Benice: An Adventure of Love and Friendship

By Metin Karayaka and Rohan Daniel Eason

You can’t ask for true friendship, because it’s not something anyone can just give. It grows over time. You share experiences, you play together, you help each other through the hard times. Then, one day, you’re looking back on those memories and you realize you have it, and that you wouldn’t trade it for anything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yunka Publishing
• Release date: Nov 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9780998964034

Metin Karayaka

My children are going to experience a very different life to mine, and that both worries and inspires me. My wife and I are immigrants to the US, raising a multicultural family in our new home without the immediate presence of the extended family so vital to my own upbringing. I grew up in a huge family, and I cherish my childhood memories of playing with my cousins, watching our favorite soccer team with my uncle, and defending my brother in street fights. My wife, on the other hand, had only one sister and her mother. Our kids are experiencing very different childhoods, and while this is the life we hoped to provide for them, we also wanted them to understand the life experiences that brought our family to this point. My greatest challenge, or perhaps fear, is to prepare them for a world without their extended family close by. While my wife's concern is more raw as she remembers raising her sister alone after their mother left them when she was just twelve. The start of my journey as a writer is similar to that of other parent-authors. I loved to tell stories to our son and daughter. I would tell them a story almost every night. I pulled events from my childhood, fascinating a new generation with tales of my brother, sisters, uncles, cousins, and hometown that always focused on the importance of family and friendship. It took me a while, but after writing Benice I realized that I was subconsciously using bedtime stories to compensate for the lack of family members in our kids' lives. I wanted my kids to know that they will be okay on their own, as long as they have love and friendship in their lives. To that end, my stories also included our longtime family friends and their kids. We are lucky enough to have a tight-knit group of friends from varied cultures and backgrounds, and our kids have all grown up together. Part of that growing up was a period where the demand for stories lessened, followed by a growing insistence that I write my old stories down for them to keep and pass on. It was in the process of doing so that many small stories naturally coalesced into a larger narrative. When I told the kids (now between five and twelve years old) that I was writing a book about them, they were so excited! It turned into a project, with them drawing illustrations and choosing photographs to create the first, very exclusive 'Family Edition' of Benice, and I printed a copy for each child to keep. My goal was accomplished: I was a storyteller for my kids, and I had created a perfect keepsake for them to cherish, but I'd also written a story that they enjoyed beyond its application to our family. Reworking the story, engaging professional editors, and searching out a gifted illustrator, I set to work creating the 'Public Edition' of Benice, a story that will resonate with those parents who have travelled far from their childhood homes - and, of course, with any child who has a taste for adventure.

Book preview

Title

Benice

Copyright © 2018 Metin Karayaka.

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

ISBN-13: 978-0-9989640-3-4

[e-mail]

First Edition

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

Table of Contents

Prologue

1. Fishermen of Yalova

2. Fishing with Mr. Ben

3. Eleven Buckets of Fish

4. Hidden Ice

5. Seabubbles

6. Bubble Fishing

7. Is Fishing a Crime?

8. Who is Mr. Ben Ice?

9. Can We Become Friends?

10. Treasure Hunt

11. Surprise Visitors

12. Back to Yalova

13. Benice and BarbaRossa’s Story

14. Welcome to Falcon’s Heart

15. Zanzibar

16. End of Jamoka

17. Twice-Baked’s Story

18. Visitors for Mrs. Benice

19. Meeting at Gemlyk

20. Rescue Mission

21. BarbaRossa’s Secret

Epilogue

Landmarks

Cover

To my family and friends – M.K.

The iskele

Prologue

The life of a child in Yalova hasn’t changed much since I left. I was once one of the kids returning to the wooden iskele at noon, fishing complete. Some return with their buckets full, some empty, the difference between joy and despair. Whichever it is, I know exactly how they feel; I experienced both feelings many times on this old pier. The iskele was everything to me when I was growing up. It was a sanctuary, a place of hope, and I still find solace here.

I’ve never been able to explain the importance of the iskele to my friends, but this year they’ve joined me in Yalova. They’re eager to see where I spent my childhood, but I don’t know how much they can understand by just walking the streets. It was Orion who wanted to meet with the villagers before tomorrow’s big event, and he stands beside me now, smiling at the Yalova kids returning from fishing with their masters.

Are you enjoying yourself, Orion? I ask. You’ve been asking about the fishermen of Yalova for a long time, and now you’re experiencing it all firsthand. Nothing’s changed. Fifteen years ago, I was one of these kids.

Let’s go talk to them, Orion says, eager to mingle.

We need to wait until their master fishermen leave. Don’t worry, the kids will stick around. They have chores.

We wait until the kids settle down to clean their fish. Looking at the amount they’ve caught, I expect a friendly reception, so I let Orion take the lead.

Hello, he says, approaching one of kids. It has been a long time since I ate fresh fish. Do you sell your catch? It’s not a bad approach to start a conversation with the kids. I give Orion a thumbs up, and he continues, I am visiting Yalova for a few days. I’d like to have a fresh barbecue tonight and that tuna you’re cleaning looks delicious.

Exactly as I expected, it hasn’t taken long for Orion to embarrass himself. Still, I’m enjoying it too much to jump in and help him.

Welcome to Yalova, sir, the kid says, smiling politely. "This is the best place for fresh fish, but that is not a tuna, it’s a barracuda. I will be happy to help you, though; why do you want this fish?"

Orion hesitates. Well, I was thinking we could make some fillets from it.

The kid offers a patient, polite smile. Sir, we are not in the Jynx mountains. We don’t barbecue fish like steak in Yalova, we grill it. If you want an authentic Yalova experience, you’ll want a small fish with lots of bones, not a big fish. The smaller fish taste much better if you grill them right.

Thanks for the suggestion, but you don’t seem to have any small fish.

You don’t have to buy it from me. I would be perfectly happy if you bought it from one of my friends. We want all visitors to Yalova to leave with good memories. I will have my turn next time.

Okay. Can you help me find the proper fish then?

Sure. He yells at his friends, Hey, guys, bring your buckets over here. I have customers for you. They want fish for grilling.

We’re swarmed by eager kids. Orion is happy with the attention, and I’m happy to be reliving my childhood memories.

How can we help, Cem?

Just put your buckets there, I will select the fish for them.

Cem digs through his friends’ buckets and selects a few fish. He picks different sizes and shapes. To Orion, I’m sure there appears to be no rhyme or reason to his selection process.

I selected the best catch of the day. Two red snappers, three tilapia, and two sea bass. I will clean and prepare these fish for you. When you grill them, just sprinkle a pinch of thyme and put lemon wedges on them. Please don’t add anything else. This isn’t barbecue meat.

This little fish monger knows exactly what he’s doing. While I pay the kids, Orion continues his conversation with Cem.

It looks like you caught lots of fish today, but you still seem a little upset. What’s going on?

You’re wrong about the size of our haul, Cem says, not looking up. This is typical for us, sir. Most of us are really good fishermen. But yes, we’re upset. We just found out the iskele will be closed for a private party tomorrow. We can’t even come near. That’s a whole day’s fishing lost!

Well, it’s just one day, Orion replies. You can go fishing the day after.

Orion doesn’t understand. I raise an eyebrow to show my disapproval, but Cem is livid. He stops cleaning the fish and jumps up to confront Orion.

What are you talking about? Our survival depends on the fish we catch!

Cem, I say, please excuse my friend. I certainly understand how you feel.

What’s true for him was once true for me. When I was his age, I fought for every ounce of fish to support my family.

No, I don’t think you can, sir. You aren’t from here. Come to think of it, you’re probably the reason we aren’t going fishing tomorrow. Am I right?

Um, I murmur, reluctantly accepting our guilt, "yes, you are correct. We’re the reason your fishing will be interrupted. But you’re wrong about something else. I did grow up in this town. When I was your age, I was a fisherman too. I totally get why you’re upset. Kids have been coming to this spot at sunrise for as long as I can remember."

So, you knew our traditions and still arranged a party at sunrise? Cem asks, seeing my guilt and seizing his opportunity. Couldn’t you have planned your party for later in the day, after we’ve finished our fishing? I was counting on making money tomorrow. You took our money. You should pay us back somehow.

I smile and gladly oblige, paying the kids more than their losses. It’s an expensive icebreaker, but I don’t mind. I wanted to show Orion a glimpse of my childhood, and the kids are doing a heck of a job at that. As more kids start to gather around, hands out, I feel like I finally have enough of an audience to ask my real question.

Have you ever heard of a fisherman named Mr. Ben?

Of course! one boy shouts. When my dad was my age, Mr. Ben taught him how to fish. My father told me that Mr. Ben still holds the record for the biggest fish ever caught in Yalova.

Mr. Ben taught my father how to fish, too, says another kid. He’s a legend around here.

No, sir, he wasn’t a fisherman, says another kid, stepping forward. He was a pirate!

Another kid jumps in to refute this, and yet another answers back.

These kids are wrong, sir. He was a monster! My father knew he was a pirate, and he never went fishing with him.

That’s a lie, growls an older child. Shut up! Your father is as stupid as you are. He didn’t know what he was missing. Mr. Ben was kind, and he loved all the kids of Yalova.

Eager to avoid a fight, I jump in.

Whoa there, everyone. Let’s all just calm down. Do you know where Mr. Ben is now? What happened to him?

He isn’t in Yalova anymore, sir. He went fishing a long time ago and never came back. We don’t know what happened, but his empty boat washed ashore one month after he left town. I believe he still lives on the high seas. He’ll be back, one day.

Goosebumps shoot up my arms. I’ve been back many times since my childhood, but nobody ever mentioned recovering Mr. Ben’s boat.

Can you show me his boat? I ask the kids.

Sure, says Cem, but it’ll cost you.

Okay, okay, I say, laughing at his hustle. I’ll pay – so long as you aren’t lying.

Following Cem and the gang of Yalova kids, I walk underneath the iskele, weaving between its supports. When we reach a tarp-covered boat, the gang trailing behind us fans out, surrounding us. A few of Cem’s friends rush to help him remove the tarp, and I feel Orion’s hand on my shoulder, bracing me for disappointment. As the tarp falls away, I can’t believe my eyes. Its bright red colors have faded, and it’s smaller than I remember, but this is Eyass, Mr. Ben’s boat.

It’s been sitting here ever since it was found. I don’t think anybody will care if you want to take it. It’s just rotting, anyway.

"I will definitely take care of Eyass, yes. This boat witnessed so many important events in my life."

I step back, making room for Orion. He’s even happier to see Eyass than I am, especially because it’s for the first time. I’ve told him so many stories about this boat.

This is amazing, Levend, he says. "We should show Eyass to everyone tomorrow. I’m sure they’ll enjoy it."

I make a few circles around Eyass, touching its keel and caressing the beautiful ironwork nameplate on its side. Truly ecstatic, I sit inside the boat and pretend to cast my fishing line. Having absorbed as much of the moment as I can, I turn my attention back to the kids. I can see in their eyes that they’re puzzled as to why this old boat has made me behave so strangely.

I have a confession to make, I admit. I went fishing with Mr. Ben in this boat many, many times. The kids aren’t impressed; after all, Mr. Ben taught almost all of their fathers to fish in this very boat. Happily, I’m not done. Not only that; I was in it with Mr. Ben when he left Yalova.

That gets a better reaction. After a moment of silence, awestruck kids begin battering me with questions.

Is he still alive?

Is he a good guy?

Is he a pirate?

Where is he now?

When is he coming back?

Hold on, hold on! I shout, but nobody seems to hear me. Kids, calm down, please!

They still don’t respond, and I’m left with no choice but to wait out the chatter. It takes a few minutes.

If you want to see Mr. Ben, come to the party tomorrow. I can’t guarantee you’ll see him in person, but you’ll definitely see his legacy.

The kids respond with deafening cheers.

Come on, Mr. Levend, shouts Cem.