He rolls his eyes. “Okay, I get the point.”

I shove him a bit. “And Henry has stuff for us to fish with. C’mon. It will be fun. If you don’t say yes, I’ll have to invite Tressa and Brandy.”

“Okay, okay. I can’t let you bring a couple of sharks to a fishing party!”

Chapter 28

SHARK SNACK

When Henry and I pull in to pick up Ronan, it’s still dark outside. “Well, hello there, Ronan! Glad to have you aboard! Sorry about the time. Got to go when the tides are just right.”

“Thanks for inviting me.”

For a long time, we drive in silence on empty, dark roads, until Henry finally says, “So, Ronan, you said your dad had a lot of experience on the water. Perhaps you’ll take to it, too.”

“He did. He was a swordfish fisherman before I came. He’d be out for weeks at a time.”

Henry heads up the hill toward Chatham Pier. “That’s a tough life. Takes a lot of guts.”

“Yeah,” Ronan sighs. “He misses it. He says that a lot. I think he wants to go back to it.”

Henry stares at Ronan as he pulls the key out of the ignition. I think he’s going to say something, but instead, he pushes open his truck door and we all get out. Then he reaches into the back and pulls out two life vests. “Put these on.”

“I don’t need that,” I say. “I don’t like those things.”

“Well, you don’t have to wear it, then. You’ll be more comfortable, I’m sure.”

That was easy, I think.

“I mean,” he continues, “you’ll be sitting on the dock waving to Ronan and me as we head out to sea. But you’ll be more comfortable.”

I take the vest and put it on while Ronan laughs.

When Henry starts the Reel, I feel a jolt and rumbling through my feet. I look at the captain’s wheel and half expect to see Papa Joseph wearing his hat with the flaps on the side and back to shield him from the sun. His T-shirt had a salty fisherman on the back that said CALL ME JOSEPH.

It isn’t long before we head around Monomoy. Ronan points. “Hey! Look at all the seals!”

“Yeah,” Henry says. “Monomoy is one of the best restaurants on the Cape for great whites. No reservations required.”

“Cool.” Ronan lights up. “Maybe we’ll see great whites. I love great whites.”

“That’s because you’re not a seal,” I say, watching the seals lie on the sand. I wonder if the madre and her baby are there somewhere.

When we hit the open ocean, Henry turns on his GPS and fish finder. I’m surprised at how detailed they are. Like watching a TV screen.

Ronan leans in and studies it. “Look, Delsie! Look at the fish there.”

“Not quite the ones we’re looking for,” Henry sighs. “Probably a big school of mackerel. If I were looking for bait today, that would be great, but we want to nab bigger stuff.”