Thursday, June 23, 2011

SAILING/ Short Story Slam 4

                                                    photo/ Penny K. Sherman

SAILING

He put me off the boat.  He said he would do it, and he did it.  I was both fuming and relieved.  Bye-bye, Ace, bye-bye.

Every Saturday, during the summertime, Ace sailed in the regatta off Fire Island.  He was a mild mannered doctor in his real life, even tempered, with the ability to nod his head in agreement in a professorial way that honored your opinion.  But when he set foot on anything that sailed, the Queen Mary, or a raft, his transformation was as rapid and complete as if he was Lon Chaney, Jr. turning into the Wolfman.  Or Captain Bligh, till the race was won.

The first rule of our engagement was, sailing first.  Food, clothing and shelter later.  I adjusted.  It was still the old days, when I was sort of the little wifey.  Sure, Ace, you can sail today.  I'll just shop.  After all a river isn't running through Saks Fifth Avenue.  Water, nay, terra firma, yay.

Then Ace, beyond all reason, invited me to join him for a little jaunt around Great South Bay.  Despite the tears that were beginning to form in the corners of my eyes in fear and loathing, Ace insisted that this was a safe day, that even I, landlubber that I was, would really enjoy and finally share in his love of salt water.  If I began to love salt water, it would most likely take the form of a mouth wash and a gargle.

Cajoled by a suddenly emerging sweet talker, I tossed all cliches to the wind, agreed that, "what could possibly go wrong on such a gorgeous day"?

Having coasted along all my life as a complacent and compliant person, I managed to keep hidden even from myself my magical powers to control weather.  No sooner had we sailed into drowning depth, than a tinge of grey appeared overhead.  A cloud?  On a day such as this?  And from where comes this unremitting breeze?  I accused Ace of a nefarious plot.  A tale befitting Alfred Hitchcock was brewing!

He called me an albatross, and upon reflection, as I tightened my water wings, I sort of remembered a couple of other times when I had the power of Circe.  Don't mess with a myth.

Ace sailed toward shore into wading depth, and raised his voice above the roar of the oncoming tempest.  He made me walk the plank, soak the edge of my hip-huggers.  I waved my espadrilles above my head to signal help.  The wind drowned out my cries of accusation.  No one came to the rescue.


This is a true story.  Only the names have been changed to protect the guilty.  Thanks to Short Story Slam 4 for the inspiration!

copyright/ all rights reserved/ 2011









24 comments:

Altonian said...

True story you say - Wow! I suppose no blame either way can be attached. Jolly well written, and very enjoyable.

Marbles in My Pocket said...

A great story, and well written. Nicely done!

Lyn said...

Hi Old Altonian-
True indeed..so glad to hear from you..blogging from afar and the world seems good..lucky us..thank you!!

Lyn said...

Hi Marbles...
Thank you so much for your lovely comment..so glad you enjoyed this old tale!

Margie said...

Oh, a true story that I truly enjoyed!
Bravo on the writing, Lyn.

Margie :)

deepti said...

Wow! Albatross..That poem is unforgettable. Excellent work!

MISH said...

Seems like both parties tried ... but obviously were not meant to be a sailing duo ! Great writing style !

Lyn said...

Hi Margie-
Fun to tell the truth for a change! Thank you...

Lyn said...

Hi deepti-
Thanks for your nice comment...I really appreciate it!

Lyn said...

Hi MISH-
Definitely not meant to be any kind of duo..in the long run! Thanks....

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

This had me in a low roar...every word displayed a devolving duo with a storm fast approaching. Yes, save the espadrilles!

Berowne said...

Excellent; you can write, Lyn.
I don't feel sad,
I don't feel hollow.
I found myself
In your "Blogs I Follow." :-)

Lyn said...

Hi Blue Sky...
Even hopeless tales can be fun!Thanks so much for your funny comment!!

Lyn said...

Hi Berowne-
Thank you..for the comment and the poem..and you deserve to be in my "follow"!!

Jingle said...

what an experience.
love happy endings.
creatively done.

Lyn said...

Hi Jingle-
It wasn't much fun when it was happening! So happy you enjoyed this..thanks!

Jeane Myers said...

'no one came to the rescue' - love that for some reason - it seems a universal truth xo

Anonymous said...

Very intriguing and to think its true just makes it more fascinating. You write so beautifully =)

Lyn said...

Hi Jeane-
The truth is I didn't look like I needed rescue.. just another crazy woman walking to shore!! All fun now..

Lyn said...

Hi mindlovemisery-
Thank you..never know when an adventure can turn into a story!!

Unknown said...

adventures are heart to stories.
well done.

Lyn said...

Hi Bluebell Books-
Yes, this was quite an adventure! Thank you...

Serena Shay said...

Mild mannered doctor turned pirate would make a difficult sailing partner, that's for sure! Great story, very well told. :)

Lyn said...

Hi Serena Shay-
It was quite an phenom..happened every time..thanks for dropping by!!

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