“You waited a whole hour?” Laurie asked, her voice softening.
“Of course. Then I waited here at the dock for another hour in case they got mixed up and came looking for me. I’ve also checked my e-mail several times. That’s what a professional does.”
“You weren’t just sleeping. You were waiting.”
“In the hot sun. I don’t like to turn the air-conditioner on unless I have clients, so I stayed on the trampoline to get a breeze.”
“I’m sorry they screwed you.”
“It happens fairly often. But I don’t let little disappointments like that ruin my day. That’s not how I live my life.”
“I’m really sorry,” Laurie said, pursing her lips while gazing into Kaatje’s eyes. “I had no right to judge you.”
“That’s true.” All traces of pique disappeared. Laurie was pretty stiff and very self-righteous, but she was also plucky and really pretty. Plucky and pretty made up for a lot. “I forgive you. And I might even reduce what the no-show Harris family owes me by what I’ll charge you. Happy?”
“Very.”
She actually looked like she’d be happy to pay more to make up for the no-shows. That was odd, but also strangely attractive.
*
“It’s eleven o’clock,” Kaatje announced after they’d skimmed across the waves for a while. “Do you want a snack now, or would you rather wait until after we snorkel?”
Laurie waved her hand in front of her body and made a face. “Oh, we don’t have to go snorkeling.”
“You don’t want to?”
“Well, I’ve never been…”
“It’s easy. And fun.”
“I don’t want to put you out.”
Cocking her head and looking puzzled, Kaatje said, “Why would going snorkeling put me out? It’s one of my favorite things to do. But if you’d rather just sail, we can sail.”
A tentative grin showed. “It’s not hard?”
“Can you swim?”
“Sure.”
“Then it’s not hard. Let’s head over to Pinel Island. It should be free now.”
“How is an island free?”
“Oh, the big diesel boats go there, but they leave by eleven. The next shift comes at one. We’ve got two hours.” They set sail again, getting closer and closer to a small island with a white sand beach filled with sun-worshipers.
“It looks crowded.”
“Yeah, the beach side can be. There’s a ferry that runs until dusk and they have some overpriced restaurants. We’ll go to the side where the tourists don’t go.” She maneuvered the boat to veer away from the crowds. Then they headed for the nearly deserted part without a beach.
When they were sailing, the water had been indigo, but as they neared the island it lightened appreciably until it was now a beautiful, clear turquoise.
“This is a great spot,” Kaatje said. “You’re gonna love it.”
It was time to spit it out, but Laurie was suddenly tongue tied. “Uhm, is it…I mean…should I be…is it dangerous?”
“Dangerous?” Kaatje looked blank. “How?”
Tell the truth. It sounds stupid, but you’ve got to do it. “I’ve never been in the ocean. I don’t know what’s”—she looked over the side of the boat —“down there.”
Kaatje leaned back against the lifelines and looked curiously at Laurie. “You’ve never been in the ocean? Where do you live?”
“Uhm…Los Angeles.”
Laughing gently, Kaatje said, “Isn’t there an ocean there?”
“Yeah, there is, but nobody goes in the water.” It was hard not to sound defensive, but Angelenos didn’t go into the water.
“Huh.” Kaatje still looked at her with suspicion. “Isn’t that where Baywatch is?”
“That’s a TV show, not real life.”
Kaatje kept staring at her.
“Yes,” she allowed. “That’s where Baywatch was filmed. People do go in the ocean, but I’ve only walked along the shore a few times. It’s cold and the last time I got tar on my feet.”
“Tar? From what?”
“Oil spills, I guess. It’s disgusting.”
“Well, we don’t have tar floating around. And the fish are almost all friendly.”
“Almost all?”
“Some things don’t like to be touched or poked. But I’ll point them out to you.”
“Er…I don’t know.” She looked over the side again. “What about sharks?”
“What about ’em?”
She looked at the aquamarine water cautiously. “Are they…down there?”
Kaatje laughed. “Yeah. They don’t do well on land. They’re almost always in the water.”
“Come on! You’re just taunting me.”
“Look, I can’t guarantee there isn’t a shark or two around here, but these aren’t the conditions sharks like. If you get bit by one it’s usually because you’re in shallow water and the billowing sand obscures its vision. It thinks you’re food.”
“Shallow water?”
“Yeah. That’s most common. But out here we’re in about twenty feet. They’ll only bite you if you’re spear fishing and dragging around a bunch of…bleeding fish.” She hesitated, then added, “Probably.”
“Damn it! Are you confident or not?”
“Entirely. I dive or snorkel or surf nearly every day. I’ve never known anyone who was attacked. But I don’t like to sugarcoat the truth. Strange things can happen.”
Smirking, Laurie said, “Is that your spiel for liability purposes?”
“No. I’m an honest person.” She took off her glasses and Laurie looked into her eyes. “I’m also prudent. I’d never willingly endanger a person if I wasn’t confident.
“Well, it still looks pretty deep.” She peeked over the side again, barely able to see the bottom.
“It’s up to you. But you’re on vacation, right?”
“Right.”
“And you’ve never been in the ocean, right?”
“Right.” She started to nod sheepishly. “I know. I should take some risks.”
“No, not risks. Just live. Nobody’s going to give you back this day if you waste it.”
“Fine.” Laurie stood up and straightened her shorts. “Oh. I don’t have a swimsuit.”
“Mmm, are you willing to wear your shorts in the water?”
“Sure. But…” She pulled her shirt away from her neck and looked inside. “I have a nice bra on and I don’t want to ruin it.”
“I have a rash guard you can wear.” Her eyes scanned up and down Laurie’s body. “It’ll be tight, but that’s how it should fit.”
“You don’t have to remind me that I’ve put on weight.” She reminded herself of that…nearly every day.
“The shirt should fit like skin. I’m just warning you so you don’t think it’s too small.”
“Okay. If you don’t mind I’d like to borrow it. I’m a little afraid to ask why I’d get a rash, but…”
“They’re mostly for surfing. If you get dumped against rocks or rough sand they can protect you a little. Out here it just lets you use less sunblock.”
“I’m all in favor of that.”
*
A few minutes later Laurie emerged from the cabin wearing Kaatje’s skin-tight, long-sleeved orange rash guard over her khaki shorts. “Is this really supposed to fit this tightly?” She plucked at it hard to create a few inches of space between it and her body.
“Yeah, it’s supposed to be snug. And it’ll keep you a little warmer.”
“Is the water cold?”
“Not compared to the Pacific. It’s probably seventy-eight or seventy-nine.” She stood and shucked her shorts, revealing tanned, muscled thighs. Her turquoise shirt was very thin and had a label on one of the breast pockets that claimed it provided SPF 50. “I think I’ll leave my shirt on. I hate putting sunblock on my back. I always miss a spot.”
“You wear sunblock? With that tan?”
“Yeah, I do. I tan easily, bu
t this sun can burn anyone.”
Laurie kept looking into the water, clearly a little anxious. “What do we do now?”
“Now I spend a few minutes telling you about what we’ll see. Then I’ll explain how your mask and snorkel works. Then, when you’re seriously bored, we’ll get into the water. How’s that?”
“Good. I think.” She jumped when a fish leapt out of the water, making a splash. Kaatje politely did not laugh.
*
After all of the warnings, tips and advice, Laurie sat on the top step of a short ladder off the back of the boat. Kaatje was already in the water, smiling and calmly urging Laurie to join her. “Just jump in and get acclimated. Then you can put your mask on.”
“Shouldn’t I do that now?”
“No, because you might knock it off when you jump in. This way is better. Trust me. I’ve done this several thousand times with people from four to over eighty.”
“Okay.” She was holding onto the ladder rails with both hands, and was afraid of looking stupid if Kaatje had to pry her hands off to get her into the water. Trying to remember what it was like when she was a kid learning to dive, she took a breath and jumped, immediately popping up out of the water. “It’s warm!”
“It is. But this is a few degrees cooler than it has been. We’ve had a few cloudy days in a row.”
“These fins are great!” Laurie bubbled with excitement as she kicked herself in a circle, no longer fearful.
“They’re very helpful. They can let you go much farther and faster than your bare feet can take you. Now, clear your mask like I showed you and put it on.”
They both dipped their masks in the water, and put them on. Then Kaatje adjusted the snorkel, making it perfect for Laurie’s mouth. “Let’s go.”
She slid fully under the water and Laurie followed her. But just as Kaatje started to kick, Laurie popped back up to the surface, screaming.
“What’s wrong?” Kaatje’s worried look was visible even with her mask on.
“There’s a whole world down there!”
Kaatje laughed. “I know. And it’s fantastic. Come on, let me show you.” She reached for Laurie’s hand.
Laurie put her hand in Kaatje’s slightly larger one, then put her face underwater again. She wanted to talk, to explain how astounded she was, but she stayed under and marveled—marveled at the clarity of the water. the nearness of the fish, their amazing colors and the overpowering feeling that she was no longer in her own world. She’d entered another, hitherto unseen world that vibrantly pulsed with life, and she couldn’t have been more amazed if the fish started speaking.
After leading her towards the rocks for a few minutes, Kaatje stopped and popped her head above water. Laurie followed suit and began babbling. “There’s a million fish! And they come right up to you like they don’t even see you! Is it always like this or is this some really, really special place?”
Kaatje beamed a smile at her. “The snorkeling around St. Maarten isn’t great, to be honest. But this is the best spot I’ve found around here. The reef draws every kind of fish in the area. I thought you’d like it.”
“Like it? Like it? I love it!” Was she kidding? “Like” wasn’t even in the ballpark. Did everyone know this whole other world existed? Was it like this in LA? If it was, why wasn’t everyone snorkeling every weekend? This must be some world-famous place and Kaatje was just jaded.
“I’ve got my ID pictures here.” Kaatje indicated the small, waterproof fish identification charts she had on a coiled band around her wrist. “When we get closer to the rocks we’ll be able to stop and stay in one place for a while. I’ll point out every species I know.”
“Great. Let’s go, we’re wasting time.” Laurie ducked under the gentle waves and started kicking for all she was worth.
*
After a while, Kaatje tapped Laurie’s shoulder and pointed at her stomach, signaling that it was lunchtime. Laurie hesitated, but nodded. They swam back towards the boat, and when they reached it, she bobbed in the water while taking off her fins. “That was probably the best ten minutes of my life.”
“We were out for an hour.”
“No way!”
“Yep. A full hour. I bet your stomach knows how long we were out.”
“You know, I’m hungrier than I can ever remember being. I’m gonna eat everything that insane Harris family left for me.”
*
Laurie didn’t fulfill her promise, but she made a good dent in the repast meant for six. “This food is fantastic,” she said for the fourth time. “Did you make it?”
“No, no. I buy it from a deli on the French side. They’re the best on the island.”
“You don’t have to provide such a good lunch, do you? You won’t ever see most of these people again, right?”
“Right. I get about a ten percent return rate, and that’s almost entirely from people who come to the island every year. Very few cruisers come back. The details fade with their memories of the cruise.”
“Why do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Offer such a nice lunch. This had to cost a lot.”
“Well,” Kaatje sat back against the cushion and said thoughtfully, “I run my business in a way that I’m proud of. I make a lot less than the guys who run the big boats, but that doesn’t matter as much to me as feeling fair and honest. Plus, I have to eat the food, too, you know, and I like a nice meal.”
“That’s cute.” Laurie smiled happily, taking another forkful of her shrimp salad. “You seem like a good person. I’m really glad we went sailing today.”
“I am too. Sometimes my clients are big pains in the butt. It’s always nice when someone appreciates my ocean.”
“Oh, I’m more than appreciative. I might even take another vacation before five more years tick away.”
“Five years? You haven’t had a vacation in five years?” Kaatje’s expression showed her astonishment.
“No, I haven’t. I’ve been really, really busy.”
Her poker face was back in place when Kaatje mildly said, “I’m glad that vacation brought you to St. Maarten.”
*
Kaatje cleaned the galley while Laurie took a nap on the trampoline. She was fast asleep when Kaatje softly called her name. “Laurie. Laurie.”
Blinking slowly, she opened her eyes, then stretched luxuriantly. “Oh, what a nice place to nap.”
“I thought you didn’t approve of naps.” Kaatje’s eyes twinkled at her jibe.
“Sometimes you can’t fight hard enough to stay awake. This is one of those days.” She sat up and tried to straighten her hair, but the salt had rendered it the consistency of straw. “Can we snorkel again?”
“Sure. But only for fifteen or twenty minutes. I like to allow for an hour cushion to get back to port. Let’s sail back towards the harbor. There’s a good spot that’ll let us get back to the dock in fifteen minutes, even if the wind dies.”
“Sounds great. Can I sit on the rail again?”
Kaatje smiled broadly. “Absolutely.”
*
Their snorkeling was brief, but Laurie spotted a big sea turtle that entranced her thoroughly. Kaatje almost had to restrain her from following it to points unknown. They got back onto the boat and Kaatje said, “I don’t normally offer this, but why don’t you go below and take a quick shower. No one likes to be crusted in salt.”
“I’d argue, but I’m desperate for clean water. Is it…?”
“Take a left at the table, go down a few stairs and the bathroom’s right there.”
Laurie went below and took a remarkably fast shower, one just long enough to wash off the salt. Then she put her own clothes back on and stood in the doorway of the cabin, combing her hair with the brush she’d providentially carried in her purse. “I feel fantastic,” she said. “Truly fantastic.”
“Seeing you comb your hair makes me jealous. I’m gonna at least rinse mine.” Kaatje took a liter bottle that she’d stowed in the locker by
the captain’s chair. “I always bring a bottle of fresh water. The salt can be harsh.”
She’d obviously done this many times, bending over the railing to rinse her long, dark hair. “Much better,” she declared, throwing her hair back with a sharp snap of her head. She dashed down into the cabin, then came back with a wide comb. “Nice,” she purred, combing it until it slipped through without a snag. “I keep thinking I should cut my hair, just to save time, but I’ve never had it short. I’m not sure I’d like it.”
“It’s really nice,” Laurie said, realizing she’d been staring at her. What was there to stare at? It was just hair! In the distance, massive horns tooted the first ten notes of Teddy Bear’s theme song, “Sweet As Honey.” Laurie froze. “What’s that noise?”
“The Teddy Bear is casting off.”
“What?” She could feel the blood rush to her head, making her faint. “That means there’s like a half hour or something before it leaves, right?”
“No. They blow the horn as they start to back out. Why? Your boat doesn’t leave until an hour from now.”
Laurie gulped past a massive knot in her throat. “You know how I told you I was on Kingdom of Denmark?”
“Yeah.”
“I lied.”
*
Laurie had the number for Luxor cruise operations in Miami on her smartphone, but they were too far out to get a signal. She was about to throw it overboard when Kaatje said, “I can usually get a signal, even out here. Use my phone.” She took it from a holder by the wheel and tossed it to Laurie.
Laurie was on the verge of hyperventilating, and the boat rocked and dipped as they raced back to the dock, but she managed to thank Kaatje for the kindness.
They were within sight of the bay when Laurie finally got connected to the appropriate person. “No, we wait for no one,” a manager said. “No one. Ever.”
Laurie slumped down in her seat, utterly defeated.
“Hey, don’t feel bad. People miss the boat all of the time.”
“You don’t understand. I work for Luxor.” When Kaatje looked blank, she added, “Teddy Bear’s parent company.”
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