Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – J. C. Breeze

February 12, 2008

                              Shadow Sails

                                                            By

                                                J.C. Breeze: all rights reserved

Terri and I, with Shadow, drove to the village harbor. Most Northport residents live within two miles to the harbor. All the village roadways terminate at the dock like spokes on a wheel. The way to the village passes resident properties whose owners value their nearness to the bay’s waters. Some have window views of the bayscape. Sailors working on their boats dominate the salty scene. My thirty-foot sloop rig, SEA BREEZE, is tied to a mooring in the center of the harbor waters.

All the pennants on harbor vessels were whipping in the wind. I took notice of the conditions and thought of how good it would be to sail today. We boarded a launch to take us to SEA BREEZE. Many boat ownwers will at times board their boats and sit on it with no plans to sail. I had no plans to sail. Arriving at our mooring, I jumped from the launch onto SEA BREEZE. I reached out for Shadow and placed him on board. The winds were changing my mind. Thoughts of sailing were getting strong.

 “The winds are perfect. How about taking advantage of it. Its perfect for a brief sail”, I said as I extended my hand to reach Terri. 

“I’d like to but saiing will take too much time. I have other things to do” she countered. “I’ll stay with the launch and return to the dock. You go on with Shadow. The car will still be at the dock parking facility for your return. I’ll take public transportation to get home.”

“Are you sure you won’t change your mind? ”

“Yes, I’m sure”, Terri replied. “You go on with Shadow.”

“But you know I’m a little skittish.”

“Don’t worry.” she said. “Shadow will be no problem. And, I’m sure that with you at the helm Shadow will be safe. I’ll have something nice for you when you get home. Good sailing. I’ll see you both later.”    

As soon as Terri left us I trimmed the boat preparing it for a sail. While I was busy Shadow was busy too. He sniffed a thorough inspection of the below and upper decks of SEA BREEZE. He was cautious under the main sail’s boom, especially when it would swing its position. The winds whipped the mast lines making loud snap sounds when the lines hit the mast. Shadow eventually felt familiar with his surroundings. His investigation complete he spread himself on the sunny main deck. 

I sailed on a heading through the harbor’s gateway. As the waters got deeper we sailed on a course less than a half mile off the shoreline. The wind was perfect. I enjoyed working the sails. It took an hour to reach the point where the bay and the Sound met. There the seawaters opened to a great view. And, there the wind picked up making the work at the helm active. The clear sky was changing to overcast and the wind was making its presence felt. Weather on the waters can change abruptly. Meteorological conditions can overtake you. I decided to turn the vessel about on a heading toward the protection of harbor waters. I didn’t want to gamble with the conditions, especially with Shadow aboard.

The winds changed to stronger intensity. Shadow was unsettled by the activity. The weather’s widening strength frightened him. Terrified, he scooted down below into the main cabin to find protection under furnishings. In no time he was back to topside where he could see me. The noisy elements in the heavens changed his course. He quickly turn down into cabin quarters again and dashed about in search of a safe place to hide.

I could not help Shadow. I was busy at the wheel and working the lines. Winds in agitation slapped my pennants noisily on the overhead riggings. Sea swells rising and dropping against the hull pitched the boat into unsettling yaws and rolls. I was busy trying to control the ship’s movements. I pulled on my starboard jib sheet to turn the boat into an appropriate tack. The winds had other ideas lashing loose my port side sheet. It flew up in the air catching itself on the mast halyard winch. This gave me a real problem. Without the sheet in my hand, I could not control my jib sail.  My jib line, hanging tight on the winch, could not fully control the foresail. I had no choice; I leaped from the cockpit to the mast deck. In so doing I abandoned the helm’s wheel, but I had to unravel the line from the winch. Having done so I instantly I jumped back to the cockpit to retake control at the helm. At the same time the boat’s position in the wind had changed. In my jump, the main’s boom swung back to my direction. I was moving swiftly under the boom. It moved faster catching me hard on the side of my head, dropping me helpless on the deck under the wheel. I was dazed from the blow. My eyes closed. I couldn’t function; for how long I couldn’t say. When I regained my focus, SEA BREEZE was turned up wind. Boats will do that without any help by captain in the cockpit. Its as though the boat finds its own way to settle in the wind. Her sails luffed aimlessly. I took control of SEA BREEZE and made way toward the harbor.

The wind was calm as we approached the mooring. The sun, showing itself again, felt healing. I called below to Shadow.

“Shadow boy, where are you?” I called down the gangway as I maintained control at the helm. “Come on big guy, everything is under control. You can come up now.”

There was no response from Shadow. He did not come above deck. “The weather topside is fine now.” I called again. Still, there was no response. On reaching my mooring I tied up; then went down below to retrieve Shadow. I could not find him. He was gone. Unbelieving, I searched the cabin and topside again and again. Shadow was not on the boat!

When the launch picked me up I asked if anyone had reported seeing a cat on the waters.

‘Have you seen my cat? His name is Shadow!” is all I thought. I was ballistic when I reached my car. The feelings of sorrow and guilt were inescapable. I drove along the shoreline areas stopping at every property having proximity to our sailing locations. I made inquiries for a lost cat; a wet cat. No one had seen such a cat on the water's edge. I searched to near exhaustion. I thought of Terri. God, what was I going to tell her. This beautiful day had become a day of tragedy. Our family pet had drowned. Before I started for home I took another drive along the shorefront roads making visual search of land and water from the car. Beaten, I decided to drive home.

I drove slowly. I did not want to complete this ride. I turned into my driveway. It was almost five o’clock in the afternoon. The garage doors opened automatically. I rolled the car into its berth. The garage doors closed as I exited onto the driveway. Spiritless I walked around to the front of the house to ascend the lawn steps to our front door.

As I placed my foot on the first step my gaze elevated upward to the top of the path. There was Shadow. I could not believe what I was seeing. His coat was very wet. He had traveled from the harbor waters to home; our home. Shadow switched his tail from side to side and in excited chatter descended the steps toward me. He spoke to me in his distinctive gargle like prattle that always sounded like a Walt Disney cat talking through water. Shadow rubbed his body against my shins as he wove himself affectionately between my legs. Struggling with my emotions I swept him up into my arms. I felt a surge of relief and gratitude. I cradled Shadow as we made the rest of the way up to our front door. In tones apologetic I spewed utterances only a pet would understand.

I am a retired executive. I have spent all of my 36 years in the main frame and network computer industry; with national and international distribution. The firms were, Sperry Rand, and a unit company within ITT. Amongst my managment assignments is the development of an Information Services section; designed to distrisbute product promotion articles to all marketing offices. I also wrote and edited material.

In addition I have written some articles that have been published in industry media; in the USA and Canada. 

My degree is from New York University

My activity now is writing short story fiction and golf.

J. C. Breeze 

jtcjc@optonline.net