The Peter Charles - 43. Chapter 43

The boys had finished their homework by six in the evening, they turned their attention to our summer trip. One of the boys had a map of the western part of the USA and Mexico. “Dad, how far are we going?”

“You can calculate that. How far are we from the dock and how long did it take us to get here.” I watched the mental wheels turning.

“Dad, there are a lot of canneries in Alaska.”

“We can go north and then south, make a list of the cities, I’ll check out their phone numbers and specific location.”

“There aren’t too many in the US, how about Mexico and South America, can we check them out as well?”

“Sure, you know we don’t have to fish, this is a vacation cruise.”

They smiled which means we weren’t being restricted to the location of canneries.“Make sure you check out the marinas as well and particularly if we can dock The Peter Charles.”

I took a cup of coffee and headed for the bridge. I wanted to check out the charts. If we were fishing for a full load, I need to see where we are in relation to last year, and why we aren’t getting full nets. I knew the other boats weren’t this far out so we were the only boat here. I looked at the chart and compare it to last year’s chart. I realized we were not as far out as we were last year. Next week I would mark the chart and then I’m sure Nicky or Charles would take it from there. “Dad, what’s the matter? Why are you looking at the charts?”

“Charles, I was trying to figure out why our nets aren’t coming in full. We are the only ones fishing this area so we should be pulling in full nets. Come here and look, I’ll show you something.” Charles came and stood by me, “Do you see this chart? This is the chart from last year. Now look at this chart which we are using now, do you see any difference?”

I watched him as he looked at the charts, making a comparison. His face was crunched up like he was studying the charts trying to figure out what was different. Then he smiled, “We are not as far out.”

I gave him a hug, “You’re right, we are closer in to shore than last year. Here take this chart and plot our next week’s coordinates knowing what you know now.”

“Maybe we should move when the nets are up?”

“No, this is okay, we’ll move to your new coordinates next weekend.” Looking at the coordinates again, I realized something and started to laugh.

“What’s funny?”

“Where did you get this chart?”

“In that drawer”

“Nicky, can you come to the bridge? Wait, you’ll see what's funny.”

“Nicky, where did you put the charts we used to give coordinates to Jim?”

“In this drawer, why?”

“You didn’t tell Charles that these charts were for Jim, did you.” He realized that he didn’t and started to laugh.

“No, I didn’t. We have been fishing Jim’s old charts. I think, Charles, from now on we date and sign the charts so we don’t make the same mistake.”

“When I told you we’d fish using our old charts, I didn’t realize Jim’s charts where still on board. How about you go through the old charts and pull the ones we used for Jim. Bring them to me and I’ll file them away in my cabin.”

I left them to do that, walking into the galley for a new cup of coffee, Glen was sitting there reading one of the kids books. “Why are you so happy?”

“I was wondering why our fishing was not as good as last year. I thought we were following last years charts, turned out we were following last years charts only they were the ones we used to give Jim his coordinate and not the ones we used. You’ll see next week we’ll have full loads again going back.”

Again we left after the two pm pull. We weren’t full but we had a little more than last week. One hour out, Nicky or Charles, blew the horn. You could see the cannery truck pulling out heading our way. Then “Johnny, anchor aweigh, Joseph, bow lines, David, stern lines.” The engine was cut and we were home. Glen and Nicky took off for the truck and car, Andy went to the Wharf returning with two pans and Steve. Charles was busy checking weights, so Andy and Steve filled the pans with shrimp and took half of the lobsters. Johnathan had the shrimp and lobster for the cannery men who unloaded the fish. Uncle was selling fish, as I looked out I had the feeling of all is right with the world, at least my world.

The chests were moved, and we all headed to get cleaned up and deliver fish.

First stop was at Grams, she again asked me to call her during the week. I told her I would, Peter gave her fish, shrimp and a lobster. She smiled, her neighbor came out and Peter gave her a fish and some shrimp. We had to wait for Charles to get his kiss before we could leave. Lunch or late lunch was at Dad’s and this time we had hot dogs, I told the boys to make sure none were left as we didn’t want moldy hot dogs next week. We then went and delivered the fish to the home of the boys who went with us on the boat. Rusty was smiling, his dad came out and saw the fish, shrimp and lobster. Rusty took the pan, added the fish, shrimp and lobster. Being Sunday and school tomorrow, he said goodbye telling the boys he’d see them in school tomorrow.

This was repeated at all of the homes, it felt unusual in that the boys who didn’t live with us weren’t coming as they usually did. We had a late supper, a refrigerator raid. There was a lot of good food in that fridge and it tasted just as good as first time we had it. Four more weeks of school, and then summer break.

Monday night while Glen and I were eating dinner, the boys had already ate, Scott told us about the latest school gossip. It seemed that the free food they got stopped, and the kitchen help made a fuss about it. They said they were running out of food. No one told them there weren’t any kids who got free food. “I don’t understand that, the free food was for those kids who couldn’t afford to pay.”

“I think what happened since the kitchen staff weren’t informed, they were taking food home. With the delivery of free food, they could prepare food for everyone. Since there wasn’t any free food delivered, they got caught short.”

“I thought they just got cheese and butter.”

“I did also but when I called the distributor he said that it included rice and on occasion ground beef and turkey. He said they also had vegetables from the local grocery stores that expired the ‘sell by date’.”

“Wouldn’t that be bad, I wouldn’t want to eat vegetables that expired their shelf life.”

“You do every day, the shelf life for a grocery store is different than the shelf life for us. Think of it this way, the grocery store displays lettuce for five days, it’s called a sell by date, we buy it on the last day and then you keep it in the refrigerator for another three to five days.”

He smiled, “I’m going to start checking 'sell by dates' on what I buy.”

Monday was extra busy, it seems that the first quarter reports came out and everyone was active. Glen went home with Dad and left me the car. Donaldson stopped by and asked about Terry, I told him Terry was delighted. I finished at ten pm and I was tired. When I got home, I went straight to bed. Glen gave me a back rub, which I really appreciated.

The next morning after our workout on the way to work, “Why so late?”

“The first quarter reports came out which always causes everyone to jump. The funny thing it’s always the first quarter, you would think it would be after every quarter but it doesn’t happen.”

“Maybe they are adjusting with the idea of income tax. I’m sure they monitor that very closely.”

“You could be right, any loses would affect their total income and taxes for the current fiscal year.”

Walking into the lobby, Marge was smiling. Yesterday Glen gave her the fish along with shrimp and lobster. We got our usual and coffee. “Kevin, a friend wondered if he could get some seafood for next week.”

“I need to think about that, do I know this friend?”

“I don’t think so, they are special friends of mine.”

“Well, if that is the case, we’ll need to know how many guests she is planning on having.” We smiled, I kissed Glen goodbye and went to start the day.

Lunch at Stella’s, Amy was excited she was admitted to the University and her and Terry were going to celebrate tonight. “Amy, remind Terry that he has the intern job this coming summer. I’ll let you know my last day and he should come in for a refresher.” I wasn’t sure who was more happy, her or her mother.

Over the next three weeks, fishing on the week-end was better, now that we had the correct charts, we did add a few more boys, one from school and Vinni from the pizza parlor. The plaids arrived from Scotland along with a carrier, Callum. Everyone was happy, except the boys, they had two more weeks of school. Oh the noise at night, Shawn and Callum were teaching the boys how to dance, the highland fling they called it. Glen and I retreated to my office.

The first week-end that Callum was with us, he and Shawn serenaded the mermaids. Everyone in the Wharf came out when they heard the music. The boys did their dance on the dock as everyone watched, until Nicky blew the whistle.

I realized why the boys wanted their friend who was getting the free meal to come along. Besides getting the money, his family got the fish as well. I decided then, that any child that was on the free meal program would get a fish when we were fishing. Scott liked that idea and so did the boys. David came and sat on my lap, “Dad, I think what we’re doing is what we should be doing to help these people. I’m glad we can help.” I gave him a hug and I was more firm in my belief that he’d be following in the footsteps of Father Damien.

When Scott came home on Monday, he met us in the garage. “Dad, Pop there was a problem at school today, David got into trouble. I just wanted to tell you that he was right and the school was wrong. I was there and saw the whole thing.”

I looked at Glen, “Thanks Scott for the heads up. I’m sure even if you hadn’t seen what happened, David wasn’t wrong.” I thought with his faith he’d never be on the wrong side. Walking into the house it was very quiet. The boys set the table, Scott and Steve prepared dinner, we sat down, Johnathan started the prayer. With the amen, David started to cry. “David, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

“Dad, I got into trouble at school today. They want you and Pop to go in tomorrow morning.”

“Can you tell me what happened?”

“Gus, the boy who was on the boat this weekend, was telling everyone at the table about a great time he had. One of the senior boys told him told him to shut up, he wasn’t on any boat and to stop lying. Then he came over took his food and dumped it on the floor. I jumped up and punched him hard. He fell and hurt his head. They took him to the hospital.”

“Did Gus get another tray of food?” They looked at me as if to say, didn’t you hear what I said. “Did he?”

“Yes, I bought him another tray of food. He was quite upset, I told him to eat.”

“Did you have enough money, Scott?”

“Yes, I have a safety amount I keep all the time for emergencies.”

“Okay let’s finish dinner, I’ll go with you and Scott, you’ll come as well.”

After dinner I was sitting in the living room reading the newspaper, actually I was looking at the stock market, when David came in. “Dad, aren’t you mad at me?”

“No why should I be mad at you?"

“I got in trouble at school.”

“Did you start the fight?”

“No”

“Where you defending someone who did get hurt?”

“He didn’t get hurt although his lunch was ruined. That wasn’t right, he didn’t have any extra money to buy his lunch.”

“In my book, getting hurt doesn’t mean pain, it means doing something that is mean and hurts the person where it doesn’t show. I’m sure Gus was upset, that may have been his best meal of the day. The boy was a bully and he was a mean bully. I don’t like those people, they are taught to be mean, people aren’t born that way. Don’t be surprised if he isn’t being neglected or being beaten in his home. Sometimes bullies are being bullied and they take their pain out on others. After school tomorrow, Pop and I will check with the hospital.” Yep, a hug and a smile.

The next morning, we drove the kids to school. Glen and I were prepared to do battle. Scott came with us as we went to the principal’s office. Seeing Scott she told him he wasn’t needed and he could go to his class. I told her I want him to be here as he was a witness. She didn’t like that. She proceeded to tell me about David hitting this boy causing him to fall and hurt his head. She said it was unprovoked. “How do you know it was unprovoked?”

“One of the boys said he saw the whole thing. David stood up and hit him.”

“Did this witness say what happened before David hit him?”

“No”

“I would like to see this witness and hear his story.”

“You can’t, he’s in class.”

“He has a study hall now.”

She called the secretary to go and get him. He walked into the office a little cocky until he saw us sitting there.

“Principal Quinton said you saw David hit the young man who is in the hospital now, is that correct?” He nodded yes. “Can you tell us what happened before David hit him.”

“Nothing, David just went and hit him.”

“Where did this occur?”

“At David’s table.”

Principal Quinton looked at him, “You told me David went to your table and hit him. Now he was at David’s table. I think you better stop covering for him and tell us the truth.”

The kid got scared, he got caught in his lie. “He was at David’s table, there was a kid there who use to get the free lunch and he was talking about being on a fishing boat. Jim said he was full of it and went and told him that. Then Jim dumped his tray on the floor, that was when David hit him.”

“I’m sorry Mr. Jaxson and Mr. Schumer for bringing you in here. Although fighting is frown upon, there are times when that’s the best solution. However, we have a no fighting rule so David, I‘m going to have to suspend you one day.”

I thanked Principal Quinton and we left, Scott went to class, David went to work with us. He went to Dad’s shop and helped out. Lunch time he joined us at Stella’s.

“I don’t think this is really punishment do you Kev?”

“Oh yes it is, he has to put up with us old men.”

David laughed. “I know it was wrong to hit him but he deserved it.”

“Yes, and right now we’re going to go and check on him.”

We went to the hospital, I explained we’re here to see George Falace. Don came and asked me why I was here. I told him, he said the boy had a slight concussion but was released this morning. We went back to work, at six Glen and David showed up. “I told you David, he wouldn’t notice us.”

I looked up, “Is it that time already?” We laughed as I closed up shop, we left.

David was very quiet, “What’s the matter David?”

“I shouldn’t have done that. It wasn’t what I was taught or how I wanted to behave.”

“I wouldn’t beat yourself up about it, I knew a man who threw tables around and beat men with a whip. He said what they were doing was a disgrace. What this boy did was a disgrace as well.” I waited for a response.

When it came I was glad Glen was driving. He grabbed me around my shoulders and tried to hug me from the back seat. “Thanks Dad, I forgot about that man for a few moments. He did show anger just like I did, didn’t he.”

“Yes, he did and I’ll bet that wasn’t the only time.”

Glen looked at me, “It’s the second book which you don’t read.”

We were almost home when Glen began to laugh. “I do read the second book. There are lessons in it, remember the people who wrote it were my kind.”

Now we all laughed. Glen was right and David gave him a hug as well. All the boys gave David a hug, evidently Scott told them what happened. “I think the workouts are beginning show.” The boys weren’t muscular like a body builder but they were in shape and had developed some muscle. I‘d call it a toned body.