In The Wake Of Love

In the silent depths of that fog-shrouded night, when the moon's pale light barely pierced the veil, I asked my beloved Lily the question that would change our lives forever. A month at sea, in a small boat tossed about by the merciless waves, would test the very limits of our endurance and love.

"Lily," I said, breaking the heavy silence, "are you sure you want to go on this journey with me?" The stars twinkled as if sharing in her anticipation.

She turned to me, her eyes steady and unwavering as the stars above. "Jack," she replied, her voice strong and clear, "if we are to make our way together as a couple, I must be a part of your world. If your life is the sea, then I shall sail it with you. This adventure isn't just yours—it's ours now."

Some consider my upbringing privileged. My love for the sea began in childhood, and my passion for sailing fueled my desire for long voyages. However, as the options for finding a like-minded, adventurous partner decreased, finding one became harder.

I enjoy writing. Sailing was my passion; Lily aspired to authorship. Despite frequent sailing discussions, her experience was limited to large cruise ships.

Aware of my riches, could she love plain Jack, the sailor, bear hunter, fisherman, and – perhaps one day – a writer who laughs in the face of adversity?

While I embraced risks, Lily did not. Our backgrounds were worlds apart. Lily was almost the stereotypical librarian. The library was her home, her life unfolding within its books. I longed to be outdoors, whether in the woods or by the ocean; the immensity of it all thrilled me.

I was up before the sun, making things ready for Lily’s arrival. A soft reddish hue washed over San Francisco Bay with the first light of dawn, casting the Golden Gate Bridge in a warm, inviting glow. The quiet sounds of the city slowly stirred, punctuated by the distant cry of a seagull.

The day had come for us to embark on our journey. Although unfamiliar with sailboats, I gave her a quick tour, pointing out the various lines and explaining their names and functions, emphasizing the absence of ropes.

With our supplies and her belongings stored, we left the marina. Leaving the docks, the city faded, replaced by waves. Sails full, we set out to sea.

I plotted a course towards the Pacific High, anticipating calm winds and sunny skies for a smooth journey. With the engine silent and sails catching the breeze, she found the quiet, only broken by the gentle waves against the boat, strangely captivating. I watched as she made notes in her diary. I offered a silent prayer that I was right about her and this voyage would be the beginning of the rest of our lives.

I stood at the helm, my hands firmly gripping the wheel, feeling its steady weight beneath my fingers. The salty sea air filled my lungs as I took a deep breath, and the anticipation of the journey ahead filled my chest with quiet, thrilling energy.

The yacht sliced cleanly through the water, leaving a frothy wake behind us. Overhead, seagulls swooped and cried, their calls echoing across the bay as if bidding us farewell. The distant outline of the city faded into the horizon, its familiar skyline shrinking with every passing moment. I glanced at Lily, catching how her expression shifted—a blend of exhilaration and longing that pulled at something deep inside me.

Before getting serious about sailing, I pointed out the sleek dolphins leaping through the waves and the playful sea otters bobbing nearby, their barks echoing across the water.

As we ventured farther from the shore, the vast expanse of the Pacific spread out before us, shimmering and endless under the rising sun. Somewhere out there, Hawaii awaited—a distant paradise calling us forward.

The distance to our destination was a challenging 2,500 nautical miles, an actual test of our resilience and affection. Prolonged close contact tends to shed superficialities, exposing the true nature of people. I couldn't help but wonder how this journey would shape us, what it would uncover, and how we would face it together. Would I be proposing in a few weeks or purchasing a plane ticket back to the mainland for her?

The sun beat down upon us, warm and relentless, while the wind filled our sails with purpose. The ocean stretched endlessly in every direction, a vast, untamed expanse that promised beauty and trials.

Today was not the day that we would engage in any discord. Lily took me by surprise when this naked goddess emerged from below decks, her alabaster skin glowing in the sunlight. She handed me a bottle of sunscreen, her eyes holding mine with a mix of vulnerability and desire.

Was this the black widow moment? Was she setting a trap? Or was this her idea of what life would be like on beautiful days at sea? Maybe, just maybe, this was a prologue to finding the key to that caged creature behind those green eyes.

As I picked up the bottle, a strange mix of emotions made my heart pound. I also felt a newfound sense of awe and reverence for the beauty that stood before me, so open and exposed. Truly, this part of the trip had not entered my mind.

I reached out, brushing my fingers against her skin as I applied the sunscreen. Her skin was smooth to the touch, starkly contrasting the warmth of the sun above us. I could feel her watching me, her eyes filled with trust and longing.

The ocean was a dark canvas behind her, her glistening body a vibrant highlight in the sun. My clothes seemed to melt away at her touch as she reached for the sunscreen, the warmth of her skin a stark contrast to the cool bottle.

I knew, with absolute certainty, that this moment—this fleeting, precious connection and love, filled with laughter and quiet understanding—would forever remain etched in my heart. Our physical intimacy lasted through the afternoon. Her wry smile stretched across her face as she smoothed the cool lotion onto my skin, the usually hidden parts feeling a moment of unexpected coolness before the sun's warmth found them.

Was this a moment of treachery, or was she wholeheartedly committed? For a moment, we stood, captivated by each other's eyes, the world fading around us. And then, without a word, she leaned in, her warm breath ghosting over my face before our lips met, her body molding against mine.

As I stood there, my arms wrapped around her, I couldn’t help but feel awe at the beauty surrounding us. The sun seemed to set the world on fire, its golden rays dancing upon the waves, transforming the ocean into shimmering, liquid gold. This is the life I envisioned: humanity's fight against nature. Lily is my partner, soulmate, and lover.

We briefly swam, then re-boarded, feeling refreshed. I went to raise the sales when Lily took control of the Jib. Her attentiveness made me smile. Exhausted but exhilarated, we rested together.

We bantered as lovers do while watching the sails billow above. The breeze whipped through our hair. We laughed and teased each other, our spirits soaring as high as the sails above us. As we lay there, our hands intertwined. I watched as she went below to get our lunch. I was amazed at how the button-down librarian scampered around without care. My mother used to tell me to watch out for the quiet ones; she might have been right.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow on the water. We imagined we could hear the soft hiss as the sun touched the sea, the air filled with the salty tang of the ocean. It was a sound that filled her with a sense of awe, a harmonious blend of nature's gentle and powerful aspects, both soothing and exhilarating.

The rhythmic crashing of waves lulled us to sleep, and our dreams were filled with the day's adventures. As we slept, a blanket of stars emerged above us, like a celestial tapestry, woven together to create a breathtaking night sky canvas.

The cool air nipped at our skin, but we were undeterred, relishing the opportunity to be so close to one another. With the soft breeze whispering sweet nothings in our ears, we lay there, our bodies pressed against one another, our hearts beating in unison.

The sound of distant thunder rumbled softly in the background, like the grumblings of some slumbering giant. We were lost in a world of shared dreams, each unspoken desire, a silent hum between us, a melody only we could hear. A sweet, earthy scent of petrichor, carried on a gentle breeze, hinted at the approaching storm.

The wind was starting to pick up, pulling at the sail. I quickly scanned the horizon, looking for any sign of the storm. The first fat raindrops began to fall, and the clouds overhead rolled ominously as the air thickened. As I worked to batten down the hatches, I felt the first tremor of fear as the wind whipped through my hair, warning me of the tempest brewing.

Lily was below decks, stowing things that could get broken by the rough seas. Her eyes darted up towards me as she heard the pounding rain outside.

"Are you okay up there?" She asked, her voice barely audible over the wind.

"It's going to be a tough ride," I replied, gripping the helm tightly. "We just need to get through it."

Lily came on top with a life jacket, insisting I wear one. She looked odd with only the life jacket, but I didn’t have time to think about how we looked. She lowered the Jib while I dropped the mainsail. Pointing to the storm sail, I had her raise it while I raised the trysail. This was crucial to managing the boat in rough weather.

The lightning grew closer, its electric tendrils reaching out towards the yacht like the grasping hands of some vengeful deity.

As I charted our course, trying to navigate around the worst of the storm, Lily, still damp from our earlier encounter on the deck, hugged me tightly.

The storm raged on for hours, tossing the yacht mercilessly by the angry waves. My hands gripped the helm as she watched. "We just need to ride it out," I muttered. As the storm sail came loose, I made a note to teach her more about knots. She took control of the helm while I braved the wind and waves to fix the storm sail.

Glancing away from the radar screen, I smiled. “You’re beautiful, you know?”

She smiled, that comment taking her out of the storm for just a brief second.

"Is it always this awful?" She inquired.

I began to doubt her when she called the storm "awful". “This storm is not that bad. I have been through worse. While I try to circumnavigate around them, there are times we run the risk.”

Silence followed the storm's end. As the clouds parted, revealing the moon's radiant glow, so too did her mood brighten.

“Jack, I am committed to sharing this dream with you and with us. Teach me, and I will learn it.”

Just as I reached for her, I saw that something was wrong with the rudder. It seemed stuck. About a hundred miles offshore, I encountered a massive floating garbage patch—a kind of plastic island.

As we drifted further into the polluted water, the yacht slowed, and its sails drooped. Instead of the sparkling blue ocean we knew, we saw a grim scene of discarded fishing nets, plastic bottles, and bleached plastic. The rudder was stuck; I felt it fighting the helm with each turn.

“We’re not moving,” Lily said, her voice taut with worry.

With a nod, I clenched my jaw. Leaning over the stern, I used a boathook to try and see what was in the way. The stagnant water smelled foul, with an underlying odor of decay. Beneath the surface, shadowy forms shifted—possibly debris, or something far more sinister. I felt nauseous. This wasn't merely a garbage patch; it was a graveyard of discarded human waste.

“I’ll have to go in,” I said, reaching for the knife strapped to the bulkhead.

“What? Jack, no!” Lily’s voice cracked. “It’s dangerous. There could be... I don’t know, anything in there.”

I hesitated, glancing at her. The fear in her eyes was intense, but there was no other choice. “We can’t steer without the rudder. I’ll be careful.”

She looked at me, her lips pressed into a thin line. Then, with a deep breath, she nodded. “Okay. But I’m not just standing here. What can I do?”

Her words surprised me, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. “Keep the boat steady. Use the helm to lock the rudder in place. And... if I get caught—pull me out.”

Her face paled, but she gave a resolute nod. “I’ve got you.”

The water was colder than I expected, and the weight of the garbage pressed against me as I dove beneath the stern. The rudder was a mess—a tangle of fishing lines, shredded plastic, and what looked like the remains of a tire. I grabbed my knife, sawing through the obstructions as quickly as possible. The current tugged at me, and sharp edges brushed against my arms and legs, leaving stinging cuts.

Above me, Lily’s voice broke through the water’s muffled roar. “Jack! Are you okay?”

I surfaced, gasping. “I’m fine. Just... keep the rudder steady!” I didn’t tell her about the stinging pain in my left calf where a sharp piece of plastic had grazed me. She didn’t need to know.

I dove again, cutting through the last of the debris. With a final pull, the rudder jerked free, swinging slightly with the current. Relief flooded through me as I surfaced, sucking in huge gulps of air. Lily was there, leaning over the side, her hand outstretched.

“You did it!” she said, her voice trembling with both fear and relief.

I hauled myself back onto the deck, dripping and exhausted. She threw her arms around me, holding me tightly. “Don’t ever scare me like that again,” she whispered.

I held her close, feeling her heart pounding against mine. “I’ll try not to,” I murmured. “But you were incredible. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

As we tested the rudder and set our course back toward open water, I glanced at Lily. She was flushed, her hair wild from the wind, but there was a fire in her eyes I hadn’t seen before. I knew at that moment that she wasn’t just along for the ride. She was my partner in every sense of the word.

Although we'd had a delay, our Hawaiian vacation was still in the future. I knew she'd love the ring I'd hidden in the safe. The sea is a cruel mistress but today, she was Athena, expressing her wisdom through the eye of a storm.

Nearly three weeks adrift, the smoke from a Big Island volcano offered the first sign of civilization, a beacon after our long ordeal at sea. I gazed at Lily, my beautiful love, nude and enjoying the sun's warmth.

I was amazed to watch Lily transform from a prim and proper Aphrodite into a wild Venus; Poseidon's perfect storm must have helped.

A cruise ship appeared in the distance, its silhouette stark against the horizon. A mischievous thought crossed my mind, and I turned to wake her. "If anyone is using binoculars, they might see you like that," I teased.

Her laughter rang out like music. She stood with a playful glint in her eye and struck a pose as if she were a model gracing a magazine cover. "Then they will be jealous that they are not us," she declared, her voice carrying over the gentle lapping of the waves.

At that moment, surrounded by the endless ocean and the promise of land just ahead, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Here we were, two souls entwined in adventure, defying convention and embracing the beauty of our shared journey. The world beyond our little vessel faded away, and all that remained was the laughter, the warmth of the sun, and the undeniable bond that had grown between us.

As the cruise ship slowly faded into the distance, I took Lily's hand, feeling the warmth of her sun-kissed skin against mine. The volcano's smoke spiraled upward, a reminder of the earth's fiery heart. Before us lay the promise of the Big Island—an oasis of new beginnings. As we set our course toward that distant shore, I got down on one knee as she approached.

“Lily, my love, will you do me the most incredible honor and allow me to be your sailing companion for the rest of our lives? I want to continue exploring the uncharted waters of our relationship, facing any storms that may come our way, and always finding our way back to each other's arms?” Now we both had damp faces as she said yes.

I told her about this uninhabited island, where an active volcano forbade anyone from living there full-time. When Pele’ was sleeping, the harbor had the most beautiful lagoon, the fish were plentiful, and there was this enormous waterfall with a wonderful place to swim and camp.

This is not the end of the story; this is merely the start of a much larger, more wondrous tale full of untold adventures and mysteries yet to unfold.