1Standard disclaimers apply. Some of these characters are owned by 20th Century Fox and some details have been gleaned from other Gamm-ers' stories (and to you I am very grateful). All other characters were invented by me, as was the plot. Please do not use any part or parts thereof without my consent. Time: June, July and August 1972. A sequel to "Captain Gregg and the Surprise." Thanks to Kathy, Susan, John Mortimer, Pablo Neruda, The Library of Congress. Are you kind? Suspend rational thought.
"And summer's lease hath all too short a date:"
-William Shakespeare
Summer's LeaseCHAPTER 2
Carolyn and the children had been gone a little more than forty minutes when Daniel Gregg's peace and solitude was interrupted.
"Daniel Gregg! Where are you?" It was as woman's voice he heard calling him, not Carolyn's or Martha's, but it was somewhat familiar to him. "Ah, here you are. We have been waiting for you, sir."
Daniel turned to see Rebecca Hadley standing behind his chair. He was startled to find her in his house. She hadn't been to Gull Cottage since before her death in 1861. She looked exactly the same now as she did then: long flowing auburn hair, brilliant green eyes, her skin the color of buttermilk. She had been one of the true beauties of Schooner Bay, indeed all of New England, in her day. Zebulon Hadley had been the man lucky enough to capture her heart, though many had tried. Theirs was a true love. When Rebecca died from consumption at age forty-three, many thought Zeb would be inconsolable. But, he had rallied and was determined to carry on her work with the poor and afflicted in the area. He worked tireless hours at Hope House and at his sail loft.
"Mrs. Hadley, what a delightful surprise," Daniel stood and greeted her. "It's been quite a while since you've been to Gull Cottage, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Don't play coy with me, Daniel Gregg, I have known you too long. We are all waiting for you over at the cove. The clambake cannot begin until all the invited guests have arrived," she said, her eyes flashed a touch of dismay at him, but her smile was inviting.
"I had not planned to attend, Madam. I have much work to do." He indicated the sea chart on which he had been working.
"Pish-posh. Daniel, your attendance is required." Rebecca Hadley reached down and took his hand. "That lovely girl is practically bereft without you, my dear. You have left too many broken hearts already in Schooner Bay, I'll not let you break hers," she said. Oh, she knew Daniel very well. "Besides, Zebulon and I are lonesome for some spectral company, and Kate has made the most delicious dessert." She tugged on his arm. "Oh come on, what do you say?"
"What can I say, Rebecca, you know me too well. At your not-so-gentle insistence, I would be glad to attend." He bowed graciously.
"Very good. Zeb and Parker are waiting to boil the lobsters until you arrive."
In a blink, Rebecca and Daniel materialized in the backyard of the Hadley's cottage. "Ah! Leave it to Rebecca! I knew if anyone could convince the Captain it would be her," Zeb announced as they appeared. He walked over and shook hands with the seaman. "Thank you for coming, Captain Gregg."
"Thank you for inviting me," Daniel said sincerely.
"Please, come and meet the rest of my family," the older spirit said. "Parker, my boy," he called to the man. Parker Hadley was a bit nervous to meet the formidable sea captain, but he put on his best smile and walked over, hand extended. "Captain Daniel Gregg, my great grandson, Parker."
"It's a real pleasure to meet you, Captain." He let the spirit grasp his hand first, and when the grip was a firm one, he returned it.
"Mr. Hadley, very nice to meet you," the Captain said awkwardly. He was still not used to interacting with any humans apart from Carolyn, the children, Martha and the barnacle, Claymore.
"It's Parker, Captain. We don't stand on ceremony around here," he responded.
Kate and Carolyn came out of the house each carrying a platter of something delicious, which they set on the picnic table. Carolyn came over to Daniel. "I'm so glad you came. Rebecca said she would be able to convince you." Carolyn kissed his cheek gently. "I'll have to learn her secrets of persuasion."
Zeb introduced Kate to Daniel. "Captain Gregg, I have heard so much about you, what a delight to finally meet you. Zeb has so often spoken of you," Kate said.
"Ah, well… I'm not sure what to say, except, it is I who am delighted to meet you." Daniel responded.
"Now, Daniel, you know that Zebulon and I have only good things to say about our favorite neighbor." Rebecca interjected. She knew that Daniel was feeling uncomfortable.
"Well, Captain, can I get you a drink? I have some nice scotch, a bottle of eighteen-year-old Bowmore just waiting to be cracked open," Parker said.
Captain Gregg considered Parker's offer for a second, "I haven't had Bowmore since the last time I was in Scotland. Thank you."
"Great! Carolyn, can I get you another gin and tonic?"
"Mmm, thanks, Parker, that would be lovely," Carolyn answered.
The kids came tearing around the house chasing after Scruffy who seemed to have someone's baseball mitt in his mouth. "You crazy dog, come here!" Jack yelled.
"Cut him off at the tree!" Jonathan hollered.
Simon went dodging around the tree, but Scruffy outsmarted them all by doubling back. Candy tried to leap in front of the dog, but he scooted between her legs.
"Jack! Simon!" Kate summoned them. "Come here for a quick second, please."
"What, Mom? Scruffy has Simon's ball glove," Jack said.
"Hey, the Captain's here!" Jonathan ran over to his hero, Simon right behind him. "Mom said you weren't coming"
"Oh, I just had a few things to check up on," he replied to the boy.
"Well, Jonathan, please introduce your friend to the Captain," his mother said.
"Sure. Captain this is Simon," Jonathan did his best to sound much older than nine.
"Are you really Captain Gregg?" Simon asked the spectre.
Aye, that I am."
"Groovy." Simon and the Captain shook hands. "You're just like Grandpa Zeb."
They noticed that Scruffy had flopped down under a lawn chair, releasing his grip on the baseball mitt. "Let's get him, Simon!" Jonathan exclaimed.
"Captain Gregg, this is my oldest son, Jackson," Kate said, leading the older boy over. He was the image of his mother, tall, slim build, dark hair and eyes. Candy stood close behind Jack Hadley, a dreamy look on her face.
"Jackson Hadley, pleased to meet you," the teen said, his hand also extended to the Captain.
"Captain Daniel Gregg."
"Candy said you'd be here. Thanks for coming," Jack said.
"Well, thanks for inviting us."
"I'm glad you came, too, Captain," Candy said to him with a smile that reminded the spirit of her mother. "See, I told you he'd be here." Candy called after Jack as she ran to catch up with him.
Carolyn smiled; Daniel was loosening up a bit now that he realized that he had nothing to fear from the Hadleys. She had only spoken to Kate recently about Daniel, and only after Kate had revealed that Zeb was a real member of the family. Both Zeb and Rebecca Hadley had been such delightful, well, people, to meet. Carolyn felt an immediate connection with Rebecca. Kate had been right about that, too.
They spent a long time chatting over their drinks and munching on the hors d'oeuvres that Kate made, Zeb and Captain Gregg regaling them all with tales of the old days. Jonathan begged the Captain to tell the story about the encounter with the killer whale off the coast of Nova Scotia.
Dinner was a feast of clams, corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw, deviled eggs, and everyone had his or her own lobster. Daniel and Zeb were determined to see who could eat the most of his lobster; slurping out the tiny bits of meat in the tail ends and the legs made for great fun for those watching, especially Jonathan, who, as always, wanted to emulate his idol and struggled to open the lobster's spindly legs to get the meat out. But, Zeb was declared the winner when he cracked open the head of his lobster to scoop out the green goop that had once been the tiny brain of the creature.
"Zeb, I must draw the line somewhere, and at that I do!" Daniel reached across the table to give him a buttery-handed handshake.
Candy had been concerned that the lobsters suffered when placed in the pot of boiling water, but the Captain and Zeb both assured her that the animals' brains were not developed enough for them to feel any pain.
Parker brought another round of drinks for everyone, Daniel was on his second scotch and had definitely become more talkative and he chatted easily with everyone. Not much later, Kate brought out a huge chocolate cake. "Death by chocolate, I like to call it," she said, cutting pieces for the four kids. "I'll tell you the adult name later." Her two and Carolyn's two dashed off for the house, a fierce game of Parcheesi about to get underway. Friendly was hardly the word to be applied to this game, as Jack considered himself the master of "The Royal Game of India." When they had left for the house, Kate revealed that the cake also went by the name, "better than sex cake, which I think is appropriate once you taste it," she added.
Indeed, the cake was a gooey, chocolatey mound of deliciousness that melted in the mouth and satisfied the eater in more ways than one. Carolyn asked for the recipe, as it was one dessert not in Martha's repertoire. Daniel agreed that perhaps it would be an excellent one for Martha to make, although it would be hard to improve on Kate's culinary skills. After the dessert, Parker brought out some cigars for Daniel, Zeb and himself. "Can I get you another scotch, Captain or maybe some cognac?"
"I think I'm fine with this bit of scotch," the Captain answered. He remembered that Bowmore was truly a single malt to be savored.
"I wonder what high-level discussion they're having." Parker said, indicating his wife, Rebecca, and Carolyn, who were sitting at the picnic table talking in very hushed tones, every so often lifting their heads to look right at the three men.
"Over the mysteries of female life there is drawn a veil best left undisturbed, mate," Daniel said as he puffed on his cigar.
"I suppose you're right, Captain."
"Aye," agreed Zeb.
The three men sat and smoked in silence for several minutes, sipping on their scotch and looking out on the still water of the cove. Daniel found that he was enjoying the evening far more than he ever could have imagined. He supposed it was because of Zeb and Rebecca and the fact that the Hadleys were not suspicious of him and knew exactly who and what he was but still treated him as a living man, just the same as Carolyn and her family did. He smiled.
"Are you gents having a good time?" Kate said as she, Rebecca, and Carolyn came over to sit in the other lawn chairs by them.
"The best. And, what schemes were you three planning over there?" Parker asked.
"No schemes. Just girl talk." Kate ran her hand affectionately over her husband's shoulder. "What have you fellas been discussing over here?"
"Not a thing. We've just been enjoying the evening," Parker said taking a long draw on his cigar before attempting a smoke ring.
"Ah, let me show you again, my boy." Zeb took in a mouth full of smoke from his cigar and puffed out a perfect circle of smoke. "See."
"I'll never get it, Zeb. I'm just not a smoke ring-blower," Parker lamented.
There were a few minutes of comfortable silence between the three couples, then Zeb started to hum a soft and gentle tune. It was unfamiliar to the humans gathered around, but the spirits all knew it. Rebecca started to hum it along with her husband. Zeb reached over to her and took her hand in his. In a clear and ageless voice he sang the words in a low tone.
"She who sleeps upon my heart, was the first to win it.
She who dreams upon my breast, ever reigns within it.
She who kisses oft my lips, wakes their warmest blessing.
She who rests within my arms, feels their closest pressing.
Other days than these shall come, days that may be dreary.
Other hours shall greet us yet, hours that may be weary.
Still this heart shall be thy throne, still this breast shall be thy pillow.
Still these lips shall meet thine oft as billow meeteth billow."
"That was beautiful, Zeb," Carolyn said. "What's the name of that song?"
"It's an old tune to you, young lady, it's called 'From a Husband to His Wife.'"
"Zebulon sang it to me on our wedding day," Rebecca added, her voice filled with joy.
"I did." He nodded his head in agreement. "My voice was much better then. Deep and strong," he said. "Why, as I recall, Captain, you have a very nice voice."
"For singing old seamen's songs maybe," the Captain responded.
"Daniel, you know that's not true. I've heard you sing one or two lovely songs. For instance, 'Sleeping I Dream, Love," Rebecca asserted. "Why don't you favor us with a few bars?"
Carolyn looked at Daniel and smiled, "Yes, please do, Daniel."
He shifted uneasily in his chair and took a sip of his scotch, "Perhaps later."
"Please." Carolyn gave his hand a quick squeeze.
Daniel looked at her, her eyes the deepest shade of green in the waning twilight. He couldn't help but feel himself fall into them.
"All right." He cleared his throat.
"Sleeping I dream'd, love, dream'd, love, of thee,
O'er the bright waves, love, floating were we;
Light in thy fair hair play'd the soft wind,
Gently thy white arms round me were twined;
And as thy song, love, swell'd o'er the sea,
Fondly thy green eyes beam'd, love, on me."
His voice was a strong baritone, his brogue more pronounced as the words rolled off his tongue. As he sang, his eyes never left Carolyn's. The sound of his voice hung in the air for a few moments as he ended the song. His hand went to Carolyn's, which rested on the arm of her chair.
"That was lovely, Daniel," she whispered.
"It's just a silly little tune," he replied.
They heard the screen door clunk shut and Scruffy came bounding up to Carolyn, Jonathan close behind him. "I'm tired, can we go home, now? Jack has won the last three games of Parcheesi," Jonathan grumbled, he leaned his head on the Captain's shoulder a big yawn escaping him.
"Yes, it's probably very late," Carolyn said. "Where's Candy?"
"She's in the house."
"I'll help you get these dishes cleared up, Kate, and then we better get home." She and Kate started stacking the dishes from the picnic table to carry in the house.
"Zebulon, I must be getting back to Hope House," Rebecca said.
"Yes, my dear." He linked his arm with hers. "Captain, please tell your lovely lady that I would be honored to recount for her my days in the sail loft."
"Thank you, Zeb, I'll tell her," he replied as he shook hands with his compatriot. "Thank you for a very enjoyable evening." Daniel watched Zebulon and Rebecca and realized that even with the clear difference in their appearances, Rebecca having died at a fairly young age, and Zeb an old man of seventy at his death, there was still a deep attraction between the two, as though time and age meant nothing. He watched in admiration as the pair vanished.
"Come on, lad, let's get your mother and sister and shove off," the Captain told the boy. "Parker, thank you for having us."
"My pleasure, Captain, I'm glad you could come." He placed a hand on Jonathan's shoulder, "Don't worry about Parcheesi, Jonathan, Jack beats everyone."
"I know. He's the champ of Parcheesi."
Carolyn and Candy met the Captain and Jonathan and the foursome headed off down the path to Gull Cottage. The Captain's eyes were suited to night vision and Scruffy trotted along ahead of them, keeping a dog's eye out for interlopers.
Daniel reached down for Carolyn's hand as they walked back. "As I was a-walking down Paradise Street," he started to sing and Jonathan joined him for the next part, "To me way-aye, blow the man down. A Liverpool bobby I chanced for to meet! Give me some time to blow the man down." The spirit and the boy sang the tune the whole way back to the house, making Carolyn and Candy laugh.
Jonathan was asleep the minute his head hit his pillow and Candy only managed to read two pages of the next chapter of her Nancy Drew mystery. Carolyn contemplated making a pot of coffee, but decided against it; it was nearly eleven-thirty. Daniel was standing on the balcony of their room, staring out at the calm waters of the bay. It was a humid night and the lack of a breeze made the air heavier. When he heard Carolyn come into the room, he joined her.
"Did you have a pleasant evening?" he asked.
"Very pleasant and mostly because you were there." She said, her smile was warm and full of love. "Thank you for coming. I know you weren't sure if you wanted to."
"I wasn't certain at all, but I have to admit that it was quite enjoyable."
Carolyn walked to the closet changed into the big nightshirt she had received from Daniel the previous Valentine's Day. It was fast becoming her favorite sleepwear. The fabric was smooth and light and it always felt cool against her skin. But, most of all she enjoyed the response she got from Daniel when she wore it. "Are you coming to bed, Daniel, or do you have other things to do?" She asked. She folded the quilt down to the foot of the bed and lay on the cool sheets.
"Well, my sea charts do need updating," he replied, "But, I think I could stay for a few minutes, just until you fall asleep.
Carolyn yawned and snuggled against her pillow, "Tonight, my dear, that may be all you get."
Daniel kicked off his boots and took off his jacket and sweater. "Are you very tired?"
"No." She yawned deeply again.
"Fibber."
Carolyn reached for his arm and pulled it around her. In the dim light coming in through the open window she saw the anchor tattoo he had on the inside of his forearm. She let her fingers trace over it. "Did it really hurt?" she asked in a sleepy voice.
"A little," Daniel answered.
"How come you only have three?"
"Great personal restraint, I told you before. I'm the Captain, I didn't have time for such nonsense," his tone was exaggerated.
"No, really?"
"Never wanted any more. I got the anchor when I was sixteen or seventeen. I wanted everyone to know I'd sailed the Atlantic, too. Got the stars just before my first command, and Darcy tried to talk me into getting a swallow, too. That was the same time he got the pig and the chicken on his legs. But, I was happy with those, they're really the only symbols that mean anything to me."
"Sailing the Atlantic and ten thousand nautical miles have great meaning to you?" she asked not quite sure what he meant. She knew that each star meant the bearer had sailed five thousand nautical miles.
"No, the deeper meaning. The anchor keeps me grounded and the stars let me see where I am and where I'm going. That's all I need." He pulled her tightly against his chest, "Besides you."
"Oh, Daniel, you're so sweet," she whispered.
"Sometimes."
After a several seconds she asked, "Why does Brendan have a pig and chicken tattooed on his legs?"
"Because he was afraid of drowning," Daniel answered matter-of-factly.
"What?"
"Seamen believe that if you have pig and chicken tattoos you won't drown, as those creatures can't swim, they'll drown for you. They were often carried on board for food. Brendan has a pig on one ankle and a chicken on the other. He looks ridiculous, but, he never drown," Daniel chuckled. "But, the screaming when he got them done, my God. Granted the tattooist was a little heavy handed, but I have never heard such a ruckus. He probably should have had another few pints before he got them."
"How many pints did you have?"
"Oh, one or two, but I took it like a man."
"I bet…." Carolyn yawned again.
Daniel could tell that she was just on the verge of falling asleep. "I'll leave you to your sleep, my dear."
"No…" she muttered, "Please stay." She held his hand firmly in hers.
July the 4th was on a Tuesday and the day started in a flurry of activity. Jonathan's baseball team had the 11:15 game. Now that he was in the Minors Division of the Babe Ruth League, his team got to play on the bigger field. Just about every team had a game and the Schooner Bay Community Park was crowded. Carolyn was delighted she had managed to get out of working the concession stand. She knew it was an oversight, as the other mothers were saddled with passing out popcorn, candy, and sodas to a hungry mob of kids and parents, but she hadn't bothered to remind anyone she had been left off the list.
The teams took the field and Carolyn saw that Jonathan was not the starting pitcher. She knew he was hoping to start this game because his team, the Flying Fish, was playing Danny Shoemaker's team, the Sting Rays. The rivalry between the two boys was as fierce as ever, and Carolyn hoped that over the summer things might calm down. They weren't forced to be in school together all day and the sailing lessons with the Captain had occupied a lot of Jonathan's time. But, she noticed that the two boys shot daggers at one another as the teams shook hands before the start of the game. 'If looks could kill,' she thought.
"Why isn't Jonathan pitching?" the Captain asked. He stood behind the bleachers where Carolyn was sitting on the top row.
"I'm not sure. I guess it's because he pitched last week," she smiled at him. "Truthfully, I'm relieved. I hate this competition he has with Danny Shoemaker."
"Just a school-boy rivalry. They'll out grow it, my dear," Daniel said.
Candy made her way up to the top row of the bleachers and sat next to her mother. "Hi Captain, I didn't know you were coming to the game?" She said when she saw the seaman.
"I promised Jonathan," he told her, "Also, I couldn't let you two ladies attend unescorted." He gave a small bow.
The game was a close one, one of the closest of the day, in fact. By the seventh inning stretch, the Flying Fish were only ahead by one run. When the teams took the field for the bottom of the inning, Jonathan took the mound.
"Hey, Jonathan's gone is as the reliever! Wow! Good for him, if they can hang on, he'll get the win!" Candy was on her feet. "Come on, Jonathan! Strike 'im out!" She hollered.
Jonathan proceeded to do just that. The next batter got hold of a piece of the first pitch Jonathan threw, sending a looping drive toward the second baseman, who hustled to make the out at first. Two down, one to go to finish the inning. The third batter managed to get a base hit. The fourth batter got a hit, but it was a high pop fly that the centerfielder was able to catch easily. Side retired.
First at bat for the Flying Fish was Simon Hadley. "Ball one!" the umpire shouted as the pitch breezed by on the outside of the plate. "Ball two!" On the third pitch, Simon swung and connected for a base hit. Tommy Griffith batted next and also got a hit. Two men on, no outs to start the top of the eighth.
"Come on, Fish!" Carolyn yelled. "Oh, please let Jonathan get a hit," she said softly.
"Aye," Daniel agreed. He stood with his arms folded across the top of the bleacher seat. "Come on, lad, concentrate."
Jonathan stepped into the batter's box and eyed Graham Gilbert, who was pitching for the Sting Rays. A few warm up swings and Jonathan was ready. "Ball one!" was the call at the plate. The next pitch flew over the center of the plate, "Stee-rike!" the umpire called.
"That's all right, Jonathan. Come on!" Candy shouted.
"Stee-rike two!"
"Blast!" the Captain growled. "Get a hit, just get a hit," he muttered.
The fourth pitch was high; ball two. The fifth pitch came over the plate and Jonathan took a big swing. Crack! Contact was made and the ball rocketed out of the infield, past the shortstop and dropped just over the head of the outfielder. Jonathan took off running for first before he knew what was happening. Simon Hadley had rounded third and was waved home by the coach. Tommy Griffith made it to third. Jonathan took a deep breath and relaxed at first. The Flying Fish went another run ahead.
"Well done, Jonathan!" Daniel shouted, although only Carolyn, Candy and the boy could hear him. Jonathan looked over to where his "family" was and waved.
"Come on, Chris! Bring 'em home!" Chris Taylor's dad yelled when his son stepped up to the plate. Graham Gilbert was so shaken by Jonathan's base-hit, that he walked Chris. Bases loaded and no outs. The Sting Rays coach shook his head and shouted at Graham to get his head in the game. A base hit or another walk and the Fish would go up by three runs. In fact, the teams headed into the bottom of the eighth inning with just that score.
Jonathan took the mound again. The first batter he faced was Douglas Baer, and everyone agreed the name was appropriate. He was a big strapping kid, a head taller than everyone else, but he had just turned ten at the start of June. His father was a hulking great man, but gentle and kind. The resemblance between the two was uncanny. Jonathan eyed home plate then went into his wind-up. The first pitch caught the right corner of the plate, but the umpire called it a ball.
"That looked good to me, Jonathan! Come on!" Candy yelled.
The Fish started their infield chatter, "Hey batta, batta, batta!" It never seemed to throw off the batter's concentration, still, the chant continued. Ball two, wide of the plate. Then came strike one and strike two. Doug Baer stepped out of the box and straightened his helmet, knocked his shoes with the bat and then stepped back up. Jonathan looked hard at Miles Clayton, his catcher, then let fly with his best fastball. A swing and a miss. Strike three. One out. Jonathan acknowledged the praise of Gus Gordon on first base and ranged over the mound waiting for the next hitter. The Sting Rays were starting back at the top of the order. Pete Wakefield, their third baseman was always the lead-off hitter. He took the batter's box and sneered at Jonathan. "Can't strike me out, Muir!" he said.
"Don't listen to that stuff, Jonathan. Just concentrate," Coach McGill shouted. "Come on." He clapped his hands, getting his team's attention.
Jonathan reared back and let fly with the pitch, a swing and a hit. Straight at the short stop, Tad Keene. He dove for the ball and came up with it in his glove. Two outs.
"Yes," Captain Gregg said his fists clenched. "One more, my boy, one more."
Carolyn looked over at Daniel and smiled. She knew he loved her children as his own, but she still found delightful the intense kindness with which he treated them. His eyes were focused on the mound and he didn't see her watching him until she put her hand on his arm.
"He's gonna strike this next fellow out."
Jonathan's first pitch was a perfect strike right over the center of the plate. The next two were a bit wild: balls one and two. A swing and a miss and then another ball; full count. A slow moving attempt at a slider was next and the batter smacked it into the outfield for a base hit. Two outs, one man on and the next Sting Ray stepped up to hit. A swing and pop fly to the second basement. Three outs and on to the top of the ninth.
The Fish started the inning in the middle of their batting order. Graham Gilbert managed to strike out the first batter. A grounder to third base made an easy out at first on the second hitter and another pop fly took the third batter. Three up, three down. Coach McGill reminded his team they were three runs ahead, don't get nervous now and blow it. But, the season wasn't over yet and there were plenty of games to go.
Jonathan strode out to the mound and threw a few to Miles. Bruce Baxter was up for the Rays and he managed to get on first base. When Danny Shoemaker stepped into the box to bat next, Carolyn muttered a soft "oh no."
"Come on, Jonathan strike this guy out!" Candy was on her feet shouting.
"You can do it! Take your time!" the Captain hollered, too.
Carolyn sat with her fingers crossed and head down. "Tell me when it's over," she said to Daniel. He smoothed his hand over her back.
"He'll do it."
Jonathan stared intently at his enemy, who returned the look with zeal. "Come on, Muir, show me what you got," Danny taunted.
One ball, then another. The third pitch was a hit, again to the space between second and third. Tad dashed for the ball and made the catch and then threw to first as Bruce Baxter had started for second. The ball made it into Gus's glove just ahead of Danny for a well-turned double play. The Fish supporters cheered with delight. Carolyn looked up and saw a huge smile on her son's face. Candy and the Captain were clapping wildly and cheering on the team.
Next batter was Seth Lawrence, a gangly kid with feet too big for his body. He stood at home plate and looked bewildered. A few practice swings from Seth and Jonathan's first pitch went wide of the plate but Lawrence swung on the pitch anyway. Strike one. Another swing and a miss. The tension of the game was about to break and the Flying Fish's dugout were hanging on the chain link fence that separated them from the field of play shouting cheers for their teammates. Seth Lawrence went down swinging. The game was over and the Fish had pulled out a win, Jonathan Muir was credited with the save. Handshakes were offered to the Sting Rays and the Flying Fish met at home plate, "Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate? Sting Rays! Sting Rays! Sting Rays!" Coach McGill gave his team a few words of praise and a reminder that there would be practice on Friday afternoon. Jonathan came over to meet his mom, Candy and Captain Gregg behind the bleachers.
"Great game, brother," Candy said.
"Thanks! Did ya see me, Captain? Mom?"
"Yes," his mother answered. "You were super."
"Well done, lad! Well done." Captain Gregg patted the boy on the back.
"Thanks, Captain. Thanks for coming." Jonathan's face showed nothing but elation as he stared up into his hero's eyes.
"I haven't missed a game this season. Wouldn't have missed today's for anything," the seaman replied. As they walked to the car he kept his hand on Jonathan's shoulder and the two talked over just about every pitch Jonathan threw. Everyone was glad that the spirit chose to be with them, rather than just materializing back to Gull Cottage. Candy weighed in on the one or two flubs the Sting Rays fielders made.
Carolyn suggested they stop at the Tasty Freeze for a well-deserved ice cream treat. She parked the station wagon and waited for the carhop to come out and take their order. Because it was a drive-in, Captain Gregg made himself visible. Candy got a blueberry sundae, extra whipped cream, Jonathan decided on a chocolate malt and Carolyn and Daniel shared the five-scoop banana split with two chocolate sauces and a blueberry, in addition to the regular pineapple and strawberry. It was fast becoming one of the Captain's favorite treats ever since Candy and Jonathan had introduced it to him on Memorial Day.
"Candy, you were right, the blueberry is delicious," the Captain remarked.
"I told you. I think it's way better than the strawberry. You should have gotten two blueberries and two chocolates and one pineapple."
"Pineapple milkshakes are great, too," Jonathan added. " 'Specially when it's hot out."
"I may have to try that next time," Daniel said. He scooped out the last bit of blueberry sauce from the dish. "Are you going to eat your half of the banana, my dear?" he asked Carolyn.
"Yes. You had three scoops of ice cream and hogged all the blueberries, so just keep your paws off my banana," she said with mock fierceness.
"Certainly, I was merely inquiring," he replied with a wink.
J. Andrews, Publisher, 38 Chatham St., New York, New York: From a Husband to his Wife, American Songs & Ballads collection, The Library of Congress, song sheet; digitally reproduced, digital ID sb10076b, April 29, 2005
http/memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/D?amss:1:./temp/ammemBcqO:
H. DeMarsan, Publishers, 38 & 60 Chatham St., New York, New York: Sleeping I Dream, Love., American Songs & Ballads collection, The Library of Congress, song sheet; digitally reproduced. Digital ID as20330. April 29, 2005. http/memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?amss:1:./temp/ammemDjcQ: