Page 16 of The Hitchhiker in Panama
“Congratulations, dear.” Edith checked her watch. “This calls for celebratory sundowners.”
Edith and I faffed about in the galley, pouring drinks and putting together a plate of nibbles. We reconvened back up top in the cockpit, where Edith sat down and leaned towards me with a conspiratorial look.
“So, what are you going to do about Eivind?”
My eyes lost focus as I thought about all the things I’dliketo do.
“Oh, Lila.” She giggled and swatted at me. “Your face. Please, I don’t want to know whatthatthought was.”
I blushed. “What? He’s very good-looking.”
“He is,” she agreed.
I sobered up and wrinkled my nose at Edith. “It’s probably not a good idea to start anything with him, right?”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, if we hooked up, there’s so much that could go wrong. Maybe I like him too much, maybe he likes me too much, or maybe we’d just be awful together.”
Edith snorted. “Based on the chemistry I’ve seen, I doubt that will happen.”
I laughed. “I know. But if it crashed and burned, maybe they wouldn’t want me on the boat anymore, or maybe I’d go and it would be all awkward.”
“Ah, I see. I know going through the canal is really important to you, so I understand how it might be better not to risk it—for now.”
“Yeah. Argh, Edith.” I let my head fall back and I flopped my arms out dramatically. “Why must you be so mature and wise? Why can’t you just tell me to enjoy life and fling my wild oats while I’m young?”
“Years of experience,” she said dryly.
“Yeah, no, you are right. Starting something with Eivind may not be the best.”
“But you know, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I bet you can work it out to have at least a night of fun over in Panama City.” She grinned cheekily.
“The whole thing feels a bit like star-crossed lovers. Now I only want him more.” I bit back a grin.
Edith whacked me with a pillow.
* * *
The next day, I sat in the salon ofSilver Liningand was having lunch with Peter and Edith when Eivind called on the radio.
“Silver Lining,Silver Lining, this isEik.”
I looked at Peter, and he motioned to the radio. “Well, go get it.” I picked up the microphone and pressed the talk button. “Silver Lininghere. Go ahead,Eik.”
“One seven?” Eivind was asking to switch to another channel to have a longer conversation.
“One seven.” I turned the knob on the radio to change it to channel seventeen and waited for Eivind.
“Eikhere, Lila?”
“Hey, Eivind,” I said.
“I wanted to let you know we have been assigned our transit date. It is March first. We have also cleaned up the cabins, and you can come to stay onEik.”
My heart sank. This was later than I had hoped for. My flight to leave Panama departed on the second. I could not do the transit and make my flight; we would need all day both days to complete our transit through the canal. “That’s great news, Eivind. Let me get back to you about the cabin, okay?”
“Okay, come by anytime.Eikstanding by on seven-four.”
