Don’t Rock The Boat
'Sorry, I'm trying not to rock the boat. Thanks to 'Arthur auto-pilot' I've been down the galley and made you a lovely cup a chai, me hearty,' Dave said in his best pirate accent. Sally moved over and clutched the pillow under her bottom to keep her balance. Dave put a hand on her shoulder and steadied himself as he sat beside her. He placed a mug of tea between her hands. 'Mind, it's really hot,' he said and bent to kiss her left breast. She smiled and held the mug out of his way. His warm body and the hot mug gave her comfort from the chilling thoughts that crept into her consciousness.
'Wouldn't you feel more comfortable without that First Mate's uniform on?" he asked as he began unbuttoning her flannelette shirt.
'You'll demote me to Cabin Boy and I know what Captains do to Cabin Boys,' she laughed clutching at the front of her top.
'Too right.' Dave said as he snuggled under the warm folds of the shirt. She smelt his dark clean hair and the softness tickled her nose. She liked his nuzzling and hugged his head to her chest. She wished they could spend every minute together on the boat like the old days. He buttoned up her shirt. Quickly he sat up straight and whispered seriously, 'did you hear that? Dolphin on port side.'
'I can't see it,' Sally said flatly, and then sensing Dave's disappointment she yelled excitedly 'I can hear it. I see two. They're surfing the bow wave.' She heard the pew of the expulsion of air as the dolphins surfaced only to submerge and race each other to the front of the boat. They disappeared in a flash of grey beneath the aqua bay. A white bow wave peeled away from the navy hull of their boat, 'Casandra' as she bit into the next swell.
Dave stood up. 'Better get the anchor ready. We're nearly at Horseshoe Bay.' He went forward whistling and making clanging noises. Sally held the mug between her knees and reached for the auto-pilot,' I'll take over the tiller,' she called.
'I can see an old crab pot on the bottom. Waters so clear,' Dave looked over the side. 'And shells,' called Sally. 'And a school of Whiting. Look they're right under us,' he leant further over the side.
Sally sat firmly back on the pillow. 'And a bloody White Pointer and ******* King Neptune,' she said bitterly. 'Why do you always have to go on and on?' she sniffed and Dave knew she was crying. He was instantly at her side. She resisted him but he hugged her tightly to his chest. They stayed like that for a long time. Her sobs penetrated his heart and he fought to stop himself from crying.
He finally spoke, his voice soft and emotional. 'Don't be upset. I'm trying to give you something to look forward to, Sally. We'll be back on 'Casandra' in no time'
She slowly lay back and pulled him beside her. He placed a Kleenex in her hands. Sally blew her nose loudly.
'Sounds like a Sperm Whale on board,' Dave boomed. She laughed. He looked down at his lovely brave wife. Little tuffs of red hair stuck out at odd angles from the edges of the bandages wrapped tightly across her eyes and around her head. His gut clenched. He lovingly kissed her on the tip of the nose. Sally instinctively pulled away and then felt for his hands. Dave kissed her lips and took her hand and placed it on his groin.
'Now can we play doctors and nurses?' he whispered.
'How about I'm ships surgeon and you're an amputee patient,' Sally pinched him.
'I definitely think Captain and Cabin Boy is a much better idea,' Dave laughed as he rolled on top of her. The hospital bed creaked under their weight.
Copyright 2008 Steph
|
via Email
