Re: [Boating: Hugh and Atticus]
Wasn't a very linear guy. Asked questions as they occurred to him. Made comments the same way. "As long as she knew, then there's nothing you did wrong. Communication is key. Still don't put much stock in open relationships working, but think communication is the key to the ones that do. That and two people who aren't particularly jealous." Didn't think three months seemed very long. Explained the anonymous post on the forum. Explained the sense he got that Hugh was still getting over something. Didn't poke the fresh wound. "Think it's good that you're figuring out what you want. Think relationships are, by and large, about learning. Don't know what you want until you experience what you don't want." Was potentially a pessimistic way to see things, but made sense to Atticus.
Assumed there was some good amount of narcissism present in any performer. There was an impressive amount of narcissism in literary academics. There was the race to be published and acknowledged. Was cutthroat in a way that probably wasn't immediately evident from outside. Didn't think it was a bad thing. Thought it was just a normal part of people.
"Paratrooper plane. A lot of service men aboard," he said of the plane that had gone down during World War II. "Gets too quiet at times," admitted of the island. Didn't like to say it aloud, as if that would make it stronger or more true. "Think it was Air Force, but not sure. It's listed as being active during the war, but there's nothing else I can find about it. Haven't been bored enough to try to break in," he said of the island base.
The island curve approached, and he decided Hugh was doing fine with the rudder, so Atticus just moved to shift the sail. "Careful. Hold it steady for the long tip, then a little left toward the dock," he said, and he let the sail slip smoothly from one side to the next, and he didn't let go and settle back down until the sail caught the new wind. "She's a good boat," he added with a grin.