Live Aboard Boating comes down to These Two Varieties: You Are Cruising, or You Are Tied Up! And being Tied Up, comes down to these two varieties, Tied alongside the Dock, or At Anchor. Today, we were On the Hook, as they say, or at Anchor. After last week's rough days, sometimes sparring sometimes flirting, I felt I didn't want to go far from a city, in case my new found friend was at her wit's end, and wanted out.
We were only an hour out of our last port, in a small little anchorage, enjoying the views. And some time to find out who we each were and whether we connected. We spent an early morning, in the little dinghy, exploring the shore, the beach, and the wooded trails, at one point, stopping on an old, weathered bench watching the local ferry and whale watch boat drifting around the inlet. Then, back to Blue's Dream, for a fresh fruit lunch, and then, some sun on the foredeck. Literally nothing, but lying about, getting some sun, and chatting.
Opening the big lockers, I took out the cushions and laid them out, while she stretched out a large beach towel, over top. Next to it, she had a tray with some ice water in a pitcher, and some grapes. We each stretched out, near enough to each other, to feel presence, but not crowding each other. She started it, really...
She asked me why boating? "It's a long story, but, mostly, my dad." as I opened up, to her. I recalled my early days, with dad, learning ropes, and knots, learning what buoys and markers mean. Types of sail, and boats, ship's design and function. At some point, I rolled to my side, facing her. Continuing on...
Her eyes were fluttering shut and she was drifting off. I took it as a sign to shhh some, and as soon as I did, she opened her eyes, and asked, "Why'd you stop?"
"I thought you were sleeping?"
"Don't stop talking, keep telling me more, ok?" her voice got softer, and she wiggled closer, turning a bit, pushing back slightly against me. "Your voice is soothing, so, no stopping..." As I began again, her eyes fluttered once more, closed. Sometimes stopping and fighting it, and mostly, allowing herself to drift.
I kept on telling her of my early years, and always, adding in my dreams, of this boat, and cruising to Alaska. this boat, and cruising to the Galapagos. I felt her breathing become slower, and deeper. Deeper breaths, pushing her back into my chest, as we lay in the hot afternoon sun. Each breath, drawing us closer. More contact. Baking and drifting together...
She slipped further into a slow, easy relaxed state. Snuggling deeper into my chest. Her hips, a slow wiggle against mine. Her voice answering mine, with a purr or murmur when I got to a new point in the retelling. If I stopped, I could sense her body, tense a little, and wake. I kept a steady, hypnotizing drone. My voice, dropping, more of a husky tone. Hoping to keep her in this state.
The heat of the sun, the closeness of her and I, pressed together, the warmth. Drifting in the gentle, soft rocking of the waves, and the sound of my voice, mixed wiht the almost silent lapping of the ocean against the sides of the boat, made for an almost hypnotic scene.
It's funny, I noticed that if I asked a question she was hearing the tone, and would murmur, or purr, but never really answer. If I stopped talking, even paused, she fidgeted in her drift, and came out of it a little...
...as if her brain would let her relax, as long as she knew someone was there, on watch, and with her. I would smile at that. Test it.
"... I would long for..." and pause, until she started to recognize the silence, and continue my sentence, mid thought, and immediately she dropped back down into slumber.
I recognized something important. Something big about us. About our relationship. She had trust issues. THAT was easy to see. But, somehow, in our very short time, she had made some decision, about me, about us. She trusted me. Me! Anyone that scared, or on guard, that afraid? no way they sleep so deeply and so relaxed so quickly, in another's arms, unless there was trust.
There are two varieties of people on this world: Those that seek and value that trust, and those would take advantage. It hit me with such shock: I would do nothing to harm, or allow anyone to harm this woman in my arms.
This post is an entry into MarianneWest's 5 Minute Freewrite!
I feel I cheated somewhat, as I went well over the 5 Minute... but,
I adhere to the spirit... sit down and write. Let it flow.
Anyone can enter, check out her link and Let your inner creative self WRITE!
The Image Is From Pixabay!
Previous Chapters
Ch. 15 I Can Do What I Want
Ch. 14 Nervous Like A Cat
Ch. 13 A Beautiful Tail
Ch. 12 Bully Bully
Ch. 11 Rough hands
Ch. 10 After Midnight
Ch. 9 Bored Stiff
Ch. 8 Sheep In Wolf's Den
Ch. 7 Let Loose All Dock Lines
Ch. 6 Pearls And A Tan
Ch. 5 The Whole Shebang!
Ch. 4 Peals Of Laughter
Ch. 3 I Can't Help Falling In Love
Ch. 2 All Curves, and a Dream
Ch. 1 Navigating Life With Dad
This post is an entry into MarianneWest's 5 Minute Freewrite!
I feel I cheated somewhat, as I went well over the 5 Minute... but,
I adhere to the spirit... sit down and write. Let it flow.
Anyone can enter, check out her link and Let your inner creative self WRITE!
To the animals and birds around me
to put more plants in than I take out
And be a good steward for the world around me!
Story first published by me, on On Uptrennd
