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“How do you feel about boats?” I asked, munching on what was left of our breakfast a couple days later. We were sitting outside on the veranda enjoying the weather.
“You have a boat? What am I saying, of course you have a boat! I haven’t been on one for years, but I’m totally game.”
“I have three boats, actually.” Business had been good. “And how do you feel about hiking?”
“Not right after this ginormous breakfast, but I love it! I grew up outside Springfield, and we used to go camping every other weekend with our parents.”
“They’re not with you anymore?” I asked on a hunch.
She looked up at me, but she didn’t look angry about the question. “No, not for some time. What gave it away?”
“You had that look on your face when you mentioned them. I used to see the same expression in the mirror when my folks passed away.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too. Accident when I was fifteen. You?”
“Mom was cancer. Dad just kind of bailed after that. I don’t think he could look at us kids. He’s around, but not actually there, ya know?”
I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure what that felt like.
“So boats,” I added awkwardly, trying to move the conversation forward.
“Yes tell me all about your boats!”
+++
In the afternoon, we got dressed and set out for our little hiking trip. I sent a maid out to buy some clothes for Sydney. Yoga pants looked good on her.
Hell everything did.
The port was on the other side of the island, in a small artificial gulf. I knew the shortest route, naturally, but decided to take a longer one, to show Sydney some views. She absolutely loved it.
“I always wanted to get out more, you know?” Sydney said during a water break.
“What stopped you?”
“Work. Money. Responsibility,” she said, and I was thinking she really needed to add: My brother.
“None of those things can hold you back here.”
She smiled. “Let’s keep moving.”
We walked for another half an hour before the trail finally ended at a finely paved road. From there, it was a short walk to the docks. I pointed at the boats under the cover and said, “We could take the small one, but it’s a little boring. I think the bigger one is more fun.”
She pretended to be surprised, “I thought you had three boats?”
“Goliath II is parked in LA. Although it’s technically a yacht…”
“I get it Owen, you’re rich, geez!”
She laughed and I chased her down the dock.
I fired up the engine, while Sydney went to take a look around the boat – I had brought some wine and food for the ride.
A few minutes later she met me up on the deck, as the boat began making its way out of the gulf.
I grabbed her by the waist.
