The following is a work of gay fiction. If the subject matter is offensive to your or you are too young, please exit now. The story is the property of the author and may not be reproduced without his permission. JETjt@aol.com
EMPIRE
Chapter Forty-two
Wednesday, 2 PM, McCarran Airport, the RET hangar.
"Wow!" Look at that!" Eddie said excitedly as the family entered the cavernous building.
Parked near the hangar doors sat the new Boeing Bizjet, the business version of the manufacturer's highly successful 737 airliner. While one of the smaller commercial jetliners in use by the airlines, it had three times the interior volume of the sleek Grumman G-V, and the Bizjet came equipped with long range fuel tanks giving it the capability of inter-continental flight across either ocean adjacent to the United States, though at a slightly slower speed. What it lacked in top speed, however, it made up in creature comforts.
The boys all ran to the plane and scurried up the built-in boarding ladder to see the inside. It was one of the few times when the older men wanted to be younger. Instead, the four men just picked up their pace, then climbed the ladder and entered the interior. "Man, look at that dining table!" Ronnie shouted as the boys raced toward the back of the plane. "Jeez!!! This thing has a bedroom too and look at the bathroom! Damn! It even has a shower!"
"I guess we've had our `running commentary'," Matt quipped as they looked past the dining table at the large luxurious "great room" that constituted the main cabin. "This is great! It's almost hard to believe we're inside an airplane."
Marty Tornall, the pilot, greeted the adults.
"How do you like your new chariot?" he asked.
"It's wonderful," Ron replied. "How are the crew accommodation and flight equipment?"
"Top of the line," Marty answered. "Besides the cockpit, which will seat four crewmembers, there is a crew lounge that is twice as big as the one on the Grumman. It has Pullman type sofa/bunks that will sleep two comfortably, or four if you're `friends'", he laughed. "It's equipped with its own head and shower, and has its own small entertainment center."
An attractive young man came out of the crew cabin and joined the group of adults.
"Guys," the pilot said addressing the men. "I'd like you to meet Dennis. He's the steward on this aircraft and responsible for your comfort. Feel free to call on him, or any of the crew, if you need anything. Dennis, this is the VIP group of VIPs. The older guy there' he said giving Ron a wink is Ron Turner. Next to him is his partner and husband, Matt Davidson. The muscular hunk there is Ron's brother Tyler. With him is his other half' Dan Barnes."
"Nice to meet you gentlemen," Dennis said.
Ron offered his handshake and greeting and Dennis quickly accepted it along with the hands of the other men."
Continuing on with Marty pointing, "Right here is the galley. It's more like a small kitchen though, and capable of preparing full meals from scratch if needed. Beyond that is the dining area; the table there will seat 8 people in comfort and can be used as a conference table when it's not used for dining. Beyond that is the `living area' that is a lot more than just a bunch of seats. There are three different seating areas, one of which is grouped around a state of the art home theater, though movies can be enjoyed from anywhere in the main cabin from the dining room rearward. Just down the small hallway is a business alcove that contains all the copy, fax, and supplies needed to do business from the aircraft. Behind that is the bedroom which has a queen-size bed, a small walk in closet, and fully equipped bathroom complete with marble countertops and shower. You could live on this baby!" Marty exclaimed.
"Well, we're only going to San Diego this time," Ron reminded the pilot, "so we'd better get going."
"Never fear, chief," the pilot said with a wink. "While we were chatting, the plane was being buttoned up and the engines are now being started. We'll be rolling before you can get the boys calmed down."
"Yes, I can see that," Matt said. "We'd better get the boys seated and buckled up."
"I've got work to do," the pilot said with a wave, "See you later."
Ron picked up a telephone and pushed a button. "All those going to San Diego have 30 seconds to be seated and strapped in," his voice boomed over the plane's P.A. system. Heads started appearing and young bodies began popping into seats and were quickly belted.
Ron, Matt, Tyler and Dan took four leather seats facing each other, as Dennis made a quick tour of the plane to make sure all the boys had their seat belts on and that any loose articles that they might have disturbed were secured. Returning to the front as the aircraft neared the end of the runway for take-off; Dennis took one rearward glance and then disappeared into the cockpit.
The plane turned onto the runway but before it could stop its roll, the crew received the take-off approval from the tower. Still rolling, Marty shoved the throttles all the way forward and the aircraft quickly picked up speed, screaming down the runway, before leaping into the western sky toward their destination.
4:30 PM, San Diego Yacht Club.
The two limos carrying the Turner tribe pulled up to the curb at the Yacht club where the PT I was moored. The first stretched vehicle carried Ron, Matt, Ronnie, Jerry, Eddie and Zack, while the second held, Tyler, Dan, Nathan, Carl, and David.
The trip over had been uneventful after the initial excitement at seeing the new plane. Once in flight, the boys settled down, and the atmosphere became more subdued than one would have expected. Ron could only surmise that the passengers' thoughts had all returned to the events earlier in the day, and that each of the occupants of the plane had begun to really feel the absence of Douglas, their son, brother or friend.
The limousines' doors opened and the youngsters spilled out onto the sidewalk, their excitement revitalized. Two crewmembers from the PT I and one worker from the yacht club loaded the luggage from the limos' trunks into small trailers hooked on behind three golf carts which were comprised of two 4-passenger and one 6 passenger conveyances. Once the luggage was deposited the men and boys climbed aboard the cars with the crewmembers taking their places at the wheel. The small caravan began its trek down the winding ramps to the harbor where the PT I awaited their arrival.
The Captain, Tom Mack and three crewmembers stood on the wharf beside the boarding ramp/ladder as the vehicles approached. When they stopped near the waiting men, Tyler was the first to exit the carts stepping toward the Captain. Before he could say anything he heard Ron's voice shout, "Boys! Wait! Manners!"
The boys, led by Ronnie, were darting past the crew toward the boarding structure, but slammed on the brakes as Ron's voice reached their consciousness. Turning back to join the adults with embarrassed looks on their faces, Ronnie muttered, "Sorry dad."
Ron smiled as he and the other two men joined Tyler who was shaking hands with the Captain as the boys surrounded them all.
"It's good to meet you at last Captain," Tyler was saying. "It will be our first cruise together since you took over from your predecessor who decided to stay in Florida."
"Thank you Mr. Turner," the Captain said. "We have several new crew members too that I'll introduce to you later. Welcome aboard."
"Guys," Tyler said to the men and boys who had just arrived. "I'd like you to meet our new Captain, Thomas N. Mack."
Ron let out an involuntary chuckle. Both the Captain and Tyler grinned.
"What's so funny?" Ronnie whispered to Matt who also sported a great smile.
"The Captain's name sounds like the basketball stadium at UNLV," Matt answered in a loud whisper, "It's called the Thomas and Mack Center after two real estate visionaries who, in the 50's and 60's secured most of the land where UNLV is now located."
The boys giggled, remembering the Captain's name.
"Captain Mack, I'd like you to meet my partner Dan Barnes, my brother Ron Turner, and his partner Matt Davidson. I'll give you a run-down on the boys' names, but I won't expect you to remember them all."
He introduced all the boys in the family, then Eddie and David.
The Captain nodded, looking closely at each of the boys as their names were recited.
"It's nice to meet you all," the Captain said to the group. "I'd like to introduce you now to our Purser Joe Strickler. He'll be in charge of the crew that will be seeing to your needs. He'll introduce you to all the other crew members too."
"Where's his purse?" Jerry giggled. The other boys joined in at the joke.
Jerry received a glare from his dad Tyler, but the handsome young man just grinned and responded, "I'm gonna get you for that!"
The older men just grinned, as Ron explained about ships' crews.
"Guys," he began, addressing the boys, "On a ship the Captain is the master of everything. He's responsible for the safety of the ship, the crew and the passengers. Even the owner of the vessel is not above the Captain once we're aboard. Next is the First Mate. Normally he's also qualified to run the ship and most often is licensed as a Captain too. Then there is the Purser; he takes care of the ship's stores and running the operation inside the ship. Finally on motorized vessels is the Chief Engineer. He's responsible for the engines, the generators, water making equipment and all the other mechanical things on the ship."
"I didn't know boats had stores," Ronnie asked. "What can you buy in `em?"
"Ship's stores means food, fuel, water and things like that," Captain Mack explained. "The Purser buys all those things. That requires that he carry the ships `purse'. You were not far off, Jerry," the Captain said kindly, "but nowadays, the purser just writes checks or uses a credit card. In the days of the sailing ships, the purser actually had a bag of gold and silver coins that were used to buy supplies on the journeys that often lasted months and sometimes even years."
"Boy! I'd hate to have to stay on a boat that long!" Zack exclaimed.
"Yes, it was a hard life, Zack," Mack agreed. "It was difficult to preserve food because no one understood about pasteurization, and of course there weren't refrigerators or freezers or even cans to keep food preserved. The food would spoil and get wormy and even the fresh water would get bad."
"Man, I'm surprised that they could even get guys for the crews," Nathan observed.
"They had trouble with that too. Around the time of the birth of our nation, the English, who were the world's greatest naval power at the time had so much trouble getting crews, that their warships would stop American merchant vessels and they'd impress crewmembers off of those ships. It was a principal reason for the War of 1812."
"What did they do to impress them?" Zack asked.
"They kidnapped them," the Captain replied. "Impressed', in this case means to force them into service'."
"No wonder the Americans got pissed," Ronnie declared. "I'd be mad if someone stole me!"
"Matt and I would be pissed if someone stole you too," Ron said grinning. "Come on guys," he added, "I think it's time to get aboard."
"Yeah!" the youths agreed turning to the boarding structure.
"Let's meet in the main salon," Joe the Purser suggested. "Later we'll show you to your cabins. Your gear has all been stowed there."
"If you'll excuse me gentlemen," the Captain said as they boarded the large yacht, "I need to get to work. We'll cast off in about ten minutes."
"Thanks Captain Mack," Tyler said. "We look forward to the voyage. Thanks for the history lesson too."
"You're most welcome Mr. Turner," the Captain replied.
"It's Tyler, Captain," Ron's brother corrected. "We don't stand on formality."
"You're most welcome then, Tyler," the Captain said smiling as he left the group. "We'll do our best to make the trip enjoyable."
The men and boys followed the handsome Purser into the main salon.
"I never heard where we were going," Dan remarked.
"We're going to Cabo San Lucas on the tip of the Baja Peninsula," Tyler replied.
"Mexico?" Dan asked.
"Yes, I had Parker make sure we all had identification before we left," stated Tyler. "We need to make sure we have passports soon though. In the past you didn't need them for Canada or Mexico, but the Feds are instituting new rules that will require passports, even to travel to neighboring countries."
"I'll make sure the boys all get passports when we get back," Dan offered.
"Thanks Babe," Tyler said as they turned to the Purser who was about to speak.
"For those of you who have not been on this yacht before," he said addressing the boys, "when we finish here, I'll be giving a short guided tour. At the end of it, I'll also show you to your cabins, then you're free to do whatever you want. In about 30 minutes, we will conduct a fire drill. You will hear a siren, and the Captain announcing the drill. At that time you are all to go to your cabin where you'll find life preservers. You are to put them on and progress to the main aft, outside deck," he said pointing through the glass doors they had entered through. "I will meet you there as will other stewards. Immediately after the drill, we will serve dinner. In the meantime, light appetizer snacks will be put out in both this lounge and the upper deck lounge. Cocktails and other beverages will be served also. Are there any questions?"
Zack raised his hand.
"Yes Zack?" the cute Purser asked.
"I gotta pee. Where's the bathroom?"
Joe smiled.
"Ah, a most important question," the Purser said in praise. "The Main Lounge head is located down that corridor by the bar near the Port side entry doors," he said pointing.
"In case any of the rest of you have a similar need, we'll start the tour here in ten minutes. In the meantime we'll serve beverages and snacks for those of you who are waiting. See you here in ten minutes," he concluded.
The group broke up with Zack tearing off down the corridor. Ron, Matt, Tyler and Dan stepped to the bar and ordered drinks from the steward who had manned the well-equipped convenience.
Later Wednesday Evening
Carl and David sat inside the top deck observation lounge. They had played in the early rounds of a ping-pong tournament, but had been quickly eliminated. Nathan had won however, so rather than wait around for the tournament to end, Carl told Nathan where they were going, asking him to join them when the contest was over. They then left the game room and took the elevator to its top stop.
"Man the view up here is terrific," Carl commented looking to the east at the disappearing lights along the coastline.
"Yes it's almost spooky," David agreed. "I'm glad we came up here though. It's quiet and we've not had much time to talk in the last week or so."
"It's been a rough week, what with Douglas' passing and all. It hit us all pretty hard."
"Yeah, I can see that. I want to tell you again how sorry I am. He seemed like such a nice young guy," David said kindly.
"He was all that and more," expressed Carl. "He was the bravest guy I ever met. Not only did he bear the pain in overcoming the disabilities he was born with without complaint, he felt sure he wasn't going to make it in overcoming his cancer. Through it all he only worried about those of us he would be leaving behind, not himself."
"I wish I had known him better."
"There isn't one of us in that family that doesn't wish we'd spent more time with him too," Carl admitted with a tinge of guilt.
"Death of someone you care about sure makes you stop and think," David philosophized.
"I agree with that statement," said Carl before continuing. "I guess it makes us appreciate what we have in life more, never knowing when we'll die, but seeing the reality of it staring us in the face makes us realize how precious people are. When someone dies it leaves a great vacuum in the hearts of those who love him. That's why suicide is so selfish. In order to `escape' the person killing himself hurts those who love him. "
"Where I spent my childhood in Lebanon, life is cheap."
"Life is never cheap," Carl said with conviction. "Everyone deserves a chance to become an adult and to make the world a better place."
"That sounds so idealistic," commented Carl's friend. "It's not the way the world is."
"Of course it's idealistic," Carl replied. "The world is not perfect. There's too much hate in it, and not enough love. That's why we need to all do our part to make it better."
"No one would miss me," David said softy.
"Not true!" Carl responded, shocked that David would think that way. "I, for one, would miss you. We've become good friends. The guys in the family and even the guys at work would miss you too. You can't think that way."
"I....I..." David started to respond when Ron stepped off the elevator.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Ron asked.
"No sir," David responded, glad for a diversion.
"Hey," Carl remembered. "You said you wanted to ask Ron for a favor. Now would be a good time.
"Ask away," Ron offered sitting down beside the two young men.
"Uh... I'm working with Carl as a laborer with Turner Construction," David began.
"And doing a good job from what I hear," Ron added.
"Wow! ... Thanks!" David replied in surprise. Then quickly recovering, he continued. "I'd like to learn more about construction. I really like what we're doing and I'd like to see more. I was wondering if you could...maybe get the owners of the Stratosphere tower to let us go though it. You know, beyond the public space. I'd like to see it inside the legs and the elevators and all the stuff the public never sees."
"I only know the owner slightly," Ron said thinking on his feet. "I do know the General Manager though. I've had some conversations with him and with his banquet staff. I think maybe I could get a tour arranged."
"Can I go along too?" Carl asked.
"Sure, if we can arrange it. We might even be able to ask any of the other boys if they want to go too, but that's less likely. Taking seven or eight guys on a tour is a bit more difficult that one or two. I expect they'll want me to go with you, but I'm sure I could arrange my schedule."
"That's great Ron! Thanks," Carl said enthusiastically.
"Yes!" David agreed.
"I'll get on it right when we get back," Ron promised. "I can do it while I'm checking on our New Year's arrangements. By the way David, you're invited too."
"Invited? I'm not sure what you're inviting me too."
"We're having our New Year's party this year in the restaurant on top of the Stratosphere Tower," revealed Ron. "We have the whole restaurant reserved, so we're inviting all our closest friends, and you're one of them."
"Great!" Carl said enthusiastically, while David's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Uh.... Thanks...for the invitation," David said hesitatingly, his mind in a whir. "I'll see if I can go."
"Of course you can go," Carl enthusiastically countered. "It's going to be SO much fun!"
"Yes," Ron agreed. "We'll be able to see the New Year's fireworks from over 800 feet in the air. It's an opportunity you won't want to miss. It will give extra meaning for it to happen after the tour too. You'll know how the whole place works."
"I guess," David said with less enthusiasm than either Carl or Ron would have expected.
Ron looked at the boys and smiled.
"Well, I'd better go see what Matt's up to," Ron said as he stood. "I'll let you guys get back to whatever you were doing before."
"Thank you ...Mr. Turner," David said haltingly but trying to be polite.
"It's Ron, David," he said still smiling. "All our friends call me Ron."
"Uh...." David stammered. "Thank you, Ron."
A few minutes later, The VIP stateroom aboard the PT I
Matt heard the door latch click as Ron opened the door and entered the large stateroom, second only in size to the Owner's stateroom occupied by Tyler and Dan. Matt was concentrating however, on an article he was reading in that day's edition of the Las Vegas Review Journal.
"Holy shit!" He stated emphatically.
"Whatcha reading Babe?" Ron asked as he moved toward Matt who was dressed only in his underwear, sitting in one of the two casual overstuffed chairs that were part of the cabin's lavish furnishings.
"I brought along today's paper since there was no time to read it this morning. I stuck it in my luggage and found it on the side table here. I guess the steward found it when he unpacked our luggage."
"I never found the R-J that stimulating," commented Ron as he sat down in the other matching chair. "What did you find there?"
"Do you remember Tom Stanley? Matt asked.
"Sure, he's the guy that had an alias `Stanley Toms' and was the Activities Director at Thornton after Barry was murdered. He's the one that sexually attacked that little boy and almost killed you. He was also the brother-in-law of Sylvia Stanley who worked at the hospital, and now works for us."
"I lost track of him after the plane crash and he was blinded and taken to the hospital in Denver," Matt admitted. "You never mentioned him again either, so he just dropped out of my mind."
"I don't know how you could ever forget him," Ron said, "after what he did to you."
"I put it behind me as a bad memory. I don't like to dwell on the bad things that happen to me. It just makes me angry and upset. I'd rather look forward than try to relive the tragedies of life. You taught me that."
"Yeah, okay," Ron agreed. "I still wanted to kill the bastard though, after what he did to that kid and to you. I shouldn't say it, but I was not overly upset that he was blinded. I'm only sorry that the co-pilot on that plane was killed and the pilot and sheriff's deputy injured. So anyway, what does that have to do with the newspaper? Is there an article in there about him?"
"Yes, it says that his trial will be coming up week after next. I'm surprised that I haven't been contacted yet as a witness."
"I'm surprised too. I know we haven't been very accessible this past week or so, but I'm sure that Betty or Margaret at the office or Parker at home would have told us if there had been contact from the D.A.'s office."
"Yes, it is strange. I wonder if we should call and check it out?"
"Maybe when we get home Babe, but not before," Ron strongly suggested. "We need to just relax and have a good time on this trip. Does the article say anything else?"
"Yeah, it does," reported Matt. "It says that he regained much of his eyesight, and that the loss of vision had been caused by pressure on his optic nerve and the part of the brain that deals with vision. They used medication to help the swelling subside, and found that his personality seemed to change with the medication. They did extensive testing of his brain and did blood tests and all the rest they normally do. They found a chemical imbalance that the paper claims caused mental problems. Once that got under control with medication his entire outlook on life changed. They claimed that he became a Catholic and that he's repentant for the bad things he'd done earlier."
"Sounds more like he's got a good lawyer," Ron declared skeptically.
"Perhaps so," Matt conceded. "I'd sure like to know though. I gave up hating him rather quickly and even found some sympathy for him after I found that he'd been blinded. I feel rather bad for Sylvia and her kids too. It's hard to have a family member, even if she didn't like him, be a subject of such criminal notoriety. He is her husband's brother, you know. It's got to be hard on the kids too, especially at school."
"I guess I shouldn't be so judgmental and prejudicial," admitted Ron. "It's just that I almost lost you Matty. If you had died, I'm afraid I'd have killed him myself."
"I'm glad to know you love me that much, Big Guy, but I know you better than that. You might have felt that way for a short while, but you're far too analytical to risk our family's future. In your heart you're a very forgiving man. I love you for that."
"Perhaps you're right Babe. I don't know. I just know how I felt when your life was endangered and how enraged I felt about his attack on the young boy. If what the newspaper says is really true, maybe I'll change my mind. I'm going to have to be convinced though. Until I am, I won't be really satisfied until he's locked away, hopefully forever."
"Your earlier advice was good," Matt said with a smile. "I think we should put away the whole thing until after this trip is over."
"Okay," Ron agreed, "but I'm still going to mention it to Tyler and have him call his office on Friday after Thanksgiving to investigate the paper's story."
"That's a good idea. That way whatever can be done will be done," Matt assessed. "It will allow us to relax too. Speaking of relaxing, what would you think of moving to the bed."
"Sounds like a plan," Ron said slipping off his shoes, "as long as you're moving there with me. I'm not sure how much relaxation your thinking about, but I sure could lose some tension."
"Heh, heh, heh," Matt laughed. "You just want to take advantage of my cute body."
"I love how you read my mind Matty," Ron said with a wink as his discarded clothes hit the floor and he reached for Matt's hand, pulling him up from the chair.
Thanksgiving, Thursday morning, Cabo San Lucas
The large yacht had slowed its forward progress to a crawl as it entered the bay, called in Spanish, Bahia Cabo San Lucas. The trip southward from San Diego had taken the entire night at the yacht's 18-knot cruising speed. As it passed to the west of San Cristobal it had turned eastward rounding the southern tip of the Baja peninsula which separated the Pacific Ocean from what was called in the United States the Gulf of California, but in Mexico, the Sea of Cortez. The demarcation point was the famous arch at the west entrance of the bay, which was the termination of a peninsula of sand called Lover's beach.
Still progressing slowly ahead into the bay, the yacht again turned west and entered the small neck of the docking area of the protected marina. All the passengers of the yacht were on deck and were surprised to see a large cruise ship making a 180 degree turn on it's axis in the small body of water and then move sideways using it's bow and stern thruster to dock at the long wharf at the western side of the marina, just north of the opening. The Captain of the PT I didn't follow the large cruise ship, but instead turned toward two marina docks south of the marina's opening. After docking and securing the lines to the dock, the Captain's voice came over the yacht's public address system.
"All guests, this is the Captain. Please meet in the Main Deck lounge to discuss the itinerary in ten minutes."
From throughout the yacht, the travelers made their way to the lounge where the Captain appeared after the proscribed ten minutes.
"Good morning," Captain Mack said smiling. "I hope you slept well. I'd like to go over our itinerary for the day and weekend. Breakfast will be served aboard ship when this announcement period is over. Afterward, we suggest that you avail yourselves of a trip into town for a little sight seeing and shopping this morning. We ask that you not eat a full lunch in town for reasons that you'll soon hear, but rather pick up a light snack there or return to the ship where a light snack will be available. Please be back on board by 1 PM, as we will be casting off for an afternoon slow cruise down the east coast of the Baja Peninsula. The Thanksgiving meal will be served at 3 PM. We will be returning to the marina by 7 PM at the latest, so that you may have your choice of either shore-side or on-board activities during the evening. I have a surprise for you all, especially Ron, for Friday. You are invited to the vacation retreat of Mr. Edward Carmack, a college friend of Ron. His retreat has full access to a private beach and, I'm assured, furnished with a complete game room and all the amenities for a delightful day. Mr. Carmack is in residence this weekend and will personally be your host.
"Eddie is here?" Ron asked with excitement. "I haven't seen or heard of him in years!"
"Yes sir," Mack answered. "He called your office Monday afternoon, and Margaret told him of Douglas and of your planned trip here. He insisted on your visit. We added it to the itinerary, but it can be changed if you don't wish to go."
"I'd like nothing more than to see him," Ron replied. "He's a great guy and, as I remember, was pursuing a career in oceanography. Sorry for the interruption Captain. Please continue."
"Saturday morning, taxies are scheduled to arrive at the dock at 8:30 AM." The Captain said after looking at his notes. "They will take you to an area of the peninsula between the city of Cabo San Lucas and it's sister city San Jose Del Cabo called `the Corridor'. There you will be guests at the hotel, Hacienda Del Mar. A suite has been reserved there as your headquarters where you may rest, order food, or charge to in the event you wish to participate in parasailing, or any of the other related water sports on the hotel's beach. Joe and one of your friendly stewards will accompany the younger crowd at the hotel, while the adults are playing golf, with a 9:18 tee time, at the Jack Nicklaus designed course, Cabo Del Sol."
"On Sunday, we have chartered two fishing vessels. The day will be spent fishing for any who wish to participate. If any of you would rather remain on board, or travel into town, there will be crewmembers available to serve or accompany you if you wish. Sunday night we will begin our journey back north to San Diego, and expect to arrive there around 8 AM. That arrival time will allow you to sightsee there for the day if you wish before returning to Las Vegas. Are there any questions?"
"Yes," Eddie responded. "What does Cabo mean? It seems like everything here is Cabo something-or-other."
"Cabo in Spanish means `cape' in English," the Captain replied.
"You mean a cape like Superman has?" Zack asked.
"No, Zack," the Captain said smiling. "A `Cape' in this case is referring to a place, meaning a piece of land sticking out into the water."
"Oh," Zack replied. "I guess that makes sense."
"Anything else?" Captain Mack asked.
He looked around and seeing no `takers', smiled and said, "Breakfast will now be served and when you've finished. There will be two taxis waiting to take you into town. Have a nice morning."
3:00 PM, aboard the yacht PT I
The family and two young guests had taken their places at the large dining room table. In front of them silverware, stemware and china glistened in the lights of the chandelier. A single candle burned out of a centerpiece of flowers. On steaming platters and in serving bowls sat the chef's traditional Thanksgiving offering. Mounds of sliced turkey, a huge bowl of mashed potatoes, a vegetable salad and a `heavenly hash' fruit salad, crisply cooked vegetables, cranberry sauce as well as accompanying sauces and gravy made up the fare. Water, wines, iced tea, and soft drinks were the choices for drinking. For dessert pumpkin pies and an apple pie for those wishing something different were waiting to be served.
Once everyone was seated, Ron rose from his chair at the head of the table. He looked at his family before he began to speak.
"Matt, Tyler and Dan; boys in the family and our two guests, Tyler has asked me to speak on this occasion, even though he's the owner of this vessel and would normally do the honors," he began before taking a sip of water and clearing his throat.
"We're here together to celebrate Thanksgiving. The past couple of weeks have been very trying, rendering our emotions apart at the loss of our beloved son and brother, Douglas. It would be easy to wonder what we have to be thankful for after such a devastating loss. Douglas would be the first to answer: `We still have each other.' Of all the gifts our God has given us, nothing is as important as people, and of all people none are as important to us as our family. Eddie and David, that includes you. Even though neither of you lives with us now, we still consider you our sons and brothers."
"I, for one, would trade all the wealth I possess for Douglas' return to our midst, but it's not to be. God has taken him from us to be with him in paradise. He is happy now and I'm sure looks down upon us."
"In the centerpiece of the table is a single candle. I asked the Captain to put it there in memory of our son and brother who is gone but not forgotten. We need to remember him as he was in life, a brave and wonderful boy, rather than remember the grief we've all felt at his passing. That's the way he wanted it."
"Our God has blessed us in many ways. Some of them are material things for which we're grateful. None of those things however can compare to the gift of family and the love we share for each other. As I offer this Thanksgiving prayer, know that I pray for us all above all other things we've been given. I thank the Lord for you all and for the wonderful son and brother who brought such a ray of sunshine into our lives."
"Let us pray...."