AU for Trisha

[thewordofweb]

I nearly didn't make it down to the boat today. I'd gotten up, done my chores around the house and said my goodbyes to Joe and Sophie, but then I'd gotten caught gaping at my reflection and what was undoubtedly some plan to foil my mood in the form of a gray hair. At thirty-two, I really shouldn't be spouting hair that shade, and yet, there it is

Comments

[ihearttomgordon]

Sometimes, it's as if she knows it's one of those days, because as Webster loads up the boat, Trisha appears toting her usual bag of outdoorsy paraphernalia. Over the years she's conquered her fears come to know the island better than most. She's careful, prepared, and aware. You learn those things when you learn them the hard way.

Another thing she's learned, is how to read the men in her life who she's seen through all of their ups and downs. She understands it all much more now than she did then and as far as Joe and Webster are concerned, she's 18 going on 30.

So it's no surprise that she's suddenly there, approaching the boat as if she had been planning to take it out herself. "Heya, Web. I hope you weren't planning on going out without your first mate. There's penalties for that."

[thewordofweb]

The truth is that I had intended on setting out alone and yet like a specter out of nowhere, she appears and I have to admit that I feel sudden guilt, as if she somehow knows exactly what buttons to push in order to get me to feel that way. "Trisha," I greet fondly and lovingly, hoisting the bag with my fishing gear over the side before cleaning my palms on my shorts. "Don't you have...I don't know, some class or friend or Joe Liebgott to hang around and pester while I faffle about on the water?"

[ihearttomgordon]

She looks at him squarely, and while there are about six other thing she could be doing instead she shakes her head. "Nope, Joe's busy," she says, and it's true. If Web's here, Joe's with Sophie and they both know it. "This isn't a super secret trip you're going on, is it?"

[thewordofweb]

I get the last of the bags thrown over the side of the boat and shoot her a dubious look as I lean against the smooth outside (which I keep clean). "This is a very super secret trip I'm going on. I'm going to try and sail away to find the fountain of youth so I can stop graying." A soft German curse under my breath and I board the boat as well, not intending to sulk in public.