Call her ZADDY

Ch 17- Thank you

Wiping down the side of his fishing boat with wax, Mick's mind drifted as he thought of Gabrielle and their night painting days ago. Something about that portrait of her left him so vulnerable. Worse yet, Every day since then he'd managed to make a complete fool of himself.

A tidal wave of shame washed over Mick as he remembered their last encounter. It was humiliating. Despite his best attempts to block the memory, he could still see himself standing there foolishly in the middle of her studio as she mocked him. He could still hear her howls of laughter echoing through his mind as if he was still there standing in her piece of shit kitchen.

He knew in his past he'd been guilty of talking over women, but he was genuinely trying his best to knock it off. Mick swallowed a lump in his throat before turning away from the subject and gazing off into the emerald green ocean water.

His heart raced while a million thoughts swirled in his brain. He had to speak to Gabrielle again. He needed to set things straight.

——

Mick skipped all small talk when she answered the phone and dove right in saying, "Gabrielle,... I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the other night at your beach house. You really put me in my place...I think I really needed that."

Gabrielle was quiet then stumbled, "Oh, um, don't worry about it. It was nothing."

Mick paused, gazing out into the harbor as a boat full of tourists passed by. They all looked so hopeful. So naive. His feelings floated around inside his chest as he tried to imagine the passengers on board and what their home lives must be like. In some ways he wanted the same sort of simple tucked away domestic lives they all must live. It seemed to him so easy and safe. Maybe with someone like Gabrielle?

He could picture himself happy with a family, and having kids, but on the other hand he pitied the men leading that sort of minuscule existence. His own journey was marked by grand adventures, sex and passion. Anyway there was plenty of time before he had to worry about settling down.

Looking back at his boat with a wistful glance, Mick fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. He realized Gabrielle's friendship was somehow intertwined with these new feelings and he smiled softly despite his mood.

Staring over the horizon, he watched as a flock of sea birds flew bye. In his mind he counted them just like James Joyce. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen... Circling and darting in the air. Mick held his breath until the birds flew over the horizon before swooping down towards the water, then gliding serenely out of sight. It had to be a sign. His heart was opening up just like a sea anemone; swaying in a foreign tide. He was growing!

"I fucking don't know what you brought out in me girl...," he said shaking his head, " but thank you.. "Thank you again."

Stay tuned for the next chapter !