dressed and told Sam she would see him tomorrow.
Sam putted around the boat for a bit. He straightened things up and poured himself a small snifter of brandy, which he had already stocked in the little bar, full of all his treats. He took his glass and went up to the deck and enjoyed a few moments, admiring his new toy. He was excited to be doing this with Maria.
This trip was different, from any of the rest. He was always calling Maria and inviting her on a vacation, a weekend get-away here and there, and she always was excited and had a good time, but this time she made the call, she called him and asked him if they could go on this trip and she was willing to spend some real time with her. Maria seemed to have a distance with him. There was this uncertainty that he wondered. Did she really love him or not? Shortly after doing his hair, they became great friends. Sam thought she was the sweetest girl he had ever met. She was not only beautiful, but she was a sweetheart, not a mean bone in her body. She worked hard, making people happy, tending to their needs, both physically and emotionally. She was easy to get along with and had a funny wit about her. What he liked the most was the fact that she was always so positive. She always had a smile on her face and looked at adversity with a positive view.
Sam talked to Maria about many things in his life. He shared his feelings about his childhood. She was not a judgmental person and had the ability to listen and give advice, but never in a way that seemed like dictating. She had this way of listening to him and talking to him, like she had been there, in his life, the whole time.
He did not have the greatest love for his father, and it tormented him deeply. When his father died, Sam was happy and torn. For once he was now able to be who he wanted to be. He wanted to be an artist, in the worst way. He had talent and the desire, but his father would catch him drawing, in his sketch book, and he’d get on him, “what the hell kind of profession is that, put that away.”
So, Sam would keep his drawings to himself and instead focus on what his father wanted him to do, which was to run his business with him. Sam had no interest in fishing. He loved the water and the ocean always made him feel the most at ease, but it was not the fishing that interested him, it was the scenery and the love of the ocean.
On the outside, he was strong, and, on the inside, he always felt not worthy. He never felt good enough for his dad. His dad never complimented him, never told him he loved him, never showed him affection or attention. He was a very cold man. And for Sam, the best way to counteract that, was to go the other way. Try to be as cheerful as possible, spend the money and gamble and drink and have fun. And that is what he did for an awfully long time.
When Sam was with Maria, whether getting his hair cut or spending time with her, he was able to relax and just be himself. He always felt like he was at ease, like he had just let out a deep breath.
So, this trip for him was just sweet. He had thoughts that he would buy a ring and maybe he would pop the question. He wanted to, but was not sure if she would, he wanted to make sure she was going to say yes.
So, with that in mind he drank the last sip of brandy and headed off “The Pretty Lady” and straight to the jewelers just to check things out. Maybe he should get one just in case the timing was right.
The next day, Maria called Sam from the shop.
“Hey Sam, I am all ready to go for this Friday if you’d like. I have got everything set here. How is Sumshi doing on his end. Does he have all that he needs?” She was so excited; he could hear it in her voice.
“Hey, doll. I think he is ready to go. I will give him a yell and see what he says. I basically have my stuff all ready. Did you pack that black bikini? Hey, do you want to do some shopping before we go?” Sam said, teasing her,
“I can think of some things to buy you.” he concluded
“Yes, I didn’t forget. You perv. Is that all you think of?”
“Well, not all that I think of. I like those red shorts you wear too.” He chuckled and then continued. “Okay, for real, do you want to go shopping for anything, or are you all set?” said Sam, double checking.
“I’m good. See you later.”
Chapter Five
So, the voyage began and the three-set sail, planning a month of the expedition, to find the Island with the Crystal Core. As the trip started, Maria could barely control her excitement.
The first week she literally drove Sam crazy, going repeatedly over the maps and stories. He finally told her to chill out and relax. After all, they had plenty of time. Maria laughed and realized she was tense, so she sat back and tried to enjoy the trip. It could not have been any better at this point. She was on her way. She had gotten everything set, it was all in motion, she had the shop all under control and everyone was taking care of things. She was having a hard time relaxing with the excitement of being on the trip and the anxiety of what would come to pass.
The weather was perfect, the sky full of sunshine and the water as calm and as smooth as glass. The days were spent on the deck. Sam was always taking his position at the wheel, the proud sailor on a quest for gold, with a cigar dangling from his mouth and a martini in his hand. He really was quite a sight. If he was not at the wheel, he was puttering fixing things or cleaning the sails. He said if the sails were not cleaned daily, the salty air weakened the threads, which could cause a lot of damage. He had a huge 16-foot mop, and he cleaned the sails faithfully. It seemed to be a lot more work than Maria cared to learn. Sam loved it though. His boat was his pride and joy, and it was truly his own and something his father did not leave to him. I guess that made him love it more.
“Sam, what do you say, let’s take a break from sailing and take a dip.” Maria suggested one afternoon.
“That sounds great. Hey Sumshi, let us put it on hold for a bit and take a swim?”
Sumshi slowed the boat down until it stopped and set anchor so the two could swim. He went about his business, as usual.
Maria stood along the railing and dove in. The water felt great. It was cold but refreshing. She swam around for a few minutes.
“Hey, are you coming in?” She yelled up
“I’m all set. I like watching you.” Sam responded. He did not really want to jump in. He loved the ocean, but always had a slight fear of “Jaws”.
“Oh, come on, you’re a big boob, it feels great.”
“I’m okay, really.”
“Alright. I am going to frolic and enjoy myself.” Which Maria did for a few moments, before finding her way over to the ladder.
Sam had a towel waiting for her when she came aboard.
“Did you enjoy?” He asked as he wrapped her in the towel.
“That was so refreshing. The water is so crystal clear. You should have joined me.”
Sumshi pulled up the anchor and they started off again.
The evenings, of course, were full of wining and dining and dancing beneath the moonlight sky. There was a very mystical feeling being out in the ocean, sailing under the stars. There was a feeling of complete aloneness. It was not the same as being alone when one would normally have quiet time. This feeling was almost a deep meditative state. Not a thought in your mind, just the bright stars and a dark sky surrounding you. The water swaying against the boat and the reality that you are surround by a vast ocean. It really makes you realize just how small we really are.
Maria would often sit out at the railing and watch the star filled sky. It was so relaxing, mysterious, and arousing, and the thoughts of all that she had planned, and the excitement of the Island was sometimes intoxicating.
All in all, the trip started very well, and for everyone, it was a little different. Each had their own thoughts and excitements and often all three would be lost in that dreamland of wondering.
“Sumshi, can I prepare dinner tonight?” Maria asked one night.
He looked