The Weather and Women Treat Me Fair (13 page)

“Where are you goin’?” Will asked.

Tate said nothing, just waved him off.

Will studied Tate’s back and seemed to find something. He leaned over the railing, again. “Caitlin,” he said in a calmer voice.

“What?”

“Sit down for a second. Please.”

She sat.

“I’m only going to say this once.” He paused. “Okay.” He rubbed a hand over his wet hair. “Will you marry me?” The boat drifted into a shadow and he could not see her face clearly. “Caitlin?”

“Hell, no,” she said, softly. “Hell, no.” Louder.

Percival Everett teaches at the University of Kentucky and lives with his wife, Shere, who is an artist, in Lexington. He is the author of three novels,
Suder, Walk Me to the Distance
and
Cutting Lisa
.