Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
On his last trip into the house, the boys sat on the couch. Sail put his stuff into his room, came downstairs and shut the front door. He walked into the living room and sat in their father’s recliner. It was odd for him to sit there, but he wanted his baby brother to see him as an authority figure.
“Does Tidal know you had a party?” He asked again, his way of introducing it would be their secret.
Crew shook his head.
“We’ll leave it that way.”
Crew’s head popped up. “Really?”
Sail nodded. “Look, I get it, but you’re a Carter. You can’t do this shit, Crew. Everyone knows Mom and Dad, and if something were to happen . . .” Sail trailed off.
“Thanks, Sail.”
He nodded.
“Not to be rude, but why are you here?”
Sail figured it would be best to tell his brother the truth rather than lie. Call it a life lesson or whatever. “Got in trouble at school and had to leave.” He watched Crew’s expression morph from a scared little brother into someone who felt sorry for the wrath his older brother was about to face. “That’s why I busted up your party. Dad’s going to kick my ass. He doesn’t need to kick yours too.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“Me too,” said the boy to Crew’s right.
“Yeah, me too,” the one on the left said. “My mom would beat me if I upset her boss.”
“His mom works at Pearl’s,” Crew explained.
Sail nodded. “Don’t be like me. It’s not worth it.” He stood and went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. What felt like a permanent frown turned into a smile when he saw how much food his mom had stocked for the boys to eat while they were gone.
“I’m glad you’re home.” Crew’s voice startled Sail. He pulled out the glass container labeled Lasagna.
“Why’s that?” Sail went to the microwave and pushed the button to open the door. “Do you and your friends want some?”
“Yeah, please.” Crew pulled out some plates from the cabinet while Sail heated up the contents. “I missed you over the summer. Things weren’t the same around here without you home.”
Sail went over to Crew and roughed up his hair a bit. “Ah, thanks little brother.”
The microwave beeped and Crew yelled for his friends to come into the kitchen. They sounded like a herd of dogs at dinner time. The four of them sat around the kitchen table and ate lasagna at midnight. It wasn’t the best idea, but Sail was starving, and he had missed his mom’s cooking.
Crew finally introduced his brother to his friends, Jason and Drake, who thanked Sail again for not calling their parents and for making them something to eat.
The front door opened and Tidal’s voice rang out. “Why are all the damn lights . . . what the hell?” He stopped and stared at his older brother. “Is something wrong with Mom and Dad?”
“Nah, I needed to come home.” Sail stood and gave his brother a hug. “I’ll be here for a bit.”
“Messed up?”
It was like Tidal knew his brother so well.
“Yep,” Sail said as he sat back down. “Grab a plate and join us.”
Tidal did just that.
galvin
. . .
Galvin sat on the park bench, watching people walk by. Somehow, she lucked out when her day off fell on one of the most beautiful days Seaport had, weather wise. It was a crisp seventy, with a light breeze coming off the bay. Every time the wind blew, she closed her eyes and soaked everything in. Coming to Seaport had been the right decision. At the rate she was saving, she’d be able to go to law school comfortably, and without stress. Well, the only stress would be studying and her grades, but she’d tackle those when it was time.
The path in front of her led in different directions, but they were all along the water and had a massive iron rope cascading from one granite pole to another. Boats milled around, some idle in their slips with their motors running, while others moved in and out of the marina.
Groups of people disembarked from a travel bus and headed right to the public restroom. The women instantly creating a line along the brick wall. The men lingered, pointing at sights, and looking at maps spread between two or three of them.
People rode their bikes along the sidewalk, while others speedwalked, weaving in and out of the tourists. It surprised Galvin that the visitors actually tried to pet the dogs who walked with their owners, interrupting the walker’s cadence. She shook her head when she witnessed one tourist all but accost a jogger in order to pet the dog. Dogs were cute and the urge to give them all the pets was something she experienced daily, except people needed to be mindful of the owner and what they were doing.