The Divit Brothers.....On Their Way Home

Chapter Seven

      Efe walked toward Carolinas apartment, hoping that she was there. She had declined his two phone calls and did not return his text, so he was sure what he would find when he got there. 

      The closer he got to her door the faster and more impatiently his heart beat inside him. His mind was wondering all sorts of things, "Would she be there, or had she run the other way. Had she talked to her dad, maybe he wouldn't allow her to go with him."   If that was the case then Efe had already made up his mind to call her father himself. He would make this work,....because he could not leave there without her. His eyes had filled with tears as he finally reached her door, which was quite unlike him. 

      Before he was able to knock on the door it swing open furiously and Carolina came bounding out the door in a hurry, running directly into Efe. " Oh Efe, sorry. What are you doing here." She asked her face red and blotchy from crying. 

      He had caught her up in his arms as she rushed out, " I came to see if you were ok. You declined my calls so I was worried. What's wrong, I can see you're upset."  Efe softly wiped the remnants of her tears from her face and brushed away that strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek. " I take it the phone call to your dad didn't go well"  He said, already knowing the answer.

      Carolina put on a bright smile, desperately trying to hide her feeling. " No you're wrong, it went just the way I thought it would. My dad is thrilled for us, and sends his blessing." She spoke, not making eye contact with Efe. " I have my bag packed and was just coming to the boat. Maybe we could just leave tonight, if the boat is ready." She gushed, trying to hold back the tears.

      Efe was hesitant, " But why are you crying, what did he say to make you cry. I will be more than happy to make a call to him myself to explain. Please Carolina, don't keep me in the dark about your feelings." He gently stroked her cheek and kissed her forehead. He couldn't stand to see her cry, it hurt him so deeply he could barely breath.

      She quickly returned a kiss to the lips, " Come on, my dad was so happy for us he just made me cry, that's all." She grabbed his hand and they started down the street toward the pier. She knew she wanted to leave as soon as possible, before her dad had a chance to get there and make a ridiculous scene. 

      They climbed over the railing and onto the boat. Kadir had gone to pickup the last minute supplies, so they had some time alone. Efe took her bag down to his cabin and picked up on of his blankets from his bunk before going back up top. The evening air had turned chilly so they wrapped up together in the blanket on the deck bench. Carolina couldn't get her dads words out of his mind. He was coming there to take her home, and she knew that's exactly what he would do. He was probably already on his way to the airport to catch a flight to Sardinia. She shuddered at the thought.

      Efe hugged her tighter, " You're shivering, are you still cold?" He asked. She laid her head on his shoulder, " Efe, let's just leave tonight, ok. I want to get started on our journey to your home."  She told him as she wiggled in closer to him. His mind was foggy with desire for her as he felt each curve of her body melt against his. 

     " There's nothing I would love more than to float out of here with you in my arms, but sailing at night is a bit more dangerous than sailing when the sun is up." He tried to explain as the touch of her skin altered his thinking. " So,...why don't we plan to leave at first light. We will be rested and ready to go. Carolina, this trip home will be very important to me. I have to be extra careful on this journey." He whispered to her as his lips nibbled at her ear. 

      She felt the excitement and desire building as she spoke to her. " Ok, then first light it is." She replied, in a whisper as well. Her breath coming short and uneven as he continued to explore her neck. 

This was more than a feeling, this was a new found way of life. She was willing to defy her dad, climb aboard a sail boat of which she had never done before, and sail away with his handsome man. It was all so romantic and so unlike her..But she couldn't stop herself. 

      Kadir had bought all the things they would need for the first few days on the boat. He was sure they would have to make more stops on the way home to accommodate Carolina. She had never sailed before so they would have to take that into consideration. He had his hands full of bags as he started down the long pier. The other boaters, which were mostly fishermen, were sitting out along the pier swapping stories about the sea as he walked along. For some reason the whole thing had made him homesick. " Yep, I'm ready to get home. He thought. Ready to hear the same old stories that his dad had told them for years. But he never got tired of hearing them." 

      As he neared the boat he could see Efe and Carolina on the deck, " Hey, I could use some help brother." He called out to Efe. " Hello Carolina, you made it."  Carolina waved as Efe jumped up to grab a couple of the bags from his brothers hands. " Did you get everything? He asked as they disappeared down the stairs to the galley. 

      Kadir nodded, " I did, what's wrong, you look funny." Efe held his finger over his mouth to shush his brother. " Quiet, I don't want Carrie to hear. She wants to leave now. She's is a hurry to leave here and I'm not sure why. I think she had words with the dad about it and she doesn't want to say." Efe explained, shifting his eyes back up top the deck.

      Carolina gazed out across the channel of water that made up the pier. It all seemed fine, the water was calm and smooth. But as her eyes went further, looking out past the shoreline of Alghero she saw the endless water. It made her shiver, they would be out there in the middle of that vastness of water tomorrow, was she sure she could do it. The thought scared her she had to admit, but she also couldn't imagine not going with him.

      The longer she followed the sea with her eyes the further away it got. The sun was spreading out its color across the water as it slowly dipped its toes into the sea. She watch as the fiery red streaks of light bounced along on top of the water. Maybe she could learn to love seeing this everyday.....no, she would learn to love this, why....because she loved him..

      She smiled to herself,  yes she would learn to love this life, and the boat. She would show her dad she wasn't being stupid. This love wasn't stupid,....it was magical..