Page 150 of Running
Landon and Grover come back in and we leave the topic. Incremental progress is still progress. I only wish there was a way to speed it all up.
I’m not the only one thinking along those lines, because a couple of hours after I get home, I get a text from Rori.
RORI: I have an idea. Are you guys busy tomorrow?
“So wait, we’re going to Landon’s boat? Without an invite?” Johnson’s voice is dubious as he puts his seatbelt on.
“We’re invited. By Rori.” She apparently told Landon that she wanted a boat outing for today, his day off, without mentioning the special guests coming.
He slouches down in the passenger seat a little more. “This is certainly going to be interesting. Are you sure you want to go?’
“Rori wants to stage an intervention. She believes it’s time.” I start the car. “And so do I.”
“Well, if you and Rori are working together, he’s going to have a hard time resisting. Just make sure I’m wearing a life vest when he throws me overboard, okay?”
Although Johnson is cracking jokes, I can tell he’s also nervous. He wants to repair their friendship so badly, but it’s hard to expose yourself repeatedly and get shut down. Which is one of the reasons I’m so determined to get us over the hump today.
As Rori and I planned, we get to the docks after her and Landon, who are already on the boat getting it ready for launch.
“Less risk he’ll bolt before they even talk that way,” she’d said.
We get out of the car and walk towards where the boat is moored. I can hear Johnson let out a deep breath, just as Landon spots us.
“What the hell?” His voice is surprised, but less angry than I would’ve expected.
We’re now only a few feet away from them. Rori steps towards Landon, and rests her hand on his shoulder. “Give him a chance.”
“Hey man,” Johnson says.
Landon studies him for a second, and then glances at Rori and me in succession. “What is this?”
I step forward. “We want to have a real conversation with you, Landon.Please.”
Landon considers me for a minute, and then gives a small nod.
“Why don’t you two come onto the boat,” Rori suggests.
Johnson and I step in at her command, taking seats on the small benches banking the bow. It’s not a large boat—there’s just enough room for six. So it’s going to be close quarters, no matter how this trip goes.
Landon stays quiet as we get settled. Rori continues being the one giving direction, instead.
“Can you take us to our favorite spot? By the cove?”
I know the exact location she means, as it’s one of Landon’s go-to places when he takes us out too.
“Alright.” Landon’s voice is unreadable.
He sets us off. At the steady speed we’re going, the combined sounds of the hum of the engine and the crash of waves against the boat make it impossible to talk.
Once we approach the cove, he slows down the boat and I start anticipating how to begin the conversation. I look at Rori and Johnson, and the thoughtful expressions on their respective faces make me think they’re contemplating the same thing.
Surely, if all three of us are aligned, Landon will listen?
He brings the boat to a stop as it reaches the heart of the cove. “I got the anchor,” Johnson says to Landon, who gives him the slightest dip of the head.
Once Johnson is finished, Landon walks from thehelm and sits down next to Rori on a bench. Crossing his arms, he directs his next words to Johnson.
“Okay, let’s hear it.”
