The Eye of the Storm

By Anthony Wayne Yoder

Jim Murphy is impatiently waiting to complete the last fishing trip of the season. He’s eighteen, and he and his best friend, Zachary Helms, are ready to go to Bible college in the fall. Jim is chomping at the bit to get out of Cape Town, Massachusetts, and leave three generations of fishing behind him forever. Using God as his reason to leave, his mind is cluttered with dreams of new experiences and adventures.

Only one trip remains in the season, and Jim’s hopes suddenly vanish when a tragedy happens at sea during their trip home from fishing on the Grand Banks. The Murphy’s sister boat is lost in a terrible storm—Zachary is aboard. Everything he knew about God’s will for his life is in question, and he is thrust into a new relationship with God. Living by faith is truly a new venture.

The investigation into the disappearance of the Destiny produces more questions than answers. Jim discovers the sinking was the result of something more sinister than a mere storm. The Murphy’s boat, the Deliverance, may be targeted as the next victim of a creature used by a sinister captain threatening boats on the Banks. Jim must now fight for everything he was ready to give up, and ultimately, his very life

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645311461

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The Eye of the Storm

Anthony Wayne Yoder

Copyright © 2019 Anthony Wayne Yoder

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2019

Book design by Jake Rawson

Illustrations by Darren Riggs

ISBN 978-1-64531-145-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64531-146-1 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

To Arlene, Christopher, and Jessica:

You have been my anchor in all the storms of my life; my Eye in the Storm.

To Wilma:

Thanks for the faith of a mother. You believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Chart of the Grands Banks and the Restricted Area

1

Ahoy! Adventure Ahead

Ship’s log:

04 August; 11:00Z (Charlie Murphy, Captain; the Deliverance)

Present position: 42° 37' 4 N/70° 45' 7 W

The Deliverance is loading bait and provisions in preparation for two weeks on the Grand Banks fishing for swords. The season has been poor, and two more trips are planned in an attempt to recover our losses. This year is crucial as first mate, Jim Murphy, is planning on leaving the Deliverance in the fall for college. It is doubtful another first mate with Jim’s abilities can be found to replace him.

A float plan was filed for an area approximately three hundred fifty miles west of the restricted area. Sister boat, Destiny, is preparing to join us, and will be approximately one hundred miles off the restricted area. Weather reports indicate a possible system developing near the end of the voyage, but all forecasts indicate the system will be weak. Nonetheless, both boats have been instructed to institute the buddy system during gale force eight or higher, and maintain radio contact every hour on the hour to monitor positions.

Crew roster includes: Charlie Murphy, Captain; Jim Murphy, First Mate; Kevin Murphy, Engineer; John Cooper, Deckhand.

*****

Jim! Zachary Helms yelled, throwing another package of bait from the dock toward his best friend Jim Murphy. Heads up! Jim turned in time to see the projectile only inches from his face. His hands instinctively crossed in front of him, but the package hit Jim square in his upper torso. The force toppled the six feet, four-inch tall eighteen-year-old onto his back.

C’mon…seriously? Jim yelled, grabbing the gunwale to pick himself up from the deck of his family’s fishing boat, the Deliverance. "What are you trying to do, kill me? If you want me dead, wait until we’re out at sea. There’s plenty enough danger out there to finish me off. Pay attention to what you’re doing, and wait until I’m looking!"

You land lubber! Zachary yelled from the dock. Jim’s anger instantly surged through his being as he ran toward the side. He shook his fists in the air as Zachary continued, You sure don’t have your sea legs, yet. Aye, it is best you’re leaving this fall. You’d never survive the fisherman’s life.

Jim mustered all the energy available in his muscular arms, and threw the package back. There! Jim yelled, straining to get the words out as he heaved his energy into the forty-pound package of squid. Catch that! We’ll see who’s a land lubber! Jim watched helplessly as the package hurled toward the six-feet-tall lean body. Zachary attempted to catch the package. His reaction was too late, and Zachary was hit in the chest with enough force to knock him onto the ground five feet from where he was standing. Zachary, Jim said in astonishment, I’m sorry, Zachary…I’m sorry. Are you all right?

Jim jumped off the Deliverance and ran to Zachary’s side. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Zachary was lying on the ground motionless, and the bait package was several feet from his body. A slight hiss began, rapidly turning to laughter through Zachary’s mouth. The laughing became uncontrollable, and a slight dribble flowed onto his cleanly shaved mustache and beard. Hahahaha…I never knew you cared, sweetheart. Zachary chuckled, attempting a Humphrey Bogart imitation while holding his side from the pain of laughing and wiping the moisture from his face.

Why you son of a… Jim stalled, catching himself. He had a temper, and while he caught himself this time, it was often Zachary who had to remind him of his sailor’s language. I ought to beat you within an inch of your life! You had me worried. Jim noticed Zachary clutching his chest, and realized his revenge had injured his friend. Zachary had it coming for the senseless stunt, but Jim had no intention of hurting his best friend. That danged impulse again, Jim thought to himself. As always, Jim realized Zachary held no hard feelings, if his sarcastic response was to be believed. Nonetheless, Jim felt guilty for the stunt, and he could harbor no anger for his friend. Jim reached out his hand and helped Zachary stand to his feet. He squeezed Zachary with a massive bear hug, nearly expelling the air out of his lungs.

I see the two of you are engaged. When is the marriage? Jim’s older brother Kevin asked sarcastically. He watched the playful antics, and was not amused. I know the two of you are going to college together, but I didn’t realize you’re getting hitched too.

Real funny, Kevin, Jim said, raising his fists into a fighting position. Those are fighting words around here.

Save your strength, Kevin said. You’re going to need it to finish loading the boat. If Dad catches you messing around, there’ll be hell to pay. Now, get your butt in gear, and finish loading this boat.

Don’t worry, Jim, Zachary said, "I’ll give you a hand. The Destiny is loaded, and Dad won’t care if I help. Blow me down, I see Captain Bligh hasn’t let up on you. What’s his problem?" Kevin gave a grimacing glance at the two; Jim referred to it as the Evil Eye.

The harsh expressions and scowls became more frequent since Jim made his decision to leave the family business; Kevin’s disposition became harsher with each passing day. Jim’s father, Charlie Murphy, didn’t help matters by displaying hints of favoritism concerning his love for both of them. Occasionally, he showed no restraint in expressing his opinion that Jim should take over the business when he retires. Jim was the clear choice for the task, and Kevin knew it too. Lately, Kevin wasn’t giving Jim any slack, and Jim was determined to respond with an eye for an eye.

Jim jumped onboard to continue preparing Deliverance for the trip in the morning. I don’t know. Ever since I made the decision to go to college with you in the fall, he’s had a burr up his rear end. Also, Dad wants me to take over the family business someday, not him. He thinks he’s God’s gift to fishing, but Dad has been after me to stay on and become captain someday. That’s burning him up more than anything.

Are you still letting him get to you? How many times have I told you he’s winning whenever he gets you angry? Let it go.

It was true. Jim knew Zachary was right. Zachary was always right when it came to spiritual matters and relationships. If a compass existed to navigate spiritual truth and matters of the heart, Zachary possessed such an instrument. Jim depended on his friend—or a better description, his mentor. Zachary possessed a wisdom Jim could only dream of, and he was determined to never lose that treasure. You’re right, Zachary. As always, you’re right. I need to pray about it, and work on it.

You always say that, greenhorn.

Stop calling me that, you…oh you…limey.

Limey? That’s the best you could come up with? Oh, drop it. I’m yanking your chain, man. Stop getting so worked up over the little things.

Jim knew greenhorn was a pet name Zachary gave him, but he didn’t like it. It was derogatory, and…he had to let it go. Zachary was right again.

*****

Several hours passed, and the Deliverance was loaded with bait, food, and all provisions necessary for the two weeks at sea. The long lines were checked, the ice machine was checked and recharged with Freon, and one final inspection of the gear and equipment was completed. Both crews filed their float plans, and the boats were ready for the Grand Banks.

As the sun was setting, Jim secured Deliverance for the evening. Jim, Charlie said, motioning for Jim to jump onto the dock, Come here, I’d like to talk to you.

Jim was certain his father wanted to discuss his decision to go to college in the fall. His thoughts fixated on their numerous exhausting talks ending in nothing more than heated arguments, and a resolution as distant and unreachable as the now setting sun. Nothing good would come of it. What…Dad? Jim inquired, expelling air in a long gasping sigh, clearly expressing his indifference to the impending talk. "Is this another, I don’t want you to go this fall talk? If it is, don’t go there. It’s the same old, same old…and nothing you say will lure me to stay."

Jim, Charlie responded, come back to the house with me, and hear me out. I’ll let you drive. If you’re still stuck on going to college with Zachary, fine. But please, hear me out.

Fine, Jim said, shaking his head in disgust as he jumped off the Deliverance and on to the dock. We can talk in the truck while we ride home. But it won’t change a thing, I’m warning you.

Jim and Charlie walked to the truck, and Jim avoided eye contact with his father. His eyes remained fixed on the ground until arriving at the pickup. Jim walked to the passenger door, beating his father to the seat. He wanted nothing to do with driving, but desired to clear his mind in preparation for the impending lecture.

The doors of the old Chevrolet pickup closed, and Charlie began the drive home. Son, Charlie began, "I know you’re tired of my ranting and raving, but I want the best for you. I know you want nothing more than to leave Cape Town, and I understand where you’re coming from. Captain Bainbridge controls most of the businesses, and it may appear there’s not much of a future for you here. But here you’ve got a heritage. I’m passing the family business on to you. If you had a convincing argument that trumps a heritage, I’d agree with your decision to move away. You say you’re going to college with Zachary, but you never say what you’re going for. You were born to be a fisherman—"

Dad, Jim interrupted, how do you know that? How do you know what I was born to be? I’m tired of this crummy little town, I’m tire of going nowhere, and I feel like I have to leave this place or I’ll go crazy.

But you’ve got a gift for the sea; I’ve seen it. I’m getting too old for this life, and I don’t want to see three generations of fishermen suddenly end with me. I want to pass it on to you, Jim. I don’t—

Why don’t you pass it on to Kevin? He’s been nibbling at the bait for a long time now to take over. In fact, I know he hates me because he’s not your choice.

He doesn’t have the gift. You’ve got something in front of you most people in this town would kill for. In fact, rumor has it that Captain Bainbridge may be guilty of doing precisely that to independent owners. We’re one of the few remaining independent owners preventing him from taking over this town. We’re protecting our heritage and our way of life. That’s important too.

God is opening up doors for me, Jim continued, raising his voice to emphasize his point. It’s all set, I’ve been accepted to the Gospel of Christ Bible College, and I believe it’s God opening the door.

Jim peered out of the passenger window and caught a glimpse of the Deliverance at port. A hint of homesickness came over Jim as he watched the boat in the distance. Cape Town Harbor was a picture-perfect scene in the dark, like a photograph out of a National Geographic magazine. The moon’s light reflected on the water, illuminating the boats, the bait house, and the pier in the harbor. Driving up the road toward the town, Jim enjoyed a bird’s-eye view of the entire harbor. There was something peaceful about Cape Town Harbor from above. The hardships of the fisherman’s life faded away as the harbor came into full view. The emotional war that waged within him waned. For once, he was at peace.

The Deliverance became smaller and smaller until the road turned, and then went completely out of view. Feelings of homesickness struck Jim once more, this time with more intensity. For an instant, he questioned his own motives and pondered his father’s argument. The homesickness suddenly left as the pickup hit a pothole, and Jim was brought back to the conversation.

"Are you certain God is calling you, or is it your own voice you’re hearing? I’m concerned you’re using Bible College as an escape more than a calling. Have you considered that God is calling you to the sea, to home, and in the future, a family? God may want you to settle down here and continue our heritage. You know, Zachary’s sister, Becky, has an interest in you. I’ve seen it in her eyes. She’d be a great girl to settle down with and raise a family. Jim, it’s all right in front of you."

"What do you know about Becky Helms? In fact, what do you know about God’s will for my life?"

Besides Calvary, there is no greater gift God’s given than a loving family, and to be all that He created us to be. All I ask is for you to pray, and be open to what God has for you. God doesn’t expect you to become the next great evangelist in order to do great things for Him. You can be His missionary wherever you are.

This talk was different. He had never witnessed his father as resolute and logical in his approach. The anxious desires to leave Cape Town returned. He couldn’t think of life without Zachary. He had to go. That nagging sense of losing his best friend forever burned within him, consuming any sense of homesickness for Cape Town and family. Nothing could extinguish his compelling need to leave.

Somehow, he felt closer to God when he was with Zachary. Perhaps Zachary was a crutch, but without him, Jim was certain he could not survive spiritually. In an instant, one of Zachary’s insights hit him, and before he could catch himself, the words started flowing. Dad, you’re starting to sound like Zachary. I mean, he keeps talking about me getting closer to God, and questioning whether I put more trust in him than God. What’s up with both of you? Don’t you think I believe in God?

Hmmm… Charlie said, scratching his chin with his free hand, "Zachary has been telling you that? It sounds like good advice. I know you believe in God, but that’s not the point. It’s not enough to simply believe in God. The devil