Page 58 of The Hitchhiker in Panama
“It’s such a long time.”
“Yes, but these people are still always moving. And maybe they spend a year or two here or there. But to Jonas, he wanted to be out here sailing. He likes the destinations, yes, but he likes the sailing more.”
“What about you? Are you here for the places or the sailing?”
Eivind leaned on the counter, thinking. “I like sailing, but not enough to do many long passages. This much time at sea is hard, but shorter sailing trips are better. When we came through the Caribbean, that was ideal. Spend a few days or a week on one island, sail a few hours to the next one, and keep going. That was nice.”
“Sailing more of a hobby, I guess?”
“Ja. A hobby.”
“It’s nice that you’ve stayed on to help, even if you don’t like the long passages.” I swept chopped tomatoes into a bowl. “What about you, Elayna?”
“I am in it for the sailing.” She sighed. “I can’t wait to be out at sea. Soon, Lila, you will see how remarkable it is.”
Twenty-Six
The next morning we ate breakfast together. Jonas and Eivind went to shore to pay the marina bill and dispose of our trash. I sent one last email to my parents, and then I went out to the bow and took a selfie, the deck ofEikvisible behind me. I started a new post:
I’m doing something a little crazy. Today I set sail to cross the Pacific Ocean with my new friends. As the sailors say, wish me “fair winds and following seas.” I’ll see you in twenty-five days!
When Eivind and Jonas returned, they put the dinghy back up on the davits, and Jonas quickly went over the departure checklist one last time. Every item was crossed off.
When everyone started putting their harnesses on, I put mine on too. All five of us stood on deck, and Jonas started up the engine. Eivind stood by the bow, and when Jonas gave him the okay, he untied the mooring line from the cleat.
Eikshifted away from the mooring, and Jonas pointed us out to sea.
* * *
We motored for a few minutes before Eivind and the rest of the crew started work on the sails. Jonas steered the boat into the wind and slowed us down. Though the waves didn’t seem big,Eikbucked around. I gripped the metal rail of the cockpit, my stomach flipping—was it the motion of the boat and the waves tossing us about, or the fact that reality was hitting me and my decision was final? I really was sailing off into the Pacific Ocean.
The crew worked together to bring the mainsail up. When Eivind gave the signal, Jonas spun the wheel, turningEikto port. We picked up speed, and there was this amazing moment of lift, like the boat was eager to take off and fly. The waves calmed, her bow steadied, and Jonas turned off the engine.
I closed my eyes, overwhelmed with the sensations. The crew still moved around me, but beyond that was the call of the ocean. The wind teased my hair, the waves caressedEik’s hull, and the sun kissed my skin.
When I opened my eyes again, the genoa was unfurled and we’d picked up even more speed. Eivind coiled some lines next to me, tidying the boat up now that we were underway.
“Wow,” I breathed.
Eivind crawled in to sit beside me. “Well, here we are! Sailing!”
Jonas grinned, pressed a few buttons, and slouched away from the helm.
We gathered back in the cockpit and Jonas went over a few things I didn’t quite understand. He talked about the wind angle, the sail plan, the weather conditions . . . and my heart sank a little bit. I wondered if I might be in over my head. Eivind assured me that he’d help me when my shift started at noon.
Jonas wrapped up. “Eivind, I turn the helm over to you. Any questions?”
Eivind saluted Jonas and they switched positions so Eivind was by the helm. Jonas, Marcella, and Elayna all disappeared down below. Someone moved around in the galley.
“What should I do?” I asked Eivind.
“Whatever you want. I think maybe stay up here until you see how you feel with the seasickness.”
Jonas’s head popped out of the companionway and he handed Eivind his tablet. “Lila, do you need anything?”
“Can you grab my e-reader for me? It’s on the table.” Jonas reappeared with it a few moments later, and I settled into the corner of the cockpit.
I read a few chapters before my eyes tired. I closed them briefly, and the next thing I knew, Eivind was gently shaking me awake.
