by Jim Proctor
Light was fading fast as he continued around the deck looking for the other rope. He cursed when he found it—it was aft of the port ratlines and trailing far aft in the wind. It wouldn’t be easy to get this one. Climbing the ratlines to the top of the balloon, he tied the new rope around his waist, and then tied the other end to the ratlines as a safety measure. Fighting gravity and the wind, he struggled to pull himself atop the outer envelope of the balloon, a feat that reminded him that he wasn’t a young man anymore. He had conquered gravity, but the wind still put up a fight, buffeting him without mercy. Pulling himself along the slippery synthetic material, he made his way toward the trailing rope. Several minutes later, panting for air as his heart pounded in his chest, he reached the upper end of the broken line. With both hands, he pulled the line up as he lay atop the balloon. With the broken end in hand, he tied it securely to his safety line, and then began to slide around to face forward toward the ratlines. As he turned, misjudging his position, he got too far from the center line of the balloon. The stream of profanity that erupted from his mouth was muffled by the wind and drowned out by the thrum of the propellers. Grasping desperately at every piece of rigging he slid past, he went over the side of the balloon. He was halfway to the deck when his safety line and the damaged line went taut. The lines trailing around the curve of the balloon brought him to an uncomfortable stop, though far more comfortable than the sudden stop the deck would have provided.
His panic now subsiding, he grasped his safety line in two hands and began pulling himself toward the top of the ratlines. As he climbed, he saw the cable for the GPS antenna hanging down the side of the balloon, its end frayed, the antenna gone.
His arm muscles burned by the time he got his feet planted on the ratlines, able to bear his weight. Leaning against the balloon, he let his arms hang by his sides, waiting as oxygen-rich blood flowed to them, replacing carbon-dioxide-laden blood. Gradually, the burning eased, leaving only the pain of the muscle strain.
Positioning himself to work, he untied the new rope from around his waist. In the failing light, working more by feel than by sight, he spliced the two ropes together. Climbing down, he breathed a sigh of relief as he set foot upon the deck. Finding the other end of the broken rope, he removed it from its deadeye and secured the new rope. He hurried back to the wheelhouse.
“The ropes are all secure, Captain,” he reported.
“Well done, Dolus, I knew I could count on you,” the captain replied.
“You were right about the GPS antenna,” Dolus said. “It’s gone.”
Venandi nodded.
“It’s cold out there, and maybe that’s a bad sign. Or maybe that storm just blew some cold air in,” Dolus said.
Venandi shook his head. “No. If anything, it would have brought warmer air up from the south. Get your sextant and let’s see how much trouble we’re in.”
“Yes, sir,” Dolus said before heading down the steps and to his cabin. A few minutes later, he struggled up the steps and exited the wheelhouse, heading for the bow.
Dolus sighted through the sextant and turned a knob until the polar star aligned with the horizon. He looked at the reading and gasped. “That can't be right,” he said. After repeating the measurement, he turned and went back to the wheelhouse.
“As near as I can tell, we’re at fifty-seven degrees north latitude,” Dolus said.
Venandi gaped at him. Finally, he said, “We can’t be that far north.”
“I checked twice, sir. Fifty-seven degrees,” Dolus confirmed.
“Take the wheel,” the captain said as he rushed to his chart cabinet. Rummaging through rolls of paper, he found the one he was looking for and spread it on the table. Shaking his head, he said, “The nearest port with mooring and fuel is at thirty-one degrees. Turn to port, Dolus. Bring us to a heading of two-thirty.”
“Yes, sir. Two hundred thirty degrees,” Dolus said as the ship began to turn.
“We’ll be lucky if we make landfall, my friend,” Venandi said.
Dolus shook his head.
“No offense, Dolus, but I’m going to check our position for myself.”
“Good idea, sir. I might have made a mistake,” Dolus replied, knowing full well he hadn’t.
When Venandi returned to the wheelhouse twenty minutes later, he handed the sextant to Dolus.
“I’ll take the wheel now. You go and have some dinner and then sleep.”
Dolus stopped at the top of the steps. “We’ll make it, sir. You’ll see.”
“Perhaps,” the captain replied. “Maybe the remnants of the storm will give us a day or two of tailwind.”
Dolus went down the steps and straight to his cabin where he put the sextant into its case before going to the galley. Slicing some hard cheese and adding a piece of salted meat to his plate, he put it on the table and then poured himself a glass of bourbon. Mead wasn’t strong enough to take the edge off his growing uneasiness.
Chapter 8
Jazeen was sure Terrin’s platform was somewhere nearby. He had said it was in the woods behind his house. She took out her phone and used the GPS to track her movements as she entered the trees, not wanting last night’s nightmare to become today’s reality. On she walked, watching her footing carefully and pausing often to look up. It took a while, but she eventually saw the platform high in a tree. Slipping her phone into her pocket, she leaped and grabbed a branch. Pulling herself up, she managed to hook a leg over the branch and then straddled it. Using the trunk to steady herself, she slowly stood and grasped another branch. Up she climbed, carefully testing each branch before trusting it to hold her weight. Winded, she eventually hauled herself onto Terrin’s platform. He wasn’t here, but she hadn’t expected him to be. He was either still sick at home and in bed, or at school. Pulling out the sealed plastic bag with her letter inside, she taped it to the railing near the trunk. He would have to see it when he next climbed up.
Looking around, she could see the roof of the school to the west. The highway wasn’t visible, but the gap in the trees where it ran was. She liked it here, mainly because this was Terrin’s special place. She was reluctant to leave, but she was sure it would be best if Terrin found her letter and had a chance to read it before she saw him again. All she could do now was wait. She’d ask Serna to tell her when Terrin returned to school. If he didn’t message her within a few days of returning, he probably never would.
Reluctantly, she began her descent. Climbing down wasn’t as tiring, but it took some care. On the ground, she glanced up one more time, and then took out her phone and retraced her steps back the way she had come.
It was hard being this close to Terrin and not knocking on his door. She couldn’t bear the thought of the reception she might receive. Even his parents might not welcome her if he had told them what had happened. Turning away, she began walking back toward the center of town.
Jazeen stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. She wasn’t in the mood to cook, but neither was she in the mood to spend an hour having dinner at a restaurant. With two bags of groceries, she made her way back to the hotel and up to her room.
While a pan of canned soup heated on the burner, she made a sandwich and put the groceries away. When the soup began to simmer, she stirred it for a minute and then poured it into a bowl. She thought of some of the elaborate meals she had cooked for her parents as she looked at her soup and sandwich. With a sigh, she took her meal to the table and ate quickly.
After changing into her pajamas, she climbed into bed with her tablet. She opened the reader app and waited as the old tablet synced and downloaded the book she had been reading on her broken tablet. Her mind kept wandering, thinking about Terrin, wondering when he would get her note. Would he read it? Would he understand? She didn’t expect him to get the letter tonight, but still she kept wishing for the chime that would announce the arrival of a new message.
Remembering she had turn off all notifications before storing the tablet, she op
ened the messaging app. There were three new messages. A surge of excitement coursed through her. Opening her inbox, her excitement died instantly. All three messages were from her mother. She opened the first message, dated yesterday.
Jazeen,
Where are you? Your father and I are worried sick. When you weren’t at home tonight, we were terrified that something had happened to you. We tried calling you, but your phone is no longer in service. Please answer as soon as you get this. Please.
Mother
She opened the second message, which had arrived this morning.
Jazeen,
I am frantic with worry. We called your school, but they refused to tell us anything. Where are you? Please, Jazeen, answer me. I’m frightened.
Mother
She opened the third message, which had arrived about an hour ago.
Jazeen,
If you get this message, please answer! Your father and I are sick with fear. We don’t know if you are dead or ignoring us. Please answer right away so we can stop worrying. Your father has contacted the police, and they are looking for you. Whatever trouble you are in, we can take care of it. It’s that boy, Terrin, isn’t it? Has he gotten you pregnant?
Mother
Jazeen shook her head. “How, exactly, would Terrin have gotten me pregnant, Mother? By email?” She closed the messaging app. There was a lot she wanted to say to her mother, but now would not be a good time to start that conversation. She would lose her temper, and it would devolve into an ugly, nasty argument. She considered blocking her mother, as Terrin had done to her. It was tempting. At least then she wouldn’t have a constant reminder of why she had left in the first place. She was sure her mother would keep messaging her multiple times per day. She hesitated, and then opened the app again. With a few clicks, she blocked her mother and her father from sending her further messages.
She was about to close the app when she remembered she had wanted to message Serna. It took a few minutes to get her thoughts in order, and then she composed a few lines. Closing the app, she went back to reading her book.
Hours later, no longer able to focus on the text, she rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock. It was 1:17 AM. As if triggered by her discovery of the time, she yawned deeply. Closing the reader app, she plugged the tablet in to charge and put it on the nightstand. Settling in and pulling up the covers, she quickly fell asleep.
* * * *
When Jazeen awoke, she scanned her surroundings. It took a moment before she remembered where she was. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was 10:23 AM. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such a good night’s sleep. Picking up her tablet, she unplugged it and opened the messaging app. There were no new messages. Disappointed, she dropped the tablet on the bed. Right now, she wanted a shower and breakfast. Well, probably lunch by the time she got dressed. She hoped Terrin would get her letter tonight.
* * * *
Serna put her lunch on the table in her usual spot. Sitting down, she opened her tablet and saw she had a message from Jazeen. As she opened it, Terrin sat across from her.
“Where’s Jaz?” she asked.
He glared at her, but then his expression softened. “I don’t know, and I don’t care,” he mumbled.
She read the message.
Serna,
I need a favor. Please let me know when Terrin comes back to school. There was a misunderstanding, and he thinks I’ve dumped him for someone else. I need to straighten things out. He’s blocked me from messaging him. I’ve withdrawn from school and won’t be back. Tell him I left a letter for him at his special place where he looks at the stars.
Thanks,
Jaz
She looked at Terrin. For some time, she had thought he was a hunk. She had been sure she would never be able to take him away from Jaz… until now. She smiled, and then wrote her reply.
Hey Jaz,
OMG, I can’t believe you dropped out of school! Why? Will I see you again? Did your parents freak? Are you still living at home? Please tell me I’ll still get to see you.
Terrin hasn’t come back to school yet. I guess he’s still sick. I’ll let you know when I see him, and I’ll give him your message about the letter.
Maybe we can meet at the mall and hang out, or something. Let me know. Gotta go. Love ya, girl!
Serna
Looking a Terrin, she said, “You seem a bit grumpy. Is something wrong?”
Terrin looked at her for a moment, and then looked down at his lunch. “Jaz left me for a guy she met a few days ago.”
“Oh, no!” she said. “That’s terrible. I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t know how she met him. Her parents never let her out of the house,” he said,
Serna struggled to keep from smiling. “Really? I saw her at the mall with some guy two days ago.”
“What? Are you serious? Oh, man! You mean she’s been lying to me all along? Why would she do that? Why didn’t she just tell me she wasn’t into me?” he asked.
“I guess she’s just a player. I mean, I was shocked to see her at the mall. But then I realized the whole thing about her parents never letting her out was just an excuse for not spending time with me. I can’t tell you how many times I invited her to the mall. She never came,” Serna said. “And then, there she was with that guy.”
Terrin shook his head. “What a bitch.”
“That’s what I thought,” she said.
“What did he look like?” Terrin asked.
“Who?”
“The guy Jaz was with at the mall,” he said.
“Oh, him. He was… tall… brown hair… really muscular,” Serna said.
“Oh. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Hey, you know what? Forget about her. You’re a super guy. She doesn’t deserve you.” She smiled at him.
After a moment, he smiled faintly. “Thanks.”
“Seriously, you’re a hunk. Move on,” she said.
Terrin chuckled. “A hunk, huh? Yeah, right.”
Serna reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “I think so.”
His smile vanished in a flash. The look that replaced it was… well, she hoped it was a look of wonder as he suddenly realized that she could be his. A smile spread slowly across his face, and she noticed his eyes began to roam. He’s checking me out! she thought. Time to seal the deal.
“So, what do you like to do for fun?” she asked with a smile.
“I like to watch the stars. I want to be an astronomer someday,” he said.
“You’re kidding! I love watching the stars!” she exclaimed.
“Really?” he asked. “Listen, I’ve got a platform near the top of a tree. It’s where I go to watch the stars. The view is great, and it’s really relaxing. The platform sways gently in the wind. Would you like to join me sometime?”
“I’d love to,” she said. “Where is your platform?”
“It’s in the woods behind my house,” he said.
Serna smiled. “I’d love to see it. When are you going up there next?”
“How about tomorrow night? I’d show it to you tonight, but I’m going out to dinner with my parents. Hey, would you like to join us?” he asked.
“I’d love to another time. I have a ton of homework to do tonight,” she said.
Terrin looked disappointed. Yep, he’s mine now, she thought.
“Too bad. So, what about tomorrow night? Want to watch the stars with me?” he asked.
“I’d love to,” she said with a big smile.
“Great. Hey, why don’t you come to my house after school? We can do our homework together. You can have dinner with my family and me, and then we can climb up to my platform.”
Serna reached across and squeezed his hand again. “That sounds wonderful. I’d love to.”
Terrin smiled. “I’ll let my parents know you’re coming.”
Serna looked into his eyes. She hesitated. Would this be too much, too fast? This could seal the deal, or i
t could break it. Slowly, still maintaining eye contact with Terrin, she leaned across the table toward him. He leaned forward. Their noses touched. He hesitated, and then tilted his head slightly and kissed her. Yes! He is all mine! Serna thought.
* * * *
After having lunch at the diner, Jazeen walked to the mall. She was torn between wanting to live here to be near Terrin and wanting to live at the beach. Finding a job here would give her another reason to stay. She walked from store to store asking if they were hiring. A few places had given her a job application, which they said they would keep on file in case an opening came up. Most simply said they weren’t hiring. It had taken all afternoon, and she had nothing to show for it other than sore feet, four job applications, and a big appetite. She wasn’t in the mood to cook, so she had dinner in the hotel restaurant.
When she returned to her room, the first thing she did before the door even closed was to pull off her shoes. Her feet were hot and achy. Picking up her tablet, she unplugged the charger and flopped on the bed. Opening the messaging app, she found a new message from Serna. Terrin was still sick.
She considered walking to Terrin’s house to try to talk to him, but decided against it. She didn’t think she could walk that far tonight, and if Terrin were still sick, her trying to straighten things out would probably just aggravate him. She’d give him another day and hope he’d read her letter. She was sure he’d message her, and everything would be okay again once he did.
After reading Serna’s message again, she typed a reply.
Hi Serna,
I dropped out because I couldn’t stand living the way things were, always in Milla’s shadow, being compared to her, and always under my parents’ thumbs. To answer your other questions, yes, my parents did freak. No, I’m not still living with them. Yes, of course you will still be able to see me! I’m living at the Carlton Extended-stay Hotel in Sharpstown. We can get together as often as we want to, now.