Grandfather II - 4. Chapter 4

We walked back to the boat, slowly eating our ice cream. I looked at the boys and they were smiling, I guess if I were in their shoes, I’d be smiling also. “Akela, when we get back to the boat take the sarongs we bought and wash them.” The boys went and started the wash, I started my preparations for dinner.

“Billy, can we have something to eat?”

I forgot about lunch. I fixed sandwiches with potato chips for the boys and hamburgers for Captain and Moe. The boys wanted one as well. Thinking, I’m going to need to adjust my grocery list. With lunch out of the way, I returned to preparing dinner.

“Akela, when you are finished eating ask Moe to come down. Then you two boys can help him set up for dinner tonight.”

I was involved in making dinner when Moe touched me on my shoulder. “Moe. I’d like to eat dinner on the stern deck tonight. Please move the table from the salon and get four tiki torches out to set them at the four corners. There will be six for dinner. The boys can help.”

Time flies when you’re busy. The boys came into the galley needing their hair braided. They had showered, had on the new sarongs and sandals. I took the time to braid their hair, they looked handsome, two handsome island boys “Billy, you need to shower and dress, it’s six”

Where does time go, when you are busy it flies and when you want it to fly it stands still or mouses along, at best. As I showered I wonder if I should or shouldn’t wear a sarong. The decision was made for me again by Akela. When I had done showering, shaving and brushing my teeth, Akela met me as I exited the bathroom with a sarong. He put it on me and then I realized I was naked underneath it.

“Akela, I’m naked under this”

“Yes, Island Daddy now,” he started to giggle which soon turned into a laugh. Liko came into the room to see what we were laughing about. Akela told him, speaking in the island language, which I don’t understand.

Liko laughed, “Billy, tonight you look like Island Daddy.”

Going up on deck, Moe and Captain laughed. Akela came to my defense, “No laugh, tonight Billy is Island Daddy. He is blessed by the island Gods.” I watched their faces,

“He now has an army of island boys, we better watch it.”

“I think we better start to set the table. Akela, go to the cupboard above the washing machine, there is a cloth for the table, bring it up.”

Like helped Moe to place the cloth on the table. “I’ll send up the silverware and glasses.” I went to the galley and continued to put the finishing touches on our dinner.

Akela came down to tell me our guests were arriving in the jeep. I went up on deck and watched as they drove, they slowed down and I knew why. Chaz had thought I had Grandfather I, he was surprised to see Grandfather II. As they walked up the gangway, Chaz spotted me. I thought he was going to be sick from laughing so hard. It was then I realized besides wearing a sarong, I had no shoes or sandals on. Akela and Liko were standing on either side of me. That was when I realized they also had no sandals on.

Amanda looked at Chaz, “Are you okay, why are you laughing so hard?”

“Billy, I though you had Grandfather I, your old boat. This boat is about three times bigger than your old boat.”

“Actually it is three and a half times bigger. I sold Grandfather I for a nice profit, considering I got it for free from my grandfather. This boat was being sold at an auction by the government. I made a bid and I won. I had to put a lot of money into it but the motors were brand new.”

“How about a tour?”

“Sure, unlike Grandfather I, the bridge is above the salon. There are two cabins up there for Captain and Moe. The next deck below is the working and sleeping quarters.” We proceeded to the lower deck. “The cabin at the end of the hall is my quarters, on the left side are five cabins for guests. Each cabin is outfitted with a bathroom and closet. On the right is my office, the galley and food storage including a laundry. At the far end is the engine room. Water, waste and oil storage is below us.”

“Can we see one of the cabins?”

“Sure here’s Cabin 5, all the cabins are the same except for the layout of the bathrooms and closets.

“So who is your chef?”

“At first I had a chef, but the food was too fancy and he didn’t like this or that. So I let him go and now I do the cooking.”

“Amanda, did you bring the antacid?” That got him a slap on the arm.

“Why don’t you go up on deck, you can relax and have a glass of wine, I just need a few minutes to finish off dinner.”

“Can I help?”

“Amanda, if you want to see how a chef on a boat operates, you can, but that means Chaz will be by himself on deck.”

“That’s ok, he laughed at you. He can stay there for a few minutes.”

I sent the first course up along with the salad. “We can go and have the first course.”

Walking on deck, Chaz was talking with the Captain and Moe, each had a glass of wine. Akela brought a glass of wine and handed it too Amanda. “Thank you Akela,” Akela smiled and looked at me, I winked at him.

I served the first course, an antipasto, putting the bowl of salad on the table. We all sat down and I realized the boys had nothing to drink. “Akela, I’m sorry I forgot to bring you your drinks. Could you please go and get them? They are in the first freezer as you enter the door.” I had made them milkshakes and placed them in the freezer to make sure they would be cold. He was back in a flash and set the drinks at his and Liko’s place.

When the antipasto was finished, the salad was passed with homemade rolls. “When I was in Italy, I went to a restaurant where they served a salad with fresh baked rolls, I thought maybe you would like to try it.”

“Billy, can you fix one for me?”

“Sure Liko, I’ll do one and then you can do one, ok?” I took a roll and cut off the end. I buttered the end, “Eat this while I stuff the roll.” I made a hole in the bun, took some salad and stuffed the roll. “Here eat this by pushing the roll together.”

I made one for myself, like this, of course the salad dressing leaked out but I used the piece I cut off to sop up the dressing. I watched as everyone was making a salad sandwich. “Billy, this is a clever idea. I don’t think I could use it in the dining room but the lunch room is a possibility.”

While they were finishing the salad and rolls. I went to the galley to finish the main course. I sent up plates, I knew Akela would be paying attention. The plates were loaded with pasta and meatballs in a spicy southern Italian sauce. The dish goes great with the Italian wine. I made two plates for the boys without the spicy sauce. I sent the boys plates up last to be sure they got the plates without the spicy sauce. I didn’t need to worry, guests before self, the boys said.

“Billy, may I have this recipe?”

“Amanda, I don’t write anything down. I can tell you what goes in the sauce but not the amount. The next time I make it, I’ll try and keep track of the amounts.” I watched Chaz eat, he finished his dinner and was sneaking fork fulls from Amanda’s plate. The boys noticed, looked at me and smiled. Empty and dirty plates went to the galley via the lift. I went to the galley to finish preparing the dessert.

“Billy, do you need help?”

“Not now, after our guests leave, we’ll clean up.” I sent the desserts up with two pots of coffee. By the time I got on deck, the boys were serving the desserts. I watched as they tasted the sherbet, Akela looked at me, he recognized the fruit, it was the ones he brought me.That wasn’t the only fruit I used but it was the pre-dominate fruit.

“I think it’s a shame you’re leaving so soon. You could stay an extra week or two and teach me these dishes.”

“Maybe for a wedding present.”

“Moe, take an empty wine case and put some wine in it. Here, let’s see if you can get this past your dad.”

“Billy, thank you for a great meal. an excellent wine and a great laugh, Island Daddy.”

“Be good or I’ll wear this at your wedding.” Saying goodbye, we watched as the jeep drove off. I was sure the jeep lights showed a figure standing just off the pier.