Smooth Sailing

by Susan X Meagher

  “Still, that’s a big ship. Who’ll know?”

  “Everyone,” Laurie said miserably. “My boss has the head waiter checking to see if I eat in the dining room. And I made some…enemies on the boat. I’m sure they’ll be delighted to find out I’m disorganized enough to miss the damned thing.”

  Kaatje steered the boat so that the air barely buffeted the slack sail, then sat next to Laurie. “Let’s face facts. You did miss it. I can see it moving.” Laurie turned and watched as it slowly made its way out of its berth. “It’s too late in the day to catch a plane to the next port and no boat could get you there in time. Let’s enjoy the rest of the day.” She got up and turned the boat into the wind, heading back out into open water without further comment.

  “But…!”

  “But what? It’s late afternoon on a lovely day. You can go sit by yourself in a hotel room, or we can have fun.” She stared right at Laurie until Laurie met her gaze. “If you don’t let them, circumstances don’t have to ruin your day.”

  “I think they do. You don’t understand how much shit I’m gonna get for this.”

  “Are you gonna get fired?”

  Laurie sputtered. “No! Of course not!”

  “Then it doesn’t matter. You might get chewed out and you might get teased. Neither are fatal.”

  She said this with such calm, such certitude, that Laurie let herself believe—a little. As soon as she let just the glimmer of belief in, she started to feel better. She relaxed against her cushion and let the wind blowing through her hair soothe her, and after a few minutes she smiled and said, “Can I sit on the rail again?”

  *

  They went much further out this time, cresting over waves like a big fish. Laurie sat next to Kaatje and talked a lot—about her job and the pressure she’d been under, about how she’d been assigned to Osaka the day she started at Luxor, and how it had become the driving force in her life. She told Kaatje about how the earthquake and tsunami had impacted so many of their Japanese colleagues and how sometimes it was hard to remember this was just a theme park that had to be brought in on time— not life or death. She talked about her health scare and about how it drove her crazy to have to take vacation at such a critical time. Kaatje listened attentively and asked an occasional question. It was clear she was interested and engaged, but she didn’t talk nearly as much as she listened.

  By the time Laurie had given a brief synopsis of her countdown schedule to opening day in Osaka, she was exhausted. She climbed down from the captain’s chair and stretched out on the deck and said, “Thinking about how much I have to do makes my heart race. And to not be able to do any of it…” She gently beat her head against the bulkhead.

  Kaatje climbed up to the top deck and lowered the main. The breeze and the current moved the boat gently, taking it where it wanted. Kaatje sat at the table in the stern, keeping an eye out while talking to Laurie. “I clearly don’t know a thing about business, but the fact remains that you can’t do anything right now. Conserve your energy for when you can make a difference.”

  Laurie sat opposite her and looked at her with a completely puzzled expression. “How do I do that?”

  “Well, what do you normally do to relax?”

  “I can’t afford to relax. I need every bit of energy I have.”

  “Hmm. Okay, let’s talk about your motivations. Why do you work hard? What’s the payoff?”

  What kind of question was that? “It’s my job. I love my job.”

  “But why?”

  A lot of people had asked that question. But it wasn’t answerable. You either got it or you didn’t. It was clear Kaatje wasn’t the type to get it, but it was impolite to ignore the question. “Because it tests me. I like having a really big challenge and working hard to meet it.”

  “But what’s the payoff? Is it the money?”

  “I guess. Or it was at first.” She sat for a minute really thinking. Most people didn’t ask about this part. “I went to grad school to be able to work at the highest levels. Part of my goal was to get rich. Now I make a very good salary, but I don’t spend a whole lot.” She laughed softly. “I’m too busy.” Damn, no wonder talking to strangers sucked. If a person didn’t understand the drive to work hard at everything you did, there was no way to explain it.

  “Do you want to retire early?”

  “God, no. I can’t ever see myself retiring. I’d go nuts.”

  “Power?”

  “Not too much. I like having power, of course. Power lets you get things done. Thankfully, I’m not one of those people who likes to have power only to feel important.”

  “Hmm, not money and not power.”

  “I’m driven, that’s for sure. But I always was. I’m a very hard-working person and working at almost anything gives me satisfaction. I used to practice piano when I was a kid without anyone telling me to. I was gonna be good at it, even though I didn’t like it much. And don’t get me started on gymnastics. I was really loony about that.”

  “What about your social life?”

  “Mmm, I don’t have one at the moment. I broke up with someone about…” she thought for a minute. “We were breaking ground for the hotel. I suppose it’s been two years.”

  “Wow. I wouldn’t like it if my girlfriend gauged our time together by her work schedule.”

  Bingo! The gaydar was working perfectly. She could spot a gay person from fifty yards. “That’s how I think. It doesn’t mean anything.” It did to Colin, but she doesn’t need to know that.

  “I think it would to me.”

  Urgh. Another sensitive soul. Some people got their feelings hurt too easily. “Then tell me about your social life.”

  “Mine’s not in great shape at the moment, either. Did I mention that my first mate went back to school a couple of weeks ago?”

  “You didn’t say school, but you said your helper left a few weeks ago.”

  “Well, she was also my girlfriend. We’d been talking about…you know…being serious, but she got a grant to do some postdoctoral work in the South Pacific and she took it.” She looked at Laurie with a sad shake of the head. “Without talking to me first.”

  “Why do you think she did that? Were you not getting along?”

  Kaatje shifted a little, looking puzzled. “No, things were good. But I think she wanted more…I don’t know…something.”

  “Money? Power?”

  Kaatje flinched, then she seemed to realize Laurie was teasing.

  “Maybe that was part of it. A lot of people don’t think sailing is a career…whatever that is. Or maybe it was that she couldn’t figure out a way to use her degree here.”

  “What was her degree in?”

  “Marine biology.”

  Laurie pointed to the vivid blue ocean. “Duh.”

  Laughing, Kaatje said, “We don’t have a university with any research capacity. She would have had to get a job at a school in the States and then do field research here for us to have any time together. I don’t think that appealed to her.” She sighed and looked away, staring at the water for a moment. “I’m not sure.”

  “How long were you together?”

  “Six months. Not very long. Barely long enough to make me think it could be…something more. But I guess we never actually said those words…”

  “That’s a tough time, that six month assessment period. I’ve been there a couple of times when it hasn’t ended up like I wanted it to.”

  “Maybe that’s because you said, ‘Six month assessment period.’ That would seal the deal for me. I’d send you packing.”

  “No, I think it’s when I said, ‘It’s time for your semi-annual performance review.’”

  Kaatje gave her a quick look, then smiled when Laurie grinned. “You got me. I believed you.”

  “That’s probably closer to the truth than I’d like to admit, but I never actually said those words.”

  But if you didn’t stop and think about how things were going on a routine basis, how w
ould you know when you were failing to meet expectations? There was nothing wrong with using a business model in your personal life. Results were what mattered—in every area of life… weren’t they?

  Chapter Five

  AS THEY SKIMMED along, Kaatje pointed out a long, fairly hilly island in the distance. “That’s St. Bart’s. The beautiful people vacation there.”

  Laurie blinked a few times. “What? I didn’t hear you.”

  “That’s because you’re thinking about work.”

  Busted again. How obvious was it? Maybe Kaatje was some sort of mind-reader. “I can’t help it. I know this seems silly, but the worst thing is for me to look spacey. As a woman I can’t afford that. Ever. And missing a boat is very, very spacey.”

  “How long have you worked for Luxor?”

  “Six years.”

  “Wouldn’t you think they’d know you by now? I mean…you’re not generally spacey, are you?”

  “No,” she allowed begrudgingly. “But still…”

  “How well do you get along with your boss?”

  “Really well. We’re kind of in tandem.”

  “Tandem?”

  “Yeah. Fernando’s a few years older than me and he was my first manager. As he moves up, he takes me with him. He was promoted to executive VP this year, and I should get bumped to senior VP soon. If this escapade hasn’t killed my career.”

  “I don’t know much about your situation, but they’d be stupid to hold one scheduling mistake against you. Why don’t you call your boss and let him hear what happened from you?”

  “I thought I’d call when I got to a hotel.”

  “I’d let you use my phone, but it’s spotty out here too. My satellite internet works though. E-mail him.”

  “It works? Really?” Try not to drool or to look as excited as you are. She’ll just think you’re crazier than she already does.

  “I’ve never seen a woman look happier to hear about internet access.” She gave her a warm smile and pointed to the cabin. “My computer’s under the cushion of the bench by the table. It’s not very fast, which means you’ll have to be patient…if you can be.”

  “You’re a lifesaver,” Laurie said, nearly skipping into the cabin.

  *

  About ten minutes later Laurie poked her head out. “I don’t think I’ve ever yawned that much in my life. My jaw’s getting sore.”

  “Did you get everything to work?”

  “Yeah. I sent a message to him and his secretary and mine. He’ll write back soon.”

  “Is the computer charged?”

  “I didn’t check. Why?”

  “You should bring it out here.”

  “Really? Won’t it get wet?”

  “No, we’re just using the jib to keep us heading in the right direction. You’ll feel better out here.”

  “I feel fine.”

  “You think you do, but yawning a lot is the first sign of seasickness. Next comes sleepiness.”

  “Uh-oh. I can hardly keep my eyes open.”

  “Bring it out here. Trust me.”

  Laurie went back inside and disconnected the computer from its power source. Kaatje started putting away the mainsail, the huge bundle of cloth billowing all across the trampoline and the roof of the cabin. “Can I help?” Laurie asked when she stepped back on deck.

  “Sure, but only if you put the computer back inside. This can be a wet mess.”

  Laurie dashed back in and put the computer back in its secure spot. Then she stood on the deck, waiting for instructions. “Hold onto those stays,” Kaatje ordered. Laurie reached out and grabbed a stout-looking rope, but Kaatje twitched her fingers, directing her to a bunch of metal strands. “The sheets move. The stays are always there…remember? Now get your balance and help me fold this monster.” Laurie pitched in with her full attention, carefully following directions. They quickly had it in order, then Kaatje wrapped some bits of fabric around it to hold it secure.

  “All set. Now you can take the computer out onto the trampoline, or anywhere you feel secure.”

  “Can I sit by you?”

  “Of course. I love having company.”

  “Be right back.” Laurie was back in a flash, sharing the bench with Kaatje. She opened the computer and smiled. “My secretary Wendy is always there when I need her. She’s going to find Fernando and tell him I need to talk to him.”

  Kaatje smiled benignly. “It must be reassuring to have someone you can trust.”

  “Oh, it is. Wendy used to work for the president of our division but she was getting burned out. She thought she’d have less stress working for a senior director, but I think she might regret it sometimes.”

  “You look unrepentant.”

  “I guess I am. Wendy could move anywhere, but she’s stayed with me for two years. I think she feels a little maternal towards me. She rode in the ambulance with me to the hospital, holding my hand while she kept telling me that having a stroke wasn’t that big of a deal.” She rolled her eyes. “She can tend towards catastrophe.”

  “It sounds like she has reason to,” Kaatje said, her gaze level and somber. “Fainting from stress doesn’t sound like something to ignore.”

  “It’s a low blood pressure issue. Nothing to worry about.” People made such a big deal about a little fainting episode. She’d hit the “refresh” button at least a dozen times in the few minutes they’d been chatting and her eyes lit up when she received an e-mail from Fernando. “Here he is,” she said. She looked up at Kaatje. “He says, ‘You did what?’ with about ten exclamation points. That means he thinks it’s funny.”

  “That’s good.” Kaatje waved her hand. “Go ahead and do your work.”

  “Okay.” Laurie was deep into her back and forth with Fernando, drumming her fingers on the edge of the keyboard while she waited for each reply. She lost track of where she was and looked up in surprise when Kaatje loudly cleared her throat. “Oh, shit! How long have I been e-mailing?”

  “About an hour. It’ll start to get dark in another hour. We’d better head back.”

  “I’m sorry. I got involved and…” She was paying for the sail, and didn’t owe Kaatje an explanation, but she felt bad for blowing an entire hour. It might be years before she’d be anyplace this pretty again, but she hadn’t looked up once. Damned seductive e-mail.

  “Were you talking to Fernando the whole time?”

  “No. I sent some e-mails to my team in Osaka. Because they’re twelve hours ahead they were just getting in.”

  “At five? In the morning?”

  “We have a park opening in a few months. Time’s running out.” Civilians had no idea how many hours it took to get a new park open. They seemed to think it was as easy as when the circus came to town. “Then I remembered something I needed our ride design guys to take a look at. That reminded me that…”

  Kaatje held up a hand. “Got it. One thing leads to another.”

  “Always. Let me help you with the sail.” She closed the computer, put it away and was back in moments, her eyes bright, her mood noticeably improved.

  “Fernando was okay with what happened?”

  “Oh, yeah. He’s a good guy. I think he’ll like having something to hold over me and tease me with.”

  “Will he tell other people?”

  “No. And neither will Wendy. As long as those idiots in the cruise line don’t know anyone in my division, I should be fine.” She wiped her brow dramatically. “I might survive.”

  “I think you’ll be fine. You don’t look like the type who’s easily defeated.”

  *

  They were within view of the harbor when Kaatje asked, “Would you like to watch the sunset from out here?”

  Laurie scanned the horizon, seeing the big, fluffy clouds that hovered just above the waterline. “Will it be good?”

  “Should be really good. These clouds usually make it red and orange and purple.”

  “Yeah, I’d like to see it. We don’t get these kinds of clouds v
ery often in LA.”

  “Huh?”

  “We don’t,” Laurie said, laughing at Kaatje’s amazed expression. “Most of the year we have clear skies or a kind of foggy gloom. Not much in between.”

  “That’s weird.” She made a face. “How can you enjoy a sunset without clouds?”

  “I don’t enjoy many. I rarely get outside while the sun’s out. And my office faces East. I get nice sunrises, though.”

  Kaatje shook her head in a scolding fashion. “You should see those from home.”

  “One day. When Osaka opens, I’ll have more normal hours.” She looked out at the fluffy clouds. “This is a heck of a lot better than the view from a hotel.”

  “Great. I think I’ll get my camera. Can you hold the wheel for a few?”

  “Me?” Laurie pointed at herself with alarm.

  “Yeah. It’s easy. Just hold it still.” She took Laurie’s tentative hand and placed it firmly on the wheel. “It tends to fly around if you don’t hold it steady. Just keep it going where we’re headed. Be right back.” She was gone before Laurie could complain further, but she returned before any decisions had to be made. “No damage,” she said, taking the wheel back. She handed a big, complicated-looking camera to Laurie. “Want to take some pictures?”

  “I don’t think I’d have the first idea of how to. I just use my phone.”

  “I love photography.” Kaatje held out her hand for the camera. “I’ll put it on automatic. Then you don’t have to think”

  “I need more things in my life that do that,” Laurie mumbled, putting the viewfinder up to her eye. “Wow, I can see everything.”

  “I have a wide-angle lens on. That way we can get a nice panorama of the sunset.”

  “Can I take one of you?”

  “You can take dozens.”

  Laurie aimed at a smiling Kaatje and snapped a dozen frames in a row.

  “Can you download these? Then I can send some to myself.”

  “Sure. Take all you want.”

  Laurie got into the task, scrambling all around the boat, snapping picture after picture. Kaatje called out to her when she was lying on the deck, pointing up at the mast, “Want a different lens?”