s’s grand plan was。
Instead of answering his question； Chips pulled himself back up into a standing position。 He dusted off the thighs of his white linen pants。 “When I was your age； I was in the navy。 Didn’t have the luxury to think about how I wanted to live my life； just had to make sure I got the chance to live it another day。 You know what I’m saying； son？” he asked gruffly。 His burry Scottish accent reminded Nate of Mel Gibson as William Wallace in the movie Braveheart； rallying the clansmen before launching into an epic battle。
“Right。” Nate nodded； even though he wasn’t really sure what Chips was talking about。 “So after Palm Beach…”
“After Palm Beach； nothing。 It’s back to New York for you； sonny。 It’s time。 I’ve shown you the world。 Now you’ve got to live in it。”
Nate felt rooted to the deck of the ship。 He’d known he’d have to go back eventually； but this felt very sudden。
Just like how two girls might have felt when a certain boy decided to sail off into the sunset—alone？
Nate slid down on the yellow…wood…lacquered floorboards of the boat； trying to wrap his mind around everything。 He was going back to New York。 Back to his old life。 Back to Blair and Serena and his father nagging about what a disappointment he was。 This was Chips’s grand plan？
“Stand up；” Chips ordered。 He put down the binoculars and began winding a mass of rope around his arm。
Nate hastily got to his feet。 “You need help with that？” he asked； noticing Chips struggle as he tried to reduce one of the sails。
“No； I’m fine；” his captain responded curtly。 Nate nodded； even though he’d noticed that Chips had been dragging his bad leg more than ever。 “Listen； Nathaniel；” Chips said； more gently than before。 “These last few months