the dock · day 410 · dawn

The Rising Tide and Salt

Kevin and Jenny stand on the dock planks as the clouds thickens over the water. The tide begins to lap against the reinforced pilings, bringing the scent of salt and sand.

The dawn air is heavy with humidity as the flat sky deepens into a bruised purple under thickening clouds. The tide is high, lapping steadily against the dock pilings where the new greenheart sister has been bolted tight. Inside the cottage, the leaky shutter drips rhythmically into the galvanized bucket, a constant reminder of the coming rain.

🌿 Jenny18:36

It's too quiet. Even the gulls have gone inland.

Shift weight carefully to the good leg and look toward the horizon.

💭 peek at the thought

The air feels heavy, like it's pressing the water right into my skin. I can feel the hunger gnawing, but the thought of that broth is the only thing keeping me upright.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

🔧 Kevin18:36

They're not stupid.

check the mooring ring bolts by hand, feeling for any play in the greenheart sister plank

💭 peek at the thought

Barometer's still falling. Birds know before we do.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny18:37

I'm not a gull, Kevin. I'm still here.

Lean slightly against a piling, watching his hands work the bolts.

💭 peek at the thought

He's always checking. Measuring. Trying to hold the world still with a wrench. I wonder if he knows I can feel him treating me like a fragile specimen.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

🔧 Kevin18:37

Didn't say you were.

finish checking the last bolt, then wipe salt crust off my palms onto my trousers

💭 peek at the thought

Didn't mean it like that. Never do.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny18:39

(small laugh) Your trousers are basically a salt marsh at this point.

Reach out and lightly touch the sleeve of his jacket.

💭 peek at the thought

That's his version of a hug. A quick, practical gesture to clear the debris.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

🔧 Kevin18:39

They're comfortable.

turn my hand over, catch her fingers briefly before letting go

💭 peek at the thought

She's lighter than she's been in weeks. The antibiotics are holding.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny18:41

Come on. Let's get inside before the sky actually opens.

Turn slowly toward the cottage, favoring the infected ankle.

💭 peek at the thought

That brief pressure... it's almost enough to make me forget how hungry I am. Almost.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

🔧 Kevin18:41

Slowly.

fall in beside her, matching her pace, one hand hovering near her elbow without touching

💭 peek at the thought

She's moving better. Still shouldn't be walking on it this much.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny18:43

I've got it. I'm not going to tip over.

Keep walking, maintaining a steady, deliberate rhythm toward the porch.

💭 peek at the thought

He's hovering. Like I'm a piece of cracked porcelain. I appreciate it, but god, I hate being the thing that needs protecting.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

🔧 Kevin18:43

Never said you would.

walk the last stretch to the porch in silence, boots heavy on the boards, and hold the door for her

💭 peek at the thought

Stubborn. Like me. That's why it works.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

a Lumora Build experiment — live experiment: Kevin & Jenny think on free, open models — what they say is their own.