“Hey,” said Phil. He had both hands in his pockets. Brian had never seen Phil looking so self-conscious.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” said Brian.
“Well, the Cassie is my uncle’s boat,” said Phil. “I help out a lot on weekends. He taught me to sail.” Phil puffed a little with pride.
Brian said, “I’d like to learn more about sailing. I’ve only been once or twice. In Jamaica.”
“I can tell you some stuff,” said Phil, looking happier.
Brian caught Ollie glaring from across the boat. Phil had been mean to Coco last fall, and Ollie hadn’t forgotten. He saw Coco mouth Be nice at Ollie and then come up to them with Ollie trailing. Coco was more forgiving than Ollie. “Hi, Phil,” Coco said.
“Hi,” echoed Ollie grimly.
Phil went bright red. “Hi, guys,” he mumbled. He was playing with something in his pocket.
Coco had her mouth open to say something else, when Mr. Dimmonds came up behind Brian. “Well, hello, you three,” he said. “Guess y’already know my nephew Phil. Ready to be sailors?”
“Yup,” said Brian, with slightly excessive cheer. He was determined to have a perfect day. “What do we do first?”
Mr. Dimmonds said, “Better stow your stuff first.” He had an eye on their hampers of food. “Glad you’ve brought your own grub. People these days, pah! Most people expect you to do everything for them. Everything!” He spat over the side of the boat. “Phil!” he added. “You can show your new shipmates the ropes. Take ’em down to stow their bags. We’ll cast off in just a few.”
Phil still looked tense. But he said, “Okay. This way.” He led them toward the back of the boat. The stern, Brian remembered. There was a steep staircase there, almost a ladder. “Down here.” Phil climbed down the ladder, calling over his shoulder, “Just watch your step, okay? These steps are slippery. You can stow your bags.” He pointed to some racks.
“Okay,” said Coco. She heaved her bag.
“Wow, you’re stronger than you look,” said Phil. “I mean, that is—” He bit his lip.
Coco said, “Well, I like to climb a lot. Do you think I could climb the mast?”
“Yeah,” said Phil, looking surprised. “But it’s hard. My uncle only let me do it once. And you need safety equipment. A harness. Want to see?”
“Sure,” said Coco, and followed him instantly back up the ladder.
Ollie, looking annoyed, threw her own bag into the luggage rack. “I don’t get why she’s even being nice to him. He was so mean to her in October.”
“Yeah, and then he got turned into a scarecrow,” said Brian. “She probably feels bad about that. You know Coco. She wants to be everyone’s friend. We weren’t that nice to her either, once.”
“Coco makes me feel like a fiend sometimes,” Ollie admitted. “Like a big meanie. She’s just—nice. It’s not an act, it’s who she is. She’s going to ask him about scarecrows and the smiling man, isn’t she?”
Brian sighed. “Probably. Can’t stop Coco when she decides to do something. I wish we knew what the black paper meant.”
“Me too.”
* * *
—
When Brian and Ollie got back up to the deck, the boat was already moving. “Look!” said Mr. Dimmonds from where he stood, steering. “See those whitecaps, out on the lake? We’ve got some breeze today!”
Brian looked. The lake was glassy blue, with white streaks where the wind had beaten the water all foamy, like eggs. Clouds darted across the milky spring sky, but the sun was warm when he put his face into the light.
Mr. Dimmonds said, “You kids want to help me steer?”
“Yes!” said Brian instantly, and went over. Ollie came too, but slower. She was watching Coco and Phil, who were standing next to the mast, talking.
Mr. Dimmonds was watching them too. “Good to go, my dear,” he called to Coco. Coco was already wearing a harness. She clipped it in, put her feet on the rungs and shimmied up like a squirrel. Phil watched in surprise. Mr. Dimmonds whistled. “Very impressive, young lady,” he called, and Coco waved from the top of the mast, smiling.
When she got back to the ground, Phil blurted out, “Hey, I’m sorry I was—I was mean this fall.” He tripped over the words.