Re: [The Lake: Atticus & Cass]
Didn't have an accent. Didn't sound New York. Was an upper-class thing, the lack of an accent. Had taken a few linguistics courses in college. Had found them interesting, but not really his thing. Didn't need a professor to tell him the fishermen upstate had their own language. Heard the combination of accents in her voice. Didn't try to untangle them. Was fine just acknowledging their existence. Acknowledged, too, that she wounded whimsical. Sounded like someone the Beats would've thought was gifted in thought. Stolen mornings felt like a literary concept to Atticus. Was too plain speaking by half, but was still entertained by the girl in the water.
The girl didn't seem to be in trouble, even as she spoke. Hadn't tensed, but relaxed all the same. Hand on the motor again, oar dropped in the belly of the boat.
"What does the day have to make up his mind about?" he asked. Asked like he would ask one of his more gifted students. The ones that he could see going on to study creative writing. Was always wise to encourage those kids in high school; college would be challenging and full of criticism. "Weather?" he asked. "Outcome?" he asked. Unhurried questions. After all, there was nowhere to go.
Glanced at the boombox. "Morrison would probably agree with you about the day." Complicated man, Morrison.
Let the boat drift. She would tell him if she wanted in. The boat was sturdy enough to handle her holding onto the side, if she tired. Was a good swimmer himself. Wasn't worried.