This Is Living

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Being in Myrtle Beach had brought back a lot of old memories. It was Jenny's favorite vacation spot. She loved to walk the beach for miles and talk about life's little problems; problems that, back then, seemed pretty huge. Now, from his perspective, those miniscule problems were a walk in the park.

Jenny's Uncle George was more than happy to let Christopher take the sail boat out. At least somebody was getting some use out of the thing. "Take her for as long as you like, but be gentle," he had said over the phone. "She's almost as old as me."

Christopher rented a car and drove non-stop from New York to Myrtle Beach, arriving at the marina in just over twenty hours. A large sign in the parking lot instructed all visitors to check in at the dock office before venturing out to their vessels. This was something new; he and Jenny had to "check in" with nobody when they took the boat out in the past.

An old man sat behind the counter; his dirty coveralls hid a just as filthy bare chest. He eyed the newcomer warily, and Christopher's heart sank. This old codger was probably going to ask a lot of questions-questions that would lead to him refusing to let Christopher take the boat out, because it was not his.

Surprisingly, the suspicion quickly turned into a friendly smile. "How can I help you, son? You look lost."