Page 18 of The Hitchhiker in Panama
“Of course. It’s not every day you meet someone who takes as big a leap as you have.”
I smiled, pleased.
Edith changed the subject. “Have you called your mother and told her you found a boat?”
I groaned and covered my face with a pillow. “I’ll call my dad tonight.”
“Are you avoiding your mom?”
I pulled the pillow back. “Let’s say I’m avoiding negative energy. Nobody needs that in their life.”
Edith looked at me skeptically.
“Dad’s easier to share this stuff with. Mum is so mad right now. She’s never been much for adventure, so . . .” I shrugged.
“Speaking as a mother, I can see how it’s tough for her. What about your dad makes him so supportive?”
“Well, that was the magic of the Panama Canal. Dad’s a drafter by trade, and he’s always been a bit obsessed with the ‘engineering marvels.’ That’s why I studied engineering—Dad was always talking about it. So I told them I was going to see the canal up close and personal, and he was totally on board. He’s going to be so excited for me. And that’s what I need.”
* * *
I waited until Dad was at work before I called.
“Sweet pea!” he jovially answered the phone.
“Hey, Dad! How’s your workday going?”
“It’s just fine here. Let me get this out of the way: your mother would like a phone call soon.”
I sighed. “I know. I will call her, just not yet. But for now, I have good news. I found a boat!”
“Hey, that’s great! Tell me about it.”
I told my dad all aboutEik, the two brothers, and my lessons in lines and other boat knowledge.
“You’ll be joining a boat with two men on board? How old are they?”
“It’s not just Eivind and Jonas; there are two women as well: Elayna and Marcella.”
“Ah okay. Maybe lead with that when you tell your mum about it, okay?”
“Good plan.”
“How old are they?”
I rolled my eyes. “Eivind’s my age. Jonas is a bit older.”
The silent pause made me picture my dad frowning at me. “I suppose I shouldn’t wish for them to be mean. Are they at least ugly?”
“Dad!”
“So no?”
“Devilishly handsome.”
“Dang it.”
“I’ll be fine. It’s only for one night and then I’ll move on. I’m not looking to get involved with anyone.” I changed the subject. “Did you finish that miniseries you were watching?”
