Their Greek Island Reunion. Carol Grace

With the help of the eight other men he loosened the other blocks and pushed the first boat out over the side. The ferry was starting to list.

      “Get in,” he yelled at the members of the group. “I’ll lower the boat after it’s loaded.”

      He helped Marilyn in first then a small Greek woman, then Robbins, followed by his students and the others. He motioned for Olivia to get in.

      “I’m waiting for you.”

      “No, you’re not,” he told her. “Get in.”

      She opened her mouth to protest, but he pushed her into the boat. She clamped her mouth shut and glared at him. He knew that look. She was mad as hell at him. When the boat was full, he pulled the release lever and the boat moved slowly down toward the water.

      “What about you, Jack?” one of the students yelled.

      “I’ll get off. Just don’t rock the boat. When you hit the water, unhook the winch cables, front and back. Do you understand?”

      The guy yelled something that sounded affirmative. Jack caught Olivia’s eye and she definitely didn’t look happy.

      “If you don’t do it, the boat will be pulled down with the ferry,” he shouted at her. “This is important. Got it?”

      He pointed to the cables. Olivia, looking pale and determined, nodded. Sure, she was mad at him, but she’d do what she had to do. “Good girl,” he muttered under his breath.

      The lifeboat hit the water. Olivia was bounced off her seat and came down again with a thud. Damn Jack for playing the hero. He should be in this boat with them. They needed him. As usual, he took charge, did whatever he damn well pleased, thinking he knew what was best for everyone. She followed his directions, struggling with the cable hook until it came free.

      She looked up at him. He gave her a thumbs-up and she heaved a sigh of relief. He’d figure out a way to join them. The hook banged against the side of the ferry. She glanced at the college kid to make sure he’d released the cable at the other end. He had.

      She looked up again. Now where was he? The deck was engulfed in smoke and flames. Two men had found the oars in the lifeboat and were paddling like mad, putting space between the lifeboat and the ferry.

      “Wait,” she cried. Her throat was raw. Her voice shook. “Stop. We can’t leave without Jack.”

      “We have to get away before the ship capsizes,” someone next to her said. “If he’s still up there, he’ll jump.”

      The lifeboat drifted away from the stricken ferry as a black column of smoke rose into the sky. A second lifeboat appeared from around the ship’s stern. Frantic, Olivia scanned the passengers, but Jack wasn’t among them. Nearly hysterical, she looked up at the ship, which was listing at a terrifying angle. There he was, still on board, helping a straggler with his life vest.

      “Jack, jump!” she shouted. “It’s going down. Get off!” She watched as Jack helped the old man crawl over the railing and drop into the water, all in slow motion. Then almost methodically, Jack checked the straps on his own life vest. Her heart in her throat, she watched while he climbed onto the railing and jumped into the water. The deck disappeared in smoke. Furious with him, she felt helpless tears run down her face. He was gone.