50. Gage
GAGE
I have a charter to Jensen for the day. But the weather is questionable and I want to go spend the day with Charli in bed.
We’re going to stay together. I’m going to do everything in my power to be there for her and maintain our communication when we’re miles apart.
Then I need to figure out how to live in Seascape full time. It’ll be a tough winter for sure.
I text to let her know my plans for the day.
Me: I’m canceling the trip today, Owen and Teddy are going to a concert later and they both bailed.
Charli: I can go with you if you want. I’m off.
Me: No- it’s ok. I’ll refund them.
Charli: It might be good for us, we had a great time out there.
Me: We did. Ok- Let’s do it. Can you be ready in 30? Bring rain gear in case.
Charli: Yes
Once she arrives at the docks, she throws on a Wanderlust shirt and jacket and helps me prepare for a full day sail. The group will be here in thirty minutes.
As I’m running through my checks, I ask, “Are you sure you want to do this? We could cancel and do something more fun together.”
She presses a hand to my chest. “I want to be with you. This is like a day off for me anyway, even though it’s work for you.”
I pull her to me. “I know, but you didn’t sleep well. Aren’t you tired?”
“We can take a nap when they’re on island.”
A loud whistle interrupts us. Shit. I hope these aren't the people who are chartering.
Unfortunately, they are. It’s a group of six, three men and three women who are a little too amped up for this time of day.
We motor out of the channel and head into the bay.
Once we’re clear from the crowds of moored boats we unfurl the sails.
I get a weird feeling about one of the guys.
He’s with one of the women, but still keeps looking at Charli in a pervy way.
It’s a windy day and we make good time on our way out to the island. We serve the group their snacks and drinks. The guys are loud and obnoxious, but the skies are clear. We drop the group off at the loading dock by the center of town.
“Be back at 3:30 pm at this location,” I say, my voice clipped.
The group waves me off as they disembark.
“If the weather changes I may call you back early. It’s supposed to pick up later,” I call to their backs.
None of them even turn their heads at my statement.
“I wish we didn’t do this. I don’t like these people.” I ignore the sinking feeling in my gut I have about them.
“Come on, let’s get some lunch in us and then take a nap.”
I wrap her in his arms and she rests her head on my chest. “Just a nap?”
She rubs my back. “Probably.”
“But not definitely?” I ask.
* * *
A crackle wakes me up from our nap. “This is a National Weather Radio service announcement from Brighton, Rhode Island. A small craft advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. tonight to 8 a.m. tomorrow morning.”
I bolt out of the bunk and run up to the deck as Charli stays below. Dark clouds rolled in quickly while we were sleeping.
“Shit!”
She creeps up the cabin steps. “What can I do?”
“Get those assholes back here so we can go home. If they’re not back in thirty minutes they can stay the night or take the fucking ferry.”
“We could stay here too and go back in the morning.”
“I’m calling them now.”
The losers stumble back drunker and louder than in the morning. They're ornery about leaving early, but the ladies don’t want to spend the night, as they have plans to go to the casino in Port City tonight. Apparently they have tickets for a show.
Fuck their show. I should have canceled today. I should have fucking canceled today.
I start barking out orders immediately, “Lifejackets on everyone for the whole voyage.”
The burly guy gives me the side eye. “I’m putting it on, but I don’t want to zip it up.
“Then get the hell off my boat,” I spit out.
“Fine,” he zips it up and continues grumbling to his friends.
I fire the engine to leave the harbor.
“They’re going to get a crappy review,” the big guy says to his buddy.
“You signed a waiver to follow the rules. Like, I could give a shit anyway. You’re lucky she wanted to take you back.” I gesture toward Charli.
His girlfriend shushes him and he reluctantly settles into the cockpit away from me.
“What about some drinks here? Can our waitress bring them out now?” the other guys asks.
“No more services from here out. This might be a rough ride for you. You can go down below if you want. You’ll probably get wet up here.”
The women whine a bit but clamber down into the cabin. The guys stay above deck.
“You’re going to need to sit tight and stay out of our way.”
He snorts. “Are you sure she can handle the rough seas and bad weather?” He lifts his chin to Charli as she’s raising the mainsail.
“You have no idea, buddy.” I shake my head at him.
He sneers at me and is quiet for a while.
Charli and I concentrate on keeping the boat head to wind and directly into the crest of every wave. Once we get off the shoals of the island, the wind and the waves pick up and a light rain begins. It’s blowing sideways at us and the men start moaning.
I call to Charli, “Let’s put the jacklines on. They’re in the left hatch.”
“Okay, got them,” she shouts above the wind.
“You guys need to go down below now. No more cockpit,” I order.
They all bitch about it, especially the pain in the ass, but the others get him to go.
We attach the safety harnesses and we’re doing pretty well for the next hour plus. We’ve got the storm sail and jib up to control the boat in the swells and Seascape harbor is coming into view. I just want to get back and get rid of these losers.
It’s probably good that I have Charli here with me as opposed to Owen or Teddy. She’s confident on deck despite the crap weather and I trust her skills completely.
A loud thump down below has me worried. The hatch opens and my friend stumbles up to the cockpit.
“Buddy, you need to get back down below.”
“He got sick and needs some air,” a shrill voice echoes.
He reeks of liquor. “Did you drink more down there?” I demand. He’s putting us all in danger like this.
He coughs and covers his mouth. He stumbles a bit and pukes again all over the deck.
Jesus.
“Someone come get him and just give him a bucket.”
He goes down on his knees.
His buddy appears and he’s unsteady too. Fuck, they’ve all been drinking as the smell of alcohol permeates the air despite the wind.
Charli moves to get them down below, as a large wave rolls past us. She clips on a new tether and releases the previous one. But the guy tries to stand and lurches forward knocking her back onto the deck. Her hand goes out instinctively to break her fall.
Everything slows down and it’s like when my dad had his heart attack. She cries out as she rolls, the clip failing, as she slips under the railing, falling overboard.
“Charli!”
Thank God she’s got a lifejacket on, but I don’t know if she hit her head on the way down.
Nothing can happen to her. She’s my life now.
“Oh fuck!” the asshole moans.
“Get away from me now and I need the most sober ones of you to help me.” I’m running on adrenaline now. I have to save her.
I turn and spot her floating behind the boat, her head lolling to the side.
No. Fucking no. This can’t be happening. Not to my girl.
Not today.
Not now.
Not ever.
Two of the women appear from below, their faces solemn and worried.
“You two, hold the wheel. It’s going to want to move, but hold it steady until I say to turn it.”
I rush to loosen the rigging to slow the boat so I can get her aboard. I toss the anchor over to prevent any more listing in these seas. The sails flap wildly in the wind. I unstrap the gaff from the side of the bulkhead and toss it in the cockpit.
“Now you, grab that gaff and sit right there. I’m going to turn the boat so we can get her. Be ready to toss the life ring when I say.”
A watery cry bolsters me.
“Gage!”
“I'm here baby, we’re going to get you!”
“My arm, I can’t swim closer.”
“Hold on. I’m coming.”
The boat lists in the trough of the wave and Charil sinks low.
“Gage, I'm here.”
The women start crying as they huddle together in the cockpit.
I yell, “When the next wave dips, toss the life ring, hold onto the line and don’t let go! Then I’ll switch with you.”
I crank the single helm hard as the waves roll past. The boat shifts in the water. My muscles burn as I tighten my grip on the wheel.
“Now! Toss it!”
It flies in the air, a good ten feet from her.
“Fuck.” I steady us as the water fights against me.
“Come on, baby, get there for me!”
She kicks laboredly and reaches the ring. She holds it tightly with her good arm.
“You, hold the wheel.”
I scoot aside, grab the line, and pull with all my might.
“Don’t let go!”
She yells, “I got it!” as the waves slap at her and the rain continues to fall on us, steadier now.
The line cuts into my skin, but I don’t care. “I’m going to tie you off here at the cleat while I let the ladder go so I can get you up here.”
“Okay,” she answers.
The churning water sloshes at us relentlessly.
“Turn the wheel so we’re heading into the crest of the waves.”
“We’re trying,” they complain.
We list again. My heart is in my throat. The sails beat in the wind and one has a big gash down the middle.
I creep over to the aft and unfurl the ladder. It splashes into the sea with a loud slap. We rock again as a swell rolls by and rain pelts us.
I untie the lifeline from the cleat and pull her around to the rear. She’s finally at the aft, so I lean down and brace myself as best as I can on my knees. Grasping the safety line in both hands I pull hard and she reaches for the edge.
I lurch for her lifejacket and yank her upper half on board. She lays her head down and I drag her to me. Seawater pours off her and soaks me. I never want to let her go. She wraps her good arm around me and we both sob. Hot tears run down my face as I squeeze them shut.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t being careful, I was switching my clip and that guy bumped me.”