Kevin Dodge was loosing his patience. Something he didn’t have a great deal of to begin with.
"Heh!" he shouted to his wife, "Think we could do this in my lifetime?"
The boys all giggled. Dad was funny when he lost his temper. They never knew what would come out of his mouth next.
"Keep your shirt on, Kev," yelled Martha as she hurried down the dock to the Sea Bitch, "I’m coming as fast as I can." Her arms were overflowing with picnic things.
"Yeah, and my clothes are going out of style." Kevin muttered almost under his breath, which elicited yet another round of giggles from his sons. Swinging around abruptly, he bellowed, "What’s the matter with you guys? Get up there and help your mother, for Christ’s sake."
All four youngsters scrambled over the side and ran to meet their over burdened mother who was still struggling her way up the dock.
"The day’s half over now," Kevin grumbled as he gave his hand to his wife and helped her into the boat.
"Jesus, Kev, it’s only ten o’clock in the morning." Martha replied almost absentmindedly. She was so used to his bluster that his ways barely even affected her by now. Acting spontaneously, Martha reached up and grabbed herself a beard full, pulling her husband’s face down close to hers. "You are one frumpy son of a bitch, but I love you anyway," she drawled before planting a big wet one square on his mouth.
This, of course, sent the boys into another spasm of laughter as they, too, climbed on board. "All right," their father growled as he tried unsuccessfully to hide his grin, "make yourselves useful. Let’s get ready to cast off."
There was a mild flurry of activity on the compact deck of the Sea Bitch, as everyone turned their attention to the chore that had been set for them.
Martha stowed the picnic hamper and extra blankets in the wheelhouse. One set of sons cast off the stern line while the other saw to releasing the bow line. Once they were free, Kevin throttled up and the Sea Bitch slowly pulled away from her mooring, complacently chugging out into the harbor. Waves and loud ‘Good Morning’s were exchanged with everyone they met along the way out to the open water.
These are people I’ve known my entire life, thought Martha as she leaned against the wheelhouse door watching their leisurely progress through the bay. Most of them were honest, hard working folk. The sea was a harsh mistress and Martha had many friends who had lost their fisherman husbands to her over the years. Fondly, she looked over to Kevin who was carefully tracking their passage through the midmorning traffic of working boats. He’s feeling guilty, she realized with a grin. Guilty for taking a day off for pleasure. She moved closer to her husband and linked her arm through his, leaning her head onto his broad shoulder for a moment.
In the back of the boat the boys chortled and elbowed each other at this unaccustomed open display of affection between their parents. This was a real treat. It was pretty rare that their dad could take time off from fishing to spend the whole day with them. It was going to be a great day.
"I’m glad you talked me into this," Kevin said happily, giving his wife the customary pat on her behind.
They had passed the outer bouy now and Kevin opened her up, letting the Sea Bitch stretch her legs as they moved out into the open Atlantic. There was a slight chop on the water today, but nothing to worry about. Martha looked up at a deep blue sky that held not even so much as a hint of clouds. She returned her attention to the sea. Farther out there was still a touch of sea smoke left over from the early morning.
"Heh, boys," she yelled back to her sons, "know what Nana used to tell me the fog was?" She continued without waiting for a reply, "She used to say the fog was really smoke from Gluskabe’s pipe." I miss you, Nana, she said silently to herself. I’m sure looking forward to seeing you again.
With that thought in mind, Martha turned and gazed at the rapidly retreating Island as if she’d never see it again. She watched it until first it became only a mere speck on the horizon and then nothing at all.