Unrestrained Freedom

by Roger Arsht

Read previous episodes here.

       Annie was surprised when Bertie called that afternoon considering that she had rejected him less than 48 hours earlier. If he had any qualms about a second date, his voice didn’t betray him, and he didn’t ask more questions as to why she had left the yacht on Saturday.  

       Annie accepted Bertie’s invitation. She left work early and arrived in Annapolis on Friday at two o’clock. Captain Ed, standing on the same spot of teak deck as when she visited Secrets Kept a week earlier, welcomed her aboard with his officious voice. “You will be enjoying the same stateroom as before. Bertie is finishing a project. He asked me to help you get settled and to offer you a beverage. Let me take your bag.”  

       “It’s good to see you. I know where my room is, and I know where to get a delicious cup of coffee,” Annie said with a relieved laugh. At least Captain Ed was consistent in Bertie’s traveling circus. 

       “Nevertheless, it’s my job to escort you and to carry your bag. We must keep up our standards.”  

       Annie and Ed both laughed at the silliness of how formal things were on Secrets Kept.  

       The room was as she remembered, except that the closet contained no swimsuits or other attire other than the amazing bathrobe. Annie made a mental note that things were already improving. 

       “Do you need help unpacking?” Captain Ed asked. 

       “I can manage.” 

       “As you wish. Please call me if you need anything. We will be pushing off in a few minutes. Dinner will be served at seven. Wine and cocktails are served whenever you wish. Normally, Bertie would discuss the itinerary with you. However, as I said, he’s busy. He’s going to leave the yacht as soon as we push off.” 

       “Leave?” Annie asked with a slight tremor in her voice. 

       “Let me clarify. He likes to chase after the yacht on a jet ski once we leave port.” 

       “Where are we going?” Annie's interest piqued. 

       “Southern Virginia. An area called Chincoteague.” 

       “Bertie’s going to jet ski all the way there?” 

       Ed laughed. “No. For maybe an hour or two. Have you ever operated a jet ski?” 

       “No. I’d like to. Do you think I can? No offense, but I don’t want to ride behind Bertie.” 

       “No offense taken. I wouldn’t want to ride behind him either if I could drive my own machine. You got this.” Ed said in a more casual tone than he had ever used during her first visit. “I have a wetsuit for you. I think you’ll be warmer and more comfortable than riding in just your swimsuit. I’ll bring it to you.” 

       “Thank you.” 

       Bertie was waiting for Annie near the coffee machine. He was surprised when he saw her in a wetsuit. She was surprised when he held her tightly. His embrace was more than a friendly hug. “I guessed you might want a cup before we get on the jet skis. I’m glad you’re coming. It’s a blast.” 

       Almost on cue, Secrets Kept pulled away from its berth with a slight jolt and into the Severn River before heading on to the Chesapeake Bay.  

       “You ready?” Bertie asked as he took her hand and they walked to the stern of the yacht. 

       “How do we do this? How do we get on the jet skis? The yacht is moving.” 

       “The yacht’s going to stop. This is kind of cool. The jet skis slide from a garage on the back of the boat onto the swim deck. The swim deck is hydraulically controlled. It gets lowered into the water with us on the jet skis. We reverse the process when we get back.” 

       “I like it.” Annie said with authentic excitement in her voice. 

       “It’s fancy and practical. Yachters used to have to lower smaller watercraft using davit cranes that were fixed to the deck. This is much simpler.” 

       “Cool. Let’s go,” Annie said eagerly. 

       When Captain Ed spoke into his radio, the yacht slowed to a stop. The jet skis were already on the swim deck when Bertie and Annie walked down the stairs. Ed explained to Annie how to operate her jet ski. He then put an elastic cord around her wrist. 

        “How does this work?”  

       “If you fall off your jet ski, the cord separates from the machine and the jet ski stops.” 

       “That’s good,” she said with a smile. 

       “You ready?” Bertie asked. 

       “Yup.” 

       “Ed is going to lower the swim deck further, and then you’ll be floating. Start up the machine, and off we go. Secrets Kept will start moving at eight knots. We’re going to follow along. We can drive away from the boat and come back. The jet skis go much faster than eight knots. Be sure to watch out for buoys, channel markers, crab pots, and other boats. Other than hundreds of those items, the path is clear.” 

       With those last instructions, Bertie and Annie fired up their jet skis and powered away from the stern of the yacht. Annie was tentative until she got comfortable with the controls. Soon she was having a grand time blasting through the yacht’s wake. When Bertie pulled alongside and told her they needed to return to the ship, she couldn’t believe two hours had passed so quickly. 

       “Can we go a little longer?” Annie asked. 

       “We need to stop. I’ll explain why when we’re aboard.” 

       The two returned to the yacht and waited for the float deck to rise. They stripped off their wetsuits and gave them to Ed. When they were on the main deck again, they both collapsed onto the first chaise lounges they came to. A dirty martini and a glass of white wine were waiting for them. Once they had taken a sip, Bertie told Annie why they stopped. “We’re about to cross from the bay into the Atlantic. The chop and the wind will get more severe. I know you could handle it. It’s just not as enjoyable. We also need to pick up the pace. While I don’t have a problem cruising at night on the open ocean, I prefer to be in port at night or anchored in a protected body of water. We have a few hours of cruising before either of those things are possible,” Bertie explained. 

       “Have you been at sea in rough weather?” 

       “Yes,” Bertie said as a shadow crossed his face. “This is a big boat with a capable crew. We’re perfectly safe. However, the ocean’s power is frightening, especially if it’s being whipped by a storm. Anyway, our radar tells us that it’s clear skies and seas all the way to Chincoteague.” 

       “Why are we going there?” Annie asked. 

       “It’s the annual Pony Swim. The wild horses are rounded up by Saltwater Cowboys. The ponies then swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. Some of them are auctioned off so that the size of the herds can be controlled.” 

       “What are we going to do?” 

       “Tonight, we’ll have dinner onboard. Tomorrow we will ride horses on the beach. I have a favorite restaurant called Bill's on Chincoteague. They serve pomegranate martinis, fresh seafood, and an amazing six-layer chocolate cake. I’ll show you the menu. Let me know if it appeals to you.” 

       “Do you always eat at the same restaurants?” 

       “Sometimes, not always. This is a busy weekend. I was lucky to get a reservation. But sure, I like to try new places.” 

       “Do you know what I don’t like?” Annie began. 

       “No. Tell me.” Annie could see she had Bertie’s complete attention and his face showed a little fear. Maybe he thought she was going to ask to return to port again. 

       “I don’t like when people try new restaurants and then complain about the food.” 

       “Why does that bother you?” 

       “We’re both fortunate. We get to choose where we eat. We get three more chances tomorrow if we don’t like what we ate today. Some people don’t have that choice. We have no right to complain.” 

       “I agree. I’m going to remember that the next time I start to get annoyed. I only wish that every situation allowed for three more tries the next day.” Bertie paused and the same shadow Annie had seen earlier left as quickly as it had come. “Then I thought we’d make a campfire on the beach. When we’re ready, we’ll return to the yacht. I thought we could spend tonight and tomorrow night off the coast of Virginia before cruising back to Annapolis on Sunday. What do you think?” 

       “It sounds amazing,” Annie said before her expression changed.  

       “Is everything okay?” Bertie asked. 

       “Yes, yes. It’s just…that I’m starved. I don’t think I can make it until seven. And, if I keep drinking on an empty stomach, I’m going to fall asleep again.” 

       “That would be okay.” 

       “Thank you. That’s very kind. I don’t want to miss out on the fun. I’d also like to learn more about you before I fall asleep like a dead person. I have had a horrendous work week. This yacht, this environment, is kind of relaxing.” 

       “I’m glad it suits you. What would you like for dinner?” 

       “Didn’t you have something planned?” 

       “Forget that. What would hit the spot?” 

       “You’re going to think this is weird. I’d love a cheeseburger and a pile of tater tots if that’s not too much trouble.” 

       “No trouble at all. Would French fries be okay if we don’t have tater tots?” 

       “Absolutely.” 

       “I’ll let Ed know that we want to eat within the next half hour.” 

       “Can we have beer with dinner? I think it goes better with burgers than wine.” 

       “I’m in.” 

       Annie moved in front of Bertie and put her arms around him before pulling him into a warm embrace. 

       “What was that for?” Bertie asked. 

       “I had a spectacular time on the jet ski. I don’t remember the last time I had such an exhilarating experience.” Annie blushed before continuing. “Bouncing across the waves…with that kind of freedom…. well, you get it.” 

       Bertie smiled and returned her hug. “I’m going to shower and change. You okay if we go casual tonight? I’m going to put on jeans and a sweatshirt.” 

       “Perfect.” Annie said before heading to her stateroom. She had a wry smile on her lips and mischief in her eyes when she asked Bertie if he minded if she could wear her new pajamas to dinner.