Chapter Text
Jean had just spent an obscene amount of money on what, in Mondstadt City, could only be described as a shack. And she was absolutely in love with it.
“You know anything about boats?” The old man had asked, and Jean shook her head.
“Nope.”
“You want a boat?” He asked anyway.
Jean blinked a few times, shrugged, and nodded her head.
“Yep.”
“I’ll throw it in for another 10, how’s that? You’ll have to get a license, but you can have the trailer too. I recommend you get a nice four-wheel drive car, to tow the boat and to drive on the beach if you’re willing.” He said, gesturing all around.
Jean nodded again and stared at the house she had just agreed to buy. The whole thing with its two floors was still smaller than Jean’s penthouse back in the city and would probably only be able to fit a third of what she owned… which is why it was a good thing she sold everything anyway.
The man would leave it furnished, couch and dining table, beds and all. And it was cute, worn shingles covering the house, white trim, and the inside was full of warm wood tones and bright colors. There was a tiny backyard, and for whatever reason, Jean really liked the green door that led to the back porch. Best of all, she was a walk away from the beach. No, scratch that. Best of all, she was hours away from Mondstadt City.
So Jean had sold most of her worldly possessions and purchased a little two bedroom home on a tiny island over a hundred miles and a ferry ride away from the city. So far, her only issue had been figuring out how to drive a boat. Steer a boat? How to do something, with her new boat.
She bought a car, a truck really, with its large tires and four wheel drive like the old man had suggested. And she didn’t attach the boat trailer yet because of course, she had to get her boating license to figure out what the hell she was doing. Turns out, she could get that online. Which seemed rather unhelpful… but Jean quickly purchased the course and took to studying.
It was remarkably easy and quick to get a certified boating license… and Jean really didn’t learn anything about how to man a boat. She did learn a lot about safety though and that certainly wasn’t anything to complain about. But what now? The next best thing to in person learning was… learning from a book! Surely How To Boat For Dummies existed somewhere on this island, no?
Which was how Jean found herself parking in front of a bookshop in the main square of town, not even ten minutes from her house.
It was exactly what she’d expected from a very small town bookshop, stacked to the brim with books, tables overflowing with new releases and used copies, bookshelves stacked and stacked along walls. It had the smell of old books and a hint of the sea.
Jean smiled and roamed through the shelves. It wouldn’t be too hard to find something on boating, would it? She perused shelf after shelf, fiction here, historical classics there, adventure books… hang-gliding, boating! There, Jean picked up a book entitled All The Knots You’ll Need featuring the image of a boat. Sure, probably not entirely what she needed, but it was a start.
Jean picked up another book, The Boat And You and flipped through it. It seemed… to be on the right track, so she started piling her haul together and continued poking at anything that said boat on it.
“Can I give you some advice?” Jean heard the smooth, melodic voice before she even realized anyone was around. She nearly dropped her books and spun to face… an angel, probably. She was smiling, poised against a table with her arms crossed in front of her, waiting for Jean to notice her.
“Anything.” Jean said, eyes wide. The woman smiled wider and nodded her head to Jean’s arms.
“Those won’t teach you how to drive a boat.” The woman laughed and Jean sighed, almost ready to put everything back but then, why not get the books anyway?
“You see, I was hoping the certification class would do that but no such luck.” Jean admitted, shrugging hopelessly.
“Oh I’m so sorry, that was really a safety class. Here, if you insist on learning from a book, you can put these back and take…” She scanned her fingers over the backs of the books on one shelf and eventually, with an ah, she pulled out a thick paperback. “This one is your best bet.” She said, handing it over to Jean and holding her hand out for the other books.
Jean shook her head.
“Maybe I want to learn about knots.” She did take the newly offered book and scanned the cover, well now this seemed very useful.
“At least put the other one back, no self-respecting bookstore owner would actually let someone buy it.” The woman rolled her eyes playfully, a teasing smile on her mouth, and Jean had to listen. She handed her second find over and stared at the woman.
“So this is your store?” She asked, tentative smile fixed on her lips.
“It is, I’m Lisa.” She held her hand out and Jean swiftly accepted, shaking once firmly, and smiling broadly back at her.
“I’m Jean. I’ve just moved to the island… and I have a boat.” Jean explained rather unnecessarily.
“I figured. That’s lovely, what brought you here?” Lisa asked, biting her lip gently.
Jean paused, pursed her lips for a moment and shrugged.
“The ferry, I guess.” She grinned and Lisa immediately groaned.
“How dare you. I’m sorry, unfortunately I have a five book purchase minimum, you’ll have to meet that if you want to buy anything.” Lisa said cheekily and Jean laughed loudly.
“Deal. Give me that one back, at least then you’ll go down with me, right?” Jean reached for the book she had just handed to Lisa and Lisa quickly hid it behind her back with a loud laugh.
“Do you think you’re clever or do you enjoy being a nuisance?” Lisa asked, her eyes shining brilliantly in the mid-day sun streaming through the front windows. Jean was rather caught off guard, but she managed.
“A healthy spot of both, I like to think.” She grinned.
Lisa handed the book back to her coyly but didn't let go when Jean made to grab it.
“If you insist. Just know though,” she paused, playful smile lingering on her lips, “the author did not have his own boat.” She watched Jean’s face fall and let out another laugh, a chime that tinkled through the shop and Jean’s very attentive ears.
“Well that’s a bit of false advertising, no?” She sighed to herself and conceded, perhaps Lisa, the bookstore owner, was correct, and that book had no place on her shelf. “Well then, as a paying customer, I recommend you place it behind the counter for no other unsuspecting customers to pick up. And… any other recommendations?”
Lisa took the book once more, hopefully for a final exchange as their fingers brushed against each other, and shook her head.
“That one I gave you really should be the most helpful, and other than that… get on a boat.” Lisa grinned, wide, and Jean stared.
“Do you know how to drive a boat?” Jean asked conversationally.
Lisa nodded, her laughter lingering, crinkling the corners of her eyes ever so slightly.
“Of course I do, everyone on the island does.”
“Ah, I’d better get to work then, I don’t want to be an outcast.” Jean sighed, and Lisa led her to the register to ring up her books.
“I wish you the best of luck, and welcome to the island, Jean.” Lisa said warmly.
“Thank you, I really appreciate it.” Jean smiled, hoping she really conveyed how thankful she was.
Jean had read the book recommended by Lisa cover to cover and was quite pleased. Though, she had been right, there probably wasn’t anything near as useful as just hopping onto her boat.
And if you think Jean didn’t spend her days reading on the bow of her new boat, still parked in her new driveway, you’d be wrong.
Unfortunately, Jean had to get the boat into the water first, and that was proving quite a challenge. Jean was proud of herself for hitching the trailer to her truck, for driving it down to the harbor and the dock she could launch it from, for knowing she had to launch her boat. That was progress, compared to a number of weeks ago. But the actual act of launching it? Ooh boy, she was struggling.
She had backed her car and the boat atop the trailer to the ramp, stopping before the trailer submerged so she could loosen some straps. But… how loose? The boat couldn’t be attached to the trailer at all, but then, wouldn’t it float off?
“You seem to be having a tough time.”
Jean spun, realizing for the first time she was being watched by a young kid with his leg hanging off the dock next to the ramp.
Jean smiled and nodded.
“Is that a polite way of saying I have no idea what I’m doing?” Jean laughed.
The boy nodded enthusiastically.
“Absolutely. Need a hand?” He asked, standing up and stretching.
“Really? You’d just help me out?” Jean asked, surprise all over her face.
“For a price.” He grinned, and Jean sighed. A child was about to extort her.
“What’s your price?” She asked, and he was already lashing a rope around one of the cleats on the dock. Duh, that made sense.
“I want a ride.” He said simply, and nodded toward Jean and her truck. “Hop in, back up slowly, I’ll let you know if you need to adjust.”
Jean nodded and got in the truck, throwing it in reverse and slowly backing the trailer into the water until it was entirely submerged and the boat lifted free from it.
“You’re good! Drive off slow now, so you don’t knock the boat.” The boy called, and Jean did as he said. She pulled up until the trailer was clear and then stuck her head out the window.
“What’s your name, by the way?” She asked, and she knew she was about to leave her boat with this kid while she went to park but… eh, he seemed a good kid.
“Bennett. Don’t worry, I’ll wait here on the dock.” He said with a goofy smile.
“I’m Jean. I won’t be long!” She called, and drove off to find a parking spot amongst the marina.
Jean parked her truck and hurried back to the dock, noticing not for the first time how empty it seemed to be for an island.
“Hey, I thought there’d be more people putting their boats in.” Jean shrugged as she joined Bennett back on the dock where her boat was tied up. It looked nice, actually, sitting there in the water. It floated, which was kind of a surprise.
“You’re pretty off-season to just be launching your boat.” Bennett said.
“Ah, right. Well, I’m new and all.” Jean smiled and held her hand out. Bennett stared for a moment and realized he was supposed to shake it, slowly reaching his hand forward and grasping Jean’s. “Thanks for the help. Where did you need a ride to?”
“Just around, on the boat. And I’ll help you drive it, I bet you’re new at that too.” Bennett guessed quite correctly.
“You want to just… go out on my boat with me? What are you, twelve?” Jean asked in concern.
“I’m sixteen!” Bennett groused, “And I’ll text my ma, here, see what she says.” Bennett pulled his phone out and tapped away quickly, a blistering speed that had Jean shaking her head at kids these days.
“And she says it’s fine, as long I’m back before sunset.” Bennett nodded and pocketed his phone, looking at Jean expectantly.
“Alright…” Jean trailed off, clearly not sold on the prospect yet.
“Everyone on the island knows each other, this’ll be your headstart.” Bennett grinned and Jean laughed at that.
“Right, of course. Well, hop in then. You do have to wear a lifejacket though.” Jean instructed, and Bennett gave her a thumbs up.
They’d been on the water for hours, Bennett putting Jean through a near perfect tutorial on working the boat, points of interest around the island, and the recommendation that they stop by The Barge.
The Barge, which they were in fact pulling up to, was a dockside seafood restaurant, and Bennett had been singing their praises until Jean asked if he wanted to go.
“Oh man, you get a bag of steamed crabs and some corn and that’s a good night!” Bennett laughed and Jean pondered on what a bag of crabs entailed.
Turned out, a literal paper bag of steamed crabs. Bennett happily ran alongside the dock as Jean picked up their order from the window.
“This is… a bag of full crabs.” Jean asked, holding the bag up in front of her.
Bennett nodded enthusiastically.
“Yeah, what else would it be?”
“Crab meat? I was hoping…” Jean trailed off.
“No, you have to work for crabs. That’s the fun!” Bennett laughed and hopped back on the boat as Jean carefully handed over the food.
“I don’t… want fun with my food.” Jean pondered, stepping back on the boat after untying the lines. She drove them out away from the restaurant to still water and Bennett dropped the anchor like it was something he did everyday.
They sat on the bow, Bennett dumped a few crabs between them and picked one up.
“Do I have to teach you how to eat these too?” Bennett asked humorously.
“Yes, my meals are usually… plated.” Jean shrugged.
Bennett held his crab out, pointing at the bottom of it.
“Start by cracking the bottom of it, with a crab hammer or whatever else you have.”
Jean happened to have a multi tool and offered that out. Bennett slammed the butt of it into the crab and then picked out shell and various bits.
“You have to clean these out, that’s the lungs, and then you can eat all of this. And then, you can move on to the legs.” Bennett smiled and got to work on his crab. Jean let out a sigh and attempted to copy him.
“Island living at its finest, I suppose.” Jean smiled to herself.
When they returned to the marina, the sun was just beginning to set and throw gorgeous pink hues over the ocean. Jean had already rented a slip and Bennett directed her on how to toss the bumpers along the side of the boat and knock into the dock slow enough to not damage anything.
They slowly drove into the marina, and Jean noticed a figure waiting on the dock, arms crossed over her chest. She brightened immediately.
“Hey, I could… steer, if you wanted to try out tying the boat up?” Bennett offered sheepishly, glancing every which way but Jean’s.
“You have a boating license?” Jean asked in surprise.
“I mean, yeah. They’re so easy to get.” Bennett rolled his eyes and Jean had to agree, it was remarkably easy.
“Ah, okay. You’ll just, hold her steady, I mean, right?” Jean wasn’t really comfortable with the boat lingo… not yet.
“Yep, it’s easy. And you can take the lines and tie them to the cleats, you know knots right?” Bennett asked, stepping up behind the wheel.
“I do!” Jean responded proudly, because she had read that knot book and become quite an aficionado.
“Okay, good for you.” Bennett eyed her suspiciously and Jean, not for the first time, felt silly for appointing a teenager as her new boating guru.
Once they pulled in close enough to the dock, Jean jumped over holding the lines attached to her boat and quickly wrapped a neat knot around one of the dock cleats, smiling to herself at her efficiency.
She was working on the second one when Lisa appeared by her, having walked to the end of the dock from where she’d been. Jean was suddenly glad she opted for her nicer button up, loose and sleeves rolled up, instead of a ratty t-shirt she’d been considering.
“Lisa, hi!” Jean called, kneeling on the dock to finish her second knot. “What brings you here?” Jean asked charmingly.
“My car.” Lisa said, mocking Jean from the other day and sticking her tongue out. Jean laughed and shook her head, she deserved that.
“No, my son, actually.” Lisa said, eyebrow raised and pointing toward Bennett.
Jean’s eyes widened in shock.
“Bennett is your son?” She asked incredulously.
“Yes, does that surprise you?” Lisa laughed a little bit and turned to look at Jean, just standing up straight.
“I… just wasn’t aware?” Jean shrugged, eyeing Lisa over once again.
“Mhm, do you usually take teenage boys out on a boat?” Lisa asked, eyebrow quirked and eyeing Jean.
Jean’s jaw dropped and her hands flew up in front of her, all of their own mind.
“No! Oh my, no no! He said he had asked, he got permission, I didn’t-” Jean sputtered, realizing it could look weird, bad even, and Lisa smiled gently.
“If you weren’t just in my store trying to figure out how to drive a boat, I’d be far more suspicious. As it is, Bennett loves going out on the water and unfortunately we just don’t have a boat. This isn’t… unusual for him, per say.” Lisa shrugged, rolling her eyes at the thought of her unruly son.
“I’m so sorry, I hope I didn’t worry you.” Jean breathed, the burning sensation at the back of her neck settling, just slightly. “He really was a big help to me, he taught me a lot and I’m quite grateful for him.” Jean explained, and Bennett finally jumped from the boat, sheepish smile on his face.
“I’m just gonna…” Bennett trailed off, pointing towards Lisa’s car. “Thanks Jean!” Bennett emphasized her name and Jean grimaced.
“Excuse me, what do you have?” Lisa called before he could get too far.
“Crabs. We went to the Barge!” He answered and then very quickly got away from their conversation.
“I’m sorry, he wheedled you into it, didn’t he?” Lisa laughed fondly. “How much do I owe you?”
“For the crabs? No, nothing. Don’t worry about it. He showed me how to crack those open too.” Jean laughed, waving her hand.
“No, I’d like to. I can’t help but think this puts me in a bad light.” Lisa wondered, chewing on her lip.
“Of course not! Like I said, he was very informative and helpful, I’d probably have sunk without him.” Jean laughed. “If anything, it proves how well you raised him.” Jean smiled crookedly, hoping she wasn’t coming off too horribly.
Lisa tilted her head and watched Jean for a moment, eventually sighing.
“Well, thank you. I’m sure he had a blast. I’ll see you around then, Jean. Goodnight.” Lisa said, turning to walk back to her car slowly and Jean watched her go, probably watched for a little too long judging by the look she caught on Bennett’s face when Lisa rounded the car.
“Goodnight, Lisa!” Jean called, waving at Bennett once more before returning to her boat to lock up the cabin and gather her things.
All in all, it wasn’t the worst day.
A Page For Two, Lisa’s bookstore, was wonderful, Jean decided. Like most shops on the island, it was a small storefront nestled between various other stores. A t-shirt shop on one side boasting the name of the island in any possible design you could dream of, and on the other was a little sandwich shop with double doors that were thrown open and a counter to order at.
Nothing on the island was anything like the city, it wasn’t like anything Jean had ever known. And maybe that’s why she loved it so dearly already.
She had come into town for lunch, grabbing a sandwich and wandering through the town, peering at the various bits of history and shops and people. And once she finished, she didn’t see why she shouldn’t pop into the bookstore again. She wasn’t searching desperately for a book on boats, so she stepped in under the chime of the bell and slowly perused every inch of the place.
“Hello again, Jean.” Lisa had called to her, almost teasingly.
“Hi there.” Jean greeted her, watching her walk over to where Jean was towards the back of the store.
“Searching for anything in particular this time?” Lisa asked, pleasantly curious look on her face.
“Ah, not exactly. I was just in the neighborhood.” Jean smiled, well aware that the entire island counted as the neighborhood.
“Well that’s nice of you. I did want to thank you again, for taking Bennett out. He’s been talking about how fun it was all week. I really appreciate that you did that.” Lisa said so sincerely.
Jean tilted her head, almost not sure what to say.
“I already told you, he was more of a help than anything. It really wasn’t a problem, Lisa. I’m glad he had fun.” Jean said, truly hoping Lisa understood she didn’t have to keep thanking Jean.
“Still, you really took island hospitality to heart, hmm?” Lisa laughed, and she stepped closer to Jean to tidy up some books, the faint smell of her perfume wafting by. “We’ve never had a boat and he’s been trying his hardest for years to just… find someone to take him out whenever he can. He’s like a stray cat sometimes.” Lisa rolled her eyes, and turned from her tidying to smile fondly at Jean.
“You don’t like boats?” Jean asked, because she couldn’t really think of anything else to say when Lisa was looking at her like that.
“I like them plenty, they’re just expensive to own and upkeep, and the time and effort required for all of that, and not to mention you have to rent a slip or launch it everyday. It’s exhausting just talking about it.” Lisa laughed, and Jean nodded. It was expensive… and a lot of work. And she’d only had a boat for a few weeks.
“Yeah, I’m starting to learn that. Ah, is it weird to say I could always take Bennett out a few times a week? If he’d want to, anyway.” Jean offered, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt lightly.
“You don’t have to-” Lisa started and Jean cut her off because she didn’t want to hear it again.
“It’s not because I feel like I have to!” Jean hurried, “Really, again, he was a great help and it’s not like I have anyone else to bring with me. It’s absolutely no trouble, Lisa.” Jean explained.
Lisa was definitely thinking it over, her lips twisted in thought as she stared at Jean. Jean smiled, a goofy little grin, one she hoped would win Lisa over. It just made her laugh and roll her eyes gently.
“I’d be a horrible mother to decline that, really. I’ll talk to him, I’m sure he’d love that.” Lisa said, her eyes softening.
“Wonderful! You could take my number? And we could set up some days that work for Bennett?” Jean offered, hopeful smile on her face. And the way Lisa’s face changed, the twinkle in her eyes and the little smirk that curled at the corner of her lip, Jean wondered if she seemed too eager.
“That sounds perfect.” Lisa said.
So they exchanged numbers and Jean, not wanting to walk out of a bookstore empty handed, spotted a hardcover of her favorite book and purchased that too. Because why not.
It only took a few days for Jean to receive a text from Lisa, asking if she would take Bennett out the next day. And Jean really had nothing else going on, bar repainting her very outdated bathroom (turns out olive green wasn’t a great color) but it wouldn’t hurt to push that off a bit and Jean readily agreed.
It was overcast so they had their coats on, driving out from the marina against the wind whipping the sea spray into their faces.
“I’m getting the hang of it, Bennett!” Jean called happily, and Bennett grinned back at her.
“Good! We can work on fishing next!” He smiled and Jean nodded.
“Sure, sure. Sounds good.” Jean laughed, and steered out towards the very tip of Cape Oath, planning to skirt around it and get a view of Dragonspire, if possible on such a cloudy day.
“So you need the fishing rods, the net, a cooler just in case we catch anything we want to keep, a good knife, a lot of bait…” Bennett was rambling and his excitement was so obvious. And all Jean had to do was drive a boat. It made her feel good, happy even, that she could make his day by doing something so simple. He was already saying we.
“I’ll have to check the shed but I wouldn’t be surprised if the old man left me all sorts of goods like that.” Jean said thoughtfully.
“You don’t know what’s in your shed yet? You’ve been here for weeks.” Bennett said incredulously.
“Well, it’s locked and I don’t have a key so I never bothered.” Jean shrugged.
“Locked? You’ll have to break it down then.” Bennett responded sagely.
“I suppose. Maybe a sledgehammer?”
“Or a fireman’s axe!”
“Even a wrecking ball would do.”
Bennett laughed loudly, his little teen voice cracking a bit in the wind as he bent over to slap his knee.
“Sweet. Can I watch?”
Jean shook her head and laughed to herself, keeping the boat steady on.
The dreary weather kept on for days and Jean took the time to wander the beach one morning. It was windy and chilly, the sky gray and oppressive. Jean had her pant legs rolled up and held her shoes in her hands, walking along the edge of the lapping waves, bundled under her windbreaker.
There were a remarkable number of shells on this beach. Mostly lady slippers, some oyster shells, some muscle shells. All long empty and dead.
The beach was deserted too, hardly anyone out due to the off-season and such unhappy weather. And it was still lovely. Jean let the freezing ocean water lap at her heels as she walked, eyes down to the sand as she looked over shell fragments.
“Hello, Jean!” Her head shot up, and not far away, calling over the wind, was Lisa, similarly dressed in her coat and hand waving.
“Lisa! How are you?” Jean asked, continuing along toward Lisa.
“Fine, just enjoying the day, I suppose.” Lisa hummed, looking out at the choppy ocean waves.
“Yes, same. Where’s Bennett?” Jean asked, almost for lack of anything else to speak to Lisa about.
“He’s in school, Jean.” Lisa laughed, looking back at her.
“Right, right. That.” Jean shook her head. “Tell me, what’s this place like during the summer?” Jean asked, trailing behind Lisa as she continued walking, back in the direction she had come.
“You mean, during the height of tourism season?” Lisa teased.
“Exactly.” Jean confirmed.
“It’s a madhouse. Packed streets, packed beaches, half the locals take off and rent their homes out. Enjoy the quiet while you can.” Lisa advised, eyebrows raised. Jean nodded, she figured as much. In all her years, she could recall coming out here only once, when she was much younger and fresh faced, and still took vacations.
“What about business?”
“You mean mine, in particular?” Lisa clarified.
“Of course.” Jean grinned.
“Plenty of people forget to pack a beach read so I do quite well. You should see the display I set up in the summer, loads of trashy best sellers and romance novels in the windows.” Lisa laughed to herself at the thought.
Jean smiled, watching Lisa reminisce in her own thoughts for a moment before she perked up and looked back to Jean.
“What do you do? I don’t think I’ve ever asked you that?” Lisa said so curiously, eyebrows furrowed.
“I… don’t do much of anything, at this very moment.” Jean sighed. She figured she had some time before that became a real issue.
“Oh, so you’re… that kind of money?” Lisa teased her.
“I had a very generous job, before. Yes.” Jean shrugged, almost apologetically.
“And yet, here you are.” Lisa surmised quite skillfully, watching Jean’s eyes scour the horizon.
Jean smiled ruefully, glancing down to watch the way her toes sank into the wet sand.
“Exactly. Here I am.” She agreed.
Jean’s phone rang, Lisa’s name popping up over an empty contact picture because they certainly weren’t there yet, were they?
“Hello?” Jean answered excitedly.
“Jean! Can we go out today?” Bennett.
Jean felt a twinge of disappointment at that. And then she felt a twinge of guilt over that and shook her head.
“I wasn’t planning to, Bennett. You don’t want to wait until the weekend?” Jean asked, it was already afternoon, Bennett having had school that day.
“Both is best! But please, I was so busy with all my homework these past few weeks, I really want to.” Bennett begged and Jean sighed. Suppose it didn’t hurt to head out for a few hours.
“Alright, meet me at the docks. We can go out for a short time, back before dark, right?” Jean confirmed, and quickly got her things gathered, packing her raincoat because still, the dull weather hadn’t cleared.
Bennett had gone straight to the marina after school and was already sitting on Jean’s boat, eagerly awaiting her arrival. Jean laughed when she spotted him and quickly parked.
Jean waved as she approached, boat keys in hand. She tossed them to Bennett who snatched them out of the air and ran to the cockpit to get the boat started.
“A lot of homework, huh? What’d you have?” Jean asked, dropping her bag into the boat and getting to work on the lines.
“Two papers and a book report! It’s like, my teachers don’t even talk to each other when they assign homework.” Bennett complained as the boat chugged to life and the smell of diesel filled the air.
“Ah, that’s a lot. A book report though, that has to be easy with your mom?”
“Except she doesn’t even help me!” Bennett exclaimed. “She’s all like ‘you read the book, Bennett, you can figure it out.’” Bennett mocked his mother in a poor imitation and Jean had to laugh. She jumped aboard, storing away the lines and shooing Bennett from the wheel.
“You can’t expect your mom to do your homework for you, Bennett.” Jean teased, and suddenly she felt so very… parental. And that didn’t quite sit right with her. She cleared her throat. “Anyway, this won’t be long, okay? It’s already late.”
“Yeah, I gotcha.” Bennett answered, and he sat himself at the tip of the bow like usual, ready to go.
They’d only been out an hour or so before the rain came, abrupt and furious, pelting down onto the boat.
“Shit! I didn’t even check the radar today.” Jean cursed, huddling under the hardtop of the cockpit with Bennett as wind sprayed rain in at them.
It was quick and thunderous, the way the storm rolled in, dark gray clouds blotting the sky, sheets of rain and thunder roaring in their ears. The waves got choppy and the boat started rocking every which way, tossing them about.
“What do we do? Drop anchor and wait?” Bennett asked, hunched under his hood and lifejacket tightly.
“No, we’d probably lose the anchor at this rate. Just… steer into the waves? I don’t think we can get anywhere close to the marina right now, I can’t keep this thing steady.” Jean grunted, hands on the wheel and trying not to lose her own balance.
Bennett held on to the dash to keep steady, bracing himself with every tip of the boat.
“You can head down into the cabin.” Jean told him, but Bennett shook his head.
“No, I want to stay here.” He said resolutely.
“Bennett, at least call your mom. I’ve got the sat phone set up, just let her know we’re probably going to be stuck out here until the storm’s passed.” Jean instructed, and Bennett conceded, heading down into the cabin where Jean kept the emergency kit stored.
“Shit.” Jean cursed again, watching lightning crack the sky as she tried to keep the boat angled with the crashing waves.
By the time they were able to safely drive into the marina, the rain kept up but the wind and thunder had died off, only the faint rumble as the storm kept moving into the distance.
Jean and Bennett were soaked through, shivering, and eager to back onto land.
Lisa was waiting, standing on the dock, right where Jean’s slip was. Jean pulled slowly in and Bennett made quick work of the usual docking routine with the bumpers and lines.
Jean shut the boat down and picked up her bag, stepping up from the side of the boat and onto the dock before Lisa.
“What were you thinking!” Lisa demanded, fury on her face. She'd clearly been standing out in the rain for a while too, nearly as soaked through as the other pair were.
Jean took a second to realize that fury was directed at her, and she opened her mouth but Lisa continued.
“The boat could have tipped over or struck something, you both could have died, Jean! What were you thinking?” She cried, and Bennett hopped from the boat to his mother’s side, trying to defend them both.
“Get in the car, Bennett. You’ll get sick.” Lisa commanded firmly, and Bennett quickly scurried off to where Lisa’s car was, still idling.
“Lisa, I- I’m sorry. I had no idea a storm was coming…” Jean trailed off, unable to really excuse herself.
And Jean wouldn’t soon forget the look in Lisa’s eyes, the barely hidden heartbreak and fear visible through the tears and rain that pattered down her cheeks. Lisa sighed and turned back to her car.
“Get home safe, Jean.” She called, and Jean wouldn’t say it was icy, but it certainly didn’t hold Lisa’s usual warmth. She watched Lisa get into her car and pull Bennett into a clinging hug for a long moment, before they were driving off and away from Jean.
Jean nodded to herself, the rain matting down her hair, molding her clothes to her frame and letting the chill of the evening seep into her.
Jean was shocked the next time her phone rang with Lisa’s name on the screen. She had answered hesitantly, half expecting Bennett to beg her to go back out, the other half expecting Lisa to tell her off again.
It was Lisa, but instead she was inviting Jean over that very evening to chat. And Jean wasn’t really sure if that was good or bad. Perhaps Lisa was the type to cut off a friendship in person? She would have Jean over to say thanks, but we don’t need you in our lives anymore.
And why was that so painful, if that were the case? Lisa and Bennett, no longer? Did Jean really already rely on them, on that family so heavily?
She let out a long sigh and tried to dress a little nicer, what was appropriate for what this night would entail? Perhaps a nice bottle of wine too, as a parting gift.
Jean thought she’d be excited over the chance to see Lisa’s home, thought that if she ever got invited it could only mean great things. Alas, she pulled up, apprehensive and melancholy, bottle of red wine tucked under her arm.
Lisa’s house was amazing. Nearly all the houses on the island followed the same worn shingles and white trim look, but the sides of her house were adorned with ivy covered trellises and beautiful flowers out front.
Jean walked up the gravel path to the front door, a pastel yellow color, and knocked a few times.
Lisa answered quickly, looking relaxed in jeans and a cardigan, and smiled softly at Jean.
“You did not need to bring anything.” She pointed out sternly, almost a reprimand, and Jean smiled and handed the wine over.
“It’s the polite thing to do. Hello, Lisa.”
“Hi, thank you for coming.” Lisa invited her in and Jean stepped into a beautifully decorated home, not dissimilar to Jean’s in terms of the natural wood floors and doorway trim, but with the added personal touches that were most definitely Lisa.
Lisa led the way into her kitchen, open and airy, and propped the wine bottle on her counter before turning and leaning against it to face Jean.
“I owe you an apology.” Lisa said firmly.
“No, you don't.” Jean objected.
“I do. First of all, I was rude and that was completely unnecessary when you’ve been nothing but kind to me and Bennett. And Bennett told me he begged you take him out, you hadn’t planned on it at all that day. I’m sorry for behaving that way, Jean.” Lisa said softly, so kindly, and Jean watched the emotions flicker across her face as she spoke.
“No, really Lisa, I understand. You were scared, that’s perfectly reasonable.” Jean tried to deflect a bit.
“I’ve talked with Bennett and he knows he has a bit more responsibility now if he expects to keep going out on your boat. That is- if you were okay with doing that, still.” Lisa trailed off, realizing that maybe Jean wasn’t comfortable with it anymore.
“Of course! Honestly, Lisa, I thought you were going to tell me he wasn’t allowed to anymore or… something else. But, yes absolutely, I’d love to still take Bennett out. And I’ll be more careful too.” Jean promised.
“Thank you. I mean, really, Jean. Thank you for… I don’t know, putting up with this.” Lisa laughed at herself, shaking her head.
“I don’t know how many times I’m going to have to say this, Lisa, but it’s not a problem. He’s happy, I don’t have to go out of my way at all. Please, don’t ever think it’s a burden. We have a great time. In fact, we’re going to try fishing soon.” Jean explained, a smile growing on her face.
And Lisa stared at her, the kindness emanating from her eyes, the soft smile that played on her lips.
“That sounds like he’ll love it.” Lisa responded, and Jean always knew her voice was smooth and melodic, that her eyes were brilliant but she sounded even warmer, she seemed even more beautiful than usual.
Jean had learned that Lisa was rather adept at controlling herself, schooling her features and emotions, but tonight… she didn’t bother with that. Her eyes were so open and lively, like Jean could read every thought through them.
Jean felt, deep within herself, the quick prick of fear spreading up the back of her neck. She… wasn’t ready, was she? She had come here tonight with the intention of probably never talking to Lisa again, and yet.
“I should go.” Jean said abruptly, and she felt the pang of regret the second she spoke but she needed time.
Lisa startled, mouth opening wordlessly as she pointed behind her to the wine bottle.
“I… thought we could open that?” She questioned hesitantly, eyebrows furrowed in confusion, flickers of hurt flashing over her face.
“I ah- I have some things to do tomorrow, so I should get home. Thank you, for the talk. I appreciate it.” Jean said stiltedly, edging away from Lisa. “Goodnight, enjoy that.” Jean said, hand waving out toward the wine.
“Right. Okay, goodnight Jean.” Lisa answered softly, watching Jean make her rather hasty exit.
Jean sat in her car for a second and blew out a deep breath.
“Fuck.” She groaned to herself. That wasn’t… great.
Jean wiped at her sweaty brow using the hem of her t-shirt, dirty and soaked as it already was. She hadn’t been able to find a key to her shed, so she opted for the break in method, utilizing a sledgehammer she had just picked up from the local hardware store.
Turns out, it was hard work. She had been taking swings at the door right next to the doorknob, slowly caving the door in so she could finally shove it open and not destroy the doorframe at all. It was just… hot, and a lot of work.
With one more swing, Jean nearly lost balance as the door cracked inward.
“Whew, alright, let’s see what’s in here.” Jean said to herself, wrestling with the door to jiggle it enough to pull open. She probably should have bought a new door first… but! No bother, let’s see what the old man left.
As she suspected, it was a heap of old boating gear, including fishing rods, long and short, more lifejackets, buoys, a couple of crab traps, it looked like, and an assortment of other things like tackle boxes and buckets.
It was quite a jackpot, Jean figured.
But… there went her distraction. She hadn’t heard from Lisa or Bennett in the past few days and she knew it was her fault. Jean just needed a minute. She wasn’t… of course she was interested in Lisa. Who wouldn’t be? Who would be able to look at that woman, kind and gentle and so obviously wonderful, and not want to know more?
Jean just… hadn’t been ready. At that moment. She needed to prepare, it had been so long since she’d even had to try to, what, impress a woman? Court them? Express her interest… Her divorce had been finalized just over a year ago but the marriage itself was an utter failure long before that. She wasn’t stuck on that, she just needed Lisa to know… everything first. Especially with Bennett in the equation the way he was.
Jean showered after her workout of busting the door open, and laid flat on her couch with her wet hair fanned around her. She thought about everything she’d done lately, from the move, getting rid of all the materialistic things she had back in Mondstadt City and quitting her outrageously demanding job. She actually owned two flashy sports cars that she hardly drove because city traffic was a nightmare, but her wife liked the image it gave them. And that was what Jean had worked toward for so long.
Her image. Her power, her job, her standing.
It wasn’t a surprise when it just wasn’t enough. It wasn’t anything, really. Jean hadn’t even realized how much she hated her life. But it’s funny, one day, you just wake up and realize… you can change it, can’t you?
And Jean didn’t need her penthouse anymore, she didn’t need her cars or her flashy watches or the suits her ex-wife had bought her. She didn’t need to pretend to be this elitist shark of a person who didn’t even have time to grab coffee with her sister. And once she started realizing what she didn’t need, it was so much easier to decide what she wanted.
Thus, the move to the island. To anonymity and peace, to new faces, new hobbies, new sights… new things.
Sure, Jean wondered if she’d just replaced her old, flashy things with hand-me-down worn things, but… she used her boat. Bennett liked her boat. That was a new endeavor that she tackled head on and came out of rather successfully, and she was proud of herself for that.
So that’s what she’ll do, Jean thought. Tackle everything head on.
Possibly starting with her couch, why was it so lumpy?
When Jean got a text from an unknown number, she felt both elation and a bit of disappointment upon learning it was Bennett. Jean wondered if Lisa just… didn’t want to be the middleman anymore, didn’t want to speak to Jean anymore? But, it also meant Bennett still wanted to go out and she hadn’t entirely ruined everything.
Jean responded quickly, letting him know she found all the fishing gear if he was up for it. And he certainly was.
“We have to get bait though! You don’t have bait, yet, do you?” Bennett asked excitedly, practically jumping all over the place as Jean got out of her truck.
“No, I don’t have bait yet. Is there a shop?” Jean asked.
“Yep, there’s a tackle shop at the far end of the pier, come on!” Bennett called and he took off, racing along the docks and jumping like a maniac.
Jean laughed and shook her head, following at a more leisurely, adult pace.
Once they had their bucket of bait and Jean and Bennett had picked through the better lures from one of the tackle boxes Jean had found, they loaded up the boat and headed out.
It was finally, blessedly, good weather again on the island, and they had both dressed in long sleeves to keep the sun from beating down on them.
Jean drove them out towards one of the reefs, figuring if they were close enough they might catch something decent.
“So Bennett, how’s your mom?” Jean asked, trying to fish for a little something else, too.
“Fine.” Bennett shrugged, his attention solely focused on threading his line through the lure he had chosen. Jean sighed, that was very much a teenage boy answer…
“Right, good.” Jean breathed out, chewing her cheek thoughtfully. “That’s good.”
And she didn’t ask anymore on the subject as they cast their lines and made their best attempts at fishing until the sun began to set.
“Hey Bennett, can I come in and talk to your mom?” Jean asked, pulling up out front of the Minci household to drop Bennett off. He stared at her from the passenger seat, lip curled in confusion.
“Uh, sure, I don’t care.” He shrugged, once again just like a teenage boy, and hopped out of the car with a little bundle of his things under one arm.
Jean followed behind him, stepping into the house and closing the door behind her as Bennett yelled out.
“Ma! I’m back!” And then he ran off up the stairs, presumably to his room, without even waiting for a reply.
Jean laughed to herself, trying to remember if she acted like that when she was younger.
She didn’t hear Lisa at all, so she poked around a bit, eventually spotting the other woman out in the backyard under the pergola, large book in hand and glass of wine on the table in front of her.
“Hey.” Jean said, stepping outside through the sliding door, the backyard lit with various string lights.
Lisa did a double take from her book, staring up at Jean with a confused smile.
“Hey, yourself. Just dropping Bennett off?” She asked cordially, and Jean winced.
“Actually, I was hoping we could talk? I… I feel as if I owe you an apology.”
Lisa sighed, closing her book and patting the spot next to her.
“You absolutely do not. If anything, I need to… offer you a better apology than you got last time. I wasn’t being fair to you and I was… misreading your kindness, I suppose.” Lisa explained, her cheeks reddening slightly, and Jean felt a crooked smile growing on her face at Lisa’s concern. She joined Lisa on the couch, hesitating for just a moment before placing her hand over Lisa’s, warm and comforting.
“No, Lisa. Listen, I’m sorry I took off, I was a bit caught off guard. But, you certainly haven’t misread anything.” Jean emphasized, looking pointedly at Lisa who looked a bit startled at that. “I do like you…I would just prefer to tell you a few things, first.”
Lisa eyebrows furrowed, her short lived excitement waning slightly, and it was clear to Jean that she hadn’t expected anything like this.
“Okay?” She prompted hesitantly.
“I… haven’t done this in some time. So, I want you to know, first, that I was married. It didn’t work out but, you know. Divorcee.” Jean shrugged with a humorless smile and Lisa nodded sadly.
“I have a sixteen year old son, Jean. We all have our pasts. It’s not a dealbreaker, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Lisa said softly.
“Right.” Jean laughed lightly. “I also want you to know that I’m trans.” Jean stated firmly, watching Lisa’s expression change, soften, minutely.
“And you’re telling me because you’re… afraid? Or because you just want to?” Lisa asked softly.
“Because that has been a dealbreaker.” Jean said, eyebrows furrowed. “So if that’s the case, we can air it now and… move on.” Lisa shook her head.
“I’m sorry. Thank you, for telling me. But that’s not a dealbreaker, either. That certainly doesn’t change anything about the way I feel.” Lisa said, still soft, gentle, almost intimate.
Jean let out a breath of relief, a little smile growing on her face.
“Good. I’m…” She trailed off, eyes widening, how do you… do this, again? “I’d like to… formally court you, then?” Jean asked, frown settling in place of her smile.
Lisa burst out laughing.
“Court me? Jean!” She laughed harder. "That might be the dealbreaker, Jean. Oh no.”
“It’s been a while, okay? I- I was married for eight years… I don’t know what I’m doing. Oh, that was dreadful.” Jean joined in the laughter, hand over her eyes in shame. “Okay, okay. Lisa, I’m interested in you. In dating you.” Jean managed through her laughter.
“Oh darling, just start by asking me on one date, that’s usually a good way to go.” Lisa took pity on her.
“Would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow, Lisa?” Jean asked quickly, eyes shining.
“Yes, I’d love that.” Lisa answered her, her own brilliant green eyes lit up underneath the twinkling overhead lights.
Jean smiled, widening quickly, as she stared back.