To the Beach and Back

Chapter 21

Chilly water splashes up on the side of the tandem kayak with each stroke we take, but I don't pay attention to how it's dampening my tee-shirt dress. I don't think about how my hair is haphazardly bundled up in a messy top knot or how I forgot to put on lipstick before my hasty exit. I just keep my eyes on the lone figure on the pier of Sandpiper Island, the familiar person who is busy tying up his boat with the sounds of reggae music trickling over the bay from Fish Tales and the moonlight dancing on the calm waves.

Dave.

Son of a bitch.

He was just playing with me before!

I smile while keeping rhythm with each stroke, Nick behind me surprisingly coordinating with me perfectly. When we first bought the tandem, it was a constant struggle to go straight, with one of us always paddling too hard or not hard enough. It took some practice and several tutorial videos to get it right. But then once we did ... we stopped coming to the beach and the kayak went moldy.

"Marcie, for fucks sake, this is insane. We need to go back!"

I stop stroking and lay the paddle across my lap, twisting in my seat to look back at his worried expression. He stops too and runs his damp fingers through his hair, making it stand up in the childlike way that always amused me before.

"Nick. Seriously. Chill out," I say, giving him a wry smile. "Where's your sense of adventure?"

I'm not going to lie.

That felt amazing.

I can practically feel his dumbfounded shock as I turn back around and start paddling again. Me. Me. The older nag of a wife and mother. Telling Nick to chill out. I paddle harder, my breath now coming in quick gasps and my calf muscles tightening ... a warning that I'm going to be sore tomorrow, but if I can get us to make it to Sandpiper Island before Dave goes inside, it will be worth it!

"Come on, Nick! Help me!"

Nick starts to paddle again ... hard. I lean to each side with each stroke, matching his intensity as Dave finishes tying the last rope.

"You're still insane," Nick says, his voice coming in quick gasps.

I can't help but laugh. "Oh, before I wasn't adventurous enough and now, I'm too insane?"

He pauses mid stroke, just enough to make the kayak veer to the left. I work hard to correct by holding my paddle in the water for just a beat, proud of myself for not losing my touch despite the many years since I've been on the water.

Nick starts to say something, but he's cut off by Dave who notices us cruising toward him.

"Hello? Do you need help?"

"Yes, I do," I call out over the waves, "I need help kicking your ass for not telling me you're the one who owns Sandpiper Island!"

Dave steps away from his boat and walks to the very edge of his pier, looking like a picture of beach savvy cool even from a distance.

"Marcie?" he calls out.

"Dave?"

He laughs heartedly, the robust and now-familiar sound ripping through me like a warm welcome as Nick and I finally reach the pier.

"Woman, you are insane," Dave says, bending down on one knee and holding his hand out to take the end of my paddle and drag us closer.

"So I've been told."

He laughs again and then directs us to toss him the ropes at each kayak end, winding them tightly around opposite posts to keep the kayak somewhat steady. Thankfully, the tide is high enough were I can stand and shimmy my way onto the pier on my stomach, made easier by Dave offering me a hand.