It could only happen in Olympia. That’s what I thought to myself as I huddled damply in the driver’s seat of the boat. Not a place you would want to be while the sky poured a never ending flow of water. For me, it wasn’t a place I ever wanted to be. I would rather be sailing.
It was freezing out on the first Monday in May, which can be expected, if not liked. It also happened to be pouring a rain so thick that it was nearly impossible to see even a few feet in front of the boat. Not the ideal weather to be out in. But none of this would have mattered to me if I was actually on a sailboat instead of curled up in the corner a tiny motor boat. A motor boat with a sunshade that, instead of repelling water like it was supposed to, actually seemed to soak me more than I would have been if I was not under it. And if there, you know, had been wind.
No, the water was as smooth as glass, or, more correctly, it would have been as smooth as glass except for the rain. This was a sight that would strike fear in the hearts of sailors everywhere. Without wind, the simple fact is, there’s no sailing. And sailing’s the whole reason that I was out in the rain. The chance of sailing races.
Only in Olympia would racing in these conditions take place. Only here would six stupid sailors get drenched in freezing rain in hopes of getting a few measly races off. It would be a good start to the season for them. With only six boats out, they would have a huge lead over those who weren’t so dedicated to the sport. I still couldn’t forgive them for showing up. If they hadn’t been there, I would be nice and comfortable at home where it was dry.
I couldn’t help but glower at them under my damp hair. Finally, time to go in. Soon I would be in the warmth of Tugboats, sipping hot chocolate with feeling in my hands again. Only in Olympia would sailors be so stupid.
Laura Smit, Star 7094, Tantalus