Tac Went back home to Brook Harbor to visit that night to tell his parents the good news. He talked to his parents all night, telling them about how cool the boat was. Tac's dad Randy rooted him on as he always did, in full support, as his kid was becoming a man. The money increase would allow Tac to live a better life, pay his loans and credit cards, and be a better son to his parents. Rory and Randy were very pleased and told Tac that he could stay the night and go home in the morning. Rory was always worried for Tac being out too late, too. She told Tac, "It's way too late. I don't want you driving out there at this time. You don't work until 10. I'll wake you up, k? What time do you have to be at the boat?"
"It's a base pay thing, mom. I'm going to be showing up probably around 8 am. It gives me more than an hour everyday to check the systems, log the information, and clean up a bit. Then I can head off to work at around 9:45."
"Oh my baby. I'm so proud of you. You're achieving your dream, honey! Wait till the family hears about this. They know you're so smart. K, honey, I will wake you up at around 6:30. You go to bed. You and Von's old room is all yours if you want. You can sleep there, but the couch, oh my, we bought it from Ikea. It is the most comfortable couch ever. It won awards."
"K, mom, I'll watch TV for a bit and crash. Thanks for everything. And yes, please wake me up in time. I can't miss tomorrow." Rory woke Tac up the next morning and gave him a paper bag of food and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. He found some of Von's old clothes and showered and brushed there, and went straight to the marina as it was just down the road. Tac had the boat keys already from the previous night. He opened up the cabin and started his first day in boat operations. It was beautiful inside. Vinny wasn't there and it was very clean. Tac didn't have to do anything except check the systems, so he logged the data, checked fuel levels, started up the computer to try the software, and he was done. Tac sat in the captains seat near the controls and easily worked out the basics. Tac was in heaven. He wanted to be responsible, though. It was his chance to do everything right. It was as if he was in a heightened state of awareness, and mindfulness, and he made no mistakes. He remembered all those years of how the boat industry worked procedurally, and so he followed the theories almost perfectly. He followed protocol. He made his first move. He sat as a deckhand would sit, occupied the co captains chair, and operated the yacht with a lot of minimalism in mind. Most boat folk were interested in formalities but more so in regard to quasi minimalist factors it seemed. Life was already complicated for them. They figured why not simplify things into simple parts that align with the basic theories. That's what Tac did, but he did it like Tac, and noone else. Tac went to work that day with a more refined attitude. While at his day job, he was more energetic and positive. Tac's step changed and so did all those around him. That week Tac decided to call Lorraine and follow his wins. He was living his dream, and now all he needed to complete his being was Lorraine. Tac lived in denial the whole time, but that's just Tac. That's how Tac is. However, Tac was a springboard, a champion, a master of timing. It was the right time. Tac did his day to day and learned the ropes fast. When Friday approached, right after Tac was done with his routine maintenance, he decided to try and win Lorraine's heart.
"Hello."
"Hey, Lorraine, It's Tac."
"Sup. How's it loser?"
"Fine. Actually. I didn't call to tell you what you don't already know. You damn well know you're a butt, but I want to ask if you want to go out tonight?"
"Oh my, what will I wear?" she joked. She continued, "Really? Why now?"
"It's why not now. I don't know. My life is missing something and that something is you, I feel."
"I'd love to."
"I'll pick you up right now. What do you say?" Tac asked as confident as he could.
"Sure. I'm just here at muh crib… Chillin'."
"K, be I'll there. Wait for me." Tac jumped in his Sprint and in five minutes time he arrived at the front curb of her apartment, about a mile from the marina. She was standing there in a big grey sweater and capris. Her blush was so magnificent that it changed the emotional environment the instant they laid eyes on eachother. Both of their smiles grew big. He nearly climbed to her up the steps, took her hand, and put her in the passenger seat. He brought her to the marina, with the permission of Vinny, and brought her inside the yacht, in full realization of the magnitude of his actions. When Lorraine turned her head into the cabin, there was a single Rose sitting on the co captains chair, which cued Tac to move in as he grabbed it and gave it to her. She nearly cried, and hugged Tac passionately. She kissed Tac for the first time since they last dated. Tac brought her to the main deck where there was a spread of caviar, white wine, and a delightful small dinner with the utensils in formal order. They talked the night away, and it was at this point that they realized the playing was over, and that their fight was in fact a sustained passion. A force between them that was held together by the strength of their love.
"I love you, Tac."
"I love you."
"No, I mean it."
"I mean it, too, Lorraine. You're the best." Tac gripped her hand and brought her to the side deck to see the glimmering city lights and to listen to the soft crashing waves that he grew up loving so much. They held eachother in warm embrace and whispered something like love songs into eachother's ear. Tac was happy. The most happy. Tac had a good day.
The end.