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“What should we do tonight?” She asks the loaded question as if she’s ready for more of me, but that can’t possibly be the case. My cock swells at the thought of her in my bed.
I clear my throat, walking us back to my kayak and take an extra moment to gather my answer as I hoist her up. Once we’re seated, she giggles, pulling her hair together and ringing out the water. I do the same to my beard then hurry to paddle us back home, still unsure as to the perfect words. How do you tell someone you adore them, but also think it’s not a great idea to go after your employee, who’s a lot younger than you?
The water is calm and helps me think as I paddle us back home to Grand Rapids. The light on my kayak helps us to be seen, just in case any reckless boaters are out and about. I get the boat pulled up and tucked away for the night, then set about closing down the rest of Grand Rapids for the night. Meno helps me to check on the current residents.
I find her in the bay, rubbing on our newest guest.
“Good night, Mavis,” she tells her.
“Mavis, huh?” I ask. Those surprised baby blues shoot to me, and she smiles.
“Yeah. Mavis and Marty. It’s kismet.”
Kismet. I roll the word around in my mind. Several images of Meno come to mind, and it hits me hard. The instant kismet connection I’ve felt pulling me to her from the moment we met. I want so much more with her.
She’s clutching her necklace as she pets Mavis.
“Can I ask about your necklace?”
It’s a gold necklace with a manatee silhouette.
Looking down at the piece with a far away smile, she tells me.
“My first day of… Van life I guess you could call it.” She shrugs, walking closer to me. “I drove up to my house, packed up only what I could fit and drove until sunset. Ended up on a beach, eating street tacos with a bunch of strangers who lived on the road and were camping there. They helped me find direction. Well, at least, a mission to find myself. That night, I decided, since I drove that far, I could just keep going. A kind older woman gave me this and told me to have fun at every stop and if I need her, she’s a call away and will be here. Her name is Mavis Barker.”
I stand there and stare, mesmerized as she trusts me with her story.
“She sounds nice. Motherly.”
“Yeah. Way more than my own mother.”
“Mavis is the perfect name,” I tell her with a smile. “I’m really glad you drove to Candy Cane Key on this journey of yours.”
4
Meno
It’s a gorgeous eighty-degree morning, and I take a moment to appreciate the view as I prop open the back doors of my van. The seagulls are out, making off with the tourists’ donuts from Holly Jolly Jelly Donuts I’m sure.
The thought has my stomach rumbling, but looking at my empty money jar I know it’s going to be an oatmeal morning. At least, I have coffee and a great job to go to.
While I set my water to boil on my tiny portable stovetop, I pull all my hair into a messy bun and start packing my clothes.
I need a shower and I want to run by Levi’s Bait Shop to see if I can borrow a crowbar. I’m also taking my tire hitch to try to move those tangled vines. The chest I saw last night was buried deep, and I want to cause little to no damage to the tree and wildlife, so bending the mangrove rootis the only option. I just hope it works.
An hour later, I’ve consumed my miraculous coffee, and I head to the beach showers with pep in my step.
I’ll be at Grand Rapids soon, and I’ll get to see Milo. Butterflies flutter as I dreamily prance up to the shower doors and swipe my camp membership card until it turns green and lets me in. It’s warm and humid, and music is playing. I smile at Macklemore’sThrift Shopplaying over speakers.
It’s early, and the showers are usually empty. That’s why I come when I do. It unisex, but each stall has a door lock, and I’ve always felt safe. There’s also a security guard within screaming distance, and my pipes would break these mirrors.
A deep voice surprises me from my daydreaming as he sings along to the upbeat song. I can’t help but start dancing as I lock the shower door and strip down.
I feel the rush of excitement at seeing Milo again soon and getting the chest at Lovers’ Cove. Being a spoiled princess my whole life, I would never have done anything so courageous. Or dirty. But when I’m with Milo, I feel heard. My opinions are valued. He makes me feel brave enough to go after treasure.
Without realizing it, I sing along with the stranger while I wash my hair. Another song passes, and we have our own singing duet until the water goes cold.
Stepping out, I remember they have complementary lotion that smells like my old organic chamomile that costs ninety dollars a bottle. I miss a lot of things about my former fancy life, and that lotion was one of them until I found this place.
