Read Online The Practical Navigator by Stephen Metcalfe - Free Book Online

says to Penelope, trying to control his impatience. He puts the last plate into the drying rack and pulls the stopper in the sink. Time to get out of here now.
    â€œNo, I’m sorry. She forfeited that title when she ran out on him. What would make any rational person do such a thing, Michael, explain that to me, please.”
    Drying his hands, Michael sighs. “Okay, you never liked her.”
    â€œWrong,” says Penelope. “I adored Anita. From the moment you first brought her home, my heart went out to her. But I will not forgive her for hurting you. And I will not forgive you if you let her do it again.”
    Before Michael can answer, Jamie appears in the doorway.
    â€œI’m ready to go now.”
    â€œYeah. Me too.”
    One never attempts to win an argument with Penelope Hodge, one just leaves her to put away her own dishes.
    *   *   *
    Memories follow him home. He lets them. It gives perspective.
    â€œI think you better take a look at something.”
    It’s two years earlier. Jamie has just turned five. It’s quitting time and Michael and the crew have been pouring cement for eight hours and are exhausted. Leo has been acting strangely all day. At least strange for Leo. Quiet. Subdued. And now he hands Michael the slip of paper.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œI’m not gonna say a word, just take a look.” Leo turns away to his truck. Michael looks at the slip of paper. It’s a Web address.
    That night, at home, a night similar to this one, with Jamie in bed and with a drink in hand, Michael goes into the small spare bedroom that is his semblance of an office, turns on the ancient computer, and taps in the link. He already knows, from the name of the Web site, what it’s going to be. Michael isn’t an avid fan of pornography but, unless it’s crude and abusive, he doesn’t have a problem with it. Leo, he suspects, is a connoisseur.
    The clip begins and it’s the usual fake moanings and groanings, nothing different from anything Michael has ever seen before. Several couples are in a brightly lit, badly decorated living room as if there’s safety in numbers. The men are nothing more than their appendages. The girls are far too young and pretty to be pretending they like this. The video camera pans to the woman on the couch. She is on hands and knees. There is a scarlet ribbon around her neck. There is a faceless man behind her. She turns to look over her shoulder and in doing so faces the camera. Even in the long, dark wig and heavy makeup, Michael recognizes her. The sounds she makes are foreign to him. The look on her face is one he’s never seen before. By the end of the evening, Michael has located the movie online and purchased it. It arrives a week later. The woman in the wig is in several scenes. Since then, not often, but usually after a couple of drinks late at night, Michael has thrown it in the DVD player. He does it so as not to romanticize the good times. He does it to make himself remember what she’s capable of. He does it because it makes him angry and he has found that anger is a good insulation for the heart. Tonight is one of those nights. He keeps the sound low. He keeps the remote in his hand. As always, it’s like passing a car wreck and seeing the body of someone you love.
    Oh, Anita.

 
    The good navigator thinks strategically, operationally, and tactically. He gathers information from a variety of sources and evaluates this information to determine his ship’s position. He anticipates dangerous situations well before they arise, and always stays “ahead of the vessel.”
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    â€œI don’t think we’re giving him everything he needs.”
    It is three o’clock, pickup time, and Michael has taken on the task himself today. Pickup is harder than drop-off. Most of the kids are running, screaming, and playing together after school, letting off steam. Jamie is, as