Captain Thor and I

[chanaud]

Mandy

A mixture of sounds woke me from my deep slumber - a combination of ocean waves crashing, and the creaking of taps indicating someone was in the shower. Peeking through my half-closed eyes, a bright orange ball was rising before me.

As I stretched my arms, a thin blanket slipped off me. My mind trailed back to last night's events and couldn't recall the blanket. I knew immediately that Thor was the culprit, causing a wide smile to appear.

It felt wonderful to wake to this beautiful morning! I lay there in a sleepy state mesmerized by the sun. Hearing his movements reminded me I should shower too.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

"Will 9 be too soon to meet you in the lobby?" My voice trailed off as I waited for her answer. After my shower I dressed in my sailing togs, packed, and looked out on the balcony. I saw that Mandy had gone so I assumed she was getting ready. I made a call to have our bags picked up (hers, at least), used the TV checkout feature of the hotel, and then called Mandy.

 

[chanaud]

Buzzzzz Buzzzzzz The light on the phone flashed several times. I wrapped myself in the plush hotel robe and allowed my wet hair drip water on the hotel carpet.

"Hello?"

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

I suppressed a smartassed answer.....she was probably still sleepy. "Will 9 be too soon to meet you in the lobby?"

"I have everything arranged" I waited for her answer.....

 

[chanaud]

Mandy

Thor was businesslike and short with his question. " Maybe, he didn't sleep as well as I had or he just saw me as another client. A regret flashed through my mind as I pictured him alone in his room.

"Yes, 9. I'll be there."

I quickly dressed in silk white short skirt, yellow and white Hibiscus print Hawaiian silk blouse and brown strappy sandals.

When the bellman knocked on my door, I was ready too. We rode down the elevator together and joined Thor with a bright smile and a "Good morning."

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

....she was like a breath of fresh air..... We rode the elevator in pleasant silence. I thought of all kinds of snappy repartee, but I was mute....at least for the moment. Based on her instructions from before, I gave the driver instructions to the harbor area where her 'new' yacht was berthed. I tried not to stare at the coppery expanse of skin that was revealed as her short skirt rode up her legs. As we stepped out of the cab, I paused, awestruck at the lovely vessel....

 

[chanaud]

I stepped out of the cab and was immediately captured by the picturesque scene. It looked like a postcard in a five and dime store!

I glanced up at Thor and wondered what he was staring at. As I followed my eyes with his, I too was stunned as he was staring at the beautiful yacht and gasped at her sight. When I squinted my eyes from the blinding sun, I caught the name I was looking for, 'Kole Sera, meaningLove and Luck in French Polynesian.

She was the tallest and grandest of Rio. Her body was all teak while her mast held 2 headsails, 2 storm sails and a spinnaker. You couldn't control your head from bobbing in tune to her. Even others stopped to stare at her magnifence.

"That's her, " I said in a faint whisper.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

I touched Mandy's elbow and steered her up the wooden gangplank. The ship was probably the most beautiful that I had ever set foot on.... 'Kole Sera - I wonder what that means?'

We were met by the first officer - a man I had sailed with on a couple of occasions. "Mr Roberts, this is the owner. Please show her to her cabin and then gather the crew in the salon."

 

[chanaud]

Mandy

Mr. Roberts steered me to my cabin. He pointed out the few necessities and asked me if I need anything else. "No thank you, I wish to be alone." I answered back. Before he left, he stopped at the door, looked at me with a sorrow in his eyes and started to say something. But, he changed his mind and left, closing the door behind him, leaving me to myself in the main stateroom.

I was surprised at how large the stateroom was. It was covered with teak wood and had a large queen size bed and a tiny antique dresser. I wondered how many times, my deceased husband was in this room. And who was he with? There were so many questions. I hope there were enough evidence left behind to answer them.

Since, I was in no mood to be alone, I stepped out to explore the rest of the yacht.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

........after briefing the crew, I headed to the small but opulent cabin assigned to the master. The first officer had done well...the crew seemed knowledgeable. The numbers were about right, not too many, but enough to sail this wonderful vessel. I made a mental note to ask Mandy if she wished me to pay the crew off in Boston and then have her reimburse me when she collected the funds from the sale. Something told me that she was thin on ready cash...

 

[chanaud]

Mandy

I noticed my room was in the far end of the bottom of the deck. A few steps up lead me to a short hall with several teak doors. I wonder which one was Thor's stateroom.

I climbed another short steps and it lead me out to the bow. Standing at the end of the bow, I looked back at the boat and the magnificence of it hit me again. Two crew members didn't any attention to me they set the sails.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

The first officer handled the boat beautifully. The auxilary engine was throbbing and the sails were just being set. We looked to be making about 10 knots as we headed for the open sea. Mandy was in the bow, looking back over the length of the ship. I could not help but let my eyes linger on her as the wind whipped her hair about her face....

'Well done, First. I'll take the first watch. Get some rest." I turned to the (compass?) and cautioned the helmsman to keep her on course.

 

[chanaud]

Mandy

The white sails were rattling against the wind. As we picked up speed as the main sail caught the wind and ballooned into a perfect arch.

"Should we raise the spinnaker, Captain?"

"No! We're not far out yet."

Thor's eyebrows were in a tight knot as he concentrated on the ship's course. It was difficult sailing out due to the shallows that appeared out of nowhere. I noticed how Thor seemed to have lost 10 years. The sea definately suited him!

I whispered in the wind, "Au revoir" as the harbor faded away.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

<several hours later>

"Hold to course 040 for the next hour or so. The GPS is acting up...I don't trust it." With these final orders, I stepped below - into my small cabin. I rang for the steward and asked if 'the owner' had eaten. I was hungry, but simple politeness bade me wait until the steward knocked with some coffee and an answer....

 

[chanaud]

Mandy

He handed a linen letter to the Captain. It read...

Dear Captain Thor,

I believe it is customary for the Captain to dine with his guests.

Please pick me up at my cabin at 7pm.

Mandy

P.S. My cabin is right below yours.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

Dear Captain Thor,

I believe it is customary for the Captain to dine with his guests.

Please pick me up at my cabin at 7pm.

Mandy

P.S. My cabin is right below yours.

I turned the note over in my hands and thought, 'A bit imperious, but I guess I am a hired hand.'

I decided to dress for dinner - T-shirt with 'over the bounding main' emblazoned on the chest, shorts, and boat shoes. A bit gauche, but we will see.........

I looked at the chronometer and settled back for a brief wait as I sipped my coffee....

At 7 on the nose, I shut the door of my cabin and headed for the (?) gangway......

 

[chanaud]

Mandy

After preparing meals for the crew, I made a special one for Thor and myself. The galley had a small table, surely enough room for two, but, it offered no privacy, since the crew's quarters were right next to it.

I had the room prepared to my comfort. I found a smalll card table in a storage compartment and set it on the corner of my room, and covered it with thin blanket. Topped with an antique nautical lantern, it was as good as any resturant setting.

Wearing a short black, spaghetti-strapped dress, I knew I looked great. Sighing to myself, I wonder why I took pains to look nice. It's not as if Thor would take action, since he views me only as a client.

rap rap

I glanced at my watch. 7 sharp! Of course, he's precise.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

As the door swung open my eyes widened.....I always had trouble masking my expressions. I stared like a gauche teenager at Mandy. She was dressed in a little black thing....simple but elegant at the same time. Thin straps curved over her bare shoulders....nicely tanned shoulders. I briefly wondered if she had tan lines and then pushed that thought into the back of my mind....after all, she is the owner - I am a hired hand (top gun, but hired, nevertheless).

"Mandy, your ship, while lovely, pales in your light. May I come in?"

 

[chanaud]

Mandy

The sea suited Thor. I found him attractive on land, but here, out in the ocean, He seemed like a .........GOD! I couldn't control my heart from the flips and prayed Thor didn't notice from my thin dress.

Thank you, Thor. You look dashing yourself.

Opening the door wider for his entrance, Please, come in.

There were a bottle of white wine ready for it's consumption. Since, our food supply is limited and there is so much you can do in a galley. I heated a frozen lasagna. Not quite like homemade but certainly provides warmth in an empty stomach.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

I made small talk as we ate. The simple meal seemed - to me - as fine as any four star restaurant might prepare. The movement of the vessel changed as she began to meet the swells of the open Atlantic. Mandy's eyes were shining with a life that had not been there on shore. Her dress was sexy as hell.......black had always been a color that I found exciting on a woman.

The wine was a California Merlot from Napa.....even in Brazil the fine California wines were available, it appeared.

As we finished and I helped in cleaning up the few dishes I asked, 'Might I invite you to sample a very good Cognac? I have been saving it for a special occasion." Her small cabin was right next to the crew quarters, and I suspected that our words were being heard right now........

 

[chanaud]

Mandy

'Might I invite you to sample a very good Cognac? I have been saving it for a special occasion."

Oh thank goodness, the evening isn't over. The night was still young and I'm not ready to retire and I sure didn't want to impose Thor for entertainment.

When he suggested a Cognac, I nodded my head and answered, "Oh yesss. I would love one. " I stopped as Thor grinned at me. Oh geez... I hope I didn't sound too desperate.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

I laid my hand gently on Mandy's elbow and guided her up the (ladder?) to my cabin just above. I walked to a tastefully concealed panel and opened the tiny bar. A very good VSOP Cognac splashed into two snifters. I swirled the amber liquid and then handed Mandy a glass.

"To our journey. May it be swift and safe." I was not too sure whether or not I wanted the swift part.....but, she is a client and a recent widow.

"Tell me Mandy, what is the history of this lovely vessel? Did you and your husband sail the seven seas?"

 

[chanaud]

"To our journey! And to you, Thor. Without you, I would be lost at sea."

I sipped my first taste of Cognac. Hmmmm...I savored the taste until the richness burst with flavor. Smooth.

"No, we never sailed. I didn't know of this boat until my attorney read the will."

Shadows darkened Thor's eyes as he struggled from asking more questions.

"I really don't want to talk about me. May I sit down?"

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Captain Thor

"I really don't want to talk about me. May I sit down?"

"Mi casa es su casa." Mandy, you may sit wherever you wish.... (I thought about the 700# gorilla joke, and then decided that might not be well received).

"I need to check on the deck for a few minutes. make yourself at home. I will be back shortly." With those words, I opened the door and ascended to the deck. She had a bone in her teeth. The wind had freshened and we were clipping along at about 15 knots.

"Everything OK, First?" I waited for an answer, but I expected that everything was in order.....This sailor was good.

 

[chanaud]

I had to smile at Thor telling me to make myself at home. If this was my place, I would be naked and bed right now. A wild fleeting thought crossed my mind. Should I? I had to chuckle as I imagined Thor's surprised look.

Instead, I pondered at where to sit. There was a wooden chair by his desk and his bed. I chose the latter. As, I sat on his bed, my hand ran across the bed and his pillow. It was so intimate to be so near where he will be sleeping tonight.