His back expands as he takes a breath. Probably to tuck down his amusement so he can keep playing the pissed-off asshole routine. All my life people have assumed I’m stupid because I’m quiet, I never interrupt, and I follow directions. But I’m quiet because saying less is always more. I never interrupt because you always miss the parts better left unsaid when you don’t let people finish. And I follow directions because it keeps things on an even keel, sailing pun intended. I haven’t always felt this way about things. But back when we were little I once asked my brother why he was always so accommodating with the demands of the Admiral. We were about eight and I was spending my days that summer learning how to sail the ship to windward, while he was working in the galley, learning how to cook potatoes or something. But his answer that day has always stuck with me. ‘Pick and choose your battles, Harp.’ I thought about that piece of advice endlessly since that day. Pick and choose your battles.
