Re: [Boating: Hugh and Atticus]
"Ambition can blind. Know that. Have seen it time and again. Parents were Knickerbockers. Old money, society in New York. Their friends were politicians and businessmen, people who had more money than anyone could know what to do with. Still ambitious." Grinned a lazy grin, unapologetic. "Have never had any ambition. Always drove them nuts. Never pushed myself. Don't really look for tomorrow. Think you might need to be forward looking in order to be ambitious." Was honest. Atticus liked to repay honesty with honesty. Put it out there. If he was ashamed to say it, then it was something he should work to change.
Chuckled at the memory. A quiet chuckle, reverent and respectful. "Sounds like a good beginning to a story," he said of the curl-tug moment. "Small thing, but says a lot about her. Describes her. Show, don't tell," he added, because he was an English teacher and that kind of thing was habit. "Sounds like a good relationship, a good woman. Sorry it didn't work out for you two," he said truthfully. Could pick the story apart, and the literary academic in him wanted to, but it was also nice to just sit there and think about it. Should order some new books. "Tell me about your biggest argument? Humor a stranger on a boat who hears far too few stories lately." Thought relationships might have found their heart at arguments, in the bad times.
Moved aside and let Hugh take control. Sail was full, and there was no need to shift her until they rounded the corner of the island. Had a few minutes to work with, maybe longer. Wind wasn't too bold on this side of the rock. "Older me did, but no memories. The island doesn't just make you physically younger. Puts you back to a place in time. For me, it's 1999. Don't know anything beyond that, but have access to the journals. Can read what I do in the future, and have talked to the people I did it with." It was complicated, because back in 1999 there was the real him, going on with his life. This was all false. Knew that. Made things confusing and complicated, but Atticus didn't like focusing on complicated and confusing. Would rather stretch back, hands behind his head, and enjoy this beautiful morning.