Page 23 of Hidden Depths

The polished brass compass sat exactly where Grandpa had mounted it decades ago.

Ward slowly turned in a circle.

"This is where you spend most of your life."

"Pretty much."

"It feels..."

He searched for the right word.

"...peaceful."

I looked out across the endless blue water.

"It usually is."

His eyes drifted toward the radar screen.

"So..."

"Ask."

"How do you know where you're going when everything looks exactly the same?"

I walked over to the chart table.

"Come here."

He stepped beside me.

I pointed toward the electronic chart.

"This is our course."

Then toward the compass.

"This tells me where we're headed."

Then I looked out through the windshield.

"But mostly..."

I pointed toward the horizon.

"...I watch."

He frowned slightly.

"What are you watching?"

I smiled.

"See that darker line?"

He leaned forward.

"I think so."