CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Golconda
When I finished my delivery to the assembled passengers, the staff crew and the audience repaired to the back of the Lido deck. The World Discoverer’s (‘Lindy’) fantail was one flat teak surface, polished clean with brushes and stones at least once a day. There were tables and lounge chairs aplenty. No one had to stand, so, except for a few people at the rail who were watching both Isle of the Tsar of Russia Islands waning in the distance, everyone collected in pockets around the tables. Marlys and a few of her assistants took orders. They brought out drinks from the inside bar. I sat with Don and Dutch at the same table. Marlys delivered a bowl of coffee, already pre-mixed with cream and sugar, and placed it in front of me, then walked off to let an assistant take the other’s orders. Don’s eyes twinkled. He looked at my coffee bowl, his squinty expression one of suspicion.
Several passengers had come and gone from our table. Their questions were endless, all revolving around the rather grim survival tale I had spun earlier. By transforming Don into the true leader of our adventure away from the ship, my fake story never approached the true risks we had faced. A young woman made her way through the crowd. I was amazed when I recognized her. I had never seen the Basque outside of Don’s cabin. Her body was as exotic and alluring as her face. The crowd parted around her, the men turning in waves to watch her movements. She leaned over Don’s shoulder. He didn’t notice. She tapped him on the arm. Don started, leaning to hear something she said. When she finished, he got up and departed. They walked away together.
God Bless you and praying you have a quick recovery.
Thanks Nancy, you make me smile….always…
Semper fi,
Jim
Hook, Line and Sinker! Completely hooked on this book. Sitting on a rock nearby waiting for you guys to make your next move. Lol!
Awesomeness!
Thank you. It is certainly good to have you aboard. The Bering Sea was one of my most interesting missions of my whole career.
Semper fi,
Jim
You have definitely not led a humdrum life. What a blessing to have had such adventures and to be such a gifted author. God certainly has blessed you. Thank you for sharing. I know Thirty Days is hard for you to write but with each chapter I see you healing as you help others to heal. God’s purpose is coming through you and in you. You are a great blessed man, James Strauss.
Just a pebble,
Nancy
P.S. Now I’ll leave you alone so you can write.😊
Got the edits and fixed. Thanks so much Nancy. What a help so I don’t have to do it all myself.
In for surgery on my right eye today so I will not be writing. The transplant went bad again.
Every five years or so I have to get another one. Painful bother and the recovery takes weeks, but God
gave us two…and thank you
Sir for that!
I will be back soon.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim