| June 18, 2004 |
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| The deep, primal hush that has surrounded the boat all day, in the form of an impervious fog, is one of the strangest experiences I've ever encountered... Upon waking, prior to visual affirmation even, it was eerily apparent. Chill damp permeating everything, easing cool fingers beneath the blankets, teasing goosbumps from quiescent flesh. An uncanny silence shrouding all, like a layer of thick cotton, muffling the noises that have become familiar friends: The gentle shush of water against her hull; a dampening in the the quiet creeking, a soothing symphony that eases tense nerves; even the soft chatter of her mechanical instruments has faded, hushed. Breakfast finds the crew huddled together in the galley around steaming mugs of warm beverages that valiantly try to ward off the physical cold. Mentally, everyone agrees, the depth of the silence produces a different sort of chill. Brandon and Elliott find the fogs effects forbidding, daunting even, keeping them inside warmth of the cabins. Jamie, Tezza and I are like little children in wonderland. From the moment I glance up the hatch, I am mesmerized by the swirling depths of the mists, my only feeling one of thrall. Judging by the look on J's face, she feelst a similar response. It took Tezza's gentle yank on my hair to bring my attention back to the table and the words of caution he offers to everyone. Stay back, away from the boats railings. Stay away from the foredeck until it lifts. Go topside with a partner. The precautions register and I nod back at Tezza. I watch Jamie stand, walking toward the stairs and hurriedly I snatch my mug to follow. Up the stairs, through the door, its like walking into a fairy land. The feeling of the silky shroud engulfing us, beckoning with frosty fingers and the delight at its effects is inexplicable, unexplainable. There is something a little mystical, sitting blanketed in those mists, the mind free and unfettered to explore and create. The gentle patterns in the haze become nearly hypnotic and the imagination runs wild. "Want to fish, suki?" Tezza's breath, warm against my cheek, his hand on my shoulder appearing like a phantom from out of nowhere. So submerged in my thoughts am I that his large callused hand is like a specter from my daydreams coming to life. The swift fire of response, a remnant of the vivid reverie, floods me with warmth and I'm grateful for the dense veil between us. "That good, hmm?" His voice, nearly a whisper in the fog, tells me I've not escaped his perceptive insight. "I'm sorry, Tez..." sighing, glancing away from him like a guilty child. "No need, Indy." His voice gruff with affection. "What about those fish?" |
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| Four hours later, drenched and shivering, I gaze disconsolately at the two Red Snapper and one impressive Tiggerfish awaiting my fillet knife. Every muscle on fire with the exertion of getting my two in, even so, Tezza's the largest by far. "Here. I'll get those." I gaze at the murky figure before me only identifying Elliott by his voice. "Go inside and get warm. You've been out here all day." Aching to take him up on it I shake my head, my hands waving him off, a soft smile on my face that he probably can't even see. Thirty minutes later, just finishing up, Jamie appears like a wraith beside me, grabbing the bucket of scraps, striding for the rail. I sense, more than see, someone lunging to my left, only to hear Jamies soft cry of protest which turns to an eerie cry of surprise. "It's misleading, the fog." Tezza's calm voice floats eerily in the mist, Jamies short sharp pants of fear audible as well. In the fog, distance seems elongated. J's stride to the railing took her too far, her leading foot encountering thin air as Tezza's hand wrapped around her arm. All three of us pause, realizing how easy it would have been for her to stumble forward, hips hitting the rail with enough momentum to take her over, if it hadn't been for his grip. The soft splash of the refuse hitting the ocean drifts backwards and then the quiet slap of feet on the deck, their forms indistinct shadows in front of me. A trembling, silent group we three, as we head back for the warmth and security of the galley. |
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| And now, snuggled into a down quilt, a happy dog curled up at my side, a mug of hot chocolate clutched in my hands, I think of the day, of the journey of the last two weeks. With wonder bordering on awe, my adoration goes out to those responsible. I hold you close in my dreams, and my thoughts, and my days. /hmh |
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