The Rookie

Sun & sand

I pulled up to Brewin's coffee, and jumped out of my truck. It was a little past 4 p.m. but Maggie was always running late she never wore a watch and barely looked at a clock or her cell phone, which is rare these days in my opinion. She always went by her own time and schedule, something I really admired about her, because her life seemed pretty relaxed. I pulled my tailgate down and sat on it, having to hop up a little because I was short. I looked out across the parking lot as a few cars went by, the sun hadn't even started to set yet and the weather was perfect. I started to think about Regan again, her brown hair, and icy blue eyes. I had yet to see her fully smile but I bet it was amazing. I started to wonder about her home life because she had been seriously bashing her husband this morning, even if she didn't mean to share that info with me, I unintentionally heard it. I guess you could say I was starting to form a little crush, but I had to be careful, she was married first off. And second she was my training officer which I'm sure would be a huge issue. I let out a heavy sigh and shook my head.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Maggie approaching, "rough first day already Al?" she said with a small smile.

I shook my head side to side and let out a single laugh, "You could say that, you ready to go?" I asked changing the subject knowing full well Maggie would try to drag the info out of me later. She nodded in agreement and I stood up closing my tailgate. "Separate cars, mine, yours? What are we doing here?" I asked waiting for a response, we usually took turns driving but I honestly preferred to because then I could leave on my own terms and not have to wait for people, I'm a firm believer in the saying if you leave they will follow. Or is it lead? Maggie pretended to think about it, but she knew her answer already.

She smiled devilishly like the Grinch, "Race you too the beach!" she yelled as she started walking towards her Jeep Wagoneer. I totally envied her for that car, even if it was a hunk of crap. You couldn't tell if the paint was tan, off white, or pastel yellow. But I loved the wood paneling on the side and the white wall tires I was always a sucker for certain cars. She had two surf boards tied down to the roof racks, a peace sign air freshener hanging from her rearview, and some beach towels sloppily thrown over her back seat. She kept her car neat, but it was of course loaded with sand everywhere. She jumped in and attempted to start it, it took a few tries, but the engine roared to life, I shook my head smiling getting back in my truck and followed her out of the lot. I could hear her playing her old cassette tape of Joan Jett she bought at a garage sale with a bunch of others in a shoe box for a buck. We really weren't racing as there was some light traffic in the area I smiled at the thought.

We pulled up to the beach and both jumped out she had a big blanket with her and a huge thermos which the contents were unknown. I raised my eyebrows and nodded towards the thermos, "Your favorite...Green iced tea!" she said with a smile. I nodded in approval and took it from her, following her halfway down the beach. She had taken off her wet suit from earlier was barefoot and had on a bikini as usual. Maggie's wardrobe contained very few items bikinis, wetsuits, flip flops, tank tops. She did have winter clothes and a few dresses but only wore those when the weather called for it, or special occasions.

Maggie: "So dare I ask how today went?" she asked spreading the blanket out across the sand.

Alex: "About as well as it could I guess." I said while kicking off my sandals and flopped down on the blanket, laying back and looking up at the sky.

Maggie laughed sitting next to me, "That good, then?" she grabbed the thermos and began to open it.

Alex: "Well I chased down someone, learned a lot, and was apparently outed!" I said sarcastically sitting up.

Maggie handed me the cap from the thermos which doubled as a cup and started to laugh. "Well it's no surprise" she said teasingly while she poured tea into it, she gave me a light pat on the shoulder.

Alex: "Well you know some people are weird about it I guess." I swirled the tea around my cup watching it spin. Looking up at Maggie who was looking at the ocean mesmerized by it as usual. "Hey way to tell me you were back in town by the way!" I teased taking a sip of my tea looking at her over my sunglasses. It made me think of the way Regan kept looking at me today while we were in the cruiser. I refocused on Maggie, on reality.

Maggie: "Don't change the subject first off!" she rolled her eyes, sipping off the thermos. "But I came back a few days ago, you know how I am with phones...besides you know they work both ways I haven't heard from you in a while either!" she said laughing looking back out at the ocean.

I let out a sigh and nodded in agreement looking out at the water as well. There were a few boats just close enough to make out bobbing up and down like corks from a champagne bottle. There was always a comfortable silence between us, neither of us felt the need to fill with useless chatter we always seemed to just talk and listen without any issues. We continued our small talk and catching up.

I looked down at my watch realizing an hour and a half had magically passed by us, as we caught up on each other's lives. Maggie noticed me looking, and chuckled a bit. We made eye contact and I raised my eyebrows questioning what made her laugh.

Maggie: "So you were outed who cares, just own it like we've always done. You'll be okay we made it this far you know?" She looked me pausing for a second, and hesitantly placed her hand on my thigh. I looked down at it and then back up to meet her hazel eyes. She never really wore sunglasses because she was used to being out on the beach all the time. "I'm always here if you need me, you know. You'll be alright." She said sincerely.

I just nodded and didn't say anything; I didn't have to she knew I agreed and would talk to her if need be. I downed the rest of my tea and held out the cup. She took it back took another long drink off the thermos and closed it up.

Maggie: "Well..." she paused looking up at the sun holding her hand over her brow like a visor. "I'd say it's been about two hours or so?" she looked back down over to me letting her hand fall. She stood up and held out her hand so I could get up too, I laughed looking at her.

Alex: "One day I'll figure out how you do that, you know?" I helped her fold up the blanket and carried it for her following her back to the car.

Maggie: "I have to keep some air of mystery about myself, don't I?" she teased getting back into her jeep she let her elbow and head hang out the window. "Shall we head to the brick? It's Wednesday!" she wiggled her eyebrows and sang out the last few words. I nodded getting back in my truck to follow her over, I smiled the whole way there.