Frontier - 32. FR Chapter 32

The funeral had been set for six-days’ time on Friday at Fremantle Crematorium Chapel, so with that organised, I thanked Anita for her time, and shortly after she had left, I sent a text to Isaac…

“Hi Isaac and Boys, I am leaving home in about ten minutes, so I will see you soon, Anton.”

…and another to Jasper…

“Hi, Mate, I am about to head up to Isaac’s farm. the funeral is arranged for Friday at 11am at Fremantle. We will be coming down Thursday afternoon”.

After a forty-minute drive north, I arrived at Isaac’s farm, where the boys were thrilled to see me. I let the boys show me around to see all the animals, and when we sat down to eat at lunch time, I let Isaac and the boys know about the plans for the funeral, to be held in Fremantle, next Friday, which the boys became a little upset about. I told the boys that we would return home on Monday, and we would travel to Perth on Thursday, to attend the funeral the following day.

The rest of the weekend and the start of the week, was really tough for me and the boys, and I was often finding it very over whelming and hard to cope with the whole thing. I had to spend some time on my own, to try and stay calm and collected, as there were plenty of tears amongst us. On Tuesday evening, Jasper and Simon came to the house to check on us, arriving shortly after 9pm, leaving Kirk and Leon to take care of the guests. I was pleased that they had come to give me some support.

The boys had gone to bed and were asleep when they arrived, and we quietly chatted in the lounge, over a couple cups of tea. I mentioned the idea of Anita’s to scatter the ashes in the ocean, which both Jasper and Simon thought was a touching farewell, and that it might help the boys with saying goodbye to their mum. After two hours, Jasper and Simon returned to the yacht, to complete the charter, and I headed to bed, glad to be able to talk to Simon and Jasper about the past week.

The next day was a little easier for me and the boys, as we kept busy and worked on getting the reticulation system for the trees and vines automated. We had it all working by lunch time, which I was pleased about. After lunch we spent the rest of the afternoon just relaxing and watching a few movies, and pigging out on popcorn. As the day arrived for our trip to Perth, I was up early and I packed a small suitcase with a week’s worth of clothes. Once the boys had woken up and had breakfast, I helped them to do the same, including their yacht uniforms, as I had done.

Before lunch, I made a call to the hospital to check on Gramps condition, and I was informed that he was still in a coma, and there was no change. After we did a final check on the automated reticulation, which Isaac would come down and check on at the weekend, as I was not sure what we would be doing once the funeral and the spreading of the ashes has taken place, we made the 2 ½ hour long journey south to Fremantle, where I had booked us into a hotel. At dinner the previous night, the boys had asked me when they would be going back onto the yacht, and I let them know that we would be going back on board after the funeral on Friday.

From our hotel suite, we could see the Success boat harbour, and to the north-west in the distance we could see Rottnest Island, and looking at my watch and seeing that it was 3.35pm, I knew that the Last Frontier trimaran, would soon be visible, as it made its way to the Success harbour on Mews Road to drop off the guests from the charter. When the boys came out onto the balcony to join me, I spotted the trimaran approaching.

“What are you looking at, Anton?” Neale asked me, and I pointed out towards the yacht that was approaching.

“Is that our yacht?” Jedd asked and I nodded my head. Silently we watched her sail into the harbour, before lowering her mainsail and cruising in on power for the last part of the journey. I retrieved my phone and dialled Jasper’s mobile number.

“Hi, Anton. We have just arrived at Fremantle,” Jasper said as he answered the call.

“I know. We have been watching you from our hotel balcony,” I replied with a smile, making Jasper laugh. Then he shouted out some orders to the crew, before returning to the call.

“Sorry about that. There is a bit of a current in the harbour. Just making sure the yacht doesn’t work loose from its mooring ropes,” Jasper said.

“How about everyone meet here at the Esplanade hotel for dinner - my treat? Say 7pm at the restaurant,” I said to Jasper.

“Ok, Boss. I will let the others know. We have a bit of cleaning up to do, so we will see you then,” Jasper replied before ending the call.

I went back inside and using the suite phone, I called the restaurant to book a table for 7 people for 7pm. Once this was done and with two hours of free time, the boys and I went for a walk around town. We visited the Roundhouse Prison Museum and the Maritime Museum.

When we returned to our hotel suite, we just had enough time to shower and change in time for dinner downstairs. I was happy to see the whole crew present. What I wasn’t expecting was to see two extra place settings at our table, as we sat down. I was about to ask Jasper who the extra places were for, when there was a tap on my shoulder, and looking around I was stunned to see Vic and Rita standing behind me.

“Wow, what are you guys doing here? This is totally unexpected,” I said as I stood and shook their hands.

“We originally came to spend some time with our co-owners, but when we contacted Jasper when we landed in Sydney, and heard the news, we decided to spend a few days over there before coming over today, in time to give you some support for tomorrow,” Rita announced.

“Well, it is a pleasant surprise and I’m so thankful that you are here. Vic and Rita, these are my half-brothers – Neale and Jedd Wallis,” I replied as I made the introductions to the boys. I explained to my brothers that Vic and Rita are the Canadian couple that sold the trimaran to Gramps and I.

After a wonderful dinner, Simon took the boys up to the suite, so I could chat to Jasper, Vic and Rita.

“Anita called me today. She said to let you know that everything is set. The funeral directors will be at the front gate of Fremantle Cemetery at 10.45am, ready for a 10.55am start,” Jasper informed me, and I started to feel teary again. Rita gave me a sideways hug in support.

“The ashes will be available to collect at 3pm, so we and Jasper have thought of suggesting a sail out late in the afternoon, for a sunset spreading of the ashes at sea,” Vic said to me. I nodded my head in understanding.

I thanked everyone for their continual support and wished everyone a goodnight. I made my way up to the hotel suite, where Simon was watching a little bit of television when I arrived.

“Hey, Buddy. Thanks heaps for looking after them,” I said to Simon as he stood up and approached me, and wrapped his arms around me.

“You are most welcome. They have showered and are in bed and went asleep right away,” Simon replied as he released me.

“I’ve been told of the afternoon arrangements. I think after the funeral, we will move over to the yacht, and spend a few days on board, before we head back home to Jurien Bay,” I said to my good friend.

“Ok. Well, I will let you get some sleep. See you in the morning at the cemetery,” Simon said as he made his way out of the suite.

Once I had checked on the boys, I had a shower and went to bed feeling exhausted from all that had happened.

The next morning, I made sure the boys were up and dressed, and we made our way downstairs to the dining room for a late breakfast. Back at the suite afterwards, we dressed in our best clothes. A call from reception, informed me that a limousine from the funeral directors had arrived, and we were driven to the front gate of the cemetery, where I was shocked to see a small crowd had gathered for our mother’s funeral, as we stopped behind the hearse.

The event was very emotional for the boys and myself, and as the service came to a close, we were in tears as we watched the casket disappear. Once we had left the crematorium, the limo drove us to the harbour, where we boarded our yacht, and found all the crew including Vic and Rita on board, plus about half a dozen other people. I realised that I knew some of them.

Mr Langton from Jurien Bay District High School, Mrs Julia Adamson from Leeman Primary, Isaac Adamson, Anita Cartwright and Nathan, plus Toby and Finn, Mr Lincoln from the Jurien Marine store. I was really surprised to see George and Mimi Fenton from the UK were even there. Vic, Kirk and Leon were busy serving refreshments and snacks to all gathered on the yacht, and I found Simon and Rita downstairs in the galley busy putting together snacks for the guests, that had attended the service.

As the last guests left the yacht, shortly before 2pm, leaving just the permanent crew, plus Vic and Rita remaining, I left the boys on the yacht, while I went to retrieve our luggage from the hotel, where I found George and Mimi in the lobby lounge.

“Hello, Anton. How are you feeling now all of that is finally over?” Mimi said to me.

“A little bit better thanks, Mrs Fenton. Did you come all this way, just to attend my mother’s funeral?” I asked the Fenton’s, still surprised that they had attended.

“Actually, we have booked a charter with Jasper, from Fremantle to Albany, for next week,” George announced, which caught me by surprise.

“Wow, I had no idea,” I replied shocked, and Mimi chuckled.

“We asked Jasper not to tell you, when we learnt about the funeral, so you could concentrate on what needed to be done,” Mimi announced.

“Thank you for that. I will leave it up to Jasper to organise the charter. If you would excuse me now, I have to collect my luggage, and return to the yacht,” I said politely before leaving.

Once I was back at the yacht, Jasper wasn’t around and I went down to the galley where I found Simon finishing cleaning up.

“Hi, Buddy. How you feeling?” he said to me as he saw me arrive.

I took a deep breath and sighed. “I will feel better once the ashes have been released out to sea,” I replied, and I sat down at the crew mess, where Simon handed me a cup of tea.

“Jasper has gone to collect the ashes from the crematorium, and the boys are sleeping in their cabin,” Simon said to me before returning to the galley, where he started preparations for dinner for all the crew.

When Jasper returned, along with Isaac, Anita and Nathan, we set off westwards out to sea, and as the sun began to head towards the horizon, we stopped sailing. We were approximately 55 km’s out from the mainland.

With all of us gathered on the swimming platform, I handed the box containing the ashes to Neale and Jedd. Both had tears in their eyes, and I stood behind them, with my hands resting on their shoulders, whispering encouragement and suggesting to them what to do. Out loud I said to all gathered, “We commit the ashes of our dear mother, Suzanne, to these ocean waters. We will always remember you. Rest in peace.” With that the boys opened the box and leaning over the edge, they tipped the ashes into the ocean.

Jasper handed me three red roses, and I gave one each to my brothers. I kissed the rose. and dropped it into the ocean. “Goodbye, Mum,” I said softly, and the boys copied my actions, before turning and burying themselves into my arms and crying.

After the ashes had been dealt with, we all sat down at the dining table for a sombre dinner, before we made the two-hour journey back to Fremantle.

The boys were asleep for the whole journey, which I was pleased about, and I spent the whole journey on the fly bridge, trying to avoid any people, while Jasper skippered the yacht from the main bridge. Once finished cleaning up, Simon and the lads kept Isaac, Vic and Rita entertained in the formal lounge. As we approached the boat harbour, Jasper arrived on the fly bridge, and he looked at me for a moment.

“Are you ok, Boss?” he asked me concerned, and I sighed heavily.

“Oh, it’s just been a bit too much to handle. I am so confused and feel hopeless. I I’m feeling the weight of the responsibility of owning a million-dollar trimaran yacht, and having responsibility for a crew of 4, and now I have to worry about the welfare of my two young brothers, and I am only 17-years old,” I replied.

“Mate, I think you have gone through a heck of a lot in such a short time, and you have survived everything that has happened. You are the strongest and bravest young man I have ever known, and I am proud to be part of your life,” Jasper said to me, and he faced forward to navigate the yacht.

“I too, am very proud of you, and glad to be your friend and crew member,” Simon said as he came up the stairs.

I now had tears in my eyes, and was not sure what to say, when Jasper used the two – way radio to call the lads to lower the mainsail.

“Thanks, Guys. I don’t know what I would have done without your support,” I eventually said. Simon sat next to me and gave me a sideways hug, as we approached the harbour. Jasper had the lads moor the yacht at the same location as before.

As I headed downstairs to the main deck. Isaac was talking to Vic and Rita and they turned to face me when I arrived.

“I will be heading back home tomorrow morning. I have a hotel room already, so I will say goodnight, and wish you a safe journey, no matter where it may lead you,” Isaac said to me, and I shook his hand before he left.

“We will retire for the night and see you in the morning,” Rita said, and they made their way over to the pontoon cabin, next to Jasper’s cabin, to retire for the night.

Once I had checked on the boys, I retired to my cabin next door, and tried to get some sleep. I tossed and turned for most of the night. When I woke up the next morning to the sound of my brothers talking to Simon in the galley nearby, I got up, showered and dressed, and made my way to the crew mess to have some breakfast.

“Good morning, Anton,” the boys chorused, and I smiled as they sounded happy.

“Good morning, Guys,” I said in reply, as I sat down next to them.

Simon handed me a cup of tea. “Good morning, Boss. Jasper has been up most of the night on watch, so he is sleeping at the moment. Vic, Rita and the lads have had breakfast, and they are spending the day onshore. Jasper said he will want to talk to you about the next charter, when he wakes up at 11am,” Simon said to me, and I nodded my head in understanding.

A few minutes later the satellite phone, which was sitting on the galley work bench, began to ring, and Simon picked it up.

“Hamilton Ocean Charters, Simon speaking,” he said on answering the call. He listened for a few moments, before turning to me and handing me the phone. “The hospital. They have some news regarding your gramps,” Simon said to me.

“Hello this is Anton Hamilton… yes I am Marcus Harrington’s grandson,” I said to the caller. I was informed that Gramps had come out of his coma, and he was in the intensive care ward. I thanked the caller for letting me know, and ended the call. “Can you look after the boys? I need to go and check on Gramps,” I said to Simon, and he nodded his head.

Grabbing my wallet and car keys, I headed to my car in the harbour carpark, and I drove to the city, which took 45 minutes with all the traffic. When I finally arrived at the hospital, I made my way to the intensive care unit, where I introduced myself, and showed my driver’s license ID, before being allowed inside. I was shown to the room, where Gramps was resting. Although he was attached to lots of cables and hoses, he was still the same Gramps and I smiled as I approached his bed.

“Hello, Gramps. It’s Anton, your oldest grandson. I am so glad that you have come out of your coma,” I said to him. Suddenly he opened his eyes and he smiled to me.

“Hello, Grandson. It is good to hear your voice,” he said to me.

“It’s great to hear you too, Gramps” I replied happily.

Gramps frowned for a moment. “What happened? And where is your mother?” Gramps said to me, which made me start crying.

Eventually I settled, and took some deep breaths. “You were in a car crash Gramps. You were seriously injured and in a coma for a week. Mum died instantly in the crash. The funeral was yesterday, and we spread her ashes about 50 kilometres out in the ocean last night at sunset,” I eventually said to Gramps.

“I am sorry for your loss. How are your brothers coping?” Gramps asked me.

“As well as can be expected. We are staying on the yacht for a while.

“I have the watering system automated at home, and Isaac will check it on the weekends. Vic and Rita, Isaac, a school representative from Leeman and Jurien schools, plus Anita, Nathan, Toby and Finn came down for the funeral, and the third charter which was postponed till after the funeral, ends up being George and Mimi Fenton, who also attended the funeral. They are staying at the Esplanade Hotel for a few more days,” I said to Gramps.

“Ok. Well, you take care of your brothers, and I will concentrate on getting better. If you need to take the yacht and just go anywhere - some place where you cannot be found - …” Gramps said to me.

“I will do that if need to. Just get better please, Gramps. The boys and I miss you very much,” I said to Gramps. After a short chat, Gramps fell asleep, and I headed out of the hospital, and drove back to Fremantle.