Chapter 4 Thursday
596 Words
Longest Thursday of my life! Tedious, endless meetings, paperwork, subordinates coming to interrupt whatever the hell I was supposed to be working on at the moment... Only, I was in such a daze, I'm not really sure I actually got any work done.
As soon as I got off work, I came home and hit the shower!
The scorching drops pelting my skin, relaxing my muscles are doing nothing to settle my mind. I breathe in the steam and let it out slowly. I can't get away from whatever it is about this trip that's hiking up my anxiety.
The logical part of my brain is telling me, if I'm getting red flags, I really should just call the guys and call it off. But every time I even think about it, another organ starts pounding in my chest, telling me there is no way in hell I'm not going.
I shut off the water and towel off.
Even just thinking about staying behind is causing a cold sweat to break out. My chest is constricting, causing shortness of breath, and I'm starting to see dark spots everywhere.
There is something seriously screwy about this whole damn trip, and I don't know what it is.
After I've pulled on my gym shorts and a white tee, I pull out my duffel from under my bed.
It'll take about 4 days to get to the lighthouse, and then... what? I turn around and come home? It just doesn't feel right.
I start shoving my beach attire into my bag. On the off chance they guys want to actually go into the water, I grab my scuba gear and toss it into the bag, too.
I start zipping up my duffel and stop. Why did I only pack 4 days worth of clothes? We will be gone for 2 whole weeks. For some reason, I can't bring myself to pack one more item.
I shake my head in frustration and just zip up the dumb bag.
That done, I call Austin.
"Hey, buddy!" he picks up on the first ring. "Y'all ready to hit the high seas?" he sounds crazy excited... and I wonder if he's drunk again.
"Yeah, dude. I got the coordinates to the lighthouse. It should take about 4 days," I try sounding casual, when really my heart is racing enough I may die of a heart attack right now.
"Sweet! You actually found it!"
"Yeah, man. I looked up that old story and found out where it was."
I chuckle at hearing the child like excitement in my buddies voice. And really, what little kid didn't dream of finding buried treasure someday? And if he had the chance to actually do it?
Only that's not why I want to go. Not sure why, but it seems to be important not to tell the guys what my real reason for going is.
"Awesome! You all packed?" he asks.
"Yep. I'm bringing my scuba gear too," I mentioned.
"Hey, good call! I'll grab mine too. And I'll call Jordan and make sure he has his as well. That way we can definitely check out the treasure... You know, if there is a treasure to check out," he laughs.
"Sounds good. What time are we loadin' up tomorrow?" I ask.
"Be at the dock at 5am. We'll be out by the crack of dawn!" he drawls.
For some reason, those words sooth my soul like nothing else could.
"Great! see ye in the mornin'," and I hang up.
For better or for worse, I'm doing this thing!
- Writer
