“She made the trip out instead of Bryan,” David’s muffled voice said from inside the hatch.
“Oh, I know who you are. David mentioned you…. a lot. There was an issue with one of the tour boats. Had to take precedence,” Mavis explained. She sat on the padded bench and scooted over to make room for Bonnie. “And seeing as I have the next forty-eight hours off, I thought I’d do a few favors and come help this pirate find his way. I grabbed a few hours of sleep, then took a boat. Sorry if we woke you up.”
“Don’t be.” Bonnie felt a tinge of guilt at having neglected her morning duties. She’d begun to enjoy the schedule she and David had established together. “I’m not clear headed just yet. Give me a minute.” She quickly poured some coffee. Two sips later, she felt the day shift into focus. “Okay, that’s better.” She sighed in a way that had Mavis grinning.
“Oh, yeah,” Mavis said. “You and I are going to get along fine.”
Bonnie smiled. Any unease she might have felt at her melted away.
“Hey, Man!” David yelled. “Where’s that kit already?”
“Man?” It took Bonnie a minute to connect the name to David’s goddaughter. He had mentioned that name most times when he talked about Rick Sanchez. “Oh, Mandy. Rick’s daughter. She’s here? She came with you?”.
“Yeah” Mavis muttered under her breath. “Didn’t want to bring her at first, but if you know Mandy, you know that she is extremely good at getting people to do what she wants them to do.”
“Yeah, David mentioned that once” Bonnie said as she peeled the banana and ate it.
“Good to know that he still remembers me…I was starting to think that he didn’t.” The young woman who climbed up the side of the boat and dropped onto the deck aimed a look at Mavis that would have stopped Bonnie from talking. “Hi. You must be Bonnie.” she said.
Mandy set a green metal toolbox down near David, then wiped her hand on her cut-off jeans. “I’m Mandy.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mandy. I’ve heard a lot about you…and your Dad.”
“I’ll bet.” Mandy grinned and flashed a quick look to Mavis. The teen wore her blond hair in the same manner as Mavis, but Mandy’s baseball cap displayed her dedication to the 49ers, as did the black-and-red T-shirt she wore. She stood at about Bonnie’s height and displayed more curves than angles-a testament, no doubt, to the amount of time she spent in and on the water. “And I know very well that he said nice things.” The young woman’s smile widened, but Bonnie could still see a trace of concern in her brilliant blue eyes. “Although it took him forever to come visit me for such a long time.”
Bonnie recalled David telling her about how he looked after Mandy after Rick died, and how his job prevented him from seeing her as much as he would have loved to. Bonnie sipped her coffee and listened to the ensuing banter between Mandy, David and Mavis. The affection among the three was obvious and it was clear David had been right when he’d said Mandy was fifteen going on thirty-five. There was a maturity about her that made her comfortable to be around the adults in her life.
“Squawk! Pretty bird. Pretty bird. Guaca-mooleeeee!”
Mavis and Mandy both jumped.
David jerked and bashed his head on the compartment ledge. Amid the cursing echoes, Bonnie laughed. “I was wondering where she’d gotten to. Good morning, Duchess.” Bonnie grabbed her banana, broke off a piece and stood up to offer it to the parrot. “Duchess, this is Mavis and Mandy. Duchess found us after one of our stops.”
“You didn’t mention the bird,” Mavis said. “Are you starting a collection or something?”
“Or something,” David muttered.
“She’s so pretty,” Mandy whispered, sticking close to Bonnie who offered up a chunk of fruit. Duchess grabbed hold with one foot and began nibbling the offered banana. “Oh, look! That’s so cute. Look at how she eats.”
“You may not have a bird, Man,” David said as he slipped free of the hatch and sat back on the deck.
“I wasn’t going to ask for one.” Mandy watched as Bonnie drew a finger down the bird’s back. “Yet,” she mumbled under her breath.
Bonnie shared a secret smile with the teen.
“She’s been pretty friendly, but go slow with her. And no matter how much she asks, no guacamole or avocado.”
“Hi, Duchess. I’m Mandy.” Mandy moved a bit closer. “You’re very pretty.”
Duchess stopped eating, blinked assessing eyes at Mandy and inclined her head as if making a life-altering decision. She clicked her beak, ruffled her throat and said, “Get your knees up!”
Mandy and Mavis laughed. David groaned. “Don’t encourage her.” he said.
“Are you bringing her home with you?” Mandy asked and took the rest of
Bonnie’s banana that she offered and continued to feed Duchess.
“I doubt anyone decides anything for Duchess,” David said. “But so far she’s along for the ride. If that storm didn’t frighten her off, I doubt anything will.”
“What’s the verdict with the belt?” Mavis asked.
“Going to take more work than I thought to get it running again.” David dug around in his toolbox. “There’s a lot of rust that needs scouring off, otherwise this will happen again and maybe do more damage next time.”
He looked up at Bonnie. “It’s going to be at least another day before I can get her going again. Maybe it’s best if you head back with Mavis and Mandy. We are close to High Tide Harbour anyways. I’ll get in when I can.” He leaned into the engine as if she’d been dismissed.
“Oh.” Disappointment crashed through her. It might have at least been worth a discussion, she thought, and a part of her suspected that he just didn’t want to be alone with her anymore. “I guess that makes sense.” she said softly.
He hadn’t mentioned this idea to her yesterday; then again, he hadn’t known Mavis was the one coming out with the parts he needed. Or that the belt would need more work. Had he? Bonnie hadn’t considered going anywhere near High Tide Harbor without David. She wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to. But it seemed she didn’t have a choice. She was saying goodbye to David. Today.
Sure, she’d see him again, but the time they’d shared on Blue Blood was over…Everything she dreaded was already happening.