After lunch, Claire left the house with her grandfather. Apollo and Wilder were excitedly coordinating a move in as if a royal guest was joining the household. Claire studied the boat as her grandfather fussed with the ropes. This boat was old but sturdy. It smelled of salt and varnish, its deck worn smooth by decades of use.
"I will drive," she said eagerly.
Donovan nodded and allowed her to take the lead. She was the expert in finding premium seafoods. If he took the wheel, he would be unhelpful. "You know," he started as they pushed off. "The first time I took this boat out alone, I was twelve. Thought I was invincible and knew everything about the sea. I was sure I could bring in more seafood than my father could. We were butting heads a lot at the time."
He paused and sighed, his eyes drifting over the sea with melancholy as if he was reliving that moment. "I hauled in a mess of cod and mackerel, sold them for 150 dollars. Came home proud as a king--until my grandfather spanked me for sneaking out without permission." He laughed, shaking his head. "Best beating I ever earned. The sea is not your house, Claire. Always put your life ahead of profits. I have seen men go out and never return."
Claire thought of her new family and the baby in her womb. She had many reasons to live. Of course, she would always put her life before profits.
She laughed, adjusting the pearl that hung around her neck. "Thanks for the advice, old man."
"Old man!" He said curiously.
Claire laughed again. "Handsome old man. I have noticed a lot of people in town use ’old man’ when referring to their fathers and grandfathers. I am simply following tradition." Her phone vibrated and she picked it up.
Madeline, her friend had sent a message. She was coming to Briarshore to see Claire.
"Trouble?" Donovan asked.
Claire put the phone down. "No. A gift.... I think." Madeline was an heiress who spent her time traveling around the world, eating and blogging about her life. Claire figured that if she brought her out fishing, and captured a sea food auction, it would draw more buyers to her side.
But this thought was mixed with shame. Was this considered using her friend? Had she become so calculative that even simple friendships had become dollar signs?
Claire shook her head. "No...no," she muttered. If she wanted Madeline’s help, she would have to be open about it. She could pay for her friend’s services.
The pearl warmed suddenly, pulsing like a heartbeat. Claire turned the wheel, responding to that feeling. Soon, shadows swirled beneath the waves. Claire stopped the boat and cast the net.
Her grandfather looked down, squinting his eyes. "Looks like we have come across a school of something."
They pulled the net back, stunned by its heaviness. Muscles strained as they hauled it back. The deck erupted in chaos as hundreds of fish flopped and thrashed, scales glittering in the sun. Donovan let out a scream so high-pitched Claire nearly dropped the rope.
She cast the rope again, waited two minutes and hauled it back onto the boat. Hundreds of the same fish spilled out.
"I wish I had a word for this like your grandmother!" Donovan wheezed, clutching his chest before bursting into laughter. He fumbled around the floor, found a latch and opened it. All the fish fell to the bottom. Those that didn’t make it in were manually pushed into the cold storage.
While he cleaned the deck, Claire pressed on, finding crabs that snapped in traps, lobsters which were caught with cages, and two gleaming yellowtail fish that shimmered like gold bars.
To this catch, Claire added buckets of scallops and a few fat halibut.
Donovan insisted on posing for pictures with each haul, holding lobsters like trophies, grinning and pausing with halibuts like a prize fighter.
"Make sure you get my good side," he said, puffing out his chest.
"You don’t have a good side, old man," Claire shot back.
"Then take both bad ones!" he cackled.
Claire indulged him. It was the first time she was seeing her grandfather so talkative and carefree. The old man always seemed so calm, as if nothing unfazed him.
When the sun was about to set, Claire finally stopped showing off. She was sure that this single trip alone had convinced her grandfather about her capabilities. From now on the old couple would not ask certain questions.
Donovan pulled out his phone, calling a buyer he had known for decades. "Rooney, have you seen the pictures I sent you? Yes, my granddaughter has looted the sea. Meet us at the dock," he said proudly. "Bring a big truck. And maybe a forklift."
By the time the boat pulled in, the dock was alive with shouting. Claire had underestimated her grandfather’s social circles. At least six buyers had come, including the one called Rooney.
Claire had to blink a few times when her grandfather introduced her to the man. Rooney was dressed like a cowboy, from the hat to a large red belt buckle and the boots! He was the kind of man you expected to meet at a cattle market, not here.
"Is he carrying a gun?" She whispered to her grandfather.
Donovan nodded. "At least three."
Rooney bought everything they had. The pollock fish alone sold for 260,000 dollars. Everything else was sold for 105,000 dollars. They made a total of 365,000 dollars. Claire immediately transferred 100,000 dollars to her grandfather.
She laughed, watching his hands tremble as he checked the balance.
"Pinch me," he whispered.
Claire did as he requested.
Wincing, Donovan laughed softly. He touched Claire’s head and sighed. "Child, I didn’t do anything to earn this money. It would be best if you saved it for your business."
Claire shook her head. "Your company and advice are priceless. Do not undervalue yourself, old man. If you send it back, I will add five thousand and send it back."
Donovan had no choice but to accept the money. "Thank you boss," he joked.
They split up from there. Claire had a delivery of food supplies she was waiting for. Donovan went straight home and hugged Wilder tightly.
"Over 300,000 dollars in three hours!" He whispered. "It’s like the sea was telling her where to go. She is going to be rich, Wilder. That girl is going to change Briarshore. She paid me 100,000 dollars!" Then, overwhelmed, he fainted away in his wife’s arms.