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Show Fair Forever 165 "Then, Dad got sick-terribly sick. The doctors said it was kidney failure. Said he needed,a transplant. Problem was, none of Dad's brothers could donate because the doctors worried my uncles had the same defective gene. Uncle Chess never hesitated even though he was older. The doctor said it was a good match, that he was healthy as a thirty year old, so the Captain gave my dad one of his kidneys. It was a miracle. I remember walking in the hospital room a few days after the operation. I was still little then, but I can remember my dad looked like he was ready to get up and start his life all over." Katie stops and I can hear myself breathing. Mom turns onto Shoreline Drive. Katie continues. "After the transplant, he and grandpa and uncle Chess bought a charter boat together, taking groups out to deep-sea fish in the summers. One day they were returning when a storm blew in. They heard a mayday, calling over the radio. A boat was stranded-out of power at the lighthouse breakwater. As they rounded the cape, they saw a small boat struggling, being pulled by the current toward the breakers. Inside was a man, with his wife and two small kids- "You're dad tried to save them?" Mom interrupts. "Yes," Katie answers. I don't turn around. "Uncle Chess steered the charter as close as he dared. It was terrible. The wind was howling and the waves were huge: The charter boat was built for rough weather, but even she was struggling. Dad tried to throw a line but the wind kept blowing it away." Katie's voice is weak, now. Almost silent. I strain to hear, and Mom slows the car, quiets the wheels. |
