Author: John Stark

The two old friends from Waynedale met at the Key West Marina and the Captain was chomping at the bit to get underway. No mention was made of hurricane season because the chop, big waves and storm clouds said it all. In the years these two friends had sailed together the Captain set sail when he decided

Shark Boy was up early, on Saturday it was the day of the town rally and he still had some loose ends to secure. Jini and Aura were sleeping when he descended into Jessie’s boat and headed for Henley Key. In order for the shark to enter Cruz Bay from the direction of the Puerto Rican Trench,

Shark Boy’s flight from Miami International back to St. Thomas Airport was almost the reverse course of the one him and his Dad sailed two months earlier. The big difference of course was the time element. Their trip north by sailboat to the New River Marina took over a week and the flight back

As darkness covered the earth Dave saw the lights of Miami International appear in the distance. His Dad was fast asleep so Dave let him sleep. Jesse’s pilot came on the intercom and said to fasten their seat belts because he was beginning his descent. Dave got the briefcase full of fresh Cuban

Early Monday morning the sun rose over Key West and it was another magnificent day with snow-white cumulous clouds billowing above. Dave’s Dad woke him and asked him to get ready for their flight out of Key West–Jesse’s plane was scheduled to arrive there at 0900 hrs. Dave noticed

After the union boss told the same story twice at Sloppy Joe’s, Dave excused himself and walked back to their beach house. It was hot and he was sitting on the porch when a raven-haired, brown-eyed beauty rode up on her bicycle. Although it was dark, when she dismounted her bicycle, he noticed

The delay at Key West went from bad to worse when the Captain discovered a deep crack in his aluminum mast. Most of the lesser stress cracks were near the masthead, or the mast step, but the worst one was at the top spreader.

“This will not do,” complained the Captain, “Especially

The sun was giving birth to a new day when the breeze transformed into a blow from the east, a rare and magnificent gift from the gods of the seas. Aura took the helm and started the diesel while Dave scrambled forward to hoist the anchor. The new engine and propeller began to overtake the gulf current

The Flying Circus surged forward, the wind was steady and it seemed she never met a wave she didn’t like. They were far enough offshore to avoid the reefs, but not far enough to be effected by the north flowing gulfstream. Dave was searching for updated satellite images on his laptop because

Aura’s plane landed at Miami International Airport where she called Enzo as it taxied towards her gate. Before she could retrieve her luggage Enzo was there and their reunion bordered on being a public spectacle. One elderly lady was heard to say, “Ain’t love grand!” While

Big Jesse’s company plane landed and taxied to the re-fueling area. It was easy to tell his plane from the others because it was painted in the University of Kentucky’s blue and white color scheme with 2012, NCAA Champions, boldly displayed on its fuselage. The captain greeted Jesse at

Dave’s aunt was glad to see them and, of course, the warm feeling was mutual and they continued to chat until the captain changed the subject by asking if she had a moving dolly? She did not, so Dave and his Dad lugged the 5 wooden boxes, one at a time, from the truck into her family room. Fortunately

Dave and his dad decided to pass on lunch, but they did stop and use a pay phone to call the captain’s old friend at Sotheby’s Auction House in NY City. She agreed to take the next plane to Sanibel Island. Little was said on the telephone but she read well between the lines–this

“Pop, wake up,” exclaimed Dave, “We’re headed into the Port of Fort Lauderdale.”

The captain rubbed his eyes and began to look for the pre-paid cell phone to call a towboat. Most captains would’ve made the trip from the U.S.V.I.s to Florida in three or four weeks,

When Dave awoke and rubbed the sleep from his eyes he realized that he had overslept. He scrambled on deck to find his dad with one eye half closed and the other focused on the compass. Dave was confused because they were on a totally different heading.

“Sorry Pop,” I didn’t mean

The Flying Circus was rail down and running hard towards the U.S. as the sun disappeared below the horizon. Another 24 hours should put them safely inside the U. S. intercostals waterway. Dave was at the helm when his dad came topside and checked their heading, but no words were spoken—none were

Dave was on the last leg from school to Cruz Bay. This year’s football season was history, they won their championship game, but he was badly bruised and sore–his cell phone rang—it was Aura. Dave had not talked to her since he had received the unsolicited, porno pictures that came from

Sorority High Jinxes—This year’s deer hunt was a smashing success. The hunting was excellent, the weather perfect and Dave was able to spend some time with his dad’s other son, named Dave, who’s 32 years his senior. The last day before their departure Dave and his dad canned

Before the party ended, Dave (everybody called him Shark Boy) asked his Dad, “Hey, Pop! Can I borrow the “Flying Circus” and take Aura for a night sail?”

“Of course,” said the captain, “A servant supplicates, but a son appropriates.” Anyway, I’m

Jini, Aura and Enzo climbed into Jini’s dinghy. Aura started the motor and Enzo cast off the painter-they were headed for the fish boil. The brilliant Caribbean sun was low on the azure horizon and the ocean was like glass as Aura pointed the bow towards shore. Soon the trio was hiking up the

Dave, everybody called him Shark Boy and Aura were headed back down the coral path to the dinghy when suddenly Dave stopped. “A penny for your thoughts, Sweet Prince,” said Aura. Dave blushed when he realized what she had said, but he remained silent as they continued down the path to

Dave (everybody called him Shark Boy) closed his cell phone and was emotionally torn between staying at the boat shack with his dad, NY Dan and Big Jesse, and returning his mom’s dinghy, but he knew his mother and Aura needed him.

“I have Mom’s dinghy and she needs it,” said

Dark shadows covered Lovango before Dave (everybody called him Shark Boy), and Big Jesse finished sifting through the excavation. Jesse did one final sweep with his metal detector to satisfy himself that there was nothing left to find before they loaded the wood boxes of loot and equipment on a pushcart

Dave, (everybody called him Shark Boy), laid on his back and looked up at the white cumulus clouds drifting across the emerald sky while Jesse pondered their next move. The coins could be easily divided between them but the other artifacts would have to be weighed and appraised but not anywhere near