Re: [The Lake: Atticus & Cass]
Read a lot. Atticus spent most of his time with his nose in a book, and she felt like a character as she sat there. Thought she could be the protagonist of an odd and whimsical story. Was otherworldly. Reminded him of that story of a star fallen to earth and turned human. He preferred literature that was gritty, real, feet of lead planted firmly on the earth. But knew people liked fantasy as much as he liked realism. Still, she was a girl and not a book, and his gaze skimmed the shore again. Still hoped to find someone there she knew.
"Didn't realize we were talking about literal theft. Can't actually steal mornings," he pointed out. Wasn't the sort of man that wandered too far away from the source of the conversation. Stayed close. Habit. Came of teaching students and always bringing them back to the topic at hand. Students tended to wander and meander. "Think people who steal don't care if they see faces. Care about getting caught, but obviously need what they steal more." Was observation. Had spent plenty of time in the slums with his parents and their soup kitchens and reading groups. Theft was kids picking pockets while his parents read them books. Was need, mostly, for the most part.
"Irrevocably committed to getting you to shore," he said. Was firm. Some things Atticus was no-nonsense about. Safety was one of those things. Was something ingrained in him. "Still have a few minutes. Will row slowly," and he did, turned the boat toward the dock she mentioned. "Swimming out the island. It's 2 miles out. Not safe. Harder to swim that far in a lake than is automatically assumed. Best not to." Didn't mention that the water was filled with things, because wasn't interested in scaring her. Not really. Just knew the distance to the island was deceptive. It was one of the reasons he was out on the boat. In the middle of the lake, on the island, the shore wasn't visible. Was easy to forget there were other people in the world.
"Both, I hope." Deep. Thoughtful. Quiet. All sounded like good things to Atticus. "What about you?"