Strandline

Strandline - Episode 17: Braindive

“Craig, Naveen! Good to see you again!”

Kristin hung back while the boys gave one-armed hugs to the stout woman behind the bar of the Clamrock. Her short, salt-and-pepper hair was just as utilitarian as her denim overalls, which covered a yellow and green tie-dye T-shirt. Maybe it was the tanned woman’s lip, nose, eyebrow, and ear piercings, but somehow she made the odd ensemble work.

“It’s been a while,” Craig said, motioning Kristin over. The mismatched floorboards squeaked under her feet. “I’m impressed you remember us.”

The bartender waved a dismissive hand at Craig. “I remember all of my customers, but especially the charming, handsome ones.” Her exaggerated wink had them all chucking.

“Pancho*,” Naveen said, “this is our friend Kristin. Kristin, Pancho.”

Kristin extended her hand. “Pleased to meet you.” She kept her questions about the woman’s strange name to herself.

“Likewise,” Pancho said, shaking Kristin’s hand with a firm, calloused grip. “I daresay you’re the prettiest sailor I’ve ever seen.”

“I’m no sailor,” Kristin said, grinning. “I’m an engineer.”

Pancho’s laugh bordered on a guffaw. “You’re definitely the prettiest engineer I’ve ever seen!”

Naveen put an arm around Kristin’s shoulders and hugged her close for a moment. “Damn straight.” Not wrapping her arm around his waist was difficult, but she managed.

“So what do y’all want?” Pancho asked. “Food, or just drinks? And for heaven’s sake, put your bags down!”

Craig headed for a table at the back of the room and set his backpack on the floor. “Food, for me anyway.” He looked questioningly at Naveen and Kristin.

“Me, too.”

“Yes, please.” Kristin shagged off her backpack and gratefully took one of the bent cane chairs. Even with Craig’s help, she felt a bit weak after teleporting to Strandline all the way from Hawaii.

After seeing to the couple at a table on the opposite side of the bar, Pancho returned with three well-worn menus and three glasses of ice water. “Holler when you’re ready,” she said and strode off.

Less than five minutes later they’d ordered two cheeseburger platters, a chef’s salad, and a pitcher of beer. Kristin had been grateful for a non-fried food option. Maybe the guys could live on hamburgers, but she’d had her fill.

Kristin was looking around the mostly empty—presumably because it was the middle of the afternoon—bar when she felt the floor shaking. She glanced under the table to find Naveen’s knee bouncing. Kristin put one of her hands over his and smiled. “Petra will be here soon.”

“Yeah,” Naveen said with a rueful smile. “I know.”

“Better to know than not know,” Craig said, nodding sagely.

Naveen sniffed. “Oh, shut it, Mr. I-Can-Teleport-Wherever-I-Like.” His grin ruined his indignant act.

A slight silhouette darkened the doorway they’d entered through, partially hiding the view of motley storefronts across the street. “She’s here,” Kristin murmured. She donned a polite smile to hide her nerves.

After exchanging hellos with Pancho, Petra, who wore her typical wrap-around skirt, sleeveless shirt, and sandals, moved to their table. “Hi Craig, Kristin, Naveen.” She looked at each of them in turn, and her voice was neutral. “No hard feelings, I hope?”