"Pa, can I take the ship out into the bay?"
"Yeah, I don't see why not," Linebeck answers. He stands up, joints cracking and popping with a little protest. "Just let me get my coat."
"No, I meant…" the boy sighs and his cheeks redden slightly. "By myself. There's this girl and—"
"Oh, a girl, is she?" He nudges his son playfully. "Take my advice son: don't bother with women. They always leave."
Linebeck II raises an eyebrow. "You think I should bother with men?"
"Huh, I mean if you really feel that way, who am I to—"
"No, Pa," Linebeck II folds his arms and leans dreamily against the window. Kid always had a dramatic flair. "This girl, she's smart, beautiful, funny…her father's a court engineer so she's well versed with trains. I thought it would be neat to—you know…"
"…Show her the ship. The other mode of transportation. Yes, I understand."
"So…can I?"
Linebeck pretends to deliberate on this. "I think you're old enough to manage the ship on your own for a couple of hours." He's witnessed his son's nautical abilities. He trusts him.
"Yes!"
"But—"
"But?"
"But you need to be home by an hour after sunset. I don't want to give the girl's parents a heart attack." He produces a look that borders on stern. "And stay safe. Okay?"
"Yes. Yes, Pa. Absolutely." The boy leaps into an action and beams with excitement. "I'll be so safe the guards will apprehend the ship and ask—'Kid, are you aware of how safe you're being?'
'Oh, I'm sorry, Sir,' I'll say. 'I'll try to be less law-abiding in the future.'"
Linebeck laughs. He's not sure where he inherited his funny bone, but he sure is glad for it.
Sorry for taking almost 7 months to finish this. I hope it was worth it. Please let me know what you think! I appreciate it immensely.
And congrats to 8 Navy Roses. I can't wait to see what the future will bring for you!