A Voyage to Remember

By Max Smith

A Voyage to Remember is a story about a young man from Australia who wanted
to see the world before settling down to run the family businesses. Tom Thorp felt like
he was missing something and needed to see the world while he was still young enough
to sail his boat around the world. However he did not count of such an adventure when
he set out.
Go with Tom as he fights pirates, endures storms and even a shipwreck. Can
Tom find what he is looking for on the high seas? How will he find his way back home
after beaching his boat on a deserted island?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483623887

Max Smith

About the Author Max was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma during the time most of our great actors were just getting started in the movies. His imagination put him right in the middle of their adventures. Max grew up during the time that the United States was recovering from the great depreciation of the 1920's and 1930's. His greatest pastime was reading. Each book put him in another adventure as he went with the characters and let his imagination run wild. Max did not start his writing career until he was past seventy years of age. He continues to write and at this time has some twenty plus books he has written in various stages of publication.

Book preview

Chapter 1

T OM THORP AND Skip McDonald were looking at the rigging on Tom’s new boat. Skip asked When are you going to leave on this trip to America?

It will be another two weeks until I get all the supplies that I have ordered. Then I will see what the weather looks like and pick a time a few weeks off. It may take me a month of getting everything together.

If you are going to be gone for a long time, what have you done about Teresa?

You mean Teresa Willard?

Yes said Skip You know she likes you and not just a little bit.

Yes I know but I haven’t got the same feelings for her. I care for her but I am not in love with her.

Oh man said Skip. I know that you need to go on this trip but it will break her heart when you leave here.

Well, I know she likes me Skip but what else can I do? I don’t intend to marry her; in fact I see you look at her in that come-heather way. Maybe you should look into the fact that you and Teresa could get together.

Well I can’t say that I haven’t been looking at her but I thought that you had ideas about Teresa and I didn’t want to cut in on you.

Not at all, you are at liberty to go after her and I wish you luck. And if I can say so you and Teresa would make a great couple.

You think so? Skip asked. I really dig her. She is my type of woman and I really do appreciate you letting me in like this.

Anything for a friend you know that is what friends do. They help each other.

Hey where did you pick up this sweet little honey? She is some kind of boat I sure like it.

Tom said I was looking in a boat sales magazine and there it was. So I called the people that had advertised it in the magazine and made them a bid and they accepted.

It sure is a honey. Where did you have to go to pick it up? I don’t remember you leaving and I haven’t seen anything like that around here.

I know you haven’t said Tom the folks that I bought it from were from France and they sailed it here for me.

Man that was nice of them Skip said. Are you going on your trip by yourself?

Yes Skip I am going all by myself and it isn’t because I am discontent with things as they are. It is just that I want to see some of the world and I love sailing so why not sail around the world. I will be making America my first stop.

Hey said Skip lets go up to the Pub and have an Ale and talk some more. I won’t see you after you leave and I don’t have anyone else that I like as much as you.

Thanks Skip I feel the same way. You and I have been friends for a long time and I am going to miss you as well.

By the way are you going to tell Teresa that you are leaving and can you put in a good word for me?

You know I will old buddy but you will have to follow up on her to let her know you have feelings for her and that you would like to have children.

You want me to say that? What if she doesn’t want kids herself then I will be in bad with her.

Don’t worry very few women I have found do not want kids. And I know that Teresa wants to get married and have children. We have talked about that several times. I’m not ready for that now, and this is why she and I haven’t gone any further with a relationship. Marriage and children are on the minds of most women all the time. You know Skip you will have to court her and prove you are in love with her and let her see what kind of man you really are.

Yes you make it sound easy but I am not very good at this courting. I don’t know how to go about things like that.

I tell you what. While I am still here I will teach you how to woo a woman. Then you will be on your own.

Would you do that for me? Man you are sure a good friend because I just don’t have what it takes to woo a woman. I know that is why she likes you the way she does.

Don’t worry. I know you have what it takes to speak up you just need to know what to say. I’ll tell you the things she wants to hear and then when you speak you need to have confidence in what you are saying so that she will listen and admire you.

Gee Tom you sure know how to talk. It isn’t that I’m uneducatated it is just that I wasn’t around girls other than my own sisters while I was growing up and I guess I am just a little timid.

I don’t think you are timid you just lack confidence and knowledge of how women think.

Well I sure do need that Skip said and I sure do thank you for helping me.

First we need to go over to your house or some place where we will not be disturbed.

Okay Skip says my place is not close to any other houses so we will not have people hearing us.

That is fine Tom says so let’s finish our ale’s and go over to your place and see how you do.

Just as they were leaving Teresa was walking by and said Hi Tom, Skip what are you two doing? Skip replied we just stopped in for an ale and were talking about Tom’s new boat.

Oh yes she replied I heard about you getting a new boat Tom maybe you could show it to me sometime.

Well I tell you what why don’t you and Skip go over and take a look at it right now. I have to get back to the house and help my dad with some important papers. I don’t have time just now and Skip has seen it and knows all about it. So Skip why don’t you take Teresa over and look at my baby. I’ll see you two later.

Tom leaves with them looking at him in wonder and Skip says come on Teresa lets go look at this beauty.

Ok why not she replied Tom isn’t too interested in showing it to me so lets go and see what it looks like.

Hey don’t be mad at Tom he is busy trying to help his dad and he has other things that he has to take care of. Besides you need to have someone show you around. A beautiful girl like you needs a man with her to protect her.

Wow I never have heard you talk like that Skip. I always thought you didn’t like women.

Well it isn’t that. It is just that I was raised with four sisters and didn’t have much time with other girls and am just a little bashful.

Well that doesn’t bother me Teresa said I find you quite a nice man and I admire your honesty.

Well to tell you the truth Teresa I have admired you for a long time as a beautiful woman and someone that I would cherish to be my girl.

Oh my God are you telling me that you would like to have me as your steady girl and no other.

Well yes I guess that is what I am trying to say. I am not very good with words but if you were my girl, I would take care of you like you were a queen.

Oh Skip and she turned around and put her arms around him and gave him a big kiss.

Wow do you mean that you will be my girl? You just made me the happiest man around. Now let’s go see that boat. Tom is going to go sailing in a couple of weeks.

What do you mean Skip is he leaving or what? Is that why he bought the Boat?

Well yes I guess he wants to see some of the world. He bought this boat to just travel. Well here we are and she’s a beauty. It has almost everything on it and Tom said that it almost sails itself.

When Tom left them he went around the corner and listened to see what Skip would do. He heard Skip tell Teresa that he admired her and would like for her to be his girl.

"Way to go Skip thought Tom I guess I won’t have to teach you anything. You have just passed in top form and proved that when it comes to getting things done you are on top of it."

Tom headed back to see his father and get things ready for his trip. His father, mother and him were all in business together and his dad was to take care of his business while he was gone.

They had a winery and exported wine all over the world. There were two TV stations and then Tom has his own Scuba Gear Store. He also taught scuba diving.

When Tom reached home his mother was just getting back from buying groceries and he asked her where his dad was. She replied he is down at one of the TV stations taking care of some business but I didn’t know which one.

I’ll wait for him to come back I need to talk something over with him. I want to make things easer for you two while I’m gone. Skip knows all about my Scuba Store and can teach people how to scuba dive. I was just thinking that I might put him in charge while I’m gone. He would do a great job and I know I can trust him.

That sounds like a good idea son. Why don’t you go down and tell him while we wait for your father.

I think I will Mom and he walked over where she was and gave her a kiss on the check. She just smiled as he walked out the door.

Tom caught Skip and Teresa just leaving the boat and called to him. They turned around and waited for Tom to catch up with them.

Skip I just left the house and was talking with my Mother. I would like to make you an offer to run my store while I’m gone.

You mean for me to take charge of it while you are gone?

"Yes Skip, you know all about it and can even teach my scuba diving classes. I will work out the details on how much you will get for wages but I was just thinking that if you do well, after you pay the expenses you can have half of all that it takes in.

Tom you must be pulling my leg. I know how much your store takes in each month and it is over eight thousand dollars. You want to give me half. OH Tom you are about the best friend a guy could ever have.

Well Skip if I didn’t trust you and believe you were honest I wouldn’t make this offer. But since I know you to be an honest man and a friend also; do we have a deal or would you like to think about it?

Skip looked at Teresa and she just smiled. Skip said Tom you know that I will always treat you with the utmost honesty and integrity. If you let me run your store you will not have to worry and I have to tell you that I have just asked Teresa to be my girl and she accepted.

Tom said I couldn’t be happier for you both. Now all you have to do is ask her to marry you.

Skip started to stammer and Teresa just said well Skip what do you say to that? Skip just said ‘I AH, I, AH, well yes will you marry me Teresa?"

And Teresa put her arms around his neck and gave him a big kiss and said yes you big lug.

Tom said well Skip you have a great girl there. Take good care of her. Teresa you take good care of Skip he is a good man. I have known him for a long time and with the money you will make here at my store you can start a family right away.

Oh Tom you are the greatest guy you have just given both of us the thing that we were looking for. Skip said you have given me the thing that I wanted most and I can’t thank you enough.

Tom said I think a celebration is called for. With you two getting married we will have to have a big party to get you formally engaged. Right now I have to get back home and get with my dad. We have things to go over and I will set up the festivities. I will let you know where and when, and then we will celebrate.

Thanks Tom Skip says you are a good friend and you won’t be sorry. Teresa and I will run the store like you have always done. Like you said I know the store almost as well as you.

That is why I want you there and that way you and Teresa can get a good start in your marriage.

Tom left them as he had a lot to do. When he got back home he found his father and mother there. They were talking about his trip so ok what are you two up to? Tom asks.

Not much Son we were just thinking that you will be gone for sometime and we will miss you. And we were just wondering what you expect to find.

Well both of you stop worrying about me. As you know I have a shortwave radio in the boat and can call you every day if you want. I will call you every time I get to a new port and that way you will know where I am at all times. And as far as what I am looking for well I really can’t say. It is just that I want to see some of the rest of the world.

Is that all? his mother asked.

Now Susana, Tom is a grown man and he wants to see the world and I don’t know why he shouldn’t.

Well he could fly can’t he she said.

Yes Logan said but he has a new boat and if I was as young as him I would probably do the same.

Ok you two I have some other things to talk to you about and it concerns Skip and Teresa.

Oh My his Mother said is there something that happened to either one of them?

Well yes Tom said as a matter of fact they just got engaged. I want to throw a party for them as an engagement party and I need you and dad to help me get things ready. And also I have put Skip in charge of my store and the scuba diving school and promised him half of everything after the bills are paid.

But Son Susana said that store makes more than eight thousand dollars each month. Do you mean you are going to give him that much?

Yes Mother he is a good friend of mine and I know that he can run the store and teach my diving class and he is honest. What better man could I find to do that for me?

Now this is Monday and I would like to have the party this Saturday. Mom I need you to do the invitations and dad I need you to come with me for something else.

Ok Son what is it you are thinking? I can tell you have something up your sleeve so are you going to tell me?

Yes Dad just as soon as we get there and I need your professional opinion on what I am doing.

Ok Son I will do the best I can.

Thanks Dad I know you will. That is why I asked you. You know that I will miss you very much but I just need to get out for awhile and see some of the rest of the world.

I know Son and I understand how you feel but your mother still thinks you are a little boy that needs her to take care of you.

Well Dad that is just her being a woman and I love her for it. I also know that after I am gone she will adjust to it and be alright.

Now we are here and I need you to tell me what you think of this house.

Ok so what about this house? Are you going to buy it or what? You can tell me so I know what I am supposed to evaluate.

Well Dad I wanted to put a down payment on it and give it to Skip and Teresa for a wedding present what do you think?

You really like Skip don’t you. He must be quite a friend for you to go and do something like this.

Yes I do. He and I have been friends for a long time. I realize that you haven’t seen him around that much but we do a lot together. He helps me at the store and even runs my scuba class at times. That is why I am putting him in charge of my store. And you know Dad that if you have one true friend in life you are very blessed. I have not only Skip that is my friend but you also.

After Tom had said that his dad put his arms around him and said Son you are the one person other than your Mother that I live for.

So what do you think of this house? It has three bedrooms so they can have children for quite some years and then if their family gets too big they should have enough equity to buy another house.

Well Son I think you have found a good house. Now just how much is it selling for and how much are you putting down.

Well Dad it is on the market for just under two hundred fifty thousand and I am putting down forty thousand.

You are a very generous friend and I am proud to have you as my Son and any time I need a loan I am coming to you.

Son do you remember when you were young I used to take you out sailing and you just loved taking the helm. I can just see you now how thrilled you were sailing that rig you were in seventh heaven. I see you now and that same spirit is still there. I know you will be ok out there.

Yes Dad I do love the sea and sailing. I have my scuba gear with me so that I can do some diving along the way.

So what do you think? Do you think it is a good deal or what? And the house itself what do you think of its structure? Is it something you would buy?

Yes Son I think it is a good house and for the price I think you are making a good deal for them.

Thanks Dad that is what I thought but I needed my expert Dad to confirm my decision. I know you have a keen eye on the value of things and I appreciate your opinion.

Well thank you son but you have a great sense of value yourself and it didn’t all come from me or your mom.

Ok then let’s get back to the house and get with mom to get things organized for this weekend. You know Dad I love doing things like this. It makes me feel good all over. It’s kind of like being a kid and getting a new toy.

I know Son you are so much like me in that way and it makes me happy to know you feel things like that. I know that the Lord is with you in your heart doing things like this.

Chapter 2

A S THEY PULL up to the house Susana comes out to meet them and wants to know who to invite to the party. Tom tells her I will get a list this afternoon and get it back to you.

Then she asked ok just where was it you two went and is it a secret or can you tell me?

Mom you are the sweetest woman I have ever known and yes you can be told what Dad and I were doing. We went over to the Brandon’s Isle side of town and looked at a house that I am going to buy.

Are you going to stay here and not go on that voyage? Oh honey I would be so happy. It would be great to have you live so close by.

No Mom I am going to buy the house for Skip and Teresa as a wedding present. I took Dad over to look at it to get his assessment on the house and the price.

And just what is the amount? And are you going to buy it out right or make payments?

Mom I am just going to put a down payment on it and let them pay it off. I figure that they could make the payments with the money they make at the store.

When did you think of this? his Father asked.

Well to tell you the truth it was only after I heard him ask her to be his girl. I kind of initiated it into a marriage proposal. They were both ecstatic about each other as she always liked him but thought he didn’t care about girls. Skip has had a crush on her for a long time so it worked out alright. Dad I am going down to the store and see how it is going. I need to make sure everything is in order and let Borg McGee know that Skip is in charge. Borg has been there the longest and is pretty good but not as good as Skip.

Ok Son, Mom and I will be getting things ready for your party so go along and have a good afternoon. We will see you when you get back.

As Tom reached the store he heard someone shouting. He entered and found Borg shouting at Skip about him being in charge of the store.

When Skip saw Tom walk in he asked Tom to explain to Borg that he was to be in charge of the store.

Is that right? asked Borg.

Tom replied yes it is because Skip understands the things that I want done more than you do Borg. I am not cutting you short but Skip is also certified to teach my scuba class and you are not. This is why I put him in charge and you will be under him. Now I want you both to give me your word that you will work together. If there are any disagreements Skip will call on the radio and I will settle it. Skip has been with me for a long time and we have been friends for most of our lives. I trust him and that’s the end of story.

Borg asked Tom if that meant that he was going to be Skip’s assistant or like second in command.

Tom answered and said whatever Skip says will be what goes. I am leaving him in total charge and Borg I know that you are a capable employee and I expect you to be there for Skip in running the store and not try to supersede him in being the boss is that clear?

Yes Tom I understand and you can count on me to help Skip in every way I can. I just didn’t know that you set it up that way with Skip.

Skip said "I tried to tell you Borg but sometimes you are bull headed and will not listen to what I want you to do. If we are going to work together I want you to hear this now while Tom is here. I will be the boss and you will be my helper