The Deckhand (Audio Script)

Stories

I caught you looking at me when we first boarded yesterday.

You were standing at the railing in a line with the other deckhands and I could almost feel your eyes following me as the stewardess showed us around the boat.

I wasn’t positive if it was me you were looking at—you just as easily could have been staring at one of my friends—but then this morning while I was reading on the sundeck, I caught you again.

You were in the doorway of the crew quarters and talking into your radio, saying something about ‘tightening the lines.’

But you were looking straight at me.

And even though you couldn’t see my eyes through my sunglasses, I was definitely staring back.

“Hey, are you going to get in the water?

I know Sara wants to go jet skiing, but I’m honestly kind of terrified.

I might just lay out for a bit until we dock later.

Or maybe I’ll ask if we can go to one of those coves the captain was talking about.

Hey.

Hey.

Are you listening?”

“What?

Oh, um, sorry.

I… not enough coffee this morning.”

Actually, I’m distracted because I can’t stop staring at you.

You’re washing the outside of the windows, barefoot, your hair pulled up in a messy knot on top of your head.

God, your shirt just barely contains your massive arms.

And the lines of your calves are just… wow.

“Mmhmm, or maybe you’re staring at that cute deckhand again.”

“What?

No, I’m not.”

“No, you totally are.

It’s kinda obvious.”

“Shhh.

Don’t—just shhh.”

“Hey, that’s what vacation is for, right?

Nothing like a little spring fling.

Especially since… you know.”

“What?”

“Okay, don’t get mad, but this might be, you know, a good opportunity for you to forget about you-know-who.”

“Oh my god, I’m not still—I’m over him, okay?

It was… what, two months ago?

I’m fine.”

“Okay, okay.

I’m just saying…

It could be good for you.”

“What were you saying?

About the… the dock?”

“Swimming.

Are you going to join?”

“Yeah, whatever, that sounds good.”

Okay, maybe I’m not totally over being dumped the night I thought I was getting engaged, but… I will be.

Eventually.

I guess she’s right.

Hooking up with a hot deckhand would definitely help me move on a little.

It would at least be a distraction from these last few shitty months.

I mean, not that that’s going to happen.

You would probably get fired instantly if anyone found out you hooked up with a passenger.

Plus, you’re so… I don’t know, muscular and handsome.

Like in a Hercules kind of way.

I’ve never really been with someone so… rugged and physical.

Now that I think of it, pretty much all of my past partners have been, what’s the word, knowledge workers?

One worked in tech.

Another was in law school.

And the most recent one worked at that art gallery.

And… you spend all day on a luxury yacht, tightening lines, dropping anchors, and… lifting heavy things, I guess.

Basically, your body looks like a Greek sculpture.

And… it’s new to me, but I’m into it.

“Okay, well, I’m going to go back to the room and put on my swimsuit.

Aaaaand I’m just going to leave you and Mr. Deckhand alone here for a little while in case you want to, uh, get to know each other a little better.”

“Oh my god.

Mel, don’t—you’re the worst.”

“Have fun.”

Okay, as embarrassing as Mel can be, I can see that she’s doing me a favor by leaving me alone up here. Even if nothing’s going to happen.

You’re… still washing the windows, but you’ve moved onto the one closest to the table I’m at.

Your back is to me and—

“Got something on my backside?”

“Wh—uhhh—no, um—”

“I’m messing with you.

Just saw you in the reflection.

Looked like you might have had your eye on me.”

Oh.

Yeah, wow.

You can totally see everything I’m doing through the reflection on the window you’re washing.

Well… two can play that game.

“Kinda like you did this morning?

And yesterday?”

“Mmm.

Busted.”

You turn away from the window and toss your sponge into a bucket at your feet.

There’s something… careless about the way you move.

You’ve got a slow, easy energy.

Like you’ve got nothing to do, nothing weighing you down.

“I was trying not to be too obvious.”

“Yeah, well, I’m observant.”

“This your first time on a charter boat?”

“Um, yeah.

Actually, I’m a little out of my element, if you couldn’t tell.”

“It’s kind of obvious, yeah.

Mostly because you keep saying, ‘If that’s okay,’ every time you ask for something.”

“Mmm, well, this was supposed to be my friend’s parents’ anniversary gift for themselves, but her dad broke his leg.

So, since they weren’t able to make it, me and Sara get to take their place.”

“Ah, lucky you.”

“Yeah, it’s… incredible.

I’m not really used to being waited on hand and foot, which you noticed.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean.

Most of our charter guests aren’t nearly as… down-to-earth as you.”

“I can imagine you deal with some unpleasant guests.”

“Sometimes, yeah.

People who feel like they deserve special treatment just because they can afford a vacation like this.”

You’re quiet for a moment, just looking out at the expanse of blue-green ocean surrounding us.

I’m just now realizing how tall you are.

You tower over me.

“Well, anyway.

I’ll leave you be.

Hey, let me know if you need anything, okay?”

“Hey, hey, wait a second.”

“Yeah?”

“So, you were staring at me?”

“You’re beautiful.

Couldn’t help myself.”

Oh, wow.

Okay.

That was smooth.

And I’m a little flustered now.

This… I was not expecting this.

“What, did you not know?”

“Know what?”