SURVIVING ABE: A Climate-Fiction Novel Read Online Free Page A

clear the gap.  He landed gracefully, though the chunk of bluff he’d been hanging onto went tumbling down, kicking up a cloud of dust and noise. Andy followed the man, now the-coolest-under-pressure person he knew, back down to the beach.
    Using a nearby beach-access trail, the woman ran to meet the two men as they clambered off the rocks and away from the still shedding bluff face.  About that time, both of them enveloped Andy in a group hug —so much for his solitary walk on the beach.
    It turned out the co uple lived in Key West, but was on vacation touring the Pacific Northwest after a busy winter season in Florida.  They both believed Andy had saved the man’s life; he felt he was just being a good guy following their directions—nothing more.  Andy argued with them for several minutes before deciding to let them exercise, whichever Constitutional Amendment gives us the right to believe-whatever-we-want; true or not.
    They coerced Andy into lett ing them take him to lunch; during the meal he found out they owned a bar in Key West.  They found out he did Internet marketing and pumped him for information about what Internet marketing might do for their bar.  Since their marketing strategy started and ended with the local phone book and a neon sign—hung on a street lined with them—Andy had offered much for them to think about; becoming a life-saving hero and marketing guru in the space of about an hour.  Good for one free lunch ; or so he thought.
    A couple of weeks passed before a proposal from them arrived with uncanny timing.  A rent-free efficiency apartment for the winter above their establishment on Key West's Duval Street, in return for doing the marketing for said bar; plus a profit-sharing plan was included in their offer.  Their letter arrived two days after George had called a final, special meeting to explain how the company’s goals had changed, and so had the positive, long-term outlook of Andy’s compensation package—the "long-term" part particularly in question .  The proposed buyout figures were officially on paper and handed to him.
    "Is that serendipitous, or what?" Andy thought when the letter arrived.  In the end, the exit money that George and his new associate had offered was just too good to pass up.  Next stop, Key West .
    A roadside sign coming into view broke Andy’s reverie, but not his stride toward the shady grove of trees.  Displayed were H T Q S in huge letters shaped like a hot rod.  Under that was written, Hill Top Quick Stop.

Tess - Chesapeake Bay, MD
    Tess loved doing her meteorological duties on days she remained anchored, but setting aside time for anything ended up being hectic on days she moved the boat, like crossing the Chesapeake Bay today from the Magothy River to the Chester River.  All types of watercraft were moving in all directions out on the Bay, from slow, stately sailing vessels to fast, noisy cigarette boats.  It all added up to keeping her in the cockpit on constant watch.
    In Tess's experience, how closely the United States Coast Guard's "Rules of the Road" would be followed in crossing-situations could be guessed by the type of vessel she met, and she prepared accordingly.  From the predictable and orderly to the more dangerous she found commercial ship and tugboat traffic followed the letter of the Rules, fishermen followed the spirit, and many pleasure boaters didn't have a clue that Rules of the Road even existed.  Once her anchor set she could feel the tension ramp down as her focus changed to configuring Robin for the night, rather than successfully dodging other watercraft to ensure her safety.
    Anchored in Langford Creek with all awnings and wind scoops deployed in preparation for the coming heat wave, she hoped her plan would be adequate.  Surviving tomorrow's heat hinged on shade, some breeze, and constant dips in the lukewarm river water Robin floated on.  That, and drinking copious amounts of water to stay hydrated.  To