Chapter 10

For Sale or Trade

1934 Burger 76.
Tungsten Sputtered Steel Hull
Never in saltwater
Twin Cummins, Generac
Refer - freezer, 4 burner with oven, 2 aft state, Vee berth
Exotic rare wood trimmed Salon
Completely equipped for Lakes cruising.
Cover and 6 page article 1969 Yachting Magazine
Purchased at auction for 24 million.
Inquire Pentwater Yacht Club.

Trade?

Sailing Yacht of similar value and equipment.

I hope we get a buyer ... or a trade. Mom traded the pickup and a few bucks for a 50 foot boat ... but we have a genuine rebuilt 1934 76 foot steel Burger and I don’t know where we got it.

I am beginning to have suspicions about mom. I get the idea she’s not who ... or what she says she is. If she’s our mom ... really ... then I suppose we’re not what or who we think we are. And there’s this little voice inside that speaks up when I think like that. A little voice that poopoo’s me. Of course ... it says not to mention it to anyone ... not even mom.

“I’d like to speak to your agent about the boat.” Whoever he was he looked like ‘Old’ money ... Mainline money.

Mom ... sis ... said, “Why?”

“I was your main competitor at the auction,” he said. “I took too long to consider the competition and lost it.”

“I remember you,” m-Sis said. “I was prepared to go 33. I’d have to make arrangements to bid more.”

“You looked at least 10 years older,” he said.

“Makeup and clothes,” mSis said, “Works every time.”

“34 mil right now ... cash.”

Well ... don’t mind telling ... Jackie and I froze where we stood. 34 mil for a used pickup and a couple thousand? Do it mom ... do it!

But, she squinted at him, “You brought 50 ... I’ll take that.”

“How did you know?”

“I read your mind.”

Long pause ... no ... not long enough ... more ... wait ... ah...

“Done,” He spit on his palm. mSis spit on hers. Paperwork came out, signatures offered, funds proffered.

“Read my mind?”

MSis grinned, “Ayup ... what’ll ya take for the Bahamas sail boat.”

That got him ... good lord ... he was shocked.

“I’ll give three,” she said.

“Five,” he said.

“Four,” she countered.

“Done.” “Better hurry ... hurricane season.”

“Come on kids ... Willow Run. We need to fly.”

MSis flew down, when did she learn?

Jackie said, “Where did she get the plane?”

We were sailing up the coast towards Annapolis ... just the two of us. MSis had to return the plane.

We were two days ahead of the Cat-5 that took out Miami.

Safely anchored. Tucked in a little south and east of 205 Lawrence Place, Tappahannock, VA.

We looked at each other, “When did we learn to sail?”