The Twist In Life

Chapter 26_ Of boats, toilet, and moustache

"What are you kids doing here at school time?" I heard someone yell from afar.

I turned my head towards the voice and saw an old man waving at us from a boat.

"Come here," he shouted.

"I'll go see what he wants," said Harvey.

"I'm coming too," I said.

"Me too," said Jamie.

I took off my shoes and placed them beside our picnic mat. I ran after Harvey and Jamie, my feet sinking into the sand with every step.

"Why did you take off your shoes?" asked Jamie.

"Because I like walking barefeet in the sand," I replied.

"What are you kids doing here at school time?" the old man repeated his question as we drew nearer.

"Uh, you have already asked that," said Harvey climbing into the boat as if he owned it.

Come to think of it, maybe he did.

"Does Harvey's father own this boat?" I asked Jamie.

"No," he said.

"His father seems to own everything," I said.

"Uncle owns that one," he pointed to a small row boat with two oars resting on the seats.

"That little boat?" I asked.

"Actually, it is one of the boats we use at the lake. The one where I, Harvey and our cousins spend our summer vaccations. Her name is Carla," said Jamie.

"Cool," I said. "I've always wanted to ride in little row boats."

A small man carrying a cloth came up to Carla. He jumped in and started cleaning one of the seats.

"Can we go for a ride?" I asked.

"Sure we can. After all, my uncle owns it," replied Jamie.

"Come on. Let's go ask him," I said excitedly.

"You go. I'll go up and see what is taking Harvey so long," he said.

I turned my head and saw that Harvey and the old man were engaged in a rigorous conversation.

"What if he says no?" I asked Jamie, gesturing towards the small man cleaning Carla.

"He won't if you don't let him. Act like the owner," he said. "Besides, he knows us."

"You should come with me then," I said.

"Nah! It'll be fine. Tell him we're here if he refuses," he said.

"Okay then. I'll be back in a jiffy," I said to Jamie and ran towards the little boat.

"Hey, are you going to go for a boat ride?" I asked the man.

"What if I am?" he spat.

"Uh, I just wanted to ask if you could let me and my friends ride the boat too," I said. "I've always wanted to ride a boat with oars."

"I don't rent my boat," he said grumpily.

"I'm not renting it. I just want to go for a ride," I said.

"I'm not letting grubby little girls in my boat," he scowled. "Especially those who don't know that boats are rowed not ridden."

"Me, grubby? Have you taken a look in the mirror lately?" I said rudely.

"Shut up you rude little freak," he said angrily.

"Take me for a row. At once," I ordered.

"Who are you to order me about?" he was so angry that he even forgot to be rude.