Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Collie was dressed all in black, same as always. He looked like an aging starlet on the French Riviera in 1956. His jeans were rolled up to his knees, and a very bulky knit cardigan was wrapped around his thin frame. The bit that really sold the look was the wide-brimmed straw hat. It was held in place by a long scarf that wrapped around his neck before ending in a flouncy bow on his left shoulder.
When I reached him and he tilted his head to look up at me, I saw he was also wearing his enormous sunglasses. He started with, “I know what you’re going to say.”
“I’m not saying anything.”
Collie considered that for a moment before telling me, “I’m here to watch the sunset.”
“It’s not for another hour or so.”
“I know. I’m waiting for it.”
“Can I wait with you?”
“Only if you continue to not say anything.”
I took a seat on the sand beside him and rested my arms on my bent knees. After a minute or two, I said, “I thought we agreed you weren’t going to drive, because it’s unsafe.”
“And I thought you weren’t going to say anything.”
“That needed to be said, though.”
“I didn’t drive.”
“Then how did you get here?”
“My chauffeur brought me.”
“What chauffeur?”
“Billy.” He waved to a skinny kid in a wetsuit, who’d just washed up on the beach next to his surfboard. Billy waved back before picking up his board and paddling out again.
“Is Billy old enough to drive?”
“He’s seventeen, and he has a learner’s permit.”
“I thought you needed to have an adult in the car with you when you drive with a permit.”
“He did. He had me.”
“And where exactly did you find Billy?”
“Online.”
“You probably shouldn’t tell people you pick up teenagers on the internet.”
“Don’t make it sound pervy,” he said. “I found him on one of those odd jobs websites. He’s trying to raise money for college.”
“And how much are you paying him?”
“Five dollars an hour.”
“It better be a community college.”
“It’s a mutually beneficial agreement,” Collie informed me. “He gets to practice driving, and he wanted to come to the beach anyway, so he could catch a few waves.”
“Is this the first time you’ve seen the ocean?”
“Yup.”
“I should have brought you here sooner.”
“To be fair, you were a bit distracted by medical emergencies and shotgun weddings.”
“It wasn’t technically a shotgun wedding,” I pointed out. “I’m pretty sure someone has to be knocked up to qualify.”
“I know, but I like how dramatic that sounds.”
“As far as medical emergencies, Collie…”
“Nope. We’re not going to discuss it.” Just then, the teapot started to whistle. He turned off the burner and produced a mug with a teabag, seemingly out of thin air. “If you’d like a drink, grab a mug and some tea from the van. I have sleepy time, raspberry zinger, and something called Matcha Do About Nothing. I bought that last one at a funky country store on the drive to California, but I haven’t tried it yet.”
“I’m fine, thanks.”
“Suit yourself.”
We sat there for a while, watching the ocean, and watching Billy wipe out again and again. I said, “He’s not very good.”
“He’s a beginner, and I’m very proud of him for his tenacity.”
“Do his parents know where he is?”
“Of course. I didn’t kidnap the boy. His mother and I had a lovely conversation. Since I plan to stay here long enough to watch the sunset, I made sure to let her know he’d be home after dark.”
“And what are you going to do when your chauffeur goes home to Mommy?”
“I’m going to sleep wherever he ends up parking the van. In the morning, I’ll find a new chauffeur, because Billy has plans tomorrow.”
I asked, “How long can you keep this up?”
“Until I find a job. At that point, I’ll be able to pay my chauffeurs more than five bucks an hour.”
“You really haven’t thought this through.”
“No, but that’s okay. Live in the now,” he said. “That’s my motto.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. I’ve just decided that.”
“Come home with me tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because I like hanging out with you, and because it’s a much better and safer alternative than sleeping in your van.”
“Would it just be for tonight?”
“No. You should stay until you get on your feet.”
He eyed me suspiciously. “Are you going to try to talk me into having the operation?”
“No.”
“I’ll think about it.”
A minute later, Billy came jogging up to us with his board tucked under his arm. After Collie introduced us, the boy said, “I think I need to stop for today. I’m pretty tired.”
Collie lied to him by saying, “You did great.”
The kid smiled and said, “Thanks. Did you see that one wave I caught?”
“I not only saw it, I filmed it and sent the video to your mom. We’re both very proud of you.”
“Aw, thanks Collie.”
“I made you a sandwich for dinner. Go eat and get warm in the van. Help yourself to some chips, too.”