“What’s that?” I ask.
“About rich people getting what they want because they can.”
I shrug. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“He’s not a bad person though,” David says.“It’s a weird life. Everyone around him is always saying how great he is, how important he is.”
I snort. “Sounds terrible.”
David presses his lips together, and I have to remind myself yet again he’s still a guest and insulting his boss isn’t the best idea.
He says, “I think it’s easy to lose perspective when you’re surrounded by all those people. Like no matter how hard you try to stay grounded, your view of what’s normal shifts, you know?”
I can’t say I do, but instead, I smile and say, “Look, if you’re worried I’ll say something to your boss when we get back, I won’t. You keep what I said to yourself and I’ll keep your secret too, okay?”
He frowns, lips pressing together. I don’t really know what else to say to make him feel better. Finally, he says, “Deal.”
“Perfect. We’re just two normal guys out looking to fish. No problem.”
The rain has stopped again by the time we round the last curve of land, and the bay I’ve been looking for sits in front of us.
“Oh wow,” David says, and I brighten at the way he leans forward in his seat. I bring us in a little way so we’re out of the worst of the chop, then kill the motor. Ahead of us, the mountains stretch in a straight blue-black line capped in white where the snow won’t melt until deep into the summer. No bears or moose are along the shore, but a line of black murres skim along the water’s edge before heading out to the open sea.
“No one else knows about this spot,” I say.
“In all of Alaska?” David gives me a wry smile.
“Well.” I can’t help but smile back. “Maybe a few others. But we’re a long way from anything. We get to spend the day exactly how you want to.”
“Been a while since I had a day off,” he says.
“Yeah?” I say as I set out the rods and bait the hooks. “What do you like to do when you’ve got some time to yourself?”
David follows me as I work, but it takes a couple more rods before I realize he hasn’t said anything. I glance up and he shrugs.
“Guess it’s been longer than a while.”
“You never have a day off?” I ask.
“I, uh.” He scratches at his chin. “Vin and I will go out for brunch sometimes.”
“Vin?”
He smiles. “My best friend. He knows all the places that’ll give you bottomless mimosas and a quiet table in the back.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
His smile widens. “Must sound pretty fussy for someone who lives up here.”
“Nah,” I say. “A mimosa’s one of those drinks with the umbrellas in it, right?”
David laughs. “It’s orange juice and champagne.”
Well, any hope I had of not looking like a hick has evaporated. I let the lines out, trying to keep busy so I don’t have to look him in the eye.
“You have any family?” I ask.
“No.” He backtracks when I glance at him. “I mean, I wasn’t born in a lab. I have parents and siblings, but we don’t really talk.”
