Page 38 of The Summer Plans

“Do you think we’ll see the dolphins again? The humping ones?”

Laughter bubbles out of me. “Do you mean they have humps? Those are dorsal fins.”

“No, Logan said they hump for fun like people do.”

I bite my lips, waiting for more information.

“I did not. I said they do it for pleasure.” Logan frowns, flipping through his book like he’s looking for that information.

Lucas pouts. “Same thing.”

Captain Tony and I make eye contact. He shakes his head motioning for me to drop it, so I do. If we call attention to it, they’ll keep at it.

“Caught a seventy-five-pound tarpon yesterday,” Tony says, changing the subject.

“What’s that?” Lucas asks as Logan thumbs through his book.

“Did you know tarpons are older than the T-Rex?” Logan says.

“Can we catch one?” Lucas’s eyes go wide, his excitement palpable.

Captain Tony shrugs. “Maybe.”

He walks us through all the steps, and not ten minutes in, Lucas has something on his line. He’s battling with all his might, and I debate stepping in to help, but before I can, Logan’s hollering and tugging on his line. No tarpons, but we do catch several groupers and snappers.

I snap a few pictures of the boys with their fish before we release them, then I send them to Summer.

Me

[Pics of Logan and Lucas holding up fish.]

Summer

RJ?

Who else would send you pics of your kids?

Captain Tony?

Sorry, I didn’t know you had my number.

Raven gave it to me.

The dots appear and disappear as I wait for her response. I don’t like how much time this is taking.

Oh

I wonder what she typed and deleted only to end up with that response. It feels like one step forward and two steps back with her. I need to step up my game and show her that she can depend on me.

I won’t keep you. Just wanted to let you know that the boys are good and they’re having fun.

Thanks.

“I need some Skittles,” Logan says as he walks over to me. I dig through his bag and hand him a pack.

Looking over at Lucas, I hold up another pack. “Do you want some?”

He shakes his head. “I’m not allowed to have any from his bag.”