The Storm

 

Early one evening Jack returned from school to see his dad, Andrew, moor the boat. He ran towards his dad.
“Hey, dad!”
“Hello, Jack. You’re back early?”
“Yes, can you take me out to sea?”
“I just tied her up buddy.”
“Please, dad. I really want to sail with you, please.”
“You’re not going to take no for an answer, are you?”
Jack grinned.
“Come on, in the boat,” instructed Andrew.
“Yahoo!” Yelled Jack and jumped in. Andrew smiled, untied the boat and got in. He fired up the engine and they were on their way.

They sailed into the sea for about half an hour. The sun had started to set and looked like a big orange ball in the evening sky. Jack sat near the bow staring at the setting sun, listening to the gentle waves splashing against the sides of the boat. Andrew turned off the engine and joined Jack.
“Pretty sight, isn’t it Jack?”
“Sure is, dad,” replied Jack. “I love the ocean.”
“I’m sure you do; it runs in the family. Your grandpa was a sailor and so am I.”
“I want to be a sailor too!”
“You will be, son, I am sure. You know, Jack, the sea is more like a mother to me. She cares, she provides and is always there. When I’m happy I sail out to celebrate. When I’m upset, I sail out to feel better again. The love of the sea I cannot explain in words,” Andrew became sentimental.
There was a twinkle in Jack’s eyes. Though he did not reply, he had a big smile on his face.
“Now, let’s head back young man before it gets dark.”
Andrew fired up the engine again and turned the boat around.

A few days later Jack returned home early on a gloomy day. Strong winds were accompanied by dark clouds. A storm warning had been issued. Jack entered their beach-touch house and was startled by the sound of shattering glass. From the room above he heard his parents screaming. Altercations between the two had become commonplace recently. They assumed that shutting the door was enough to shield Jack’s young mind from the ill effects of their fights. Jack, not knowing how to handle his emotions, quietly slipped into his room. He threw his bag on the bed and opened the curtains. He sat by the window staring at the sea. The sea was rough that day, it seemed to mimic Jack’s mind. His thoughts were as turbulent as the sea. Tears trickled down his cheeks as he sat helplessly looking outside. He switched on the radio to drown out the unwanted sounds in the house.

A few minutes later, Jack saw Andrew walking out of the house towards the sea. He noticed his dad wiping his tears as he walked away. Andrew’s words echoed in his head. “When I am upset, I sail out to feel better.”
‘Maybe he just wants to be alone with the sea,’ thought Jack.
Andrew waited for a few minutes before he untied the boat and got in. Jack was surprised. He ran out to the living room and grabbed a pair of binoculars. He saw the boat sail away with his dad at the helm. Just then the song on the radio was interrupted for an important announcement.
“Due to rough seas and in view of the imminent storm, sailors are advised not to venture out.”
Jack’s eyes welled up with tears once again. “Dad,” he mumbled.

Looking through the binoculars, Jack saw Andrew’s boat tossing on the giant waves. It looked like the sea was playing with the boat. To Jack it seemed like the sea understood his father. Two giant waves that looked like the arms of the sea, converged to hug Andrew and the boat. The waves held the boat and the sea took them in her cold embrace. Just like that, in front of his eyes, they vanished. Jack fainted and fell to the floor. A couple of days later he woke up in a hospital bed.
“Hello, Jack. How are you?” Asked the doctor.
“Where am I?” Jack asked.
“You’re in the hospital and you’re ok. Do you remember what happened?”
“Yes,” replied Jack. “Dad was very upset that evening and he went to his mother who took him in.”
“His mother?” Enquired the doctor because he knew Andrew’s mother had passed away long ago.
“The sea, doctor. He often referred to the sea as his mother. I think that’s what we all do, don’t we? At the end of the day when we are tired, when we have nowhere to go, we look for our mother who is always there to comfort us. That is what dad did, that’s what I will do someday too,” said Jack and his eyes welled up with tears.
“Relax, Jack. Sleep now, you need rest,” said the doctor and left.
“What effect will this incident have on Jack’s mind, doctor?” Asked a nurse.
“I’m worried about that too,” replied the doctor. “Not only this incident but also the troubled relationships he witnessed at home that led Andrew to do what he did. Only time will tell but I hope others take a cue from this and learn before it’s too late.”