Genevieve
Copyright© 2023 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 24
They drove to the pier. Gen took her tiny 1930’s race car replica. Bethanne chauffeured David in her Cadillac Sedan Delivery. Gen arrived first. Why? you ask.
David and Bethanne detoured to the house to pick up his canes. Over distance his limp becomes more pronounced and it becomes increasingly hard to walk without his ‘helpers.’
The caretaker was on deck and waiting. “You ... girlie, No ... just plain no.”
“Why not ... it’s my boat.”
He started his standard scheduled and rehearsed, Government Property ... Get the fuck off my boat talk when David and Bethanne pulled up and parked.
“Chief,” said David, “Take us to the Underground Railroad Memorial. We’ll walk from there.”
“Who are you?”
David has paperwork of possession ... normally in the vault ... but now on his person. He presented.
“I see ... yes sir. Come aboard. Not you, girlie.”
“Daddy,” said Gen. She pointed at David.
“Daughter,” said Daddy. He waved a nonchalant hand at Gen.
Master Chief Roberts, USNR-A, retired, laughed. “Chief Roberts, miss.”
“Genevieve, or girlie ... your choice. I give you leave to use my name, Chief.”
“All this time and you never said,” said Chief Roberts.
“I didn’t know,” Gen explained.
“Didn’t know?”
“Found out today.”
“You’re, what? Twelve, thirteen? You’ve been trying to get aboard for 6 years, and you just found out?” That caused Roberts to chuckle ... and Genevieve to blush.
“Well, Recruit. Time to make ready for sea.”
Gen said, “We’re not going to sea ... we’re just going up the river.” Then what he said, dawned. “Deck hand?”
“Yes. I need you to follow me ... there will be a test.”
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