<br><br> <center>*Things that belong together don't need to be tied
— Lao Tzu*
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![marraige-sailing-and-sailboat-oil-paintings-fine-art-by-gregory-a-page.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmPpZMWxvGJA3SKoND3zWHjNJmQxgkBib5Ez9iYLPYZtet/marraige-sailing-and-sailboat-oil-paintings-fine-art-by-gregory-a-page.jpg)
*Adrift in a Storm*</center>

<br><br>I feel groggy this morning, even though I didn't drink much last night, but still feel out of sorts and rusty. 

The  headache and nausea are probably the morning-after letdown from conflicting with Sylvia. She certainly has a way of pushing all my buttons, not just anger triggers, but all my frustrations.

 Stupidly, I still care for her though and don't want to hurt her feelings, but she really hurt me. I just want to move on without causing more pain for her or me.

But Sylvia won't let me and when we do part it won't be pretty. She doesn't like to lose— I get that, but there's no other possibility.

Together, we're poison and would ruin each other trying to fix things.  As the old saying goes, some things are best left to memories.

<br><br>My landline rings and I groan. It's way too early to pick up to Phil's yappy voice at this ungodly hour of the morning, but I grit my teeth and pick up anyway.

"You're at your place? What happened—you and Syl have a fight?"

"No fight, it's a long story, but we're okay. We're going to a cocktail party tonight at the Park Hotel— don't ask me what it's about. Haven't a clue and could care less."

"Uh Guy, don't you watch the news? It's a Conservative Party fundraiser and all the big wigs will be there."

"Like I said, I don't give a damn. I just owe Syl a favour and she wants to collect."

<br><br>There's a pause. "Hmm, that sounds curious. Sylvia's not into politics—why would she want to drag you to something a boring as that?"

"Who knows? Maybe Daddy needs to impress some people and he's using Sylvia as promotion—you know, some kind of command performance portraying family togetherness."

"Well, you'll find out when you get there. Meanwhile, how would you like to go sailing?"

I glance out the window. *A sunny day with somewhere to go—my definition of happiness*.

“Sure,” I tell him, “can you give me time to have a shower and eat breakfast?"

"I'll be there in an hour."

<br><br>Out on the lake it’s a different world. All cares seem to melt away in the roar of the waves and the wind punishing my hair. 

It's a wild day with long white waves rushing shoreward. The lake’s sounding an ominous warning if Phil cared to heed, which he doesn't. The gale force winds seem symbolic of Syl and me being swept along by forces and letting Fate take the rudder and drive us toward rocks that would wreck us.

One particularly strong blast almost capsizes us and even Phil knows when enough is enough.

"Heading in—it's too crazy out here," he shouts.

I nod and hang on for dear life but somehow he manages to guide us into the safety of the harbour where boats are rocking but safely tethered. 

*Wish Carrie and I were still tied together,* I muse grimly and  suppress anger at her loss and my part in wrecking us. But I mentally steer clear of Sylvia and her part in this—no sense in bemoaning my own weakness.

<br><br>We’re sunburnt and our hair tousled as we down drafts at *Captain John's* patio, dressed in navy tees and white pants, looking for all the world like salty sailors instead of what we are—weekend warriors.

"Probably shouldn't ask," Phil says, "but where's your relationship with Sylvia heading?"

I shrug. "The Plaza Hotel tonight and after that it's all clear sailing. I told her there's no 'us' going forward."

"That's brutal, Guy—how did she take it?"

"About how you'd expect—she doesn't like it, but she doesn't have much say in it."

"She's a beautiful girl, Pal."

"Yeah," I sigh, looking out at the windswept lake, “But so were the Sirens who tempted Ulysses, still he found a way to elude them."

<br><br>Phil laughs. "We're talking about Sylvia here—you need to do more than tie yourself to the mast of a ship, when Daddy owns the rights to it.”

He had a point. Sylvia wouldn’t give up that easily. And her daddy is a powerful man. Who knows what Ace he has tucked up his sleeve?

I had the uneasy feeling I was about to find out.




<br><br> <center>To be continued…</center>

<br><center>© 2022, John J Geddes. All rights reserved</center>

<br><center>[Photo](https://images.app.goo.gl/XBzG5D8PAirYu3Sj9)</center>
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