“Thank you. I feel blessed to live here.”
“So, what about your girlfriend? She seems nice. Have you been together long?”
“No, it’s still early days.” Marcy could hardly believe she and Zoe were already so comfortable around each other as only three weeks had passed since they’d spent their first night together. “But it feels right, you know?”
Rico nodded and smiled with a faraway look in his eyes. “The honeymoon phase. I remember that.” He turned back to her and chuckled. “I bet she’d love to move in here, with the pool and the view.”
“No. Zoe’s not like that. She’s very independent, and besides, she’s not entirely convinced I’m serious about her.”
“But you are?”
“Yeah.” Marcy paused for a beat, searching for the right words to describe her feelings for Zoe. “Ever since I met her, I’ve felt this beautiful sense of inner peace. It’s like I’ve been searching for something my whole life without even knowing it, and now I’ve found it. I used to be restless, always looking for the next adventure, but I’m not like that anymore. I’m just happy in the moment, and it’s because of her. I adore her.” As she watched the light change with the sinking sun, she realized she’d never been so mindful as she was now. She wasn’t scared of commitment. She’d just been saving herself for the right person.
59
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to work with you.” Zoe sipped her tea as she stared out at the water from the wheelhouse. It was her day off and since Marcy was working, she’d decided to join her father on the ferry.
“Twenty years to be precise,” her father said.
“Really? Has it been that long?”
“Last time you wanted to spend a day with your me was when you were thirteen. You were sitting right there with a Coke, pressing the buttons for me.”
Zoe smiled at the vague memory. “Yes, it was sunny, and we went to get ice cream after your shift.”
“That’s right.” He turned to her and smiled, then gave one prolonged blast of the ferry’s horn to let the passengers and other boats know they were moving off. “Have you been to Calpe since then?”
“No. I’ve barely left the area apart from when I lived away.” Zoe pointed at the small island in the distance. “It seems so much closer now.”
“Yes, that’s what happens over time. Your world gets smaller.” He kept his gaze fixed ahead as he continued. “Your mother told me you’d had a talk.”
Zoe nodded. She’d expected to have this conversation as he’d asked her to come along this morning, and she felt ready. “Yes. Did she tell you everything?”
“I know that you’re seeing a woman,” her father said, a little uncomfortably. “Are you happy?”
“Very happy.” Zoe studied his face and noted he’d aged a lot over the past years. The crow’s feet around his eyes were deep now and his shoulder length hair that was pulled back into a ponytail was completely grey. With his full, grey beard and deep tan, he looked like a stereotypical sailor, something Zoe and her mother always teased him about.
“Good. Her name is Marcy, right? Is she nice?” He shook his head. “Never mind. Of course she’s nice.”
“She is.” Zoe smiled. “You always knew, didn’t you? That I was gay?”
“I had my suspicions.” He chuckled. “Remember our old neighbours? I caught you staring at their teenage daughter multiple times, but you were always too shy to talk to her.”
“Sanya,” Zoe said. “The Macedonian girl; I remember her. And yes, I did have a big, fat crush on her.” She hesitated. “Why did you never say anything?”
“I never brought it up because I knew your mother would have trouble accepting it.” He sighed. “I suppose I didn’t want to create a problem when there wasn’t one. I probably should have talked to you, though. I’m sorry.” Zoe felt herself choke up. She hadn’t expected her father to be upset with her; he never was, but she didn’t think he would be so supportive either.
“It’s fine. I’m glad you know now. And Mum seems okay, or at least I think she will be. I don’t expect her to kick me out of the house any time soon.”
“She would never do that. We’re both so happy that you’re living at home again. I know it won’t be forever, but it’s lovely to see your face at the breakfast table in the mornings.” He veered to the right to avoid a boat that was too close for comfort and muttered a quiet curse at the ‘pirates’ as he called them. “How did you meet?”
“Marcy?” Zoe decided to leave out the part about losing her virginity as talking about sex with her father was more than she was comfortable with. “We didn’t exactly start out on the right foot,” she said honestly. “Marcy was the contractor at El Escondite. She managed the renovation while I was getting the kitchen up and running and we couldn’t stand each other at first.”
“Oh, really?” Her father laughed. “What changed?”
“I’m not quite sure,” Zoe said, pondering over the question she’d asked herself many times. “She apologised one day, and that’s when we started talking and getting to know each other better. People aren’t always what they seem at first sight.”
“No. Your mother couldn’t stand me when we first met. Has she ever told you that?”
