Message in a Bottle - Nicholas Sparks [83]
“If the ocean dives go well, you both will.”
“Awesome.”
“What’s up for the rest of the day?” Theresa asked.
Garrett started loading the tanks in the back of the truck. “I thought we’d go sailing. It looks like it’s going to be great weather.”
“Can I learn how to do that, too?” Kevin asked eagerly.
“Sure. I’ll make you my first mate.”
“Do I need to be certified for that, too?”
“No—that’s up to the captain, and since I’m the captain, I can do it right now.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
Kevin looked at Theresa with wide eyes, and she could almost read his thoughts. First I learn how to dive, then I become a first mate. Wait until I tell my friends.
Garrett was accurate in predicting ideal weather, and the three of them had a wonderful time on the water. Garrett taught Kevin the basics of sailing—from how and when to tack to anticipating the direction of the wind based on the clouds. As on their first date together, they had sandwiches and salads, but this time they were treated to a family of porpoises that frolicked around the boat as they ate.
It was late by the time they made it back to the docks, and after Garrett showed Kevin how to close up the boat to protect it from unexpected storms, Garrett brought them back to their motel. Since all three of them were exhausted, Theresa and Garrett said good-bye quickly, and both Theresa and Kevin were in bed by the time Garrett arrived back at his house.
The following day, Garrett took them out for their first ocean dive. After the initial nervousness wore off, they began to enjoy themselves and ended up going through two tanks each over the course of the afternoon. Thanks to the calm, coastal weather, the water was clear, with excellent visibility. Garrett took a few photos of them as they explored one of the shallow-water wrecks off the North Carolina coast. He promised to have them developed that week and to send them up as soon as he could.
They spent the evening at Garrett’s house again. After Kevin fell asleep, Garrett and Theresa sat close to each other on the deck, caressed by the warm, humid air.
After talking about their earlier dive, Theresa was quiet for a little while. “I can’t believe we’ll be leaving tomorrow night,” she said finally, a trace of sadness in her voice. “These last couple of days have flown by.”
“That’s because we’ve been so busy.”
She smiled. “Now you have a sense of what my life is like in Boston.”
“Always racing around?”
She nodded. “Exactly. Kevin is the best thing that ever happened to me, but he sometimes wears me out. He always has to be doing something.”
“You wouldn’t change it, though, would you? I mean, you don’t want to raise a TV junkie or a kid who sits in his room listening to music all day, do you?”
“No.”
“Then count your blessings. He’s a great kid—I’ve really enjoyed spending time with him.”
“I’m so glad. I know he feels the same way.” She paused. “You know, even though we haven’t spent much time alone on this trip, it seems like I know you a lot better now than when I first came down here by myself.”
“What do you mean? I’m still the same guy I was before.”
She smiled. “You are and you aren’t. The last time I was here, you had me all to yourself, and we both know it’s easier to get involved with someone when you can spend a lot of exclusive time together. This time, you saw what it would really be like with Kevin around… and yet you handled the whole thing better than I could have imagined.”
“Well, thanks, but it wasn’t that hard. As long as you’re around, it doesn’t matter what we do. I just like spending time with you.”
He put his arm around her, pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder. In the silence, they listened as the waves rolled up along the beach.
“Are you going to stay over again tonight?” he asked.
“I was giving it some serious consideration.”
“Would you want me to be a perfect gentleman again?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you flirting with me?”
“I’m trying,” she confessed, and he laughed. “You know,