Diving In Head First

By H.D. Nels

Keith has just landed his dream job as a commercial scuba diver for Discovery Divers, but life tosses him a curve ball when his parents kick him out after they discover he’s gay. In one short morning, he finds himself homeless and alone. Luckily, a new colleague named Gerard steps in and offers to house Keith temporarily on his boat.

Gerard inherited the Lady Bertha from his dad and leases it to Discovery Divers, with himself at the helm. He’s financially independent and satisfied with his life. Now if he can only figure out his sexuality. When the handsome Keith needs urgent help, he is only too keen to assist.

When Gerard finds out what happened to Keith, he goes out of his way to help his new friend. In return, Keith goes the extra mile to help Gerard clarify the pesky question of his sexuality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Jan 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781634860154

H.D. Nels

H.D. Nels was born and raised near the ocean but now live in another type of paradise, with the Rockies just west, prairie to the east, the world’s largest assortment of dinosaur fossils only an hour away, and cowboys all around. This provides plenty of inspiration for stories. For more information, visit twitter.com/hdnels.

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Keith

Chapter 1: Keith

After high school, I took a couple of years off and worked part time jobs to pay my board at home. I tried to catch up on all kinds of new adventures. Like travel and reading—well, that was the plan. Parties and hangovers were more the reality. But the novelty of that wore off, and I lucked into what may have been the very best summer job on the planet. I was going to start on Monday as a commercial diver with a company that was the first of its kind in Halifax. How sweet was that? I’d been a recreational diver for the last six years. I had lots of experience, which was why they hired me.

Is this going to be dangerous? Mom asked, when I told her about the job.

No more than anything else if you aren’t careful, I guess. I watched as she prepared supper. It looked like she was talking to the vegetables, with only half her mind on our conversation.

Mom had always been distant with me. I wondered if it was because I couldn’t get into going to church, the way Grandma and my brothers had. Even though I hadn’t formally come out as gay, I wondered if maybe that was her issue. I tried to discuss things with her a few times, but the conversation always went round to religion, and how much better things would be if I embraced it.

Will you be going out to sea, or is it just around the harbour, Keith? Dad seemed more interested. What does the work entail?

Very physical, Dad; things like construction, demolition, salvage work, even welding and repairs.

I threw that in, because my father came from a long line of welders and metal workers. He regretted that, unlike my brothers, I didn’t take up the trade and join the family business. I saw, from the small tic at the corner of his mouth, that he was pleased. It took me a long time to learn Dad’s facial expressions. I knew from early on the look that had us kids scatter like flies. The affectionate ones were much more subtle, and harder to read.

I always felt closer to Dad, but he was very busy, at first while he tried to build his business, then later when it took off, he was always pursuing one contract or another. Sunday brunch was the only time when we got a chance to talk, but being one of five, and the youngest, I don’t think I was heard that often.

I start on Monday, and after I get my feet wet, so to speak, I’ll be taking my turn at on-call evenings, and the occasional weekends. I figure if I work until the end of the year, I’ll have my tuition covered for the term.

Keith, you know we’ll pay for that, right? Plus, the board you pay isn’t necessary either. It will all go to help with your studies.

Thanks Dad, but I like to pay my way along. It can’t be cheap, having all us grown kids here. I know your business is successful, but I feel better knowing I’m not a drain on your resources.

* * * *

Monday morning, I showed up at the Dartmouth marine slip and found my way to the Lady Bertha, a thirty-five-foot, modified Cape Islander. The boss, Jed, was there to meet me. He introduced me to the skipper, Gerard Ferguson, and my fellow divers.

Wow…Gerard made me do a double-take. He had lean muscles, and spoke with a bit of a gruff voice. Freddie was a sun chaser, who worked the coast for the summer, then skied during the winter in the mountains out west. Bobby was a rugged guy who looked like a linebacker, but had a gentle voice, and easy laugh. Bobby was the oldest of the group.

Introductions done, I was told to go to the shop and get fitted for my wetsuit. It would be three-eighths of an inch sharkskin neoprene custom suit that Jed’s wife was going to make. The guys swore by her work, and I sure didn’t plan to be the exception. I had a suit I used for recreational dives, but since I would be working longer, deeper, and into the fall season, the added thickness would be a good thing.

After I was well and truly measured, I made my way back to the slip. The guys had just come ashore, so everyone piled into Jed’s pickup, Gerard’s Jeep, and my Nissan, and we headed to the office. Jed’s organization was impressive. He got the diving business going, had a Quonset hut behind the shop and a swimming