| |
Salty spray whipped at Ron’s face as he clung to the side of the small cabin cruiser. Waves crashed against the hull, one after another, sending jolts through the boat and into his wobbling legs. He yelled at Kalei over the roar of the motor and swishing sounds of the whitewater splashing up around the sides.
“How long to the mainland?”
Kalei shrugged and yelled back.
“Depends on the surf. And the wind. Maybe an hour. Maybe two.”
Rex steadied himself by holding onto the boat’s hardtop and reached over to pat Ron on the shoulder.
“We’re gonna make it, Sugar Ron.”
Ron gritted his teeth and turned to look at the horizon.
“I don’t see any land.”
Kalei hollered back over his shoulder.
“You won’t for another half hour.”
Ron’s chest tightened as he calculated the math in his head, estimating the likelihood of catching Jessica’s flight.
“You two might as well get comfortable. It’s a long ride.”
Ron sighed and guided himself hand over hand along the rail towards the stairs leading down to the interior cabin. Rex followed him.
“Wow, this ain’t bad,” Rex said. “Being a resort director has its perks.”
Ron flopped his body down on a long cushioned bench seat by the window wrapped around the bow.
“So, when does Jessica’s flight leave?”
“Two hours,” Ron said. “I’m hoping it’s delayed.”
Rex dropped to the floor in plank position and started doing push-ups. Between reps, he grunted out words to Ron.
“Missed my workout today, Sugar Ron. But this is more important.”
“Thanks, Rex. I really appreciate it.”
“So, what changed your mind? The last time we talked about your marriage, you seemed unhappy. I didn’t know you were divorcing, but I figured you were having some trouble.”
Ron rolled on his side and watched the waves through the window.
“Yeah, I guess you could call it that. Did you have any appointments with a therapist?”
Rex laughed.
“Yeah, I kinda missed most of them.”
Ron grinned, continuing to look out the window.
“Well, my therapist made a good point. She said I had a choice to make.”
The sound of Rex’s grunting stopped.
“She was right. I know what kind of woman Jessica is. I’ve known for a while. And I can’t change her. So, my choice is to leave her or embrace her as she is.”
“And you’re choosing to embrace her? I mean, don’t get me wrong. She’s hot. And a lot of fun. But you know she’s going to cheat on you again.”
“Yeah, I do.”
Ron rolled back over and faced Rex.
“I’m counting on it.”
Rex’s forehead wrinkled, and his lips parted.
“Ok.”
“Rex, before Jessica, my life was pretty dull. Because I am pretty dull. It’s how my parents raised me. And every once in a while, it’s nice to watch paint dry, but...”
Ron’s eyes prickled, and his body melted into the cushion.
“I had a dream. And it scared me because I know it would come true. It was my life without Jessica.”
Rex sat cross-legged, holding his knees in the crooks of his elbows. Ron’s eyes met his.
“No one thrills me like she does. Not even close. I dated a nice girl a few months ago. And it comforted me. But...”
“She didn’t set your soul on fire.”
“No. Not like Jessica.”
Rex rolled forward onto his knees and slapped Ron on the back.
“I’m happy for you, man. I hope I find that person for me someday. At least now, I have a chance.”
The boat lurched, throwing Ron a foot off the cushion and causing his teeth to clamp into his tongue. Searing pain mixed with a salty taste in his mouth. Rex called up the stairs.
“Damn! What’s going on out there?”
Kalei’s voice stammered.
“We’re headed into some pretty rough water. I think this is going to be closer to that two-hour trip.”
Ron rolled his eyes.
“Figures.”
