Page 74 of Vandal Unbound

We’re all wearing ear defenders, which isn’t comfortable either, but the look on Elsie’s face says it’s worth it.

She spent the whole morning over breakfast asking if alligators can jump. And then if they can climb. And then if alligators like pink glitter sandals. And if they can smell peanut butter crackers through a backpack.

Since we arrived at the Magnolia Bait and Marine Supply store that Maren runs, Elsie has found even more ridiculous questions. Did she need a special boat hat? Are alligators deaf? Can cars go faster than alligators?

“Do you have a pet alligator?” Elsie shouts to Maren.

Maren slows the boat so the engine quietens enough to let her answer. I’m about to tell Elsie that she doesn’t, when Maren nods.

“Technically, he’s not my pet to look out for, but over there”—she points to a cluster of trees in the swamp—“there’s a big hunk of a ‘gator that I’ve named Ernie, and I also go say hi and toss him some fish guts if any of the fisherman drop some off to be disposed of.”

Elsie’s nose crumples up in disgust. “That’s gross.”

Maren grins. “Not if you’re an alligator.”

She speeds the boat up until we’re moving so fast, it feels as though we’re flying just above the water. Then I chuckle at myself because…yeah…it’s called an airboat for a reason.

By the time we get back to the bait shop dock, Elsie’s cheeks are flushed, and her curls are wild from the wind. “Momma, can I get an airboat for Christmas? I’ll let you and Vandal and Maren drive it until I’m old enough.”

“That’s very generous of you,” Maren says.

Elsie looks up at me with both hands clasped under her chin like she’s begging. With those big sad eyes, it’s a dirty trick and she knows it.

“Do not look at me like that when you just spent the last forty minutes insulting every bird in the Everglades.”

“I was saying hello,” she says.

“You told one it’s legs were too skinny.”

Maren laughs so hard, she has to turn away.

“Why don’t we get a drink and some cake,” Maren says when she composes herself.

“Can we, Momma?” Elsie says, jumping up and down on the spot.

“Sure, if Maren says it’s okay.”

Maren takes Elsie’s hand. “It’s more than okay.”

There’s lots of metal fencing around the original bait store. Maren told me a horrifying story of how it had recently caught fire and how she and Knox intended to rebuild it. But the cafe has had to adapt. While it once used to sit inside the bait store, it’s now a temporary building made out of a shipping container in the parking lot. There are chairs and tables outside.

And the lady Maren has running it did a good job of trying to decorate the interior. There are nets hanging from the ceiling, faded photos of airboats and guests fishing, and a chalkboard menu. Because of the later hour of the day, it’s empty.

We order a lemonade for Elsie and iced tea for Maren and me. Plus three fat slices of Key Lime pie.

“We could have shared,” I say to Maren when she hands Elsie a slice with a mound of whipped cream that’s almost as big as her head.

“Thank you, Maren,” Elsie says without prompting, and I smile at her. She’s a good kid.

Maren looks to Elsie conspiratorially. “Birthdays require full slices that you don’t have to share, right, Elsie?”

Elsie already has a forkful of whipped cream in her mouth as she nods furiously.

We’re halfway through the pie when Sunny, Ridge, and a guy I haven’t met before walk into the cafe. “Sneaking off work, Maren?” Sunny asks.

She jabs her fork in Elsie’s direction. “I just had a VIP on my boat.”

I look at the third guy for a moment. There’s something familiar about him, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. He must be someone I’ve seen at the bar.