“Would you take another marine sailing, with champagne, let him sleep on your shoulder while underway?”

Marta awoke and looked about as Pedro opened a picnic basket. “Let’s see what we have here.” He had a happy look on his face, a kind and fatherly look and it made her think of her adopted father. He pulled out cold chicken and champagne, some fruit and cheese. He poured some for the both of them. She ate and felt better, more awake.

“So, this is nice.” She felt a little self-conscious. “Kind of romantic for just friends.” She didn’t look up.

“Oh? I don’t know. Friends can go sailing.”

“Would you take another marine sailing, with champagne, let him sleep on your shoulder while underway?”

“Why do you want to fight with me all the time, Marta?” He wasn’t being mean or angry, he wanted to know.

“Why do you want to be nice to me all the time, Pedro? I’m not nice to you. I tease you and demean you and I’m just a plain little shit to you.”

“I don’t know.” He poured another glass and sipped it. “This is good champagne, most of it usually tastes like vinegar to me.”

“Did you bring me out here to finally make love to me?” She looked down into the cabin. It was furnished with a bed in the bow. It would serve as a fine little bordello.

“I don’t make love without love. I already told you that.”

“What if I told you I don’t need you to now?” She could see him wince a little. “What if I told you I found a man last night, after you left me?”

“Did you?”

“No.”

“When are you going to stop committing suicide, Marta?” The Mule Tamer III, Marta's Quest