Winter (F)

I let myself into Cap'n Harry's apartment. "Yo!"

"Yo!" 

"Got your mail."

"And the Jack?"

"And the Jack."

"Anything good?"

"Sailing World. Looks like a few bills."

"Throw them on the counter and pour us one."

Harry was in his big chair facing the corner windows so he could watch over the harbor from the fort back up to the connector.

I carried a stool over and handed him his drink.

"No drink? What's going on?"

"Not now. I'm taking Cygnet down to Jacksonville."

"Jacksonville?" He shook his head.

"Some big party or something."

"That boat's too good to be a party barge. Catch the front and could be a fast ride. Who's crewing?"

"I'm taking Walt."

"So you and Sue--"

"No. Just giving the kid another chance."

"Right."

"Just like you gave me."

"Hell yes I did. Several times."

"Okay. Fine. Several times."

"But nothing with Sue?"

"Not a thing."

"I don't get you two."

"Nothing to get."

"Uh-huh."

"Give it a rest, Harry."

"Sure. I need another one."

"Okay. What did the doc say about the leg?"

"I get to keep it."

"Funny. What did he really say?"

"Pretty much that. But I need to stay off it for another few weeks. Then maybe in the spring I can start p t."

I handed him his drink. "That's something."

"Yep, it's something."

"You going to be able to come down for Race Week?"

He set his glass down and looked out to the river. "So no go with you and Sue?"

"Jeez, Harry. Don't be an ass about it."

"You see Carlton Franks died?"

"Yep. Ninety-six. Amazing."

"He was a funny old coot."

I stood up. "I can't imagine living another 34 years."

"Hell, 34 days."

"I hear you, Harry." 

He grunted.

"Should I lock the door?"

"Leave it open. Rhonda's coming by."

"Take it easy, Harry."

"Yep. Thanks for coming by."

"See you when I get back."

"Got no where to go."

Lyman 2026