the Scuffy - 28. Chapter 28

We thought the horn was loud in the cabins, on deck it was really loud. I covered Charles’s ears as soon as I heard the first blast. The nice thing about being on deck, we were the first to bless the ocean.

“Let’s go and see who else is up.”

“Good morning Peter, that whistle was loud wasn't it. Charles, go down and pound on Cabin1 but do not go in.”

He didn’t have to go down, the boys came up. They smelled, “Did you guys check your pants?” Glen, Charles and I laughed. “Okay guys, let’s go. We got nets to get in and then breakfast.”

Glen and Nicky pulled up the port net, it was full but not bursting full. As the fish landed on the deck, Charles, Johnny and Scott started to push the fish to the hold. I grabbed the tuna for the tins.

“Okay, Jamie you help me pull the starboard net.” I’m not sure why but this net was very full. As we dumped the net, Glen grabbed the tuna and the boys pushed the fish toward the hold. I was surprised the hold was three-fourth full The starboard net must have been loaded. Nets back in the water, time for breakfast. Again everyone played their role.

”Well, Scott how do you like fishing?”

“I think it’s a lot of work, but I’d like to make one recommendation, no more baked beans.”

I laughed, this kid is going to be okay. I grabbed hm and gave him a big hug. “Okay, no more baked beans.”

“Nicky, I think you should air out your cabin.”

“Where did you sleep last night?”

“On the deck” I saw Scott and Johnny’s head together. “Glen, want to bet there will be two more on the deck tonight?”

“I should kick Nicky’s tail for buying them.”

I went down and checked the motor over. I couldn’t find any water in the new cans of oil. With the engine off, I drained the oil reserve and filled it with fresh oil.

“Uncle, have you ever had water in the oil tanks for the motors?”

“No, not that I remember. To put water in the oil reserve you would have to remove the top. Why do you ask?”

“Last night when we left the dock, the engine wasn’t sounding right. I went down and found water and oil in the heads. I drained the heads, poured in new oil and they started right up. Just now I checked the oil reservoir that feeds the heads, there’s water in that as well. I drained everything and filled it with new oil. I think we need to lock up the boat at night.”

It was three and we pulled the nets again. There was less but the holding tank was full, we still had the livebait holding tank and a few empty tins. We dropped the nets again and had lunch. “Uncle, we need to check the weather report.”

“They are saying the swells are now five to six feet and the storm is moving fast.”

I looked out and you could see the dark clouds coming in. “Nicky, we’re going in, nets down.” I went and pulled the anchor. “Boys, we are in for a storm, so we are heading home. Stay in the cabin. Nicky got it?”

He turned the boat and we headed home. When he was three miles out he blew the horn. “Jim, this is the Scuffy, we are headed home. Keep your eye on the storm.”

As we approached the dock, we pulled the starboard net. Surprisingly it was full.

The boys went to work, all holds were filled and now we were filling the tins. Then we pulled the port net, it was full as well. There were two tuna in it. We continued to fill the tins and my ice chests as well. After loading everything we had, we still had fish in the net. “Charles, take Scott and bring up what tins we have below.” They brought ten tins which handled what was in the net.

With the help of the cannery guys, we began to unload our haul. Nicky and Charles checked the weights. Everything unloaded, Glen headed out to get clean and bring the truck down.

“There’s Jim coming in. I wonder how he did?” Jim’s boat docked about three wharfs up from us.

“Uncle, go and see how he did and if he needs any help.”

Just as Glen pulled the truck up to the dock, Uncle came back. “He did okay, he said if you guys had nothing to do he’d appreciate the help.”

I saw Johnny and Scott heading out to help. In the meantime, Glen and I got the chests loaded on the truck, he headed home and I headed to see how my boys were doing.

“Looks like you are almost finished unloading.”

“Yes, these boys really pitched in. You know I’m not sure about the mermaid thing, but this is twice I have come in with a full load.”

I just smiled, “How did you get rid of your tail?”

“I didn’t, I’m not sure what happened but I got your message, the sea seemed to settle down and we made good time. When we went and looked back, they were still bobbing along. I think the storm made them change their mind.”

I just looked at him and smiled.

“No way was it a result of your mermaid.”

I laughed as the boys and I returned to the truck. I picked up the receipts, getting them ready for the bank. Walking home, Peter in his usual place, I dropped off the deposit and headed home. We showered, Scott was a little hesitant, it was Johnny who told him it was like a shower in school. He also told him about the three bottles of soap.

When everyone was clean, dressed in our sweats and flip-flops along with our ‘the Peter Charles’ T-shirts, we were ready to deliver fish. The first stop was the Wharf. We all walked in with the small ice chest, every one looked at us, Barney laughed, but he smiled as we headed for the kitchen.

“Mary, fish for the Captain’s table.”

“Who are these smart looking boys and what is the Peter Charles?”

“That’s our new boat,” I don’t know why I said that, I had no intention of buying a new boat.

“Kevin, there’s plenty of fish, why don’t you and the boys sit down and have a good fish dinner.”

I looked at the boys, they shocked their heads yes, “Well, I guess the answer is yes.”

“Go and sit at a table and I’ll have Andy bring it to you.”

“Who’s Andy? As long as I have been coming here you never had anyone help you.”

“Andy is my nephew. He had trouble at school so my sister sent him here to finish.”

“Mary, can you tell me what kind of trouble? I may be able to help, boys go and get a table, I’ll be there shortly.”

“The problem was that he was picked on because he’s gay. He got in a fight with this kid who had been tormenting him all year. He put the kid in the hospital. His parents are afraid for him, so they sent him here. He’s a good kid.”

“Mary, you know me, do you trust me?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Tell Andy to get his clothes and put them in my truck. Tell hm he’s moving in with a friend who can help him, but he has to work a fishing boat.”

I went and sat down at the table with the boys. “Okay guys, we have a new crew member. His name is Andy and he’s Mary and Barney’s nephew. I want you to make him welcome. He had a rough time and needs some love.”

As I said that, this good looking kid with a suitcase and duffle bag was talking to Barney. Barney said something to the kid, gabbed him and gave him a hug. The kid headed to our table.

“Uncle Barney said you wanted me to move in with you all.”

“Well, Andy not all of us live in the same house. My name is Kevin, that is Glen my boyfriend. Guys introduce yourselves.”

I watched my crew. When Andy sat down, Peter got off Glen’s lap and tried to climb on Andy’s lap, Andy lifted him up. “My name is Peter and that’s my dad and that’s my pap. We work the boat, but you need different clothes to work the boat, don’t worry my dad will help.”

I watched Andy’s expression, he smiled at Peter, he got a hug. Mary brought the food out, serving the Captain’s table first. Barney helped her bring the food. I don’t know if I was hungry or not, but the fish was very good. I looked over at the Captain’s table and Jim was telling about the crazy way the ocean was reacting.

One of the captains said he was trying to follow him but the sea was too rough.

“Andy, is that all of your clothing?”

“No, I have some more upstairs, but I can get those tomorrow.”

“Glen, why don’t you take that home and drop it off, we’ll meet you outside.” I paid Uncle’s bill and gave Barney an extra fifty. Glen returned, he gave some clothes to Andy.

“Go and change into these”

When he came back he was dressed like the other boys. Barney saw him and gave him a hug. “Now I know you’ll have fun and be well looked after. Go show your aunt.”

Andy walked into Mary’s kitchen, she turned and with just a glimpse, she didn’t recognize Andy since he was dressed like the other boys. “Do you need something?

“Aunt Mary, it’s me Andy.”

“Oh Andy, I’m sorry. I just got a glimpse of a boy dressed as one of Kevin’s boys and thought you were one of them. I must say I think you’ll fit right in. Next week you’ll be bringing me fish.”

“Do you think they will let me go with them?”

“Since you’re dressed like them, I think so.” Mary gave him a kiss on the cheek, “Scoot”

Andy didn’t know that his journey that night had just began.