The Great Wave

Chapter 2

The next morning, Jared, Sam, and Teddy sat at the breakfast table each pondering what they should do that day. "Hey we can always go to the library or the science museum!" said Sam. "Sam, not all of us are as smart as you." said Jared.

At that moment father walked in after taking the night shift at the warehouse. "What's all the fuss about?" said father jokingly. "We just don't know what to do today, that's all." said Teddy. "Hey, how about a boat ride, boys? I hear it's  to be quite a day today!" said father. "Nah that's okay dad." said Jared. "I think we'll find something else to do." "Alrighty then." said father. " but it's still a nice day and I'd like to take my mind off of work so if no one wants to come, I think I'll take that boat ride by myself."

"I should be back around sunset." said father. "And please don't burn down the house when I'm gone."  "Don't worry dad, we'll be okay." said Teddy. "Alrighty then. I'll see you later." said father.
He climbed up the ladder leading to the big sailboat/ship. He started up the engine and waved goodbye to his boys. "Oh and boys," shouted their father over the engines roar, "just remember that I'll always love you!" The boys were startled to hear their father tell them that he loved them. They knew he loved them but he had never said it out loud to them before. "WE LOVE YOU TOO!" shouted the boys as their father sailed off into the ocean.

When sunset came the boys sat along the beach and stared out into the ocean. They entertained themselves by chasing seagulls while they waited for father to return home. "Where is he?" said Teddy. "Yeah he was supposed to come home by now." said Sam. "Guys it's all right, he's probably just late." said Jared, trying to be the bigger person in the situation and trying to make himself sound unafraid, but the truth is, Jared was worried.

They waited and waited. They waited so long, that it was pitch black dark by the time they all decided to go inside. "Okay now I'm really scared!" said Sam. "Okay then if you're all really that worried we can go check 'the box'." said Jared. 'The box' was a medium-sized square contraption that was hooked up to the boat that their father had taken for a ride. 'The box' was used during emergencies like this one and it told what condition the boat was in, what the weather was like, how many passengers were on board, and how much gas the boat had. So all three boys went out to the garage and headed toward 'the box'. Sam went to hit the switch to turn it on. Usually when you turn it on, all of the information about the boat will pop up on the screen. But to their horror, it didn't do that. The screen lit up with flashing red lights, saying 'ERROR, ERROR, CONNECTION LOST'. Those words made Jared's heart feel like lead.

"How can the connection be lost?" said Sam with tears in his eyes. Jared didn't have the heart to respond to Sam. All he could think about was father. Who knew what had happened to him? All of a sudden, something changed inside Jared. It was almost as if a fire had started inside of him. "WHY DIDNT I GO WITH HIM?!?!" screamed Jared. "WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN?! FIRST MOM AND NOW THIS?!" Sam was silently sobbing to himself. Teddy didn't know what to do, so he just stood there wordless.

"We can go out and look for him." said Sam. "No. It's too late. He's gone." said Jared looking heartbroken.

Before they went back inside, they sat along the beach. And watched the ocean.