cedar, mahogany and brass, polished to perfection and spit shined like a pair of Navy boots in basic training. The Busted Flush. My life in 42 feet. Inspired by the famous Travis McGee. Brought to life by Tomcat Dermot in a final bid to have a life worth living.

I managed to pick up another charter Sunday morning and was back alongside by slightly after noon with nothing much to do but laundry. Into the duffle bag it went and I hoofed it to the Laundromat at the top of the ramp, plugged in my quarters and walked back to the Flush while the water swirled and the soap soaped.

I was just about to step aboard when I noticed her. White linen pants, some kind of flowing cotton top, deck shoes and a baseball cap. From behind I wasn't sure but........................

Well, she had to either walk back past the Flush or go swimming in her cloths so I clambered aboard and busied myself on the quarterdeck rearranging the already perfectly arranged items in the storage locker under the aft bench. I felt like a fifteen year old walking up the sidewalk to meet his first date.

 

[chanaud]

Brett

Something was pulling me back. I heard, no, it was more like I felt a presence behind me, inching towards me, calling for me. I didn’t turn around. I just stood there and waited for fate to approach me.

“I advise you not to jump.”

I knew it was he before I turned around. Yes, fate is knocking at my door. But why? What can this local offer me?

“What makes you think I was going to jump?”

I turned my head slowly and found the same eyes burning down on me. Startled at his close presence, I jumped back a half step. It was enough to send me over the edge of the pier into thin air until the hard surface hit me. Darkness. I couldn’t see any light. My body was sinking quickly. I straightened my legs but I couldn’t touch bottom.

Then my brain kicked in and the realization hit me. Save myself With flailing arms and kicking feet, I managed to raise myself quickly. When I felt fresh air, I allowed a release a mouthful of salt water. I gulped for fresh air. My lungs ached from the shock. My heart was throbbing in my head.

 

[rashid]

Awwww for Christ's Sake

was the last thing through my mind before I followed her into the water. Maybe she could swim and maybe she couldn't, but I wasn't waiting to find out. She was lucky the tide was in and the water was high. Six hours earlier she'd have been a pile of broken bones on the rocks twelve feet below.

I went in feet first about four feet left of where she'd hit to make sure I didn't land on top of her and let myself go to the bottom before moving up and towards where I thought she'd be. We hit the surface at about the same time and I watched her gulp in a huge breath of air and start to tread water.

I'd just finished saying "didn't I tell you not to jump" when she hit me. Hard. With passion. Instinct pulled my head away but the small clenched fist landed on my neck and shoulder hard enough that I was sure she'd hurt her hand. At that point I started laughing and after a horrified look of incredulity she joined me.

The ladder on the end of the pier was right behind me and, grabbing on to the side of it, I extended a hand to her to help her up. She'd laid hands on the first rung and started to climb when it hit me. She was wearing white linen. Soft, expensive white linen. And nothing else. Every step up the ladder moved smooth muscles under almost transparent cloth, taking her from funny to wildly erotic in the blink of an eye.

When she got to the top and stood up on the dock, I followed her up the ladder. She stood there dripping, waiting for me. When I reached the top I held out a hand expecting her to pull me the last couple of feet and, still laughing, she waited till I was almost there before she pushed me back into the ocean and walked laughing down the warf.

 

[chanaud]

Brett

Landing in the ocean woke my dull senses. It felt like a baptismal rite, a cleansing from life’s quandaries, a rebirth. I felt lighter even weightless despite my clothes dragging heavily, dripping freely, and clinging desperately like second skin.

As I walked slowly down the long pier, I accepted that fate put this man, this stranger in my path, and I’m going to take give into what is placed before me and take full advantage of this opportunity even if it lasts a day.

I knew the ‘Busted Flush’ was his. He was exactly how I had pictured Travis McGee. I helped myself on board without waiting for him. The boat was meticulous. Though it was older, it shone brilliantly as if it just stepped out of the showroom. The wood grain was perfectly smooth. The antique brass ornaments shone brilliantly. I imagined his hands caressing each knob, sanding each piece of wood until my body shuddered involuntarily. Though I was dripping wet, I wasn’t cold. Yes, it felt good to be alive.

I made myself at home. With my arms holding my back up, I lounged back on the long narrow bench of the cockpit and threw my head back. I closed my eyes and allowed the sun’s rays to envelope me with warmness.

 

[rashid]

I was more amused

than angry. For a high tone Cadillac Girl she was turning out to be a hell of a dancer. Sometimes it just works that way. You move, she follows. Natural as breathing.

I reached the top of the ladder just in time to watch her amazing self step from the dock, over the gunn'l of the Busted Flush and onto the quarterdeck. We were two stepping and it was my lead. Once on the dock, I kicked off my deck shoes and sat down to pull off my socks and shirt. No point getting water all over the Flush if I could avoid it. Besides, I still looked pretty good in just a pair of khaki shorts and I did so want to make a good impression.

The boat was still gently rocking from when she'd stepped aboard and she sat on the settee, arms back, face to the sun, with all that white linen clinging like saran wrap to this man's idea of perfect. Small, high breasts with hard, excited nipples fiercely reaching for freedom; long, lithe legs gathering to a darkened patch beneath the still dripping cloth of her pants and the face of an angel in repose.

I hadn't been so aroused since I was thirteen and I was certain she knew all about it. I waited for the rocking to bring the boat up to meet my foot and stepped on just at the top to ride it down without breaking its rythem. "welcome home" I said, "there's dry duds in the forward cabin - can I get you a beer?"

 

[chanaud]

Brett

A pair of lazy brown eyes looked at him coolly. “Please.” With a short nod, he lowered his long lean body down the hatch. Sounds of busyness followed and before I had a chance to close my eyes again, he appeared again carrying two sweaty brown bottles.

“All I have is Bud.”

He stated without question or apology. That was all he was offering. He opened the top and handed one to me. My long fingers curled around the bottle and grasped a piece of his hand. An electric bolt shot through me. I looked up at him and wondered if he saw the same. His cool expression told me it was just my imagination.

He stood over me blocking the sun. Though his face was weathered from the sun, there was a sense of youthfulness in his bright eyes. A smile played at the corners of his mouth. The heavy cotton t-shirt clung to his skin revealing an outline of muscles developed from years of hard work. His shirt neatly tucked in revealed just tiny ounce of love muscles. Good. I couldn’t help thinking. I like to know a man isn’t perfect.

“What are you offering in a way of dry duds?”

 

[rashid]

"please"

was enough. I went below and left her dripping in sunshine and ocean all over my nice clean deck. And that's what decks are for. It's a boat - boats get wet.

Once below, I slipped out of my wet dungaree pants and put them into the laundry bag with the rest of the gear I'd taken off on the dock. Clean t-shirt, fresh jeans and shirt, dry deck shoes and a brush through my hair took less than three minutes. Laying out leftovers from a once upon a girl took maybe two. In five minutes I was on deck with a cold beer and a smile.

I handed her the bottle with a half smile playing around on my lips.

"all I have is bud"

Her hand reached for it without disturbing the langor of her fantastic body or the sleepy, sensuous look on her face but when it brushed up against mine, I felt my knees give from the impact.
Softly she smiled, her lips parted and words tumbled out.

"what are you offering in a way of dry duds?"

"forward cabin" I said "if you're lucky they'll fit"

If I"M lucky, I thought, they'll fit just a bit too tight.

With the IS doing the choreography, we were dancing. She sipped the beer and floated below to change while I sat in the captains chair with my back to the world and watched the sun set over the bow of The busted Flush. Minutes later my back was warmed by the heat from her body like my face was from the heat of the setting sun. Without touching me she melted any remaining resistance I might have had and then she laid her forearm across my back.

"pretty isn't it?" she said, as she stole my soul.

 

[chanaud]

Brett

I made my way down the steps into the cabin. My keen eye took on the orderly cabin. Everything was in its perfect place. Why was I surprised? Just like Travis McGee, the ‘Busted Flush’ was the woman placed on his pedestal.

The carefully laid out clothes caught my eye. My eyes quickly scanned the cabin for a sign of a young child. No other sign of a young child was seen. The realization hit me, I had to chuckle. How old was she, Travis? Was she able to satisfy you like a real woman? I mused quietly as I shed my soaked clothes.

The baby doll t-shirt barely fit over my head. The word ‘Mile’ was stretched over my breasts for the first letter ‘S’ was weathered. A laugh came from deep within. This was the first time I looked voluptuous. The jeans skirt was snug but not uncomfortable. There wasn’t a mirror about but I knew I looked like a woman fighting her age. For a brief moment, I thought about rummaging through his belongings to find a more comfortable fit. The hell with it, I thought. This is what he laid out for me. So this is what I’m going to wear.

I made my way up the steps and back to the quarterdeck silently to where ‘Travis’ was sitting. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of his solid back. He sat immobilized. It looked like he was paying homage to the setting sun. For a fleeting moment, I thought about just sitting there and allowing him his peace. After all I am his guest. Like all fleeting thoughts, they were gone in a short second.

I sauntered to him in a catlike grace and leaned into his strong back and whispered breathlessly near his ear.

“Pretty isn’t it?”

He nodded without turning his head. We sat just like that; bodies molded into one and said our ‘good night’ to the orange ball of life in comfortable silence.

 

[rashid]

We stayed like that, suspended

in the kind of comfortable silence that usually comes with long hours together and when the sun was fully below the horizon, I took her hand and pulled her slowly around to face me.

The clothes I'd left out for her were barely able to contain her and suddenly the beginning of a raging erection was straining to escape the leg of my shorts. I crossed my legs to hide it but the widening of her eyes told me I was too late and the knowing of it only served to drive more blood into an already engorged vessel. Under my thighs, hidden now from view, my cock was seeking open air.

I was sure she felt it too as I watched her nipples harden against the already too tight top and the smell of sex enveloped us in a hazy cloud of pheremones.

"welcome aboard" floated from my mouth through the haze like word filled soap bubbles. "have you eaten?"