14. Giving Cover
GIVING COVER
ROSALIND
T he kids’ race brought back pleasant memories of learning to sail with my big brothers. To my surprise, Jacqueline was an excellent little sailor. I worried when she was among the last across the line, but Lars explained that starting made her nervous, and she never wanted to go back around. This was her strategy. She found a breeze and chased it before tacking, chasing another. As the race continued, with us shouting as if she could even hear us, Jacqueline found her footing and dug in.
While it was nearly impossible to know who won, she was in front of the pack, crossing the line. When the committee announced the win, Monaco took the race. Jack triumphed. She was ready to celebrate. We met Jack and her family at the dock. She insisted on everyone taking a win photo—including Lars. He beamed like the proud uncle he was.
“It’s adorable how much he cares,” I said.
“He loves that kid. She’s the only saving grace of his nightmare mother’s marriage. The woman is a disaster.”
“Mum has nothing nice to say about her,” I said.
“Yeah, well, there isn’t anything nice. The kid is cute, though.”
To our left, waiting for Jack to break free of the family pack, was the girl she spoke with before the race. I hoped Jack’s family would be supportive if the girl were more than a friend. I just had a feeling about it.
Lars returned, still grinning.
“You’re a sucker for that kid,” I laughed.
“Sorry, I’ve been guilted into taking her somewhere,” Lars said. “Would you hate me if I stopped by to finish all of that after taking her to dinner? Her dad is seeing his model girlfriend, and she loathes my mother.”
“You should let her bring Katie,” I whispered, nodding in the girl’s direction.
“I am not taking two teenage girls to dinner. One is bad enough.”
“I’ll go with,” I said.
He grimaced.
I pouted, trying my hardest. “C’mon. They are fun together. It seems like a good thing.”
“If you weren’t so sweet, I’d tell you no. I have no resolve with you ladies.”
I smiled and clapped. “You’re making dreams come true.”
“Only because I won’t be alone.”
“Uh-huh.”
Jack walked towards Katie.
“They are strangely familiar,” Lars admitted. “You think she’s gay? And if so… why not say so?”
“Is her family open about that?” Rose asked. “Your mother seems judgemental as fuck.”
“She is,” Lars chuckled. “Not every family is open like yours or mine. Her father is Catholic. She might not feel safe if it’s a more-than-friends thing.”
The girls held hands for a long time before approaching.
“You did well, Katie,” I said. “Nicely done.”
“Well, I wasn’t the star,” she smiled at Jack before both blushed adorably. “I tried my hardest.”
“That’s all you can do,” Lars said. “Katie, would you like to join us for dinner? Rose and I are taking Jack out to celebrate. We’re wondering if you might want to come as well… if your parents would allow it.”
“What? Really?” Jack’s face erupted in excitement as she read Katie’s face expectantly.
“I can ask my parents,” Katie said. “One sec.”
She bounded off.
“How do you know her?” I asked.
“We both go to rival schools. But… we’re friends.” Jack blushed. “Sometimes, her team beats us.”
Katie returned. “My mom says I can go!”
I looked at Lars with puppy dog eyes, knowing he dreaded spending the evening with them.
“Let’s plan outfits!” Jack said as they bounded off down the way to chat.
“You are making a dream come true,” I said. “This is for all the karma, Lars.”
“I hope that is true, Rose.”