Page 7 of Drilling Deep

After a few stressful dreams about epically failing at my duties, I sit up to try and clear my mind. Looking around the room, I notice how… empty it feels. No pictures, no color, no light. It’s functional, yes, but not very inviting.

My heart sinks the more I think about how lonely Titan must be. Does he not have any friends or family he keeps in touch with on shore? I remember my father telling me that Titan is married to the job and has a reputation for only going on land when he’s forced to take a sabbatical for legal, labor law reasons.

This ship, this cabin, is his home. This cold, dank room is where he goes to sleep and wakes up every day. No wonder he’s grumpy. I’ve only had one night in here, and already I want to hang up string lights and buy a funky rug and throw pillows. Maybe I’ll have a free afternoon in the next few days, and I can go to shore and grab a few things to spruce the place up.

Another ding from my phone informs me I’m running out of time to get to the office. Gathering up my large tote bag with my plans and office supplies, I take one last cleansing breath before opening the door and walking straight into a wall.

“Whoa there,” a deep, familiar voice rumbles as I bounce off his chest. Titan wraps his hand around my bicep, steadying me.

“Titan,” I squeak. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

“We start work today,” he states matter-of-factly.

“Right. I guess I thought I’d meet you in your office?”

“I realized I forgot to finish the tour last night after…” He trails off, the tips of his ears turning red. “Well, anyway. Do you want the tour now, or would you rather get started?”

“I think I pretty much have the lay of the land. I did some research before stepping aboard, you know,” I inform him as I close and lock the cabin door.

“Is that so?” he asks, an eyebrow raised in suspicion. It’s kind of adorable, though I’d never tell him that.

“Yes,” I say with a nod as we make our way to the office. “The heave compensation system, derricks, pipe deck, drill floor… oh! And cranes. A pipe deck crane and a riser something crane.”

“Riser handler crane.”

“Yes! That’s it. Do you think I could operate one of the cranes? Just for a second. How cool would that be?” I ask excitedly.

“No,” comes his curt response. I wait for an explanation, but he doesn’t elaborate.

“We’ll put a pin in that conversation,” I tell him with a smile.

“No pins. The conversation is over. You will not be going on the rig. Period. It’s no place for a woman.”

I stop in my tracks, glaring at him. “Any other places women don’t belong?”

Titan freezes, his back straight as a rod. He slowly turns to face me, those stormy blue eyes catching mine. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he grunts.

“Oh? How did you mean it, then? Perhaps you’d be more comfortable if I stuck to the kitchen?” Part of me knows I’m overreacting, but most of me is still on the defensive. I’m so sick and tired of men telling me what to do with my life. I’ve had enough of that from my father, who constantly pushes me to pursue a more “feminine” career.

“No, Cora. I wasn’t saying that,” he starts, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. “I just meant… I meant it was no place foryou, not women in general.”

He must realize right away what a mistake that was. His eyes widen, and he looks at me like I’m a bomb that might go off at any second. Something about that amuses me greatly, taking some of the edge off my anger.

“And why am I not allowed on the rig?” I question, crossing my arms over my chest.

Titan sighs, the sound tired and defeated. I almost feel bad for him. He stepped on a landmine he wasn’t prepared for.

“It’s not safe. Especially for someone so prone to accidents.”

My stomach drops to my feet, taking my heart along with it. Titan found another raw nerve, but this one doesn’t ignite anger. It buries me in shame. Yes, I’m clumsy. My feet get ahead of me sometimes. Or behind me. Whatever. And yes, my wide hips don’t help when I’m walking around corners or standing from the dinner table. But that doesn’t make me less than. Right?

“Cora, I’m–”

“Got it,” I say before he can make it worse by talking again.

I stride past Titan and scurry up the stairs—flawlessly, might I add. I’m waiting by the locked office door when Titan appears at the top of the stairs. He looks absolutely miserable, and even though I’m hurt and confused, my heart aches for him.

Titan unlocks the door and opens it, motioning for me to go inside. As I do, I remember my intention for the day—to have a better interaction with Titan. So far, it’s been a total disaster, and I know I’m partially to blame.

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