Danger Bay—Episode 36—Captain Molly’s Surprise

Previously: Episode 35—On “Big Lake”

“Voyage of the Motor Vessel Sparrow” series inspired by Bob Carney.

by Boomer Jack Boardman

The fog soon disappeared leaving behind a spectacular morning on Big Lake. The Sparrow, with crewman Herzog now piloting, continued her northeasterly course towards Blackfish Bay. 1^st Officer “Trigg” Guudlender, 2^nd Officer (also head Chef, & Pilot) “Mac” McIntyre had been summoned by the Captain to the main cabin.

After giving the necessary instructions to Herzog, Trigg & Mac descended the ladder down two decks and through the gangway to the main cabin.

“I wonder what the Captain wants,” Mac thought out loud, “we have no scheduled meetings this morning.”

“Probably wants to go over the ‘welcome to the Sparrow’ meeting we’re having at noon,” Trigg replied.

“I s’pect you’re right.”

One deck below, Maggie & Ines were getting settled into their state room, and checking out the amenities when Maggie’s portable radio chirped. She reached in her pocket and opened the flip-phone like two-way radio:

“This is Maggie,” she acknowledged and the listened to the message and replied, “I’ll be right there.”

“What’s up?” Ines asked as Maggie returned the little communicator to her pocket.

“Gotta run,” she replied, “Molly’s having a meeting of the boat’s officers.”

“Something wrong?”

“No, it didn’t sound like it,” Maggie said as he left the stateroom, almost running in to Sarah & Lysa who were just about to knock on the door. “Meeting, I’ll be back soon, I think.”

“Nice talking to ya,” Lysa smiled as they walked into the room.

Moments later there was another knock on the door. Ines opened it revealing Bob Carney & Fred Jaworski.

“Got Water?” Bob greeted, “Unsalted, please.”

“We were kicked out of Boomer & Jay’s cabin.” Fred added, “They were called to a meeting with Molly.”

“There appears to be a lot of that going around this morning,” Sarah laughed, “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

Meanwhile, one deck above…

“Good,” Molly smiled, “everyone’s here.”

“What’s up Molly?” Jay smiled in return along with similar comments from the rest of the summoned.

“Well,” She replied, “this is a special voyage, and we, that is Joe & I, want to make it even more special.”

“That’s an understatement,” Joe Kewl, standing next to Molly chimed in, “a BIG understatement!”

“I see it coming,” Boomer murmured to Jay.

“Joe and I,” Molly smiling even wider, “want to be married on this cruise.”

“Great!” Mac rumbled, and then added with a sly smile, “You see? Joe here, just wants to move into better quarters.”

“That’s true, Mac,” Joe replied moments before Molly gave his ponytail a hard yank, “YEOW! I’m gonna feel that for awhile.”

“Who’ll perform the ceremony?” Trigg asked.

“Why, the Cap…” Molly began, “WAIT, I AM the captain—crap.”

“MOLLY!”

“Sorry”

There was much discussion about how to handle this little glitch in Molly’s big news, stop at Blackfish Bay and find a JP or Minister, Molly resign (temporarily) as captain and have Trigg perform the ceremony, and on and on…

“I have an idea,” Boomer said quietly to Jay, “I know how to do this…”

TO BE CONTINUED…FRIDAY