the Scuffy - 26. Chapter 26

After cleaning up the kitchen, “I need to check Uncle’s finances. From the sounds of that motor, I may need to put the boat in dry dock sooner than later.”

“How old is the motor?”

“I think it’s the original motor. Uncle bought the boat from a friend who said it cost too much money to operate and fishing wasn’t that good. After working on the boat, it wasn’t the money, it was the maintenance. For the last ten years we have had that boat in dry dock for maintenance and repairs, I don’t think the old owner ever had it in dry dock.”

“We should be concerned about those winches. They are being pulled up from the deck. If we aren’t careful, they’ll be pulled overboard.”

“I’ll take a close look on Friday and if I think it’s time to pull her, I will.”

With our popcorn, we watched a Disney movie. Charles was on my lap, Peter was on Glen’s lap. We each had a bag of popcorn. When the movie was over, Nicky and Charles headed toward Nicky’s room. Jamie took the room opposite and Peter climbed in our bed.

“Kev, we need to finish off the fourth bedroom.”

“It just needs a bed and a dresser.”

“If it’s okay, I’ll check a few stores today.”

“Great that’ll save me time.”

Monday morning seemed to come early, I had a pair of arms around my neck with a head on my shoulder, an arm around my stomach and I could feel someone very close to me. Now to get out of this. Thanks to Glen he woke and moved Peter from my neck.

Back to routine, Nicky was up, I could smell something cooking. Brushing our teeth, heading for our workout, showering, back upstairs to get dressed for work.

“Thanks Nicky, coffee was good.” I filled a thermos to take with us. I kissed Nicky, “Thanks dear, see you at dinner.”

Glen was laughing, “I think he likes the attention you give him even if it’s joking.”

“He’s a good kid. I do like him but it’s his brother whom I love.”

Arriving at work, I took a plastic bag and put a cleaned fish in it for Marge. “Don’t forget to give some to Jim and only six to Stella.”

“What are you going to do to the rest?”

“Stop at that fish market over on Mayberry and see if they want to buy any. Uncle charges seventy-five cents a pound at the dock, the canner gives us a dollar per pound.”

“Okay, I’ll see what I can do.”

Monday was Monday, Marge was happy with her fish. I told her if one wasn’t enough to let me know and I’ll see that she gets more. I was well into my work when Glen showed up with a sandwich and a cup of coffee. “I don’t know what you did but Marge is singing your praises.”

“I just gave her a fish. It’s funny what giving things to people will do.”

“I took the six fish to Stella and then went to see Jim. I opened the chest, when he saw the fish, he was on the phone, by the time he came back, I had a line of buyers. I hope Stella doesn’t find out, I don’t know where the next Jewish deli is.”

“You gave her fish, right?”

“Yes, those boxes are great. That fish was cold and I’d bet it would taste like it just came out of the sea.”

“Did you sell any to the fish market?”

“No, I didn’t have any after Jim called around.”

“So what did you sell them for?”

“I didn’t, Jim sold them for dollar fifty per pound and then gave them a ten percent discount since this was the first time.”

“I think that’s Jim’s sales technique. Give a discount and you think you’re getting a bargain.”

“Is that what he did to us?”

“No, he was on the level with us. I checked around for prices, the chests were his price. I wonder what his next move will be.”

“Want to take a guess?”

“My guess would be he’ll ask you to deliver the fish as soon as we arrive, then he’ll take all of the fish. When customers come thinking you’d be there, he’ll sell it to them.”

“Maybe you should buy the business.”

“No, I’ll let you in on a little secret. I expect to work this job for the next ten years and then I’m going to retire.”

“Can you afford to retire?”

“Sure with my portfolio and you working I don’t see why I can’t.”

“Get something straight, you don’t retire until I do.”

“Okay, we’ll both retire in ten years.”

Glen left and I got back to work. I forgot the time and Glen came to get me. “You know you could just call me.”

“No, I like this face to face its so much better.”

On the ride home, “What do we do with this money?”

“We’ll put it in the miscellaneous fund.”

“We have a miscellaneous fund?”

“We do now.” When we pulled into the garage, “There are some good smells coming from the house.”

“Yes, let’s change quickly so we can eat. I’m really hungry.”

“Smells good boys. What do you say Glen, shall we keep them?”

“Who took the boys home?”

“Who says they are home?” Just then Charles came up from the rec room. I got a hug and so did Glen.

“Didn’t you have school today?”

“No, teachers work day. I think they spend the day marking report cards.”

“Good, but you do have school tomorrow?” The answer was a nod of the head.

“When is school over?”

“This week is the last week.”

Dinner was great or was it just that we hadn’t had a home cooked meal for a long time. “Nicky, how was the driving lesson?”

“He gave me a book I have to study. He said Friday he’ll take me to get my learners permit.”

“You have to be back in time for the boat.”

“I have his phone number, I’ll check and see if we can go on Monday instead.”