Derailed

Chapter Eleven

Saturday morning started out hazy, but I was confident the sun would break through in time for the pictures. I headed down to the marina around nine, a good half-hour before I needed to be there. I decided to walk, carrying only my camera bag and a bottle of water, shoving my wallet, cell phone, and keys in my back pocket. Even with the early hour, it was hot, and my light blue jean skirt with the intentional rip felt sticky against my legs by the time I arrived. Ben was already there, chatting with his dad. I prepared myself for potential awkwardness.

"Hi, Ben, Mr. Mathews."

"Hey." Ben hopped down off the boat to greet me. "Still wearing your usual wardrobe, I see."

"Just realizing that?"

"Well, the first few times could have just been flukes."

"Very likely." I smiled. "So you think the sun is going to cooperate today?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Well, I guess we have some time before Kelly and Tom get here."

"A little bit. Why don't you get yourself set up?"

Mr. Mathews greeted me with a grin as I boarded the boat. Ben looked so much like his father that it was sometimes eerie when I saw him, like I was taking a peek into Ben's future or something. In the darkness the other night, I hadn't really looked at it, but the Mathews's 60 foot Chris-Craft still looked as beautiful as ever. Ben had always worked long hours with his father keeping up the wooden boat. I don't think either father or son minded much. It was like their baby. It was also one of their biggest money makers because they could rent it out for weddings and other events. "Hi there, Molly. By the way, you're not a kid anymore. You can call me Mark now."

"Hmm, I guess I could try."

He laughed. "Your parents always made such a big deal about formalities. It's no wonder you have trouble breaking out of it."

I knew he was really referring to my dad. Although our mothers were always friendly, my dad and Ben's never got along. They were in very different social circles, but everyone knew how strict my dad was and how tight a ship he ran at home.

Dad never liked me dating Ben. He thought Ben was a bad influence on me and accused him of using his family's money to stay out of trouble. Dad probably would have forbidden me from dating him if my mom hadn't intervened. I think the only reason he was okay with me moving across the country for school was to keep us apart. He thought we were getting too serious and that I needed more options. I wonder what he'd think if he knew his death is what finally broke us up.

"Earth to Molly. You doing okay, space cadet?" Ben touched my arm, bringing me back to the present.

"Sorry, I guess I'm out of it this morning."

"Anything you want to talk about?"

"Nope, but thanks."

"All right. Here comes the happy couple."

Kelly and Tom headed over, dressed up in clearly coordinated outfits. Kelly wore a light blue sun dress, and Tom wore a shirt in the exact same shade of blue.

"Hey, guys." Tom came to join us on the front deck.

"Hey." I gave a small wave.

Kelly made a beeline for Mr. Mathews. "Thanks so much for letting us use the boat today."

"It's fine. I'd never deny Molly a favor, and it's a nice day to head out on the water anyway."

Deny me a favor? Of course that's how it would be construed.