Cuban Sun (2 page)

“Right, well, there’s a summer internship opportunity down in Miami. It’s got everything I think you’d like. It’s right down the ethics alley. It’s field research. You’d be staying on a boat. Oh, and did I mention it’s Miami?”

She paused formulating her questions.

Quint interrupted her thoughts. “Oh come on, Miami alone would have had half your classmates in the throes of ecstasy.”

“Hey, it’s not that Miami doesn’t appeal to me. And the boat. Sailboat?”

“Yacht. A 109’ Hargrave. Beautiful, luxurious and it’s owned by two of my best friends, Joe and Helena Canvar.”

Sofia thought fast. An internship on a yacht, In Miami? Her initial reaction was to assume the Canvars were just like the people she had been trying to get away from, pretentious, self-important and unable to see the destruction they created around themselves. But, if they were Quint’s friends…she might have to think about it. He was passionate, unexpected and always seemed to genuinely want his students to succeed. His classes were unimaginably tough, but he was unlike most of the other professors who committed themselves to students’ humiliation and despair under the guise of the Socratic Method.

Sofia flapped a dismissive gesture and said, “I’ve been around all that before. It doesn’t hold the same appeal to me as others. Plus, I’ve already been offered a summer associate position.” She had gotten the call the day before and felt lucky to get in with a non-profit. It could really help her career. After spending four years at Outward Bound before starting law school, she wanted to keep heading in that direction. She felt it was something that would actually make a difference. That desire plus her specialization in Ethics had sent her father over the edge. He wanted her to be a high powered corporate attorney in his office.
When hell freezes,
she thought. Quint’s voice brought her out of her thoughts.

“I know they called me for a reference. I also know that you haven’t accepted. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. Look, think about it. The position is doing field research. Finding the documents, talking to people, solving problems. You’d be out there getting your hands in the project, really learning, not stuck in some office basement with a pile of books. The Canvars are only two people in the organization besides me so you’ll be getting mentoring, not weekly Vitamin B drips because your asshole boss is working you a hundred hours per week and feeling you up in his office.”

“I don’t see that happening. My offer is with a non-profit. That’s where my interest lies. I don’t see how tootling off on a yacht for six weeks is going to further that ambition.”

Quint resumed his pacing. “You don’t think that crap happens in non-profit? It most certainly does, except there’s pictures of emaciated cats or kids on the wall while you’re getting felt up and you don’t get paid squat. That’s the only difference. Then if you get a full-time position, you can look forward to living in a 700 square foot. Apartment with three roommates until you’re forty. Seriously, take a risk. Don’t be afraid to try something new just because you think you know how these people are. They’re the best. They’ll take care of you and actually let you do real work. Any kind of field work looks a hell of a lot better on a resume than pushing around dusty case files with jack to show for it except hand prints on your ass.”

“And there wouldn’t be pictures of emaciated cats on the yacht?”

His wide mouth broke into a dazzling smile. “Nope, but Joe might have some racy “Latin Beauties” posters in the game room. There won’t be any ‘feeling up’ either. Helena would have his nuts for bait if she ever heard of anything like that happening.”

While she entertained images of her and Quint on a yacht together, Sofia knew she couldn’t go back to that kind of life. Not after she worked so hard to get to a place where she had freedom, even if it did mean living on meager funds. She looked at Quint with decision clear on her face.

“Thank you for the offer. I’m flattered that you would think of me, but I can’t. I’m going to take the opportunity in non-profit.”

Quint sat heavily onto the chair next to her, looking out the window. “I see. I think you’ll regret it though. Please think about it. You don’t want to look back on this and think ‘what if’.”

Sofia nodded and lied. “I’ll think about it.”

TWO

Quint stepped off the
Mariana
, the 109’ Hargrave luxury yacht, and into the sultry Miami afternoon. Hot and humid, certainly, but the shade palms and harbor breeze kept the day feeling like paradise. The
Mariana
was one of many luxury yachts in the harbor but, this one was owned by Joe and Helena Canvar, his friends, colleagues and mentors. Not long ago Quint took the interview he now offered to Sofia. It was an unforgettable experience, a journey into a whole new world of learning and action. Leaving his position at a prestigious law firm had been a big risk but he gained a deep understanding of law and ethics that he would have never gotten in corporate law. He kicked the pier in frustration at Sofia’s stubbornness and winced at the pain in his canvas shod foot.

Why didn’t Sofia take the interview? Why couldn’t she see past her disdain for wealth? She would have been perfect for the job. She had grace, poise and was calm under stress which was no little feat in law. Law was a field where students and practitioners for that matter dropped like flies because of the stress. Quint thought of how well she would fit into this lifestyle, the work, the sea, the outdoors. Granted, the fieldwork that he and the Canvars engaged in wasn’t exactly public record and could be dangerous at times. Though, how many conversations did they have about his houseboat and her experience sailing, rock climbing and mountaineering? Those could be dangerous too. She was so active; she needed a profession that was active. How often had he seen her studying outside on the green instead of in the library with her classmates? How many times had he seen her biking around Charleston on that old beach cruiser she said she got used from her landlord? Most students were perfectly suited to a sedentary life. Not Sofia. True, Quint was more than a little attracted to her because of these things though he thought he wouldn’t be a healthy heterosexual man if he weren’t. Aside from her intelligence and vivacity, Sofia had ‘quite a figure’ as his father would have said.

“Oye, there you are Quint.” A deep, jovial voice brought Quint out of his thoughts. The slight Spanish accent left no doubt who it was.

“Joe, did you need something?”

“No, I was just wondering where you were. I was talking to myself for a full three minutes before Helena said you were up here. Dio! You’re making me look senile in front of my wife. What’s wrong with you?”

Quint laughed, “Sorry, I just came up to...um... Quint stopped and turned to the older man. You know I have completely forgotten what I came up here to do.”

“Thinking about Sofia Koury?” Quint made a motion to demur, but Joe forestalled any denial. “Don’t try to fool me. You’re usually focused like a laser trigger. You don’t forget. Or has professorship softened your brain? I told you a lazy job like that would affect you.”

“Well, I need downtime and something respectable to fill it like a professorship. I’m just worried about her. She’s going to die Joe.”

“Die? What do you mean?”

“She’s going to die. She’ll get some job as an associate; get stuck in a cube, rotting away. And then, eventually, she’ll think that environment is normal, to just think in a straight line, not thinking for herself. She’ll think its fine just to do what she’s told and only aspire to be the one who shits downhill rather than being the one at the bottom who catches it.” Joe narrowed his eyes at Quint. Quint thought he saw a knowing spark in the hooded expression. It was confirmed as Joe responded.

“Like you, you mean. That is, before we plucked you out of the office, rolling shit down onto people.”

“Yeah, like me.”

“Well, she must be something to cause that much concern.”

Quint nodded and cleared his throat, “I wouldn’t have recommended her otherwise.”

Joe squinted against the reflection of Biscayne Bay, his weathered skin crinkling around his café con leche colored eyes. “Is this something more than professional admiration?”

Quint’s eyes widened in surprise. “Of course not.”

Joe chuckled, “That means ‘yes’. If she were completely unattractive, you wouldn’t have recommended her because that’s part of the job. Don’t look at me like that! You know it is. If you didn’t think she fit the requirements you would have made up some bullshit about you not noticing her looks. I’m from a long line of hot blooded men Quint, I know the difference. Tell me about her. Not the resume crap. I’ve seen that already.”

Quint shook his head and leaned on the dock railing. “All right. Sofia is one of my favorite students. She’s smart, unlike some of them. You know, anyone can find cases and precedence. But she really takes it a step further, gets creative and she’ll beat anyone down in an argument.”

“She’s got some cojones then?”

“Last week she took
me
on in an argument in class. I’ve haven’t had a student do that yet. Granted, I’ve only been there for three years, but even so...”

“Yes, you mentioned. You also said her image would fit in too?”

“I see what you’re after you dirty old man.” Quint shaded his eyes ostensibly to protect his eyes against the water’s glare, but also hiding his amusement at Joe’s look of horror.

“Old man?! Fifty-five is the new forty-five!”

“Except you’re fifty-eight.” Quint said, unsuccessfully trying to suppress a smile.

“Well, whatever. I
am
dirty though. Just ask Helena.” Quint held his hands up in surrender.

“Whoa. I’ll take your word for it.”

“So, do you need me to go on?” Joe threatened.

“God, no. Fine, yes she’s attractive.” Quint ran his hand through his hair catching glints of copper and cinnamon in the late afternoon sunlight. “She has these bright greenish gold eyes that hit you. It looks like a leopard staring you down.”

“Sounds like something to be careful of. I’m guessing she takes care of herself too?”

“Yeah, you know, like I said she bikes and has done some biking and kayaking. We are in a Southern coastal town after all. Most people are pretty active.”

“I see. Sounds perfect. I’ll bet she also has the long ribbon of caramel hair like some Mediterranean women?” Quint sighed as Joe got going. Joe was fond of theatrics and could carry on for hours. Quint tried to downplay.

“I don’t think Lebanese is necessarily Mediterranean, but yes you guessed it.”

“And, she dresses like all these girls in boho gear or whatever it’s called?” Quint was startled by Joe’s accuracy and looked at the older man. He found Joe looking over his shoulder at the harbor master’s stand. Quint turned to follow his gaze. It wasn’t theatrics, there was Sofia, glowing in the late day Miami sun.

The dock master pointed Sofia towards the
Mariana
and upon seeing Quint; she smiled and started toward the yacht. Quint walked to meet her at the head of the pier, “What made you change your mind?” In truth, she didn’t know why she had decided to come except that she had felt his passion. He obviously believed in the work and his mentors. It was something Sofia had to see for herself. Sofia sidestepped the question.

“I haven’t changed my mind yet. But, I realized that you were right. I
would
regret it if I didn’t at least come and do the interview. Plus, as you said, it’s a free trip to Miami staying on a yacht.”

Quint ushered her to the gangway where Joe waited. Sofia’s first impression of Joe was that of a man who, in his prime was likely quite fit and handsome but, had now gone a bit soft around the middle and the neck. However, she could see a still strong gleam of vitality in his stance and countenance. Quint began the introductions, “Sofia Koury, I’d like you to meet Joe Canvar.”

“It’s very nice to meet you Mr. Canvar.”

“Please, it’s Joe and my wife is Helena. I’m very glad you decided to come down to Miami.” Joe winked and added, “Quint here was fretting about it.”

Sofia smiled and glanced at Quint who glared and Joe and said, “I just think it’s not an opportunity to waste.”

“Of course”, said Joe and gestured for Sofia to follow. “Vamos, come, I’ll show you around the
Mariana
and introduce you to Helena.”

For Sofia, stepping aboard the
Mariana
was like stepping into the past. She was instantly transported back to her youth, being dragged to horrifically boring parties and dinners with her parents and their friends. Later, they brought her to dinners with business associates where the wives and children were just part of the cease fire agreement, to make nice, not to actually interact or be involved in conversation. She usually ended up in the nanny’s quarters or watching the younger children.

Sofia inwardly shook herself. She had to put those memories aside, otherwise, she would be in a foul mood all evening and that would certainly not improve her chances of making a good impression. Even though she was not going to take the job, she didn’t want to embarrass Quint.

Joe and Quint took her around the main deck, the aft portion held a large outdoor bar, fully stocked, cool and shady. Just inside the slide away glass doors, the living and dining area were gorgeous. She had been in yachts of this level of luxury before, but very few. The two white sofas faced each other. These paired nicely with the sleek navy blue side chairs and coral and navy cashmere throw pillows. The recessed lighting above played on the oiled wood cabinetry leading into the dining room.

“This is where we will be dining tonight.” Joe gestured to a six person round table that could have comfortably expanded to hold ten. A baby grand piano stood in the adjacent nook, a promise of later entertainment.

“Do you play?” Sofia turned toward the lilting Irish voice and saw Helena Canvar in a flowing emerald hued cover up and sunhat. Helena continued, “I saw you arrive from up on the sun deck. Welcome, I’m Helena Canvar. You must be Sofia Koury.”