Ch. 72: Nancy Was Desperate

Chapter 72: Nancy Was Desperate

I spent the afternoon tidying up the boat. The raging storm the day before had rearranged things, so to speak. Then I spent some time looking at charts, planning the next leg of my passage. At dusk I quit for the day and retired to the cockpit with a tumbler of scotch and some weed.

Half way through my smoke and drink I noticed two kayaks approaching. They seemed to be coming from the other boat at anchor that had showed life aboard when I first arrived. “Ahoy, Captain! Permission to come aboard?”

“Permission granted” I said as I put my half smoked joint in the ashtray and helped them tie off at the stern.

They introduced themselves as Nancy and Don. “We’re from the trawler over yonder. We’re doing the Great Loop, not quite half way through.” “Hi. I’m Sailor and I’m not nearly as adventurous as doing the Great Loop. With a 60-foot-high mast, I’d have to start after Chicago and end before Chicago. There’s that one pesky fixed bridge, too low for this boat. I drown my disappointment in scotch. Can I get you a drink?”

Nancy, a bohemian looking 30ish year old, asked for wine if I had any. “Red or white?” “White if you have it, please.” Don agreed on a scotch. As I climbed below, I told them to partake of the still burning joint if they so desired. While I was making drinks, I heard snippets of their conversation, talking sotto voce. “I thought I smelled weed; didn’t I tell you? And those cries of pleasure today. He seems cool, though. He has a good vibe.”

They started telling me about their adventures travelling the Great Loop. They started in Chicago, then down the Mississippi. They still had to finish getting all the way around Florida, then up the East Coast, through the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes. They were relatively novice boaters and regaled me with stories of their mishaps. As we carried on, drinking and smoking, I was observing their body language and interactions.

Nancy was very liberal. She didn’t shave her legs or underarms. Her hair was woven into dreadlocks. No bra. Several piercings, several tattoos. She was very easy going and seemed like fun to be around. Although not eye candy, she was definitely attractive enough to pique my interest. And showing hair on her body was just a bonus.

Don was more of an “A” type personality. Pretty wound up, driven, clean cut. He had made a ton of money as an investment banker and was easily 10 years Nancy’s senior. They didn’t look or act like they belonged together but opposites attract they say.

I kept their glasses full and a steady supply of joints at hand. Nancy turned the conversation toward me. “So, what’s your story, Sailor? Where’d you come from, where are you going?” “Ahh, you wouldn’t be interested.