Waters Edge

Chapter Nineteen: Call Me Back To You.

I huff in annoyance as my bag begins to dig into my shoulder painfully and a baby starts to cry from somewhere in this long ass line up. I try to stand on my tip toes to see how much longer it is going to take to get on this god forsaken ferry boat. I see lots of people with camera gear, as well as some with fishing gear probably all hyped about the "mermaid" spotting, as if there is so many people who believe in that crap. Which is probably why the ferry, which whenever I had to take it was always so empty, is now bustling with people in a long line up. The hour and a half hour plane ride to get to this town is already making me cranky and wanting to punch the next person who bumps into me in the face.

When I finally step foot on the boat mixed emotions hit me like a freight train and I feel the urge to puke. I grip the railing and hesitate for a moment. The people behind me begin to grumble complaints and one shoves past me. I step over the small bridge between the dock and the ferry as my heart pounds in my ears. So much open ocean.

I can feel people's eyes on me now and it is unsettling as I slowly shuffle onto the boat. When I make it, I grip the railing on the side and sway a bit. The contents of my stomach, being a crappy airport sandwich and Pringles from the flight, churn uneasily and threaten to make a reappearance.

I take slow and careful breaths. In. Out. Innnn. Ouuuuttt. Why the hell am I doing this? InOutInOutInOut. This is a huge mistake. InOutInOut. I should go home this is just the crazy part of me rearing its ugly head. A Manic episode that I wasn't able to catch until this moment that is trying to get me killed. InOUtINoUt.

A hand clamps down on my shoulder and snaps me right out of my thoughts.

"Are you okay son?" My eyes focus on a kind-faced man with a stubbly grey beard and a fisherman's cap perched on top of his greying hair.

"I uh... Have this panic thing with the water." I stutter out my lungs feel like they don't work properly and the man hums softly and gives me a sympathetic smile.

"Heck of a vacation then! What did the misses want to see the Caribbean?" He chuckles and I feel like I am slowly turning green just as they begin to yell out final call. I glance at the dock for a moment and ponder if I jump right now if I could make it.

"No nothing like that, I just have this feeling I am missing something," I say my breath coming to me easier now, I look at the man and his brown eyes swirl with a question.

"Why don't we grab a seat, I don't think you quite have your sea legs. Tell me more about this feeling."

"Oh no, I don't want to impose. I am sure you have someone that I must be keeping you from."

"Non-sense, it is an hour-long ride to Pelican island, I am going there to visit my son, he is just about your age. Just me on this here boat, I don't mind talkin' with ya' keep you company so you don't lose your lunch." I feel a warmth spread in my chest and agree to follow him inside the boat.

Inside is not very fancy, just rows of plastic chairs bolted to the floor as well as a few TVs scattered around the room. Most of the passengers are outside by the railings admiring the views before they get boring. This boat has three or four stops before it gets to Pelican Island, and looking around it seems like most people are going there. When I sit on the squeaky chair the old man sits right next to me by the window.

"So son first time out on a boat?" I laugh because I can't help myself.

"No actually I was a fisherman for almost eight years, but about three and a bit years ago I got caught in a really bad storm, wrecked my boat to bits. I was lucky to be alive but it left me terrified to go back." I admit and I haven't been so honest with anyone for years it surprises me that I am admitting all this to a man I just met, I don't even know his name.