Page 30 of Your Two Lips
“Is it safe?” I asked.
“It is if you pay attention and keep your life jacket on. Jake has a gift. I’ve never seen anyone else make it look so easy.”
I eyed ReeAnn.
“I know, I know. He’s amazing,” she said and rolled her eyes.
“You seem to have a lot of pleasant things to say about him today, that’s all.”
“I’m a pleasant person. And I don’t dislike him. He’s … well, thinking about him throws off my chakras.” Right, the seven subtle energies in the body whose movement was central to health and wellbeing. It wasn’t good when chakras were off or blocked.
“Can I ask what the story is with you two? You were friends in high school?”
She set down her sandwich and wiped her hands on a napkin. “I was a fan of the sailing team. Navy dad. Boats have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Jake was quiet, and I was the new girl. We often sat on the same log at the same beach bonfires, talking sailing. Jake’s parents didn’t come to his races, and he won every time. He needed a cheering section to turn up the golf clap coming from the other parents.”
“Just friends?”
She sighed. “He’s Jake. He ran with the popular crowd, but he was different, and serious about sailing. He was always reading a book on how to master one kind of boat or another. It reminded me of my father, his drive to be the best at something, and I respected that. And his looks weren’t that different from how they are now, contrary to what I’m willing to admit in public. I worked up the nerve to ask him to a dance, once, but he turned me down.”
“Really?”
She nodded, picking up her sandwich. “Not gently either. Just said no while he made sure none of his friends were listening. It crushed my teenage heart. I didn’t want to believe it was racial, but I couldn’t think of any other reason he would have said no like that. Maybe his parents didn’t want him dating a Black girl. They wouldn’t be the first.” She took a bite.
“Did he have a date already?”
She shook her head as she chewed. “I would have known. He brought a pretty little blonde. My exact opposite.” She almost spat the words, then turned to me quickly. “Sorry.”
I held up my hands. “I don’t represent the whole of the blonde population.”
ReeAnn laughed. “Right. Don’t forget pretty, you’re that too. Actually, you’re not like that girl at all. She made sure I overheard her bragging about how great the night was.” She raised her eyebrows.
“He left for San Diego right after graduation. He had a job at a yacht club there. I left for school in the Bay Area. I started practicing yoga. He trained for the America’s Cup. I moved home, and he came back to buy the bar with Rhys. We’ve had coffee, I crew for him. But I can’t fall for him again. The first time hurt.” She took a drink of her lemonade. “Your turn, Finn? Anything new since he stepped his foot in it about your date with Evan?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not really. We’re training at least twice a week now. He’s helping me learn how to get over obstacles.” She looked confused. “Fallen tree limbs or big roots across the trail. It’s a skill. You shift your weight at the right time and put excess force on the shocks, then leapfrog over things.” I paused. “I told him about being harassed at work. He wasn’t happy.”
“I’m sure he wasn’t. I’m telling you, he does not wanna be your friend, girl.”
Her lips to God’s ears.
We cleaned up our trash and walked the few blocks back to the spa. “You should try to kiss him again.”
“Not now. I have to see him at least twice a week until the race. If he rejected me again, I couldn’t face him. But give me that pep talk after the race. I think I may be desperate enough to give it another go then.”
“Deal.” She nudged my shoulder. “I’m telling you he wants you on a bike, in a truck, in the rain, or on a train.”
“Thanks, Dr. Seuss.”
“Trust me.” I wanted to believe. If she were right, all my dreams would come true … almost.
20
FINN
“My freezer isempty of fresh Dungeness, and nothing beats catching it yourself.” Jake sat with a thump on the molded bench seat across from me as I stretched out my legs. The sun was warm and soothing.
Jake’s boat was a thirty-six-foot beauty. I hadn’t been crabbing yet this season and was glad to be out on the water again. The quiet of a sailboat under sail was almost eerie. Since you’re moving with the wind, it makes no sound, and you can’t feel it. Instead, you hear the waves lapping the shore and the birds calling overhead.
We rounded the point of Anna Island, a tricky area to navigate in the Salish Sea, and found a spot to anchor. We lowered the crab pots baited with clams Jake dug yesterday and stretched out in the sunshine. It was a relaxing way to spend an hour before pulling the pots and heading home.
