S. Welles - To Ocean's End

After getting to know the family for a month, Jessie and Mido were about to head out for a small charter vessel that would bring them back to Newport. Vacation was over and soon it would be time to get back on shipping schedule. The two of them had discussed at length what Jessie wanted to do now that Dyne was no longer cursed. She had no home to go to. She had Mido’s home and family, though. They’d been absolutely wonderful to her. Treated her like a daughter by his parents, and like a sister by his two brothers and sister, all of them older than Mido. The whole family was warm and friendly, and as loud as the next Italian family. There’d been lots of great food, great stories both funny and heartfelt, and a few about the parents that made Mido cover his ears, telling them that those were stories he could’ve lived without ever hearing. Jessie laughed through it all, touched by his parents’ passionate youth and equally passionate older age.

Warm welcome aside, the Robustelli family lived too far inland for Jessie to want to consider settling with them. She’d grown up with the sea always visible from a window. Seeing just a freshwater pond and endless forest didn’t suit her. That and she didn’t like how cold it got at night. Fireplaces were cozy and all but watching waves breaking on shore was far more soothing.

For now she would stick with Mido and the Pertinacious and see what happened.

The two of them stood outside the large house with the entire immediate family present to see them off. Lots of hugs and kisses were exchanged, and some cheek pinching from Mido’s mother, whom everyone called “Ma.”

Ma said to Jessie, “If you ever change your mind and decide you want to stay here, you’re always welcome. Working on that boat is so dangerous. I’ll rest better knowing you’re safe with us, but only if you’d be happy here. Maine is a far cry from the Mediterranean.”

“Thank you, Ma. I really appreciate it. I’ll stay in touch.”

“You better, honey.” Ma gave her one more kiss. “And make sure Mido eats enough. Take good care of my baby boy. You’ve made him very happy.” She pinched Mido’s cheek.

“I will,” Jessie said. Mido winced, then rubbed his cheek.

Ma turned to Mido. “And you,” she said, taking his face in both hands, “Take good care of her like your father has taken good care of me.”

“I will, Ma.”

“God has given you an angel. Cherish His gift.”

“I already do, Ma.”

“Good boy.” She lowered his head and kissed him on the brow.

Jessie and Mido shouldered their duffle bags, then waved as they began their hour-long trek to shore. Technology was scarce in Maine. It had less than Newport before the tsunami hit. Once they could no longer see the house through the pine trees, Mido said, “I’m glad you don’t want to stay. I was secretly hoping you’d want to come back to the Pertinacious. ”

“I could tell when we talked about it. You’re so bad at being objective when it comes to me.”

“I know. I just love you that much.”

She threaded an arm in his and hugged it close, and they exchanged a kiss. “All I know is that I want to be with you. Maybe I’ll be like the other wives and settle somewhere while you work, but not yet. I’ve got a lot of things to figure out. I’m even thinking of saving up to revive the orchard back in Paphos. Make it home again. But we’ll see.”

“You’re younger than me. You’ve got plenty of time to figure things out.”

“Maybe you’ll want to settle with me one year, if the Mediterranean suits you.”

“I still like the idea.”

Jessie smiled. “Let’s just take things slow.”

“You don’t mean no more sex, do you?”

“Not that kind of slow, you goof.” Mido winked at her. She gave his strong arm a loving squeeze. She knew he’d been joking. “I may not even want to live in Paphos again. I really wish I could’ve introduced you to my parents. The would’ve loved you.”

He kissed her temple. “Well, if we decide on Paphos, we can visit their graves often. It’d be bittersweet, but it’d be something.”

“It would.”

They stopped walking and started kissing, which slowly grew into a full make out with wandering hands. And right before the need to get Mido out of his clothes became irresistible, Jessie pulled back, gasping for breath as her heart pounded away. “Okay, my turn to stay no more of that, or else we’re gonna miss our boat to Newport.”

After four weeks, my entire crew started trickling back to Newport and onto the Pertinacious , eager to get back to making money and trotting the globe. As much as my crew loved visiting family, it was hard for them to sit still. Sailors needed to flow like tides and currents. I greeted each of them at the stern when they climbed aboard the repaired deck.

There were several blood stains on the bow, but I’d scrubbed at them when I wasn’t helping rebuild my home, or just lying around and purposely doing nothing. The stains were almost gone, the hull had been repaired by professional welders, and the only thing left that needed replacing was the harpoon gun. While on our way to San Juan, we were gonna stop by Port Chesapeake for a new one. I didn’t expect to make any money off this very belated delivery, so what was a few more days? I didn’t care. Wasn’t gonna apologize for it, unless they complained—well Sauna, my suave salesman, would do the apologizing, if the occasion called for it.

When Ed and Ted boarded, they both stopped and did a double-take. Ed said, “Captain, you’ve got some grey hair coming in!”

I ran a hand through my hair, surprised by the news.

“Just above your ears,” Ted said. “Welcome to getting older the natural way.”

“I’ll take it.” It was both a breath of relief and depressing. Yeah, I wanted to grow old and die but, I think, deep down, I wanted to skip the getting old part, since I technically was beyond ancient by human standards. However, I didn’t feel quite ready for the dying part. I felt like there was still some business I needed to attend to.

“Don’t worry,” Ed said, “you’re sporting the rugged sexy look. You’ll still get the ladies.”

“Anyway.” I tried to say it dryly but was too busy smiling. “Go unpack, you two.”

“Aw, don’t wanna hear about our family visit?” Ed said.

“After you unpack, certainly.” I’d happily listened to all the others who’d arrived so far recant their vacation. I enjoyed listening about what brought joy to my crew, getting joy out of their joy. The stories weren’t all peaches and cream, though, especially Sauna’s. He’d returned after only a couple of weeks. He came from a broken home that had been anything but pleasant. He tried to make his parents happy but, after bending over backwards for nothing, he gave up, came back to Newport, and helped me with my house and my ship.

The Pertinacious got a new paint job along the top half of her hull, tackled some repairs on the interior, and cleaned out the lockdown container, which would stay there, in case I ever decided to use it as more cargo storage space for deliveries.

Sauna was a kind, gentle, intelligent kid, despite all the crap he’d endured back home. No wonder he’d escaped to my ship at age sixteen. It wasn’t until he was helping me build my home that I realized he’d taken to me like a surrogate father. My heart reached out to the kid. I’d make sure Rammus did a good job of taking over as Captain and surrogate father, and help Sauna become a real man.

By the time everyone returned to complete my crew of twelve, counting me, I realized I had no clue when I’d retire. I thought maybe in a few months, then maybe in a few years. Maybe never. What the heck would I do with all my free time? At the very least I’d make sure everyone was taken care of before passing the torch. Still, I had a feeling retirement would come sooner than later. My time on this screwed-up yet lovable world was drawing to a close. I could feel it. Wasn’t sure how to explain it. It’s just that whenever I found myself alone and it was quiet, this sense of peace and serenity would wash over me, and all I’d want to do was just stand, sit or lie there, and enjoy the feeling.