The Young Sailor: Memoir of Love and Adventure

By Al Cadondon

Albert is a happy-go-lucky Philippine-born sailor who joins the United States Navy to see the world and enjoy wine, women, and songhopefully in every port. When he meets Sheila, an irresistible blonde, while docked in Boston, it is not long before she takes his virginity and his heart.

Sheila, who loves reading and writing poetry, seems the perfect match for Albert, who has dreams of becoming a naval officer. She finds him warm and affectionate. He finds her beautiful and caring. But shortly after they fall in love, Alberts ship departs on a six-month Mediterranean cruise. As their relationship is tested by the distance, temptations lure Albert, and soon he is unable to resist his attraction to attractive women. Meanwhile, as Sheila patiently waits for him back home, she begins to grow lonelier by the day and wonders whether he will forget her. But after she receives a letter from her long-lost marine boyfriend and Albert returns home, Sheila is left with a decision that has the potential to change everything.

In this tale of love gained and lost, a young sailor sets out on a journey of self-discovery, where he learns about himself, his dreams, and what he wants for his future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532028984

Al Cadondon

Alfonso Cadondon earned a BA in business administration from National University in San Diego, California. He is a father of three beautiful daughters and eight adorable grandchildren. Cadondon a retired real estate broker and investor, currently lives in San Diego. Meet Me in Manila is his third book.

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Copyright © 2017 Alfonso Cadondon.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-2897-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-2899-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-2898-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017913069

iUniverse rev. date: 09/26/2017

Wholeheartedly to my family

Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

Chapter 1 A Happy-Go-Lucky Sailor

Chapter 2 Thinking Of Sheila

Chapter 3 Albert’s First Kiss

Chapter 4 Dining And Dancing

Chapter 5 Boot Camp Training

Chapter 6 A Few Months Later

Chapter 7 Ship’s Home Port

Chapter 8 Meet An Old Friend

Chapter 9 Mediterranean Cruise

Chapter 10 Malta

Chapter 11 Naples, Italy

Chapter 12 Rome By Night

Chapter 13 Tour Of Venice

Chapter 14 Nightlife In Naples, Italy

Chapter 15 Marseilles, France

Chapter 16 Boston

Chapter 17 Back To America

Chapter 18 A Weekend In Boston

Chapter 19 Liberty Hound Sailor

Chapter 20 Stranger In The Night

Chapter 21 The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Chapter 22 A Young Teenager

Chapter 23 Disappointed Father

Chapter 24 A Walk In The Park

Chapter 25 Interracial Dating

Chapter 26 Weekend At The Beach

Chapter 27 The Study Room

Chapter 28 Memorable Moment

Chapter 29 Vacation In New York

Chapter 30 Car Accident

Chapter 31 Departing New York

Chapter 32 School Library

Chapter 33 Coming Back From Vacation

Chapter 34 Together Again

Chapter 35 Complicated Relationship

Chapter 36 Guantanamo Bay

Chapter 37 Glenda’s Cousin

Chapter 38 Trip To The Philippines

Chapter 39 Request For Transfer

Chapter 40 Seattle, Washington

Chapter 41 Celebration

Chapter 42 Seatac Apartment Complex

Chapter 43 New Friends In Seattle

Chapter 44 Military Transfer Order

Chapter 45 Tour Of Duty To Capital College

Chapter 46 Glenda In Virginia

Chapter 47 Albert’s Surprise Visit

Chapter 48 Fall Registration Begins

Epilogue Five Years Later

About The Author

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my gratitude to my significant other, who encouraged and supported me to write this novel.

Preface

I joined the United States Navy when I was twenty years old. While on active duty, I was lucky to get into the navy’s Associate Degree Completion Program (ADCOP). I graduated with an associate of arts degree in business administration from Olympic College, Bremerton, Washington. I received my bachelor’s degree in business administration from National University, San Diego.

When I left the navy with an honorable discharge, I opened my own business enterprise as a real estate broker and general agent, representing well-known and reputable financial and life insurance companies. I found success in investing in real estate properties and trading stocks, which kept me financially independent. I retired at age sixty-four.

My love of poetry, curiosity, personal growth, and family legacy led me to write this novel.

The story depicts a young sailor’s love and adventure indulging in wine, women, and song.

Sailors have a girl in every port. Is this myth or a fallacy?

Chapter 1

A Happy-Go-Lucky Sailor

I t is a very beautiful day in Boston, Massachusetts. After checking into his hotel room, he walks around the neighborhood. He is a total stranger, not knowing where to go.

His curiosity takes him to a small alley of bars and restaurants in this beautiful New England city. Browsing the excitement of what he sees puts a smile on his face. He is not used to this cold, windy weather. All of a sudden, he hears someone. Hello, stranger.

He glances to where the voice came from, wondering whether the lady across the street is talking to him. He bashfully asks, Are you talking to me, miss? Puzzled, he puts his hand on his chin and looks far down the road.

The lady looks at him, and her lips break into a sweet smile. Her right hand combs her shiny, windblown blonde hair as she comes out to a windy street close to a restaurant where she just dined. I know you are new in town. Can I help you? she asks. She looks at him intensely. She tosses her hair and swipes down her skirt.

Indeed, he says. He gazes at her with kindness and admiration as he approaches her and extends his hand. In a soft voice, he says, My name is Albert.

I am Sheila Carter, she says, smiling and looking straight at his brown eyes. Sheila is five feet three inches tall, weighs 130 lbs, and has beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes.

Albert looks at her with admiration and says, I just arrived last night from San Diego, California. I am wandering and have no specific place to go.

Welcome to Boston. Enjoy it, the lady remarks.

Albert gazes at her with a smile and says, You have a beautiful city. Do you live nearby?

South Boston, she replies.

How far is your house from here? Albert asks.

I’m catching a commuter train going back home, and it is coming soon. It is not very far. You may consider taking a train ride to get to know the city. She brushes her hair with her right hand and looks at him, smiling.

Oh, yes, I want to. May I join you on your train ride? Albert eagerly asks, feeling more comfortable.

No problem. I am not a tour guide, but I can show you scenic, historical places of interest as we pass by.

Oh, thank you, he says and smiles gracefully.

They walk toward the commuter rail station. Sheila says, I love California. I hope I can visit Hollywood someday. It is my dream. How far is Hollywood from where you live?

It is about two hundred miles away, Albert answers.

She looks at him with curiosity. He is five feet seven inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. He has an exotic face, brown eyes, and wavy hair.

I bet you love surfing, she says.

Not really, but I like going to the beach; as you can see, I have acquired a natural tan. He is stroking his right hand with his left hand, showing his light brown skin. He looks at her for a long time and grins.

Both of them cannot contain their laughter.

She finds him to be a very funny and interesting guy. She is attracted to him. He is so different-looking. The young man has the sweetest smile.

They both board the train to South Boston and sit side by side, close to the window. As they pass through the historical and delightful valley of old homes with their panoramic view of the predominantly Irish Catholic community, she does most of the talking. She smiles often as she talks, accentuating her very smooth face and rosy cheeks. Albert is very attracted to her.

She tells him that she loves watching beautiful mountains, valleys, rivers, birds, and animals. She loves to travel, enjoying the beauty of nature. She is so relaxed, and he enjoys every word coming from her lips.

I have loved nature since childhood. Outdoor sightseeing is my hobby, Sheila says.

He nods and replies, We have the same interest. I sometimes go to the woods to experience nature, and I enjoy a relaxing rural environment.

The young, happy-go-lucky sailor has an immediate attraction to the friendly, beautiful lady. The feeling is mutual. Sheila and Albert feel very drawn to each other and find some common interests. They talk and enjoy each other’s company.

After a short, pleasant journey, the train stops.

This is the South Boston train station. My house is nearby. Would you like to stop by for a cup of coffee? she says.

Without hesitation, he says, Thank you for being kind. I would love to stop by.

She welcomes him wholeheartedly and shows him around.

Your house is very cozy. I like it, he says.

It is only one bedroom and one bath, but it is all I need.

They go to the backyard. Wow, what a nice shade tree. And you have a swing! I want to try it, he says. Albert swings himself high up in the air.

I had this fence built around the house recently. Most of the time, I sit in the swing and read books. Sometimes I cook barbecue on that grill, especially when I have company, Sheila explains.

You have an awesome house, Albert says. She smiles, feeling very happy and content. They soon head back inside the house.

Sheila turns on the radio. The music is playing the top hits of the 1960s. She is a warm and gracious woman. Sheila offers Albert a cup of coffee and has him sit down. He feels very welcome.

Very good coffee. I love it. He is tremendously impressed with her hospitality and kindness.

You are most welcome, Albert, she says with a captivating smile.

In the living room on top of the coffee table are a photo of a US Marine in uniform, standing tall; a book of Mark Twain; and a book of Emily Dickinson. A framed photo of when she was young, taken in New York, is in the center of the end table, and on one side is a Bible.

You’ve been to New York? he asks.

Yes, I was there almost five years ago, when I was twenty years old.

I left home and joined the United States Navy six months ago, at twenty years old, Albert says.

Why did you join the navy? Sheila asks.

Adventure and to see the world, Albert responds.

Is it true that sailors have a girl in every port?

Albert shrugs his shoulders and hesitantly says, I just joined the navy. That remains to be seen. He smiles wide and laughs. Sheila grins and gazes at him.

They are both overwhelmed, sharing and enjoying stories about themselves. She shows him a picture of her parents, who passed away when she was ten years old. She is an only child and was raised by her aunt, who lives nearby.

Sheila says she was once a dancer in New York, and she shows him a picture of a group of beautiful ladies in captivating costumes.

You look very beautiful here. I bet you are a good dancer, Albert says.

Yes. Those were the days I really enjoyed. I started dancing when I was twelve years old.

Amazing. Why did you leave New York, then?

I left when I started gaining weight, as you can see. Sheila gives a smile.

Yes, but you still look very attractive and beautiful, Albert says with a wink.

She responds with a laugh and genially pats his shoulder. Then she turns on the TV. Make yourself comfortable, and warm yourself with this throw blanket. She hands him the blanket and touches his shoulder with a very friendly gesture.

Though he is a little shy, looking down once in a while, he is attracted to her. He gazes at her smooth face and blue eyes, and he says, Thank you very much. You’re marvelous. He touches her right arm.

They sit on the cozy sofa and enjoy watching a movie, Gone with the Wind featuring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. The room is cool, and she pulls part of the blanket over her lap. Then she leans toward him, and their shoulders rub against each other, surging with energy and fascination. Her stunning eyes are on his young face, flashing passion and desire. She is very much interested in him. Albert has an amiable personality that attracts her inner feelings. He is fun to talk to and is a decent gentleman. They talk and laugh together as they enjoy the movie.

Albert can feel that she likes him and is drawn to him. Her beauty astonishes him, but he is young and has no experience in approaching women. He is very tempted to go forward, but he is afraid to take a risk and be rejected.

When he was in high school, he never attempted to have a close relationship with a woman. His dream is to finish his college education in America. His dad always reminded him and his siblings that education is the best and only inheritance he could pass on to them. I want every one of you guys to be college graduates. Education is an asset that you can carry with you wherever you go, and it will help you to be successful in your endeavors. His dad’s advice lingers in his mind.

He starts to calm down, holding his breath and blowing it out slowly to get himself settled. He doesn’t want to be carried away by his feelings. He