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Adventures of a Modern Pirate: December 2019

Such is the power of a woman that is able to distract a pirate from his adventures. Besides being so naive and innocent, I had absolutely no idea what to say. Her name was Julie and she was a redhead sitting next to me. The steady drumming of the twin radial engines could be heard like a tribal chant as whatever conversation we had been having up until that time was entirely forgotten. The only thing I can remember is the fact that a gorgeous woman was sitting next to me in a seaplane that was built in the 1940s. One thing is for sure, that upturned nose, broad smile and that gleam in her eyes had been immortalized in my mind forever. 

“Your uncle sure is a nice guy,” she said sweetly, “taking you under his wing and lugging you across the Caribbean like this. What a way to spend summers.” 

“I know.”

“I’m making you nervous!” She giggled. 

“I’m fine.”

“No you’re not.” She giggled again and placed her hand on mine. “Relax.” 

“I’m relaxed!” I lied. 

“Hardly.”

I smiled and glanced out the window, as nothing could extinguish my adolescent attraction for her. My metaphorical pirate ship was on fire and I could do nothing but watch it burn and sink. Two rows up, the three blonds sat giggling away. My uncle and Peter were in the cockpit, unaware. I continued scanning the Atlantic through the window as I hoped for more conversation.

“I’m staying at a friend’s home to recharge and escape a crisis, and the Caribbean is the best place to run and hide and get away.” She added, “How about you? You running from anything?” 

“Family.” 

“I get it,” she replied. After a brief silence, she stated, “You guys should stop by.”

“Okay!”

“When you guys get settled, I’d like to have you over for dinner one night,” she said. “If that’s okay with you?”

“Okay.”

She giggled and said, “I’ll let your uncle know.”

“Okay.”

What’s with all the giggling? I thought.

A huge relief washed over me when I heard Peter holler, “Prepare for landing!” 

As much as I wanted the intermission, I hated the intermission. 

“…New Port Nelson Airport in 20 minutes.” 

“You better buckle up,” Julie insisted. “It can get a little rough.” 

She remained next to me as I sat there like a hobbledehoy, but nonetheless loving every second. It was that broad smile and that gleam in her eyes!

Gotta get back to my coconut concoctions . . .

This column is part of an ongoing story of tales from the past that continues each month. Read Josh’s previous columns here:

To read more about Josh’s new novel, click here!

Joshua MacLeod is a NSB local and a Florida native. He is the author of Savage Tango and Chasing Latitudes. He lives with his dogs, Durango, Higgins and Oscar.

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