“Hey, American Girl,” The Bedouin calls. I rise and go to him. The sun is out, and its warmth makes the trip a whole lot better. I no longer wear layers upon layers of clothing – just some rags and my trusty wig.
“What’s up?”
“I need you to take the helm so I can catch a break.”
“For how long?” I ask, not feeling great about steering this vessel.
“Just for a couple of hours. Don’t worry too much, just keep her straight,” he assures me.
“Straight. Gotcha.”
The Frenchman walks to what was my spot only a few minutes ago, lies down on the floor and rests his head on a duffel bag.
“You know…” he starts.
“Oh, no… he wants to talk, what a nightmare.” Life is here.
“I thought you wanted to rest,” I say.
“Yes, I do, but first, I would love to know how a woman like you and the nightmare that is Rage – no offense – met.”
“Non taken, but a woman like me? What is that supposed to mean?” I ask, not moving my eyes away from the horizon.
“You know,” he rambles, “strong, dedicated, beautiful as an angel, and well, he’s a devil. Scary as fuck, to me at least.”
“You do know he can hear you, right?” I remind him without turning my head. Rage is laughing on the other side. I picture him with a big smile, and that makes me smile too.
“Yes, this I know, but he’s many miles away from here. He doesn’t scare me when he’s far.”
“Good point.”
“Some tell me he stopped moving, that he adopted a sedentary lifestyle. Is that true?”
Rage hisses at me, “You don’t have to say shit to him. In fact, I don’t want you to answer. The less everyone knows, the better.”
I turn my head, look at The Bedouin, and slowly shake my head.
He nods. Good, he understands.
“At least tell me if you are fucking her. Rage, come on. If you trusted me to sail with her I at the very least deserve some answers,” he demands.
Rage sighs. He sounds irritated, as usual.
“Tell him you are my sister.”
Sister?
“Sister,” I lie.
“What?”
“I’m his sister.”
The Bedouin sits up and stares at me like he has just seen a ghost. I have to bite my lips, otherwise I’m going to laugh in his face.
“Sister, you say? He never mentioned a sibling. Really Rage? Firstfriendnow sister?” He sighs. “You know what? Forget it, I’m not interested anymore.” He narrows his eyes and goes back to his original position. Only this time he turns his back on me.
“So, I’m your sister now. Didn’t know incest was your thing,” I find myself mocking.
