Page 104 of Ship Happens

Owen lets out a huff of laughter, remembering Jacob’s mom saying the same thing once.

“It’s not like it matters, we can’t pay for anything,” Owen says, sinking onto one of the stools, his ankles feeling achy.

“I asked the cruise line to leave Dani’s number with Kaitlyn. As long as Dani’s okay with it, I can have Kaitlyn help us book our flights and get us our tickets.”

“That doesn’t solve the issue of our passports,” Owen adds. “Do you really think TSA is going to just wave us through?”

“Who knows, maybe we’ll catch them on an off day?” Jacob shrugs, trying for a joke.

Owen isn’t laughing.

That’s when Dani hops in, reading something off her laptop. “So you can get through TSA without a passport. You’ll be subject to additional screening, and totally at their mercy, but you can get through.”

“Yeah, TSA, the organization that famously loves trans people.” Owen sighs.

“It’s also worth noting that my niece works at the airport, and she can probably help out,” Dani adds. “Sorry, might’ve buried the lede on that one.”

“Thank you, Dani.” That seems to relax Jacob at least a little.

“Do the two of you need a place to stay tonight?” Dani spins on her own stool, snagging one of the room-temperature fries from her dinner. “I’ve got a guest room.”

“Oh, we couldn’t ask you to do that,” Jacob replies, Owen staring daggers at him.

“So . . .” Dani sings. “What’s the alternative? Got a plan for where the two of you are going to sleep tonight then?”

Jacob winces, turning to Owen. “I guess we really don’t have a choice, do we?”

Owen shakes his head.

“All-righty, then!” She shuts her laptop, sliding it into her bag in one fluid motion. “Sleepover with Dani!”

Dani’s house is a one-story bungalow near the edge of the woods in Mendenhaven, tucked a bit further from the road down a gravel path, surrounded by trees. It’s so dark outside that Owen can barely see five feet in front of him before Dani turns on the porch lights.

“All right,” Dani says as she kicks off her shoes in the mudroom, leaving her coat on a hanger before she opens the screen door. “I think I’ve got extra toothbrushes, but no promises. Any clothes I have might fit Owen, but you’re outta luck, big man,” she adds, giving Jacob a sympathetic look.

“It’s okay,” Jacob replies, ducking as he steps into the house.

Dani gives the two of them a tour of the necessary parts of the house, leading them through the kitchen and down the hall to the guest room. “Bathroom is right in there.” She points to the shut door. “I’ll get y’all some towels in case you want to take a shower.”

“Thank you so much again,” Owen says to her, falling onto the reading chair tucked in the corner, extending his feet onto the ottoman, stretching to massage his ankles. So much walking today.

“Do you need anything, Owen?” Dani asks. “Tylenol, icepack?”

“Ibuprofen, by any chance?” Owen asks, already feeling guilty for daring to ask for one more thing. But he needs something if he’s going to sleep tonight with how badly his joints feel.

“Got it!” Dani nods, dipping out of the room.

“How are you feeling?” Jacob asks, sitting down on the ottoman, lifting Owen’s feet into his lap to take over the massage.

“Not amazing,” he admits, watching Jacob slowly pull off his socks. As expected, there are splotches of red on all the typical areas. “It’s not just the pain, though.”

Jacob tilts his head to the side in confusion.

“If I hadn’t left the boat—” Owen starts to say before Jacob stops him.

“No, we’re not doing that.” He shakes his head. “You didn’t know, Owen.”

Owen’s mouth twists, like he’s in pain. Then tears start to bloom in the corners of his eyes.