“I’ve heard that drinking salt water can make you crazy,” Abel added.
“I don’t think so,” said Gus. “Salt doesn’t make you crazy and neither does water. I don’t see how salt water would.”
“I don’t know,” said Abel. “I once read a book about some men trapped on a lifeboat and one of them drank salt water and he went crazy. It was supposed to be a true story.”
“Well, I don’t know,” said Gus. “Ocean water has more in it than just salt.”
They moved up another space in line.
“She’s too smart for me,” said Abel. “I never know what to say to her.”
Gus laughed. “How about asking her why she likes to drink salt water?’”
“How?” Abel asked him. “How can I ask her something like that?”
Gus laughed again. “That’s a real tough problem. Maybe you could say, ‘Angeline, why do you like to drink salt water?’”
“Sure,” said Abel. “You make it sound so easy.”
It was finally their turn. They swung the truck around, quickly dumped their garbage, then headed for the garage where they would park the truck and get into their own cars.
Angeline stood on her tiptoes and turned on the faucet over the kitchen sink. She stuck a glass under and filled it halfway with water. She picked up the salt shaker from the counter and sprinkled some salt into the glass. She took a sip, then added more salt. She took another sip and this time added more water. Another sip and she added salt again. She tasted it and smiled. Perfect. She stood back on her tiptoes and turned the water off. She brought the glass into the living room, where she slowly drank the water while she read her book.
The one-eyed pirate had captured the beautiful lady and told her that unless she married him, she would have to walk the plank. She had until sundown to decide. As the appointed hour approached, she stood at the edge of the plank with her hands tied behind her back. Her fair face stared nobly into the pink sky. “Alas,” she thought, “’tis better to die with honor, than to live a life of shame.”
Tears rolled out of Angeline’s eyes. She wiped her nose on her sleeve. She perked up, though, as she heard her father open the door.
“Don’t hug me until I take a shower,” he said.
“Will you take me to the beach sometime?” she asked him.
“No,” he said flatly. “No, I can’t.”
“What about Mitchell Beach? It’s real close. Gary’s family goes all the time.”
“I said no,” her father sternly repeated in a voice that told her she’d better not ask again.
She didn’t say anything, but turned her back on him, demonstrating that she didn’t think it was fair.
He walked into the bathroom and showered. He felt bad for having been so harsh with her, especially since he had decided that he would try and talk with her, just like Gus.
He put on his pajamas and robe and walked out into the living room. She was on the couch, reading. He sat down next to her. She looked up at him coldly, still mad that he wouldn’t take her to the bea
ch without even giving an explanation.
He tried to think of a way to begin. “So,” he said, “what’s new?”
“Oh!” she exclaimed, remembering Gary’s joke. “An animal at the zoo!” She burst out laughing, and forgot all about being angry.
“Okay, fine,” said Abel, even though he had no idea what she was talking about. He wanted to show her that he could talk and laugh with her, too, just like Gus. “How was school today?” he asked.
Angeline smiled as she remembered the good time she had had that day. It was one of the few days she had ever enjoyed school. “Mr. Bone let me feed her fish,” she said gleefully.
“Okay, fine,” said Abel. He wondered how such a simple sentence could be so confusing. He thought awhile before saying another word, then asked, “Who is Mr. Bone?”
“She’s a wonderful teacher,” said Angeline, happy to tell her father all about her. “She’s got two fish tanks and yesterday she gave me a fish shaped like a cookie.” She laughed. “I mean a cookie shaped like a fish, which I ate.”
“Okay, fine,” said Abel. They were talking, but it was like they were speaking two different languages. He wondered if she was trying to confuse him on purpose because he wouldn’t take her to the beach. More likely, he figured, she was just too smart for him. However, he didn’t want to let on, so he did his best to keep up with the conversation.