Page 47 of Changing Tides

I cut my eyes to her. “You spying on me, Ida Mae?”

She leans over and cups my face with her cool, frail hand. “Since the day you were born,” she says.

It’s the truth. Between Nana’s watchful observation and her best friend’s keen eye, I didn’t get away with much, growing up.

Maybe we’re all in danger of falling for the girls next door.

Avie

“Mommy, hurry!” Leia cries.

I engage the emergency brake on the golf cart, grab the handles of the oversize aqua beach bag and sling it over my right shoulder, grip the sides of the red Igloo cooler I packed full of snacks, and sprint after her and Amiya, who are already making their way, hand in hand, under the arched wharf sign.

We find Sebastian and Anson hosing down the deck of one of the larger fishing boats.

“Bastian, we’re ready,” Leia squeals, her lemon-print swimsuit covered by a hooded yellow terry-cloth dress.

She’s wearing white framed sunglasses that match the bow in her hair. Amiya painted her toenails pink this morning, and she was excited to show them off in her new open-toed sandals.

When she makes it to the dock, she reaches her arms in the air so Sebastian, who has tossed the hose back onto the dock, can scoop her up and set her on the boat’s deck.

“Minnow,” she cries as she darts for the puppy who’s sunning on the deck.

Amiya follows suit and raises her arms.

Anson obliges and hastens to lift her up and over the threshold.

“You need help with that?” Parker asks as he comes up the pier behind me.

“Thanks,” I say as he takes the cooler from my hands and steps ahead of me.

He boards and sets the cooler aside before turning and offering me his hand.

While the boys ready us for takeoff, I cover Leia from top to toe with a layer of sunscreen as she squirms while Minnow attempts to lick her free of the thick lotion.

“Need some help?”

I look up to see Sebastian grinning as he watches me struggle to control the two of them.

“You can hand me those,” I say as I eye the life jackets.

He passes one to me and commands Minnow to settle while he secures the smaller one on Leia.

Once we’re outfitted, I pull her into my lap and come to rest on the leather-covered bench seat under the canvas shade.

Sebastian takes a seat at the helm as Parker and Anson untie the ship and push us off.

Leia squeals as the motor roars to life. I scoot to the edge of the bench, bringing her with me so she can reach the railing. Her hair is tousled by the wind as she leans over and takes in the sparkling water. I tighten my arms around her waist as she enjoys the thrill of her first real boat ride.

Conrad and I took her on the Staten Island Ferry a few times, and she loved it, but that can’t compare to being in a motorboat on the ocean.

Amiya plops down beside us as we pick up speed.

Parker takes over the wheel, and Sebastian joins us.

He crouches down to Leia’s level, his eyes sparkling with genuine affection as he points out the different sights. “Look there. It’s a pair of dolphins.”

Her eyes widen with delight.

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