#4 The Quay

As one o'clock arrived so did Molly's new customer full of enthusiasm. He was much more cordial since their earlier meeting and ready for his lesson.

“I guess it might be nice if we knew each other's names,” Molly started. “I'm Molly Callahan.”

“Oh I know who you are,” the man responded. “You came very highly recommended as a sailing instructor. I'm Kevin O'Brien. Nice to meet you.”

“Alright then, let's get a move on, time won't wait for us,” Molly chirped to Keven and they set out for the dock.

Once out on the water Molly started Kevin with some sailing vocabulary to help him gain some confidence. Kevin was a quick study and took to the sloop like a natural. It was not long before Molly gave him some control of the boat and he was beaming with his new found skills. He still had a lot to learn, but she was sure with this lesson and another one the next day, he would do well with his boss.

As they docked the boat a few hours later Molly had to admit that she actually enjoyed this day. Besides the instruction she gave Kevin, they had a few moments to share some general chat about sailing and he was full of questions as to her sailing experience. This was the first time she had met someone who genuinely wanted to talk about sailing. She chalked this up to him being a salesman and knowing how to talk to people.

As they arrived back at the Sail Shop Kevin checked his phone and realized he had missed an important message. He stepped outside to take the call, but even at that separation Molly could tell in his voice he was quite concerned about something. At one point she could hear him say, “I'm on my way”.

“I'm really sorry I can't stay for a lesson tomorrow, Molly. Something has come up and I have to head back to Dublin immediately,” Kevin explained. “I do want to tell you that I really appreciate all you have done and that I had a great time today.”

“I'm sorry you won't have time to catch up for another lesson to make sure you can deal sailing with your boss next week. I enjoyed the day out also.” Molly replied a little sad that she would not have a customer the next afternoon.

Molly watched as Kevin drove off thinking that once she got to know him a little this was a very interesting man. Other than that she really didn't have another thought about him except to hope that she helped him so he did well with his boss and got his promotion.

As the days went by Molly was busy with her summer customers. Old and new, experienced and novices alike, she tried to make sure they all enjoyed themselves and learned about sailing by the Quay. On a slow day her dad would stop by and they might go out for a few hours. Peter missed sailing and when he got a chance he did not let it slip by. Molly loved going out with her dad. It was a time that when either of them were down in the dumps they could share, and sail to their heart's content.

As summer weather started to cool a bit Molly was surprised to get a call from a young woman one day asking about setting up a weekend sail lesson for someone named Kevin O'Brien. Molly had all but forgotten about Kevin until then and thought it odd for a woman to be calling and setting up the lessons. She specified that he wanted to go out on a sloop and take a two day weekend lesson. Of course this would not be the Kevin she had met. There were so many Kevin O'Brien's in Ireland.
Was he coming back?