ROAD TO NOWHERE

Chapter 18

Tim and Avi took their seats on the boat as people begins to board. There weren't quite enough seats for everyone so some were having to stand.

Tim notices an elderly couple, probably in their eighties, having to stand. No one was offering them a seat. The elderly lady was thin and frail.

"Sir?" Tim says as he reaches out and taps the old man on the arm. "Would you and your wife like to sit down?"

"Son, you don't have to give up your seats." The old man says with a polite smile.

"Oh, we don't mind at all." Avi smiles as he stands up and helps the elderly lady over to his seat.

Tim helps the older gentleman, that was having to use a walker, to sit down.

"My legs just aren't as strong as they used to be." The old man chuckles.

"Bless you." The lady says with a sweet smile as her feeble hands grasp Avi's. "It's good to know that there are still good people in the world."

"You see, my lovely wife will be leaving me in a month or two. And she's never seen the ocean." The old man says softly.

"Oh, my God." Avi whispers as he covers his mouth, tears coming to his eyes.

"I am so sorry." Tim says as he, himself, bats back the tears.

"Oh, I've had a great life." The lady smiles. "I've been blessed with a wonderful husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I've seen many of God's beautiful creations, just not the ocean. Until now."

"Mam, I truly don't know what to say." Tim says softly as he squats down in front of the lady and takes her small wrinkled hands in his.

"Don't be sad for me, Sweetheart. I've had a great life." She says with a smile. "Are you boys married?" 

"Uh, no mam, we're not." Tim answers.

"My advice to you is not to live your life alone." She says with a wink. "It's been a true pleasure meeting you two. I don't know your names."

"I'm Tim and this is Avi. And the pleasure has been all ours." Tim smiles as he pats her hands gently.

"Absolutely." Avi agrees as he wipes his eyes. "Meeting you two has been a blessing to us."

The captain announces the departure from the dock.

"You boys go enjoy yourselves." The lady smiles. "And live life to the fullest."

"Thank you. We will." Tim says with a smile. "If yall need any help getting off this boat, just let us know. We'll be happy to help."

"Thank you, that's very kind of you." The old man smiles.

Tim stands up and takes Avi by the hand. They walk quietly over to the railing of the boat. Avi holds onto the railing looking out across the ocean as if he were seeing it through different eyes.

Tim wraps his arms around the shorter man from behind and sets his chin on Avi's shoulder.

"Are you alright?" Avi asks softly as he hears Tim sniff. Avi, himself had a tear rolling down his cheek.

Tim could only nod, afraid that his voice would fail him.

As the captain begins to point out the dolphins for the tourist to see, Tim looks over at the elderly lady. The smile on her face was priceless. A mix of excitement, happiness, peace and contentment adorn her weather face.

Tim buries his face in Avi's neck and cries quietly. Why was this lady affecting him so much? Death was staring her in the face and she wasn't the least bit frightened.

By the end of the cruise, Tim and Avi's mood had lifted. The boat docked and the people began to exit the boat.

They walk back over to the elderly couple and help them from their seats.

"It would be my pleasure to escort you off the ship." Avi smiles as he holds out his arm for the lady to take.

"Well, thank you. You're such a gentleman." She laughs as she takes him by the arm.

"Just don't make a move on my wife, Buddy." The old man chuckles as Tim helps him up and hands him his walker.

They slowly head for the unloading dock. 

"Why in the hell don't they move a little faster. We have places we need to be." A voice comes from behind them.

"Excuse me just a moment." Tim tells the older man, gently placing a hand on his back.

"Son, that's alright. We get that a lot." The elderly man says with a sad smile.

"Not around me, you don't." Tim says as he turns around grabbing Mitch roughly by the arm, pulling him toward the back of the boat followed closely by Scott.

"Mr. Foust, wait." Scott says but is completely ignored by the angry man.

"Let me tell you something, you sorry excuse for a human being." Tim growls as he roughly shoves Mitch against the railing. "You say one more word to that sweet couple, I will personally throw your ass over this railing for shark bait. Do you understand?"

"Mr. Foust, hold on." Scott says.

"And one more word out of you," Tim says through gritted teeth. "You'll join him."

Tim shoves Mitch roughly toward Scott, turning quickly on his heels, he heads back to where Avi is waiting with the elderly couple.

The old man had a huge smile on his wrinkled face.

"Good job, Tim." The old man laughs. "You remind me a lot of myself in my younger days."

"Whatever." The lady chuckles as she takes Avi again by the arm.

"Tim? Avi? It would be our pleasure to buy you guys lunch." The old man says.

"You don't have to do that." Tim smiles, shaking his head.

"Oh, but we want to." The lady says. "By the way, my name is Audrey and this is Henry."

"We would love to have lunch with you but only if you let us buy. Our treat." Tim says.

The older couple looks at each other and Audrey gives a slight nod.

"Well, alright." Henry finally answers. "But let it be known that this is not without protest." 

"Noted." Avi laughs as he escorts Audrey to their car.

************

VOTE & COMMENT