"Pa is not going to be happy with me.." Tyler muttered to himself as he began off back to home.
Kenneth heard him. "It is not your fault that you couldn't find Josh. You're still a young boat, who has, mind you, traveled farther than I ever imagined you to. Just take into consideration how far you've gone! You survived a rough storm, you've survived getting beached, we've traveled thousands of miles over a vast ocean you weren't even allowed to move one inch into."
Tyler was silent. Kenneth couldn't tell if he was perking up and thinking about it or just kind of, there.
"If your father gives you any grief, tell him to come to me."
Tyler then looked back at Kenneth, who had turned to looking out at the ocean again through his binoculars. He felt so lucky to have a friend like Kenneth, and he took Kenneth's hope personally. He sailed on towards home, continuing to keep a sharp eye out for Josh.
The closer they came upon the familiar entrance of the fjord, the more nervous and anxious Tyler became.
"They're all going to be so upset.." Tyler muttered low enough so Kenneth couldn't hear.
As he entered and continued through, Kenneth came up on Tyler's bow. "Just remember, none of this is your fault, Ty." He said.
"I know. I'm just nervous about Pa and saddened we couldn't do it."
The small village came into view and boats of all sizes floated about. Tyler spotted Aunt Krista by the dock and hesitated, not sure how to even explain the situation or what he would even say."
Aunt Krista spotted him before anyone else and she immediately raced up to Tyler.
"Everyone, everyone! Look who made it back home!" She cried out to get the attention of the others. Tyler stopped moving and tried to smile for her. The other boats cheered and started coming forwards to welcome him back. Aunt Krista stopped though, suddenly realizing, yes, Tyler made it home, but he made it home alone.
Tyler saw the look on her face and wished he could sink at that very moment. He didn't know what to say at such a saddened face.
"I'm sorry." Kenneth spoke up for Tyler. "We couldn't find him. He was nowhere to be seen."
"Oh, oh no..." Aunt Krista whispered under her breath. She was devastated.
"Hey, don't worry, Krista." Another boat reassured near by. "Eyes will always be open. He'll come home, we'll find him. Whether it be tomorrow or in a year. We'll find him."
Kenneth thought it would be a good idea to move Tyler away from all the sadness and give him a quick check up. They both had traveled thousands of miles. Tyler caught a glimpse of his father's scornful look as he slowly sailed to his work dock, but paid no mind to it. He was just upset.
Once Tyler dropped anchor under the creaky old roof, Ryan set to work, tools placed everywhere. He first checked Tyler's engine to make sure nothing was overheating and such.
"Slow diesels. I could have sworn we filled you up back in Greenland with joy preservatives."
Tyler didn't respond. He just looked down at his winch.
"Now, this is weird too. Your rope is all scuffed and torn. Weren't these new?" Tyler still didn't respond.
"Hey, I'm trying to hint something here."
"Like what?" Tyler said in an almost monotone voice. He hadn't even looked at the pitty.
"I'm trying to hint to you that you gotta cheer up pal." Kenneth said. "Being so upset like this is really not good for you. You especially. Hey, it's okay to mourn over a loss but the way you are, you are beating yourself up over it. Like that other boat said, there is still a possibility we can find him. Today or in a year. Alive or dead. We'll find him. Nothing is gone forever just, like that."
Tyler thought over what he had said. He was beating himself up over this.
"Be proud, Tyler! You've traveled so far, and went through so much. Hey, maybe everyone we spoke to on our travel will find him! We'll get a radio call someday. We got eyes all over."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Tyler said softly. "I'm just, I feel so alone now."
"What're you talkin' about?" Kenneth asked. "You got me, you got your pops, you go the entire fleet of boats here who all care about you."
"I wish Pa would let me know that then."
"Your dad does not know how to show you his emotions. But I know he loves you. He's just, one of those guys who.. um.."
"Are too cowardly?"
"No, I was trying to say he may have not been treated right in his own past. But, I can't assume." He shrugged. "Just, don't beat yourself up over it. He is the one who should be the most proud that you sailed the ocean and came back, even when leaving this fjord was forbidden in his eyes."
"You're right, I did prove him wrong." Tyler said, a small smile coming to his face. "Thanks, Kenneth."
"All I aim for is to see the smile on your face." He patted Tyler's bow gently as he put his tools away. "And you didn't take on any damage during the whole trip, except for your mast. But you couldn't help that."
The sun began to set as Tyler had stopped in his original spot at the end of the fjord, looking out over the ocean. He didn't even drop an anchor. The water was calm anyhow.
"Hey, Tyler, you there?" A voice rang through his radio.
"Yes, I am. Who is this?" Tyler asked, startled.
"Remember me, Conner?"
"Yeah, I remember you!" Tyler's smile widened. "How are you?"
"Good now. I think I just saw yer friend."
So yes, this was a difficult story as it went along. But I swear, the next will be better. Hope you guys enjoyed!