Phil Against the Sea Part 1

Pushing a broom across the boat ramp, he corrals bits of bark and earth into piles. Then pausing after a few minutes of effort, Phil smacks his broom against the concrete like a dirty beaver. A billow of dust rises into October. This is the rhythm of sweeping, the sore palms and 45 minutes of thinking about doing something other than this.

"Are you about completed?", the voice surprised him.

Phil turned his head to see Stan Beckenbauer licking his teeth behind a graying beard. Scanning his own work with the dissatisfaction of a burgeoning people pleaser, Phil wondered what exactly 'completed' meant.

"Yes", He replied sheepishly.

Stan smiled wide and stated with a hint of German, "Talk to Linda. She can make your paycheck".

Phil politely slipped into the boat-ramp management office and waited for Linda to write out his check. He stared at an antique rope, coiled and framed on the wall. The lacquer was peeling on the frame. His Mom would have probably put another coat of sealer on it years ago.

"Your Mom told me you started youth sailing last week. How has that been going Phil?", Linda asked.

Phil, already an accomplished active listener, nodded in affirmation, "Yeah, its been really great so far, we're learning how to tack". Turning from Linda with a smile that makes grandmothers melt, Phil stepped outside. He followed a footpath that traced the marina's shore away from the boat ramp and a cluster of yacht sales offices. Phil passed M-Dock, where the commercial fishing boats were moored.

"One Heron, three Seagulls, and it looks like the Wood Ducks are back", he thought as a brilliant black-headed duck popped out of the water. Fighting surface tension and gravity the elegant bird rose above the ripples, disappearing into the monotone afternoon. "On days like today the evening comes so early, or maybe the day never quite comes at all"

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The automatic doors slide open. "Anacortes Charter Yachts, this is Janice" chimes the receptionist, receiver in one hand, the other hand trying to untangle a jumble of phone chord. Phil is home. At his parent's business.