“They often go along. Some surf, some don’t, but it’s usually a good time.” He paused and grinned. “I have the best gig in the world.”
Acknowledging that, she smiled. “Now I understand why you’re not hanging out on social media.”
He laughed and swept her into his arms. “We get one shot at this great big life of ours. I want to do everything I can while I can.”
“I like the way you think,” Maileah said, loving how it felt to be in his embrace. Sailor was the most adventurous man she’d ever met. Most men took their allotted time from their day jobs to seek out adventures, but for Sailor, adventure was a way of life.
“What motivates you?” She had many questions, yet shedidn’t want this to sound like an interview. She knew how that felt. Still, she was truly curious.
“When I was a kid, I loved playing in the water. The ocean is endlessly fascinating. As for surfing, I found something I was good at and wanted to push the boundaries. Only recently did surfing become an Olympic sport.”
“That’s impressive,” she said.
Sailor went on, “And there’s still so much to learn about the wave mechanics. We can improve boards and equipment even more. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the sport and advance it.” He paused, looking thoughtful. “But surfing is so much more than that. It’s a practice—a way of life and a way to connect with nature.”
Maileah considered this, looking around the room at his gear, photos, and memorabilia. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but it was much more than she had imagined.
This is what Sailor loved.
“What’s the story on the rest of those?” she asked, nodding toward other broken boards leaning on a different rack. They all showed signs of damage. Cracks, splits, chunks missing. A couple of others were broken in half.
Sailor’s smile turned wistful. “Those are my battle scars. Can’t bring myself to throw them out.”
She ran her hand along a broken board. “Do other surfers have ones like this?”
“If they’ve been surfing a long time and looking for challenges. Some throw out old boards. Some use them to decorate their patio or yard. A friend made one into a coffee table because he couldn’t part with it.”
As Maileah stared at the broken boards, she made a connection in her mind. “What if we asked surfers to donate their broken boards? We could auction them off or have artists turn them into art pieces. Call it Broken Boards for Unbroken Spirits. Or something like that. And feature the surfers who didn’t let that stop them.”
Sailor rubbed his jaw in thought. “That would be cool.Some, like me, might have trouble parting with their old boards, but for a cause like this, they’d probably go for it.”
Excitement coursed through her now. “We could involve local artists, maybe have some athletes help decorate the boards. It could be a community event.” She swiped a hand through the air. “Using broken boards to heal broken bodies.”
Sailor nodded, clearly warming to the idea. “It ties in well with the theme of the fundraiser. You’re good, Maisie. Even better than I thought.”
“Right back at you,” Maileah said, warmth spreading through her at Sailor’s praise. Feigning irritation, she added, “And you’re sticking with that nickname?”
“Unless Junie has already taken it.”
She laughed and threw her arms around his neck. “It’s all yours.”
He spun her around before he released her.
This was the big idea she’d been looking for.Turning broken boards into collectible art for a good cause.She could hardly wait to pitch this idea to the organizers. Mentally, she began a list of what she would need to do.
She fished her phone from a pocket. “Mind if I take some photos of these?”
“Go ahead.” Sailor stepped back while she took photos.
“Now, I want you in the frame.”
“Seriously?”
She smiled. “It’s for a good cause.”
Grinning, he picked up the broken pieces while she snapped away.
“That’s great.” She showed him some of her shots. “Isn’t this exciting?”
