Diving In Head First

Chapter 1: Keith-2

Monday morning, I showed up at the Dartmouth marine slip and found my way to the Lady Bertha, a thirty-five-foot, modified Cape Islander. The boss, Jed, was there to meet me. He introduced me to the skipper, Gerard Ferguson, and my fellow divers.

Wow…Gerard made me do a double-take. He had lean muscles, and spoke with a bit of a gruff voice. Freddie was a sun chaser, who worked the coast for the summer, then skied during the winter in the mountains out west. Bobby was a rugged guy who looked like a linebacker, but had a gentle voice, and easy laugh. Bobby was the oldest of the group.

Introductions done, I was told to go to the shop and get fitted for my wetsuit. It would be three-eighths of an inch sharkskin neoprene custom suit that Jed’s wife was going to make. The guys swore by her work, and I sure didn’t plan to be the exception. I had a suit I used for recreational dives, but since I would be working longer, deeper, and into the fall season, the added thickness would be a good thing.

After I was well and truly measured, I made my way back to the slip. The guys had just come ashore, so everyone piled into Jed’s pickup, Gerard’s Jeep, and my Nissan, and we headed to the office. Jed’s organization was impressive. He got the diving business going, had a Quonset hut behind the shop and a swimming pool for dive lessons; had a landscaping business, and did work with earthmoving equipment. Who knew a dive company could be so diverse?

Once we got to the office, the guys wanted to go for a swim in the pool. Gerard stayed behind with Jed. I was a bit surprised when they all stripped naked and dove in. They called on me to join in. I was no prude, but also not overly comfortable with being naked in a crowd, so I begged off.

“Don’t be a f*****g wimp like the i***t you’re replacing. Get the f*****g clothes off and get in the water. Like now.” Freddie was a loudmouth.

“f**k off Fred, if he doesn’t want to come in it’s no big deal. You’ll get to see his junk when we work on dives anyway.” Bobby grinned. “He just wants to see how you measure up to him. He’s got so much d**k, all the blood goes there, so it leaves his brain a bit stupid.”

“Asshole,” Freddie replied. “It isn’t about seeing what’s between his legs. It’s about team building.”

Bobby laughed so hard, he almost swallowed a load of water and drowned himself. “Lying prick. Leave the kid alone and get ready to race. Loser of two laps buys the first round at the Bowler.”

I strolled back to the office. Lindsay, the boss’s wife, said my suit would be ready by noon the next day. Jed and Gerard were going over details of an upcoming job.

“Well, thanks again for taking me on. I’m going to head out. Should I come back here, or meet you all at the dock tomorrow morning?”

Gerard looked over his shoulder. “I’m about to leave, too. Wait up a minute.”

Jed glanced at me. “Welcome to the team. Head to the dock first thing, then you can go out with Gerard and Bob. He’s got one small job in the morning. The others will help out here at the shop. Then, I’ll meet you at the wharf with your suit and you can take your first splash.”

I met up with Gerard outside the office. “Is Freddie on your case yet? He has an ego problem, and likes to give new guys a hard time,” he asked while we walked.

I laughed. “He didn’t like that I wouldn’t go skinny dipping with them, but I can look after myself. Thanks for the tip, though. Are you off for the day now?”

I looked closer at him. He was the skipper, but he seemed like such a young man. He was as tall as me, with hazel eyes that were so intense and clear, it seemed they could fire laser beams. He had straw coloured hair, with loose curls throughout, and had a bit of scruff on his face. Can’t grow a beard, or choose not to? I wondered.

“No, I have to refuel and stock the boat for tomorrow.” He smiled a bright smile. “You’re welcome to help if you want, unless you plan on joining the guys at the Bowler. They have the best steaks in just about anywhere. If you do come though, I’ll give you a tour of the beast.”

I wanted to get to know this skipper better. “Done deal. I’ll meet you there.”

On the way, I made a quick call to Danny. We’d met six months before and had been a bit of an item ever since. “Hey handsome, how was your day?”

He sighed. “Ever hear the expression about life being a pigshit sandwich, and every day another bite? I took a large chomp today.”

I laughed. “I honestly can’t say I’ve heard that one before. Anything you want to talk about?”

“Nah, it’s good. Hey, what’s up? How’s the new job? Did anyone trying to get you to go deep yet?”

“Dan, my man, that’s exclusively yours, as deep as you want, for as long as you like. I think I’m going to like it here, though. Good impression the first day. The reason I called is to see if you want to come by on Sunday, to meet my family. Mom makes a decent brunch. It would be a good time to get to know them.”

“Sure thing, I guess. You picking me up, or want me to come to your house?”

“You pop by, if you don’t mind. I might have to run a few last minute errands. Mom always adds something to the menu that we don’t have on hand. I’ll let them know. See you Wednesday, babe.”

I finished the call, and made a quick one to get an appointment with Dr. Simms. He’d been my doctor since I could remember. As luck had it, I could get in the next day, right after work. Sweet.

I met up with Gerard at the dock, and could tell from his grin that he was madly in love with his boat. I wondered who he had in his life. Lucky lady, whoever she is, I thought. I got the tour, and heard the pride in his voice as he spoke about it. His dad had it made, and passed it on to his son when he couldn’t get around any longer. Gerard was a fisherman to the core. It showed in the sinewy muscles that rippled on his long arms.

I got home, just as the dinner crowd had finished. Mom had a plate ready for me, and as they headed out to visit with friends, I told her I was bringing my partner home to meet the family, at Sunday brunch. I figured, after six months of dating, it was time everyone met. Later, I looked over university course outlines, and pondered electives for the upcoming freshman year. I then kicked off to bed early, to get a fresh start in the morning.