3. Gage
GAGE
“Son of a bitch!” I throw my wrench at the drive belt that’s been ruining my life for the last four hours.
I’m going to have to recruit a friend, maybe Harvey, to help me load the new one in.
It’s almost Memorial Day weekend, and I’ve got charters booked solid for the next four days. There’s no time for this bullshit.
“Whatever,” I say to myself. Many people are jealous of the life I have, but it’s not that glamorous living in a tiny home on the water.
It’s always humid and I can’t keep it clean enough, plus the storage is terrible.
It might not be my dream; I’m not even sure what I want anymore, but it works for now.
I picked Seascape over neighboring Port City because it’s a little smaller and easier to manage my daily life.
I offer more personalized charters too, and can’t really compete with the big sailing cruises that have existed for years in Port City.
That means I can charge more per charter and work a little bit less.
In the fall, I’ll head down the intercoastal waterway to spend the winter in the islands with my Uncle Bill. It’s what I’ve been doing for the past seven years right after everything went to shit.
I wipe my greasy hands on a rag and rake them through my hair. God, it's been a scorcher. My clothes stick to my body, my overgrown hair brushing the sweat at the nape of my neck. The fresh air is a relief as I step up to the main berth.
I send out a text to Uncle Bill.
Me: Fucking drive belt…Saw your friend from the marina shop to get more parts.
Uncle Bill: Cap is a great guy and knows how to fix anything.
Me: Yeah thanks.
Uncle Bill: I know you’ll do it, kid. Add it to the records book.
Me: Will do. I’m all booked up with charters.
Uncle Bill: Awesome- saw it on the online registry. Don’t forget to have some fun too.
Me: Wow! Getting technical with the online registry.
Uncle Bill: Good night ;)
Me: Night.
I take a quick shower and grab a beer to have in the cockpit. The night air is cool, a reprieve from the heat of the day. The sounds of the harbor, waves rolling ashore and the docks creaking, are familiar and calming.
Leaning back, I rub my neck and think about how my life would’ve been different if I had come here right after high school and taken my scholarship at the Haven Bay Academy.
I’d probably be somewhere building boats instead of chartering for my uncle.
The plan was for me to learn the craft and return home to my girlfriend.
Then we were going to begin our lives on the coast of Maine.
Maybe my sister Gabby would have moved back too; the whole family would be there.
Those plans changed in an instant and I walked away because I couldn't deal with the memories and sadness. The grief is still there, but if I leave it alone, I can live my new life. I stick to what I know, sailing. I don’t dwell on the past; it’s the past for a reason. I live in the present.
I take another pull of my beer. Making friends with the crew members from the big yachts in these coastal harbors helps the summer pass quickly.
I dropped out of my old life when I left Maine, there’s just too many and memories of Dad there.
It’s easier to have casual acquaintances who don’t know what happened.
My friend Harvey from The Runaway, a luxury yacht, texts to see if I’m hungry. There aren’t too many restaurant options in Seascape, but Mexican looks like it might do the trick for today.
Another message comes through and I expect to see Harvey’s response, but it’s my mom instead. My stomach drops.
Mom: Hope you’re getting settled in Seascape- Dad and I had many fun times there. He would be proud of you.
I shake my head. Fuck me. The last thing I need is to play out one of Mom's therapy sessions. If she wants to get in touch with her emotions and all that, that's great, but that’s not how I’m built.
I need to do things to keep myself sane, not think about them or even meditate on them.
But if I don’t respond to her she’ll call and I can't with her right now. I’ve already had two beers and I’ll be sampling a couple of margaritas at the restaurant.
I stop and look out over the harbor, hoping to be inspired in my reply.
Me: Yeah-Seascape is great. The harbor is clean and busy and I have lots of charters lined up for the summer. There should be a good profit for the business.
Mom: I’m happy for you. Make sure to feed your soul too and get out to see the sights there. <3 <3
Me: I have some plans to get to the beaches with some new friends.
Mom: Love you!
Me: U too Mom.
Finishing my beer, I see Harvey walking down the dock.
I meet him and we head to town for dinner.
The Seascape wharf is lined with businesses across from the docks.
Most of them are the usual places needed for the boating community, but some are also tourist traps.
In a place like Seascape where there’s a large harbor and perfect beaches nearby, there are bound to be vacationers.
“So, what happened with the woman from the cafe?” he asks.
“We talked for a bit, but she had to take off.”
“Did you get her number?”
“No, but she told me to stop by to get some food.” I can’t stop myself from grinning.
We both hope to have a fun season in Seascape, working and enjoying the summer.
I’ve learned the hard way to stay away from relationships with crew members from other boats and yachts.
The boating community is surprisingly small, despite the size of the ocean.
I prefer to keep things casual, so that means no serious dating. I don’t make promises I can’t keep.
He punches my shoulder. “Nice.” Harvey shrugs. “Yeah, I like the blonde from the cafe. She’s got a great smile.”
“I’ll stop for something in the morning before I start prepping the boat.”
Shops and restaurants line the main street.
We pass a park and the restaurant is on the corner.
It would’ve been so perfect to be here as an eighteen-year-old starting fresh as a student at the Academy.
Seascape would have been a safe place to learn and Port City is nearby for a place to party.
I’m not sure if it would’ve been the right choice for me though.
Building boats was my dad’s hobby and passion.
We constructed a skiff together when I was fourteen.
He never pushed me into it, but I looked up to my dad and I wanted him to be proud.
I lost myself somewhere in trying to be like him, to the point that I still don’t know who I am, an unmoored boat myself.
I take a deep breath and we continue toward the park.
The smell of spicy food hangs in the air.
There’s a fenced-in patio on the right surrounded by trees, with outdoor lights hung up to have a cool vibe for the nighttime.
Two big pots overflowing with bright flowers are by the entryway and a few people mill outside.
Shit, that means there’s a wait, but it also means that this place will be good. We can probably snag seats by the bar.
I hold the door for a couple leaving hand-in-hand, then make my way to the hostess stand. A girl in a black dress looks up. “Welcome to La Isla Taqueria…table for …?” She lifts her eyebrows at me, as Harvey walks in behind me.
I smile at her, and she grins back even wider. “Do you have any seats for two at the bar?”
She pushes her hair back behind her ear and tilts her head to the side.
“Yes, I think that we have a few left. Please follow me.” She grabs a menu and I follow her through the dining room to the bar in the back along the left side.
The tables are crowded and instrumental Mexican music plays in the background.
The bar fills the length of the wall while two bartenders are busy mixing drinks.
We pick two empty seats near some guys and the female bartender approaches us, looks us over, and smiles approvingly.
Her blond hair is pulled up and she has dark eye makeup on and a low-cut black top over jean shorts.
La Isla is written in script across her top.
She stands in front of me and leans slightly forward, putting one hand on the bar giving me a good view of her full chest. “Hi there, what can I get you tonight?” She cocks her hip out as she waits for our orders.
I clear my throat and give her a tight smile. “I’ll take a margarita on the rocks with salt.”
She leans over a bit more and exhales as she looks down towards my lips.
Harvey adds, “I’ll have the same.”
“Sure thing, I’ll get that ready for you.” With a wink, she rights herself and heads to make our drinks. I pull out my phone to double check the weather report for tomorrow.
The guy next to me pauses his conversation with his buddy and grunts at me. “Looks like Ashley has you on her menu tonight.” He chuckles, nudging me with his elbow.
I lean back in my seat and turn to respond to them. “Yeah, that’s not what I’m looking for.”
“I’m Bryce and this is Will by the way.”
“Hey, man, what’s up?” Nods Will as he dips another chip.
“Are you two new here?” Bryce asks.
“I’m running a charter sailboat up here for my uncle,” I reply.
“I’m crew on a big boat,” Harvey adds.
“What do you two do?” I ask. It’s easier to put on a friendly front in this business, even if I’m bored with my life. It’s better than explaining how I actually feel to people who don’t even know me. I’ve done it for so long, it’s a mask for me to wear when I’m working.
“We’re officers in the Navy, stationed in Port City for the rest of the year. It’s a busy city in the summer. But we’re both from small towns, so it's nice to live over here instead of on base. Anyway, this restaurant is pretty cool and the burritos are tasty.”
“Nice, this place seems like a good find.” I look back at my phone.