by Rick Potter
"Of course," Jake answered. "Why wouldn't we be?"
The dark haired stranger rose from the end of the sofa and faced Sam and Maddie. "Nice to meet you both, your children are truly top dollar. I'm Andrea," then she extended her hand to them.
Sam glanced between her piercing green eyes and fit bronzed abdomen. She was a petite Latin beauty, inches shorter than Maddie. With her jet black hair groomed just below her ears, she could have easily been mistaken for a young boy, but her appealing assets revealed the truth. Under her unzipped red and blue hooded windbreaker was a t-shirt knotted above her bronzed navel. It read, Fun in the sun, Florida.
Maddie recognized the windbreaker from the restaurant earlier. "Thank you," Maddie replied, sizing her up and scrutinizing her every move.
It was obvious Sam was absorbed by her exotic beauty. He struggled to find something to say, then blurted, "Can we offer you something to drink?"
Maddie flashed a queer expression at him. They didn't drink much and never kept alcohol in the house.
"Thank you, but no. I don't drink."
'This woman has probably never used makeup in her life,' Maddie thought.
Maddie decided to explore her suspicions. "Tell me Andrea, what brought you to our boat?" She tried not to sound so interrogating.
"Mom," Emily said. The question embarrassed her. She knew that familiar tone when her mother suspected something.
Andrea glanced at Emily and giggled. "That's okay." Then added, "I was just taking my evening walk. I enjoy looking at the beautiful boats and thinking of the freedom they represent."
Sam hoped Maddie would have the same feelings by the time their trip was over.
"Your lovely children noticed me walking around outside and invited me onboard to look around. I hope you don't mind?"
"Of course not," Sam said. "In fact, you're welcome anytime."
Andrea maintained her smile. "You're all too kind."
Maddie flashed Emily a look that said, "We'll discuss this later, young lady," then asked Andrea, "Do you have a boat here?"
"Oh, I wish. But I hope to one day."
A moment of uncomfortable silence ensued, then Andrea said, "Well, I must be getting back now, I know you have things to do."
Maddie had many more questions to ask, but was anxious for her to leave. Andrea slipped through the companionway door and disappeared down the gangway. "She was so nice," Jake said.
"Yeah, and beautiful. I'd die to have her skin," Emily said. "It was like light brown silk."
Maddie ignored their infatuation. "How could you invite a total stranger in our home when we weren't here? You know better than that, Em."
"She was walking around admiring our boat, so we showed her around," Emily answered, with an attitude. "What's wrong with that?"
Maddie recalled the missing person photos, then raised her tone. "You don't know what kind of nut cases are out there just waiting to get their hands on you."
Emily exhaled a deep sigh. "Right," then stormed to the companionway and stepped into the cockpit.
Half way up the steps to the cockpit, Jake turned and said, "Mom, we didn't invite her, she asked if she could come in."
Maddie thought about Andrea telling them she was invited. Sam had remained silent the entire time, putting away groceries. "Thanks for your support on this," she told him, then slid in the sofa where Emily had been seated.
"I don't think it's worth getting all riled up about. People are out walking all the time. It's the marina life. People meeting people."
"But she didn't even have a boat here. How did she get through the gate?"
"Maybe someone let her in, who knows?"
Maddie fidgeted in her seat, then reached under her leg. A cigarette lighter had been left behind. She assumed it was Emily's and thought, 'Look's like she won't be lighting up tonight,' then slipped it into her pocket.
Emily leaned against the mast with a cigarette hanging from her lips while digging through her pockets for the lighter, when Jake approached her. "What are you doing, Em?" he asked.
Startled, she grabbed the cigarette and dropped it before he could see. "Nothing, just pissed off."
Jake pretended not to see the cigarette, then glanced at the gate at the end of the dock. "Isn't that Andrea talking with Captain Kent?"
"Yeah, can you hear what they're saying?" she asked.
Emily and Jake were silent, bending their ears to listen. "They're too far away, but I think he said something had to happen tonight, and then mentioned the weather."
Jake glanced up at the sky. "Looks fine to me."
Chapter Five
The warm starlit sky had been covered with clouds sweeping by, filling the air with a slight breeze and chill. Night strollers dispersed back onto their crafts while whispers and occasional laughter from fellow boaters echoed throughout the marina with lines rapping heavier against masts. Aromatic fragrances of the assorted fruit trees had dissipated, replaced with scents of salt from the sea.
Emily shivered unmoved, still crouched against the mast watching Jake positioned at the bow pulpit. He was in the last game of the World Series, taking his stance with the bases loaded, and waiting for the next pitch. He swings the bat he brought from home. "Swing and a miss. Strike two," he said, emulating a sports announcer.
The third pitch came barreling near the plate. "He swings and hits it. It's going, it's going, it's gone. Jake Peterson has just hit another home run, winning the game and the World Series," he said, trotting in place around the bases, yelling the cheering fans cheers in a high whisper.
Sam and Maddie warmed the stern bench cushions staring at clouds pass. "Isn't this nice?" he asked.
"Yeah, it's nice," she agreed, then added, "For a temporary fantasy."
It had been months since Maddie and he enjoyed any form of intimacy. This was the moment he had been waiting for. This was what this trip was all about. Nervous, like a first date, he yawned and reached for the sky. He wasn't going to wait for permission. This time he would just take her. Torn between what he had envisioned and her possible rejection, he discarded all negative thought. 'I will not be rejected again,' he thought to himself over and over again. His arm lowered around her shoulder, but at the last second, rested on the back of her seat.
Maddie remained with her head toward the sky. He had no idea what was going through her mind, but one thing was certain, he was going to kiss her. He grasped her shoulder and pulled her toward him. That would be the moment when she would bend down, or have an excuse to escape, but instead, her shoulder relaxed. It was the white flag of surrender and he had become the victor. He reached in to plant his lips on hers, then they heard the running footsteps of Emily and Jake. "Mom, Dad."
Sam retreated, withdrawing his arm from around her. "What's going on?" Maddie asked, as they approached the cockpit. "Is everything okay?"
Then they heard a familiar voice and clanging bottles. "Ahoy there mates."
Mesmerized by his unexpected appearance, it was as though Maddie had long forgotten the moment. Stepping down from the gangway and into the cozy area of the cockpit, Captain Kent held a grocery bag of clanging bottles. "What a pleasant surprise," she said.
Sam peered up. "What are you doing here?" He tried to sound polite, but animosity could be sensed in his tone.
Out from behind him, Andrea came into view holding a platter of pineapples, straws and drink umbrellas. "Hope we didn't interrupt anything," she said, setting the platter on the cushions.
Maddie's face dropped. Rather than greet Andrea, she started to ask, "How do you two know each... ?"
"Thought we'd give you a surprise bon voyage party. Hope you don't mind," Captain Kent interrupted, while unfolding the helm table.
Sam wasn't pleased with them showing up unannounced, but he didn't mind seeing Andrea, again. He wished she'd unzip her windbreaker like it was before, revealing her firm abdomen. Maddie could tell he was pleased to see her, as well. "Thought she didn't drink?" she mumbled.
"Yes, it is quite a surprise, but we don't drink much," Sam replied.
"It's a time for celebration," Captain Kent said. "How often do you get to have a bon voyage party?"
'Yeah, we were just getting ready to celebrate,' Sam thought.
Emily and Jake worked their way down to the cramped quarters and joined them. "Hey you two, how do you like your new boat?" Captain Kent asked, setting the contents of bottles on the table.
"We love it, Captain Kent," Jake answered.
Emily noticed the pineapples and rum. "Awesome, party time. I'm parched."
"Settle down, young lady," Maddie said, then exchanged glances between Captain Kent and Andrea, "I'm sorry, how do you two know each other?"
Captain Kent and Andrea grinned, then answered, "My radar led me to her when she was trespassing on the docks, slip-shopping for boats."
Maddie thought about the restaurant earlier when she saw them speaking briefly to each other. "And how long ago was that?" Maddie probed.
Captain Kent chuckled, evading the question. "Seems like forever now."
"I see." Maddie didn't find the humor in his answer. She paused, then asked, "You're together, then?"
Andrea snickered, "He wishes."
"I've been flooding her with my charms, but she's a tough banana to peel."
"Stop it," Andrea said. "I think you're cute."
"Hooray for cute," he said. "At least it's a start."
Captain Kent prepared cocktails for everyone in the hollowed out pineapples, while Andrea garnished them with cherries and umbrellas. "Just try one," he persisted. "They're not strong, you'll like them."
Sam sipped through the curly straw. "It's not bad."
"Not bad? I'm known for these, they're my specialty."
Emily reached for a pineapple on the table. "Can't wait to try one."
"Not so fast, young lady," Maddie said, with a stern voice.
"Come on, Mom. Let her have a little, you're on vacation. Besides, she'll sleep better." Captain Kent was persuasive, and his wink sealed the deal.
Captain Kent reminded her of Sam's lackadaisical and easygoing demeanor. "I want one, too," Jake piped in.
"Absolutely not," Maddie barked.
"There's only a little rum in them, nothing to do any damage, except maybe help them sleep better," Captain Kent assured, then handed Jake one.
Captain Kent reached in his pocket and took out an aspirin bottle. "Here, everyone take one of these. I guarantee you won't wake up with a headache."
"What are they?" Maddie asked.
"Just aspirin. Trust me, it works every time."
Everyone took an aspirin and Captain Kent spoke of his exploits at sea. Maddie kept quiet most the time, while Jake remained captivated by how much sailing Captain Kent had done before settling down in Key West. Sam couldn't escape eye contact from Andrea who was seated across from him. He hadn't been looked at that way since he and Maddie had first met. Her suggestive grins as the evening wore on were a pleasant deterrent from the sailing stories.
Captain Kent grabbed another bottle of rum, when they heard footsteps coming from the gangway again. Sam and Maddie looked up and heard, "Sorry I'm l-l-late."
Maddie stared at Sam. Her suspicions were coming together.
"That's it," she whispered.
"Relax. It's a small world," he whispered back.
"Come on down and take a seat, Carlos."
Carlos seemed apprehensive.
"You're the guy from the store," Sam said.
"You know him too?" Maddie asked.
"He better, he's my little brother," Andrea replied, rising next to him and peering up. The top of her head barely reached his chest.
Carlos had been a normal child growing up with his parents and Andrea. Even before his altercation, they'd huddle in their room and she'd fill him with dreams. Dreams of someday traveling and opening a small business by the sea. She'd tell him they'd work under a thatched hut on the beach, surrounded with coconut trees. They'd rent electric scooters, bicycles, and water toys to people on vacation. Her words painted a picture fun and forgetting the past. They wouldn't be rich, but would be happy. It was a dream he relished, and always asked her, "When are we going to open our business, D?"
She'd reply with the words their mother used. "Soon, when the time is right." It was a dream that pacified the horrors of realty.
There wasn't much he could do to prevent his father's attacks on his sister, and had agreed to tolerate them at the advice from her. But when he turned thirteen, he had grown larger than their father. The sounds of her beatings and torment drove him crazy. He had to put a stop to the abuse.
The night came when Carlos snapped. He opened the blanket from their room and saw his father straddling his mother with his hands wrapped around her neck. "Carlos, get back in here," Dorothea said.
Carlos ignored her, knowing his mother was in grave danger this time. He ran toward his father and leaped into him, knocking him to the floor. "Carlos, no!" his sister called out again.
His mother's clothing had been torn from her. Her blank stare past Carlos told him he was too late. Carlos ripped the blanket from the doorway and covered her naked body.
Raged with hatred, he rose to punish his father, but he was nowhere to be found. Carlos turned in every direction searching for him. Soon, his father appeared from the shadows with an iron cast frying pan and beat him over the skull until he fell to the ground. Carlos lay helpless, receiving repeated bashings. Before he drifted into unconsciousness, he managed to reach for a carving knife on the floor. With blurred vision, Carlos hurtled the knife into his father's heart.
During Carlos's coma, Andrea was told by the doctor that her brother's skull had been severely cracked. "He's going to live the remainder of his life with the mentality of a child," he told her. "In addition, his speech will probably be effected as well."
When he awoke from his coma, he and his sister went to live with relatives. His condition was too much for them to handle, so they were passed off to others. After being passed around several times, his sister made the decision they were better off alone. For years, they roamed the streets of small villages in Mexico, seeking shelter anywhere they could, and trying to earn money for their dreams. Housekeeping and waitress jobs paid little, and dancing in tourist bars humiliated her. Men grabbing and forcing themselves on her was a constant reminder of their father.
Carlos's dumbfounded demeanor as they walked the streets brought laughter and ridicule from strangers. He had become a circus sideshow. At their most vulnerable point, they met a man named, Chavez who changed their lives forever.
Carlos noticed Jake and worked his way next to him. There was an instant connection. He stood, towering over Jake with a smile, and in perfect speech, said, "Hi, I'm Carlos. How are you?"
Captain Kent and Andrea looked in awe at Carlos, "I can't believe it," Andrea mumbled. "That's the first time I've heard him speak without stuttering, since he was a child."
"Jake's probably the one to thank for that. He's finally found someone his own age to talk to." Captain Kent said.
"Carlos? Do you feel all right?" Andrea asked.
"Yeah, I f-f-feel fine," he replied. "Why?"
He was the biggest man Jake had ever seen. He looked up at Carlos's friendly face like looking up at the Empire State Building. Intimidated by him, Jake glanced at his parents as if to ask for approval. When Carlos offered his hand to him, he wondered which was larger, his hand or his baseball glove. "I'm Jake, nice to meet you," then cringed when Carlos engulfed his hand.
Carlos and Jake sat next to each other and spoke non-stop. "Me and my sister are going to have a business on the beach and rent motor scooters, bicycles, and beach toys to tourists. It's gonna be under a thatched roof surrounded by coconut trees," he told Jake, without a stammer. "We've been planning this since we were small children."
Jake couldn't believe this man was ever small. "Really? That sounds awesome. Where will it be?"
&nb
sp; "I don't know, we haven't decided yet, but I think it'll be in Mexico someplace. Lots of tourist in Mexico. My sister says, wherever the wind takes us."
Jake and Carlos asked many questions and became better acquainted. Jake spoke about his school and what he enjoyed doing. He felt comfortable confiding in him about, Thad Brewster, Jr., baseball, and his slingshot talents. Carlos leaned in, engrossed at Jake's every word. They hit it off like they were best friends. Jake finally had someone other than his father taking interest in him. "Do you like baseball?" Jake asked.
"I don't know. I've never played it before."
"You wanna see my bat?"
"Sure," Carlos answered with enthusiasm.
Jake ran topside to the bow pulpit and brought back his bat for Carlos to see. "Come on up here, Carlos," Jake said, standing above the companionway.
Once Carlos joined him, Jake demonstrated his swings. "And this is what you do when you bunt the ball."
Carlos hung on every movement from Jake, learning the different stances and swings. "And this is my home run swing."
"I'll bet you do a lot of those swings, huh?"
"Yeah, every time at bat, but I can't seem to hit the ball."
"Practice makes perfect."
"Perfect practice makes perfect," Jake corrected.
"Who's ready for a refill," Captain Kent asked.
Carlos followed Jake back to their seats. "Here you go kiddo," Captain Kent said, handing Jake another drink.
"No," Maddie insisted. "They've had enough."
"One more, what's it going to hurt?"
"Okay, but no rum this time," she said.
Moments later after slurping the bottom of her drink, Emily stood. "I'm getting really tired. I think I'll go to bed now."
"Can Carlos spend the night?" Jake asked.
Sam and Maddie flashed a curious grin. They couldn't understand the attachment Jake had developed for this massive boy-like man.
"Tonight's not a good night, maybe when we get back," Sam said.
Jake shook Carlos's hand. "I had a lot of fun, Carlos. I hope to see you again soon. Goodnight."
"Okay Jake, you too. I'll see you soon."