Chapter 1

I'm aboard the cruise ship Carnival Splendor, and shortly I'll be meeting with the Captain on the bridge of his ship. I explained to the Events Coordinator what I wanted, and she relayed the message to the Captain, who invited me up to the bridge.

"Captain, I would like to ask my girlfriend Tracie Adams to marry me on Valentine's day. What would be the proper procedure on how to accomplish this?" I asked.

"That is a good question Mr. Kent. I will invite both of you to dine at my table on Valentine's day and you can ask her then. I'll have my Events Coordinator attend to ths situation," he replied.

We talked some more on the plan, while he showed me around the bridge.

"Mr. Kent everybody who is aboard this ship has a story, would you like to tell me your's?"

"Captain, first my name is David and second, my story would be a long one and might bore you."

"That is ok Mr. Kent, sorry David; I have plenty of time and lots of ocean in front of us, with no place for us to hide. So, yes, I would like to hear your story."

So I proceeded to tell him my story.

My name is Clark David Kent III. With the last name of Kent, who in the fuck would name your son Clark? Let alone the Third. Not hard to figure that one out. Ya my folks with help from my grand folks.

Yes, I got plenty of teasing in school about my name. Where are your glasses? Do you have your superman suit under your clothes? Can I see your suit? Can you really fly? Can you see through walls? And a whole host of other stupid fucking questions.

I think it would be appropriate that I give you some background on me first. During my teen years, I would help my best friend Steve. His dad Roger owned a small Excavating Company. He did a lot of private jobs, and Steve and I would help him. He taught both of us how to operate heavy equipment. I took to operating a hydraulic crane, like a duck does to water. I'm good at operating most road equipment, but I love the crane the best.

After I graduated from River City High School, I went to the union's operating engineer's training school. I spent a year there learning all that I could about operating equipment. I had my application into many different construction firms.

I received a lot of job offers, but I always wanted to work for Three Brothers, their headquarters is just outside of River City, in Riverview Township. They made me an offer which I took. I still work for Roger on the side when he needs some extra help. I also help other guys on the weekend.

I guess now is a good time to give you some additional background on me. I am five feet, nine inches tall, weight 180 pounds. I work construction, so I am pretty well put together. I have brown hair and eyes. I go by the name of David.

I met Jan at our annual summer company picnic. Jan and I had gone to school together. She was a year ahead of me. She dated a guy through their junior and senior years in high school. He joined the army after high school graduation, and was killed in Iraq. But not before he got her pregnant. She gave birth to twin girls, June and July.