The moon was rising over the bay, bisected by the mast of their new boat.
The company’s new boat, Matthew kept reminding himself. Tax purposes, entertain clients, add a bit of prestige.
“Gotta live life with no regrets,” Coover said.
Matthew shook his head.
“Quit quoting truck stop t-shirts for the love of fucking Santa Claus. The company owns a boat it can’t really afford. I’m happy if you’re happy, but that’s about it.”
Coover pulled from a bottle of wine and got that fake serious look that he wore for Matthew when Matthew was being serious and businesslike.
“Seriously, my man, the sentiment has gone mainstream, but It’s not a bad philosophy.”
“No, it’s not, but not a very realistic one,” Matthew said. He smiled, trying to lighten up a bit for his business partner. Matthew’s prowess with numbers and fractions would be nothing without Coover’s salesmanship and charm.
Coover read Matthew’s lighten-up smile as well as Matthew read his faux serious face.
“Something in particular bugging you, MG?”
“Yeah,” Matthew said. “Sad my Dad didn’t live to see this. He loved boats. Even though it’s a company boat, he’d be really proud.”
“That makes sense,” Coover said.”Even though I still have my dad, I think I understand.”
Matthew reached for the wine bottle and Coover passed it.
Matthew swigged it, a hearty one, dribbled at least eighteen bucks worth of the 400 dollar bottle down his chin and handed the bottle back.
“Wanna hear something, Coov?”
“Sure, broseph.”
Matthew cringed but continued.
“I was gregarious and outgoing like you when I was a kid. Always smiling, couldn’t keep my mouth shut.”
“When you got to college, my man, you were a stone. Didn’t say a word. I had you pegged for a career in the CIA or something.”
“Yeah, I know…” Matthew’s voice trailed as he looked at the boat lolling in the marina. Wouldn’t be long before the security guard told them they had to clear the dock.
“My aunt got drunk once...well, she got drunk a bunch of times, but one time she told me my mom slept with a pro wrestler right before she met my dad.”
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