Uncharted by Tracey Garvis Graves Read Free Book Online Page A

far, although by all accounts the wooden structure was hardly that impressive. But it was the first time I created something that was tangible. That I could see in all its dimensions. Walk around the perimeter. Step inside and be surrounded by four real walls.
    I waded out to the plane. He shook my hand and clapped me on the back. “Should have told me to bring some scissors, son,” he said, laughing. “Looks like you could use a haircut.”
    I’d skipped the haircut the last time I spent the night on the mainland. I had every intention of visiting the barber but then decided I’d rather spend the afternoon drinking in the hotel bar with some tourists from Germany. My attempt to keep up with them resulted in me passing out in my hotel room and sleeping through until early the next morning. When I awoke with a pounding head I swore I’d never drink again.
    I ran my hands through my shaggy hair. I’d picked up a small mirror in the hotel gift shop, and I’d been making more of an effort to shave, but I had at least a week’s worth of stubble on my face. “Yeah, I’m not all that well-groomed these days.”
    “Eh, who gives a shit,” he said.
    “Obviously, not me,” I said, laughing. “Did the wire . . .”
    “. . . Come through okay? Yes. It came through just fine,” he said. “Come on. Let’s get this stuff unloaded. I want to see what you’ve been doing since I was here last.”
    •   •   •
    When everything was once again stacked on the beach I led the way toward the center of the island. I turned around and watched his face when we reached the house. His eyes grew wide, and I could tell that what I’d done had surpassed his expectations. He walked in a circle around the entire house. “I can’t believe you did this all by yourself,” he said. “I’m really impressed.”
    “It was pretty slowgoing at first, but I’m getting faster. Framing it was the hardest part. I put it together in sections on the ground, but I didn’t have anyone to help me lift them into place. I figured it out, though.”
    “You’ve done a great job,” he said, using his forearm to wipe sweat from his face. “You built your very own fortress in the woods.”
    “Well, fort anyway,” I said, laughing.
    “I don’t think men ever quite outgrow their desire for one.”
    “No. I guess they don’t.”
    •   •   •
    I decided to fish for our dinner. It didn’t take long to catch and clean three decent-size fish, and soon they were sizzling in the frying pan. “Can I help you with anything?” he asked, lowering his large frame to the ground near the camp stove.
    “No thanks. I’ve got it.” Noticing that he didn’t look all that comfortable I said, “Maybe I should have asked you to bring some lawn chairs. Sorry about that.”
    “It’s okay,” he said. “I’ve just got about thirty years on you. My joints aren’t as forgiving as they used to be.”
    I filled a small pan with water and when it came to a boil I opened a small plastic pouch and poured in some dehydrated scalloped potatoes. When the fish were done cooking I removed them from the pan, pulled the tab on a can of green beans, and dumped them in, adding a bit of water. By the time the potatoes finished cooking, the beans would be heated through.
    “It sure is peaceful here,” he said. “I’m used to the resorts, and all the people bustling around. The noise.”
    “I’ve gotten used to it,” I said. “I like not hearing any sound other than the waves.”
    I stirred the potatoes, took them off the heat, and put the lid on them. The beans were simmering so I turned off the stove and made our plates, handing one to him. “Thanks,” he said.
    I sat down beside him and we ate. “Have you talked to your family lately?” he asked.
    I shook my head. “I haven’t talked to them since I left home.”
    “That must have been some falling-out you had.”
    “No falling-out. They just don’t really care.” I sounded like a