Chapter 29
As soon as Dough is gone Will has the window at his right shoulder open, sticking his head outside he hisses a name.
"Serafina, most wonderful and lovely of sisters, would you please get your perfectly shaped tiny backside over here please pretty please?"
And before Will is done talking his sister is flying next of the wheelhouse within easy whispering distance of the window ducking the seagulls that also like flying next to the wheelhouse.
"What's up? Don't blame me for what happened today. We didn't do it this time, we really didn't. Even if we or I wanted to then I couldn't do it like this."
Serafina is so used to Will blowing up at her she often starts excusing or explaining before he ever got a chance to talk.
"I know, don't get your panties in a wad, it was Mother herself. But because of it I need some help."
"What with?"
"Well during Mothers little hiccup she managed to do some damage. And Monte got hurt and I wasn't near him fast enough."
"Which one is Monte again? The one with the tattoo back and arm?"
"No that is Travis, He's going to be fine, just a boeboe on his finger, or it is now. He had lost most of his hand but I managed to grow that back on. Lenny also had some damage but I was the first to touch him so he is fine as well. Monte is the big burly one with the big chin."
Serafina seemed less than amused.
"So…You are allowed to discern by saying someone has a big chin, But I am not allowed to say that you like the big nosed one? By the way, do you already know about the big nosed ones other body parts?"
"Shut up about the big nosed one, and his name is Art by the way. And no I don't know yet, but he did kiss me this morning."
" OH..now that sounds promising."
"Yeah, only he also kissed about everybody else on the boat."With a very expressive eye roll, good thing Keith didn't see it, he has a thing against eye rolling. And Serafina is about as confused as Will is.
"Why on earth would he do that?"
"Seems he was happy about not itching anymore."
"Shouldn't he be thanking you then? You did take away the itch didn't you?"
" of course I did, but he thinks it is because of his diet."
"And who is in charge of his food, you aren't you?"
"Yes I am but never mind all that. Are you going to help me with Monte?"
"Why, if you can't fix it, I certainly can't do it?"
"Even I have limits. So you choose, do you want to control the weather keeping this storm at bay or fix a broken neck without spine damage?"
Serafina pretends to think for about a second.
"I'll do the neck, thank you very much, but when can I get to him, pretty crowded in there?"
"Right now would work, everybody on board is sleeping."
"Nope they not, the big nosed one is awake and coming. And Segesta's baby daddy isn't sleeping either only he is still thinking about what to do. I could of course let them all fall asleep, only you would get angry with me if I broke the Big Nosed ones nose when he falls on the stairs. Bye for now, bro I'll find a moment to get to this big burly one with the big chin to fix his neck myself."
And with a last giggle Serafina is gone from the window.
Will was still hanging with his head out the window when Art scraped his throat while on the wheel house stairs.
"Better close that window. If Keith catches you with it open he'll get mad. Why do you have it open anyway, it is freezing in here."
Spinning around Will manages to hit his head on one of the many monitors and radios. Rubbing his head, closing the window and grinning at Art at the same time Will even finds time to talk.
"I was feeding the birds, Keith left some scraps from breakfast. The seagulls like bacon, they don't like pecan waffles."
This has Art laughing. "Crazy birds, those pecan waffles are amazing, they don't know what they are missing."
"Thanks Art but you're not allowed to eat pecan waffles yet. Only what are you doing here? Why aren't you asleep as the others?"
Looking sheepishly and rubbing the back of his neck, rubbing not scratching, Art answers.
"I can't sleep, to wound up and not sleepy at all, not even tired, normally I would collapse exhausted after a day of work, but now I still have lots of energy, never noticed how that itching and scratching took it out of me."
And getting closer and looking even more nervous Art continues.
"I wanted to say sorry for this morning. The kissing thing, didn't really handle that too well."
Taking a deep breath and looking Will straight in the eyes Art stumbles to the next part of his rehearsed speech.
" Will, I am sorry if my kissing you this morning made you feel uncomfortable."
And because Art is looking straight into Will's eyes he can see the impish little devil start dancing in Will's eyes.
"Thanks Art, but I didn't mind. Seems to me you have to apologize to Keith and Lynn, they seemed a lot more uncomfortable then me."
Encouraged by Will's answer Art goes for the plunge.
"I really don't care how they feel, just don't want to upset you. You're important to me."
Feeling himself go beet red Art looks everywhere but at Will. He never felt so vulnerable, and yet hopeful before in his live. By not looking he completely misses the way Will's face lights up even more.
"Art, I care about you too."
And with that Will gives Art a big hug making sure to squeeze a bit extra and he also lets his hands wander a bit.
Not the reaction Art was expecting but a hell of a lot better. He is taking deep breaths enjoying the wholesome earthy pine smell that is typically Will and hugging right back with his eyes closed. Paradise.
