I
It’s fun, being in love and on a boat. I was, a long time ago. That was when I knew a woman who was happy to be in love and on a boat. Now I do not, and I do not know where I will find another, but I know where it is most likely to happen.
By the sea there is a boat on which I have been and seen women in love with men. I cannot be sure that the women on the boat who do not appear to be in love or who are in love but unhappy would be happy if on a boat and in love, and so I will horn a man or I will steal his woman without horning him on this boat if she looks happy and in love and I would like to be with her.
II
I am on the boat and we are in the water. I am approaching a man and a woman who appear to be in love with each other and happy. I would like to be with this woman but she is currently with this man and so I will separate them or wreck their home.
“Quite a view, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is,” says the woman I would like to be with.
“Yes, it is. Rick Shaw.”
“Rick Shaw? But we’re already on a boat!”
She laughs and I can see that Rick Shaw feels threatened but does not want to project that emotion. We shake hands and the woman looks at me with attraction.
III
It is now dinner time and I have been with Mr. Shaw and the woman for several hours. The woman continues to ask me questions as Mr. Shaw continues to buy me drinks.
“So you said you are from the port city?”
“Yes. I used to be a fisherman but now I am retired.”
“You look fit. I would not have guessed you were old enough to be retired.”
“Margaret!”
“That’s still my name. So, Mr. Coyle, are you married?”
I imagine Mr. Shaw did not feel good by this point.
“No. I have several children but I have never been married.”
“We do not have any children because Richard is sterile and I do not enjoy having intercourse with him and I do not want to marry him. I am glad you are here.”
THE END