Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
shocked to hear her say in her odd English that she did not want to go over to the other
drinking party boat, but preferred to stay on-board Déjà vu.
This was an embarrassing predicament. If I were to remain with her, I would be snubbing
my friends and defying the purpose of the weekend: a little drinking party and a barbecue.
If I were to go across alone to the other boats, I would be abandoning my guest. I was frus-
trated with Helena for putting me in this spot; I realized how little I knew of this woman. I
decided my friendship with the other crowd held more weight and decided on a comprom-
ise. I told Helena I would go across to visit for a drink or two and then return.
“Hey buddy, where's your second mate?” asked Warren, skipper of the party boat and or-
ganizer of this trip.
“Christ, I don't understand this; she was fine until we got here but refuses to budge now,” I
said confused. They must have found me amusing for they chuckled over that answer.
“Just drag the Sheila over by the hair!” suggested the one Aussie crew on the other boat.
“She looks pretty cute from where I'm sitting!” he continued, staring across at her trim,
little form.
Warren's girlfriend, Eileen, shook her head at him, “Yeah, that'll definitely work,” she said
sarcastically.
I clambered aboard and opened the bottle I had brought over, relaying the events leading
up to this afternoon.
“Sounds like she's a bit loopy, mate,” said Warren. Tall, assertive, and fun, he was a man's
man and took no bullshit from man or woman. I admired him.
“Yes, I don't understand it: why would she willingly go sailing on a social weekend and
stay on-board like this? It's weird,” said Eileen, looking over at Helena sitting in a cloud
of smoke, huddled over her book in the cockpit. “Perhaps I should go and talk to her?” she
continued.
“Just leave her alone; if she wants to come she will,” said Warren, snapping open another
beer.
I finished my drink and went back on-board Déjà vu. Helena gave me a little half smile,
though I could see there was something wrong. I asked her why she didn't want to join us.
“I see too much trouble with drink. My brother, he in jail now for drugs; he start drinking
when he very young. My father he a drunk too, plenty trouble come from drink.” She shook
her pretty head as she explained her fears of drinking.
