Chapter 10: Decisions
Three weeks later…
The crews of the Bering Sea crab boats began making their way to Dutch Harbor for the first offload of the Opilio crab season.
Aboard the Northwestern, tensions were still very high. When they reached Dutch Harbor, they would be picking up Alex from the dock. He had been flown back to Dutch after falling into the Bering Sea and being hauled out by the Maverick. The rest of the crew had mixed feelings about his return. Earlier that morning, Sarah had called a meeting down in the galley…
The crew gathered around the table and the counter in the galley and waited anxiously for their skipper to join them. Sarah began climbing down from the wheelhouse and the crew tensed with apprehension.
"I think you all know why I called you in here," said Sarah as she approached them, "We'll be tying up at Dutch this afternoon. I have an important decision to make…whether or not to allow Alex back on board."
Andrew stiffened and anger flashed in his eyes. Sarah gave him a warning look. Andrew gritted his teeth and remained silent, but still angry.
"Now," she continued after a moment, "I know that some of you have different feelings towards Alex, as do I. I make all executive decisions and yes this is not a democracy, but you guys are not just my crew, you're my friends. What you feel and think is important to me. So, let's go around the room and I want to hear what each of you have to say. Don't worry about the others, just be honest. No one's getting in trouble for their opinion. Andrew, let's start with you."
Andrew's eyes narrowed in anger.
"As if I need to say anything!" he spat, "Of course I want Alex back on board! He's the only one on here with brains."
Jake shot Andrew a hateful look. Back when Sig was captain, he would never dare challenge him like Andrew challenged Sarah. It was just disrespectful and immature.
Sarah did not reply. She nodded curtly and turned to face Jon and Amy who stood near each other around the counter.
"Jon? Amy?"
"I don't know," murmured Jon, "He's a good deckhand, but he causes a lot of problems. I'm going to have to stay neutral I suppose."
"I'm not so sure he should come back," said Amy, eyes flashing with anger, "He brings the moral down too much."
Sarah nodded thoughtfully before she turned her attention to Jake.
"Jake?"
Jake sighed and looked away for a moment.
"I don't like him," he said after a couple minutes, "But that doesn't mean he's not needed. He's experienced and he knows what he's doing. I think he should come back."
Sarah blinked in surprise. She had not been expecting that from Jake, but then again Jake was a smart guy. He knew how to put his feelings aside for the benefit of the rest of the crew.
Sarah thanked the deckhands and turned to go back up to the wheelhouse. She had a lot of thinking to do before they reached Dutch Harbor later that afternoon…
As Jake, Jon, and Andrew tied down the Northwestern to the dock, Amy and Sarah walked out of the wheelhouse.
"Hey Jake!" called Sarah, "You're in charge till I get back, okay?"
Jake nodded and turned back to say something to Andrew. Amy and Sarah made their way down the dock, passing several other boats along the way.
"So do you really like Rick?" asked Amy with a knowing smile.
Sarah smiled back. Amy was one of her best friends. She should have known that Amy would eventually bring that back up.
"Yeah, I do," she replied, "He's a great guy. We talked a lot over the radio while we were hauling strings over the past few weeks. He's not what everyone else says he is."
Amy nodded thoughtfully and looked away as they strolled down the dock.
"Speaking of which, how are you and Jon doing?"
Amy blushed suddenly.
"Is it that obvious?" she asked, almost fearfully.
"Just a little," said Sarah sarcastically, "You two would be good together."
"Really?"
"Yeah," said Sarah giving her friend a nudge, "Really."
Just then, they passed the Time Bandit. Sarah glanced up for a moment and felt her muscles stiffen subconsciously.
"So what's their deal?" asked Amy, "They still hate us?"
"I'm not sure actually," murmured Sarah, "I haven't talked with the new captain yet. Apparently he's a family friend of the Hillstrand's and they're still friends with the Maverick."
"Speaking of which," said Amy, pointed ahead of them, "There she blows! Wanna go say hi?"
Sarah shot her friend a surprised look.
"You want to go say hi to them?"
"Yeah, why not?"
"Well…it's just that the rest of the crew…"
"Who cares what they think?" said Amy, "I want to meet this Rick Painter!"
Sarah shook her head, "Okay, if you say so."
As they approached the Maverick, Rick stuck his head out the window and waved.
"Hey! I was just going to call you!" he shouted, "Come on in!"
Sarah smiled back at him and felt her heart skip a beat. Amy gave her a knowing look and a playful nudge. Sarah suddenly realized that things had not changed between her and Amy since high school. They still gossiped and talked about guys all the time. Sarah was grateful for the support. No one else seemed to fully understand except Amy.
Sarah and Amy went up into the Maverick wheelhouse. They spent over an hour talking with Rick and a couple other deckhands. They discussed the rescue of Alex, fishing, and gossiped about their crews. After awhile, Sarah glanced at her watch. She gasped and grabbed Amy's arm.
"Oh, Amy we gotta go!" she exclaimed.
"Why? What is it?" asked Amy, looking confused.
"Alex is supposed to be at the Elbow Room in five minutes," she said, urgently, "He's going to be waiting for my answer."
"Waiting for your answer?" asked Rick, "What answer?"
"To whether or not he can have his job back," replied Amy.
"His job was in jeopardy?" asked Rick, "Why?"
"He's caused some…tension on the boat lately," said Sarah, carefully, "Some of the crew aren't too happy with him so we discussed earlier whether or not to let him back on board."
Rick raised a questioning eyebrow, "And are you going to?"
Sarah hesitated for a moment.
"I'm…I'm not sure…"
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