Page 52 of Love in the Lab
“We’ll be fine,” Jonathan answers. “We actually need some data about the storm, so we have to do this ahead of Hernando.”
“Okay. I’m the only one here today. I’ll wait until you get back so I can put the boat back up for you.”
“Appreciate it, man.” Jonathan shakes his hand again.
We walk down the dock to our boat. Three gliders are strapped onto plywood pallets, taking up most of the space on the back deck. The platforms are about two feet high, bringing the topsof the gliders even with my waist. Behind the gliders is the door leading to the enclosed control area where Jonathan will pilot the boat.
Jonathan checks all the instruments and whatever else needs to be checked. Like last time, he leads me through the safety procedures, reminding me where to find flares, life vests, and other equipment.
Before we set off, I check my phone for one last Hernando update while we’re still in range of cell towers. I read the latest post from Dennis…. Well, that’s not good.
“Jonathan.”
He finishes punching coordinates into the GPS and lifts his head to look at me. “Yeah?”
“Hernando has almost tripled in speed since this morning. The track and intensity are the same, but now they’re saying landfall tonight, not tomorrow night.”
“So, when will we start seeing the outer bands?”
I peer up at the sky—the sunshine has started to make way for clouds, though none yet indicating a storm on the way. “This afternoon.”
Jonathan breathes out forcefully. “Alright. That complicates things.”
I study his expression carefully. “What should we do?” I doubt this expedition is still in the range of what Dr. Gantt would consider “safe,” but scrapping it now would be disappointing.
Jonathan shrugs, watching me as deliberately as I’m watching him. We’re each waiting for the other to show what they’re thinking. “It’s your call. This is your project.”
I debate sharing my thoughts. Finally, I admit, “I don’t want the responsibility of this decision to be mine alone. You’ll be out there, too. Please. What do you think?”
Jonathan nods. “I think it will be more dangerous. I also know I can pilot thePulseeven through bad weather. Collecting these data would be huge. We’ve come this far, so … let’s do it.”
I smile. “It’s what Bill and Jo would do, right?”
He bursts out laughing. “Absolutely. For science.”
“For science,” I agree.
Chapter twenty-one
Molly
Before we leave the relative safety of the Rigolets for the Gulf, Jonathan advises me to put anything I don’t want to get soaked or washed overboard down below. His words make the risks of this trip feel suddenly real, and my stomach flips with uneasiness.
He stops the boat and lowers the anchor so we can prepare. I take my bag, which contains my wallet and phone, below deck and secure it in a cabinet.
Jonathan comes down and meets me at the bottom of the steps. He slips a bright orange life vest on me from behind like asweater and spins me around to adjust the straps and buckle it in the front. Though his motions are brusque and purposeful, the tender attention and concern behind them stir my heart.
Jonathan cares about my safety. He cares about my happiness. He cares about mywork. He cares aboutme.
“Do you get seasick?” His voice cuts into my thoughts. I blink to refocus my eyes and see Jonathan strapping on his own life vest.
“What?” I ask.
“Do you know if you get seasick or have motion sickness?” he repeats.
I lift my shoulders. “I’m not sure.”
He hands me a large brown capsule and a bottle of water. “Take this,” he instructs. “It will help keep you from getting seasick.” He reads the question in my expression and answers before I even have a chance to ask it. “The water is going to get rough. Between the wind and the waves, we’ll be pitching and yawing like crazy.”
