One of the most surreal days of my life, was ending on a completely drunken note. Howard and I made our way slowly down the street. He turned us towards the marina, and I had a nagging worry in the back of my foggy brain, that he was going to mug me, and toss me in the water. I would have worried more, but was too damn drunk to care.
We made our way down the pier, to a very large looking yacht. It must have had three decks above water, with the top being one of those extra wheels where you can steer the boat from, aside from the one in the main wheelhouse. It had a lot of port holes, and looked like a smaller RIB boat on deck for a launch.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” he slurred, waving his arm wide at the boat. “Want to come…” hiccup, “aboard?”
I had nowhere better to be, so accepted with a nod. That nod was a big mistake, as the world started spinning. I grabbed the side of the boat, to get back to seeing straight, and then climbed aboard slowly. We went inside, to a large living room style cabin, and I sat on a plush chair. He got out another bottle, this one with no label, but sloshed some dark brown liquid inside it. Without words, he poured two snifters full with no ice, and handed me one. I vaguely remember us finishing them, and that was about it. I don’t even remember the conversation we might have had.
I awoke to the sounds of seagulls, and the gentle rocking of the water. I vaguely remembered sitting in an overstuffed chair, drinking some really smooth Rum. My head was swimming, and my mouth was dry like a desert. I got up, and after stabilizing myself, moved to a small refrigerator next to the couch, and got out a bottle of water. I chugged half of it then stopped to take a deep breath. I really needed to cut back on the booze, of course, that’s what everyone says when they are hungover.
Looking around the marina, I saw a lot of other boats. Some were as big as Howards, but most were small to mid-sized in comparison. The sun was just coming up over some distant mountain peak, and the breeze was a welcome comfort. Aside from a raging headache, the scene was breathtaking.
I heard some grumbling from the stairs that led below deck, and assumed that Howard was waking up in the same condition I was, or worse. He came up, stumbling as he went, and was mumbling some words that I couldn’t make out. He flopped down on the couch, raised his head, and started laughing.
“Son,” he looked right at me, “THAT was a heck of a night!”
“Agreed, but I could really use some coffee and Ibuprofen right about now.”
He nodded, and walked over to a cabinet, taking out a bottle. He tossed it at me, and then went over to another tall cabinet on the opposite wall. He opened it, and behind it was a cleverly hidden coffee pot. I opened the pill bottle, shaking out four of them, as he got the coffee brewing. I took the pills, using the remaining water I had, then sat back down on the chair I had slept in.
“Got any plans for today?” he asked.
“Actually, yeah. I have to tie up some loose ends back in Virginia, and look for a place to live out here. Right now, I am just staying over at White Sands Resort.”
Howard made a harrumph sound, and sat down on the couch to wait for the coffee. “If you get any free time, or need help with anything, give me a call.”
He pulled a card out of his shirt pocket, and handed it to me. Several thoughts ran through my addled brain at that moment. Why did he have cards in his shirt pocket? How did he still have them in there, after all the drinking we did last night? Lastly, what did he want with me, other than as a drinking buddy?
“Sure thing,” I answered instead.
I was really in no shape for a long drawn out conversation anyhow. He served me a mug of coffee, and got one for himself. We sat quietly, and had our drinks, just enjoying the breeze and quiet tranquility of the harbor. After a while, he looked at me, and spoke.
“So what are you going to do now? You said last night that you are selling your business, so what’s next?”
When he wanted to, he just got right to the point. He must have been a hell of a businessman, before he retired. Thinking about it, I don’t remembered telling him about selling off the business, so I must have been really drunk and blacked out.
“Honestly, I don’t know yet. I’ve decided to move here, but hadn’t quite gotten that far yet. If I can find a way, I would still love to fly.”
He nodded, and looked deep in thought. “Ok, well if you need anything until you DO figure it out, let me know.”
With that, I said thanks and got off his boat. I took a cab back to the resort, where I promptly went to my hut and collapsed onto the bed. Sleep was a beautiful thing, until my phone started ringing again.
“Hello,” I answered, into the pillow.
“Mr. Holmes, I was just calling to see if we were still on for some house hunting today?”
Oh shit, I had completely forgotten. “Yes, of course. I’m running a little behind, but can meet you in about thirty minutes, ok?”
“Certainly. See you then.”
Shit shit shit. I rushed into the bathroom, took a quick shower and threw on some clean clothes. I did a quick brushing of my teeth, and ran out for the concierge desk. Kim was there again, looking as gorgeous as ever.
“Hey Kim, could you help me out? Your friend Leia is meeting me, and she told me to ask you where she liked to go for coffee. That’s where I am supposed to meet her.”
“Ah, yes Mr. Holmes. She enjoys going to a place about two blocks away from here, called Kona Hut. Honestly, it’s just a normal coffee shop, but it’s a nice little place.”
I thanked her, and ran out the front door. I got a cab to take me the two blocks, which I was thankful for. These blocks were not the same as blocks in Virginia. This resort was at least two miles down the road from the nearest cross street, and yet another two miles to the second one. I tipped the cab driver, and he pulled away as I walked in.