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It was the other reason Mark wanted to be out on the sea. That’s where his boy was.
“She fell asleep?” Laura sounded shocked. “But that’s horrible. The boy in her care and…”
Mark nodded. It was horrible. All of it.
“I don’t know what to say.” Laura’s eyes brimmed with tears. Was she going to cry? He was momentarily baffled by the response. Why did she feel the loss so acutely? He was used to looks of pity. But hers was something else. Like she’d experienced loss herself.
He was about to ask her about it when a hard knock came on Mark’s door. Laura looked a little startled but recovered as Mark checked his phone. Only then did he realize he’d forgotten to plug it in. He guessed it must’ve died shortly after he’d shown Laura the video of her dancing on the beach. Mark walked to the door, praying it wasn’t his brother, or this morning was about to get a lot more hostile.
He swung open the front door to find Dave standing there, tall and blond, looking his usual tanned, thirtysomething self. Dave was one of the best sailors on the island. He’d won the race three years in a row, and he’d be helping Mark do it for a fourth time.
“Do you answer your phone?” Dave accused as he swept into Mark’s condo.
“Phone died,” Mark said and then added sarcastically, “Well, come on in. Make yourself at home.”
Dave saw Laura and stopped in his tracks. “Oh. Uh… I didn’t realize you had company. I can come back.”
“No, come on in. She’s my upstairs neighbor. Laura, meet Dave, the best skipper on the island.”
Dave extended his hand and Laura took it, though Dave barely acknowledged her. He seemed distracted, worried even. “I’ll come back, man.”
“No. Stay. I’ve got a few ideas I want to go over with you about the boat, and we’re way behind, really, so I need extra hands today if you can spare them…”
Dave was really starting to look uncomfortable as he shifted uncertainly from one foot to the other. He glanced anxiously at Laura, who managed a weak grin, her hangover still haunting her.
“No, why don’t I let you… I mean… I’ll come back.”
“Dave. Come on. You’re here. Let’s go over a few things.”
“I can go,” Laura said, standing up for a wobbly second, holding her head. Poor thing looked like she might topple over. That hangover was a doozy.
“No, stay,” Mark said, and Laura gratefully slumped into the couch once more. Mark returned to the kitchen where he finished cracking eggs in a bowl, added a bit of milk and then put them in the melting butter in the pan on the stove.
“You haven’t had breakfast yet. Dave? You want something?”
Dave reluctantly followed Mark to his kitchen. “Uh, no, man. I’ve eaten, and anyway I can’t stay long. The wife wants me to help shop for strollers today.”
Dave and his wife were expecting their first child in a few months.
Mark was happy for his friend. He and Katie had been trying for years and the pregnancy came after they’d both thought neither one would ever be a parent. Dave was a stand-up guy, a good guy, and Mark knew he’d make a wonderful father. Katie would also make an excellent mother. But the news still caused a pang in his heart.
“Any names yet?”
“A few.” Dave relaxed a little bit but still didn’t sit down. “Katie wants to name her Madison, after her mother’s maiden name. I prefer Penelope, after my mom.”
“How about Penelope Madison?” Mark offered.
“Could work,” Dave said, but then sank into a moody silence. He glanced at Laura once and then back at Mark.
“What is it? You look like you just found out your dog died.” Mark dropped his spatula on the kitchen counter. “Come on. Spit it out.”
Dave laughed, a nervous little bark. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you always were a lousy actor,” Mark said. He turned the stove off, the smell of freshly cooked scrambled eggs filling the air.
Dave looked like he was about to face a firing squad. He glanced once more at Laura.
“Look, she can hear whatever it is you have to say,” Mark said, suddenly not caring. “We decided we don’t have secrets.” He winked at her and she smiled shyly.
“I don’t know how to say this.” Dave glanced down, looking ashamed.
Fear and apprehension rose in Mark’s chest. He remembered what his brother had told him about trusting his friends. Had Edward gotten to him? Had Dave been bought?
But they’d been good friends for years, worked side by side on winning boats for the last three years. Sure, Edward had been part of that, but Mark always thought of Dave as his friend first. After all, Mark had been the one to find him in Florida and recruit him to come sail the Tanner boat in the race.
