When Annie arrived in Athens she could start to feel the pressure of the last few weeks draining away from her. She grabbed a taxi to the port of Piraeus right away. She had the driver stop at a small liquor store before they reached the harbor. It was not that difficult to find 'The Flying Lavin' – most everybody seemed to know the beautifully restored classic ketch and its owner.
Eyal was busy down below readying the boat for his trip to the islands when he heard someone walking up to dock. He did have the occasional visit from dock neighbors stopping by to chat, but most of them did not wear high-heeled shoes. No, it can't be, he said to himself – would she remember about his boat and the open invitation he had extended in Amsterdam and on her last visit to Jerusalem?
He popped his head out the hatch with a smile ready – and broke out into a full-blown grin when he saw her walking down the dock swinging a small shopping bag. He wiped the grease from the engine on his hands off on a small rag and accepted the bag she handed to him and then reached out his hand to help her onto the boat. He handed her some cushions to get her settled comfortably in the cockpit and then grabbed two glasses and some ice to produce two ice-cold Sazeracs.
He handed her one of the glasses, then settled himself comfortably with the other one across from her in the cockpit and finally said "Welcome aboard the Flying Lavin, Neshama. What brings you here?" "I am taking you up on the offer to join you on your boat and think of nothing at all – at least for a while." "Ah, but I know that is not why you are here Annie, I think you are dying to talk to me about your adventures in Czechnya and Buenos Aires." he said with a grin. Annie knew she shouldn't be surprised that he could read her so well and at times seemed to know her better than she knew herself.
So she told him about everything.