The water was slightly rippled, with a gentle southeasterly breeze, just perfect for the beginning of September. No bugs and no humidity. Just being on the water should have been reward enough without having to manufacture any feelings of competitiveness. Such was not the mindset of Captain Al.
She was enjoying just being on the water, the feeling of infinite peace that often eluded her, always replaced instead by the urge to constantly accomplish. He was left behind to do whatever he pleased. She assumed she would have solitude, interacting only with the birds, the tiny waves, and the sun. She moved quietly, being one with the water. Suddenly, in her peripheral vision, she sensed and then finally saw movement to her right. Not expecting any company, her neck strained to see what was impinging on her space.
What she saw gave her a start, for there he was, in the dinghy, moving up quickly on her starboard side. He smiled and waved and greeted her with a nonchalance that was, at once, suspect. She casually asked him what he was up to and he said he was simply 'accompanying' her on the water.
Alas, she knew better and mentally geared up for what she knew was in store. Gathering her mental reserve, she bore down with all the strength she could muster and plied the paddles firmly in the water, powerfully stroking with each arm. He knew that she knew what he was up to and he tried his best to move the dinghy but the little motor was no match for the Hurricane. She was moving with such velocity that bugs flew into her teeth and her lips were pulled away from her teeth. The dinghy was no match for the Hurricane kayak, aptly named for its extreme speed.
Score one for the First Mate, if only in her imagination.
Ancora imparo
