Tyche
Copyright© 2020 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 2
Most American designed 12 foot sailboats are set up for a crew of two. The steersman who also handles the main sheet and the hiker, he’s the centerboard and jib handler, and the lookout. The crewman just aft of the mast is the ‘jack of all trades.’
The steersman is the captain.
The Farr is a single-hander ... lots to do ... awful lot for a nine year old to keep track of ... standing up. It’s a lot for a teen ... and that 73 year old man in New Zealand? He has one of Surprises’ first boats ... Hold on ... I’ll ask.
Out the door and down to the Basilisk.
I knocked on the hull first, “mom ... you home?”
“Yes, Tyche, she said. “I’m checking things.”
“That Farr you sold in North Island?”
“Yes,” she thought for a moment, “Gosh, Tyche. That was 14 years years ago. Hobsonville ... the old guy ... he was fast. Taikata Sailing Club ... I think. My first 3.7. Gods ... he’d be 91 now. I wonder...”
She unlimbered her I-Phone, scrolled through and pressed SEND.
“Mags?”
“Surprise.”
“Any entrants from New Zealand?”
“One?”
“Representing?”
“Taikata Sailing Club.”
“Does his name happen to be Murray?”
“Not a him ... a her?”
“Rose Murray ... Shit! ... that’s his great grand daughter.”
“Is she bringing a boat?”
“Registration?”
“Flintkote #1.”
“Worse and worse ... I built that boat ... my first ... and fastest.”
“Thanks.”
She pressed END and scrolled again. She mumbled to herself. I have great ears...”I can’t believe I still have the number.” SEND.
“Rose Murray, please.”
“Rose? Surprise Flintkote in Pentwater, Princessapality. I built your boat.”
“When do you get to Ludington?”
“Don’t bring your trailer ... I have one for you.”
“You can cancel your reservations.”
“You’ll be staying with me.”
“And my daughter.”
END
“Tyche ... you are in trouble. That little girl is 16 now ... and I KNOW he taught her every trick in the book. Tomorrow we’ll get your boat in the shop. You ... little high schooler ... are going to work your tiny butt off.”
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