Enduring the Storm

Chapter 10 Perfect Trip

Brooke's POV

The calm trip across the open water alone has been long, but exactly what I needed. I am more relaxed than I ever thought I would be with a hard situation like this that was taking over my mind just earlier today. Leaving my friends and place that I have always called home was almost as hard as when I had to be on my own with no where to go as a child.

What was incredibly hard about that for me, was to have to explain how and why I was on my own as a kid. It was probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Saying those words out loud made everything so real, not just for myself but everyone who was around me, which wasn't that many. But I didn't get to see my friends as often after I brought that realization to light, to the point that some people stopped talking to me altogether.

I don't blame them. I think for some people this is the natural reaction, because it's hard to be around someone that is as broken as me and not feel bad about what they have since I have nothing like it. That's ok, it used to hurt knowing how truly alone I was, but they can feel how they want. It's their feelings and no one can change that, so I had to learn to be understanding about it. So today, with these people here that have openly accepted me for the broken person I am, and even helped me when they could without judgment, or at least any that I could see, is something special and very hard to leave.

So knowing I wouldn't be seeing my new friends again, the same friends that have helped me out multiple times, is very hard. But maybe it's not that I won't see them again, maybe it's just that I won't see them for a really long time. These thoughts hit my mind and emotions almost just as hard as that situation, bringing me back to the old days, like when I was a child. Making me feel more alone than I was already feeling. But I had to keep telling myself that this time it was different, because I was able to make myself feel better with a tinge of confidence in myself and my situation.

It was different this time because I had some things to help me out when I needed it, which was not the case before. I now have my skills and a cleared state of mind, money security with a pile of money from selling my car, and a place to live, so I think that helped make this much needed move on my own, much easier for me to accomplish. I still think this was the best decision for myself, no matter what anyone thinks about me jumping head first into this, because all I know is that my mind is at ease when it's on the water, and I couldn't feel better about being here.. as if I was meant to be here, right now in this moment.

I have been coasting for hours across the cleared open water, keeping my eyes glued to the scenery. Especially since it's not looking like anything is around on this water, no boats or life that come up for air. Every now and then I see a fish jumping to get some bug above the water, but other than that, there is not even a remote piece of land in sight. It's a little intimidating but exciting at the same time, giving me a high I have never experienced. Maybe that's the adrenaline of doing something new and exciting, but who knows, because I have never been any sort of adrenaline j*nkie.

I use this quiet time to myself just to help clear my head, feeling better about my decision with every minute that passes. But the realization of how alone I am out here is giving me clarity on life. That thought alone is astonishing in so many ways. I did get to see many people playing on the beaches when I originally left the city, and I saw a plethora of boats in the distance, assuming I would see many of those along the way, but the further I have escaped from that area, the further I have taken myself out of the world around. No matter how long I sit out here, this somehow doesn't feel real because there is nothing to be seen. But it's beautiful in every sense of the word. The world looks endless, like something begging to be explored and I want to be the person to do it.

The weather has been perfect for the most part and I have been making great time because of the wind behind me that is making me travel so much faster than I had originally anticipated. I have been following the map as best as I can by following the purple line, and compass that both have been left by, at least my father, but I am hoping my mother as well.. This trip was different than the other ones that were documented and made me want to pick it out of the rest, as if it was calling to me. It made the decision to pick which trip I wanted to complete for my family very easy.

This whole thing has made me feel more apart of the family than I ever thought it would. But this boat and trip was something special to my parents, so why can't it be special to me as well? And since they can't be here to do this trip with me, then I feel that I should be the one to do it for them. It's as if I am doing this trip in their memory.. Maybe it was subconsciously dedicated to them, and I never realized this when I started this trip. But I feel like this is something they both would have wanted me to do, since they loved this boat and the water as much as I have been lately.

So, with my peace of mind, I just allow the wind to keep pushing me as I cook a much-needed meal, while keeping my eyes ahead, making sure that nothing appears in the water out of nowhere. I highly doubt it will, since I imagine it would be easy to see anything out in this open water, but it never hurts to be alert. I stir as the fish sizzles with the oil and seasonings, causing my stomach to growl loudly, knowing how much my body needs and craves this nourishment at the moment.

I keep glancing from the food to the open water and there is nothing to be seen, luckily for me. I take a drink of my rum and coke that I have put together in celebration of my bravery by igniting this next step for myself. I take a sip as I keep stirring, not wanting to rush this because I wouldn't want to eat an under-cooked fish, so I just wait and hope that my stomach calling to me won't trick me into rushing the cooking of this meal.

I keep stirring my vegetables as I feel my mouth watering at the aroma that all of these ingredients together are creating. I keep cooking until they finally get the perfect color, which tells me that it's cooked enough so I won't get sick. I get excited by that sight, turning everything off as I plate the food and take it with me to the front of the boat to continue eating, drinking, and sight seeing since there is still nothing else out here.

The feeling of satisfaction overwhelms me with every bite I take, feeling so complete and good about all of this. The weather is perfect, this boat is perfect, the food is perfect and this trip couldn't be better at this point. After the meal is finished, I put away my dishes and have a couple more drinks, leaving my eyes on the prize, of the stunning sunset that is cascading across the entire sky and even water because of the reflection.

The pinks and oranges are so bright and inviting, looking like a picture someone would spend a lot of money on. I pull out my phone, taking a couple of pictures, hoping there will be a chance for me to frame this view and hang it in this boat somewhere.. Maybe I can make a photo album of my trip holding onto these specific memories and moments for myself and maybe my family in the future if I ever have one.

I smile to myself loving this spectacular view, since it looks like I am floating into the sunset and I couldn't feel better about that thought. I feel like I am in a movie, and it is amazing. I can't wait to see where this trip leads me. Nothing could wipe this smile off of my face, as I stare out feeling the effects of the swaying boat and alcohol running through me, making my body relax more than I have in a very long time.

My eyes feel heavy and my body goes limp on this seat while I start to naturally lean back, propping my head up on the headrest. I keep staring out as I don't even notice when the exhaustion hits me. But at some point, when the darkness covers the sky, it willingly takes me away, consuming me into a dream world. That is exactly what my body needs but probably not my mind.

-----------A while later-----------

I don't know how long it has been since I fell asleep unexpectedly, but the only thing that is waking me up, is the boat that is tilting back and forth harder than I ever thought. Like someone is pushing me too hard on a swing. I roll out of my seat from the boat tipping, just to land on the floor, but hitting my head on the controls as I try to get up. I groan out as I rub the top of my head.

With concern for my boat and how bad this situation is, I poke my head out from the seat and over the controls to see that the perfect weather is gone and the sky is covered in dark clouds that look as if they are filled with rain and lightning. How hard the rain drops are pouring over the boat is concerning, since they look as big as a golf ball on the windows.. This is obviously something that the wind has made sure to push right over the top of me as if it was aiming for me specifically.

The wind blows as the boat tips, being hit from each side by the big waves stirred up in this storm. I try to stand, but with every move I make the swaying boat throws me from one side, then back to the other. I yelp out as I get thrown around like a rag doll, before finally getting to my feet. I put my arms out holding onto anything I can to keep me standing straight up. I wobble and stumble through the boat, grabbing my raincoat as quickly as I can. I flip it on before checking to make sure that I have my knife on hand, I have a feeling it will be useful. Luckily, I do, so I grab my gloves as I put on my boots making sure I have everything I need to endure the storm outside, just to get me out of it safely.