{Seven Mile Island – June 1985}
“Hey, Johnny, wake up. I just checked with Grandpa, and he said it’s a perfect time to go crabbing. I bet if we leave now, we’ll catch a ton of crabs. Then we can earn enough to square up with Dad.”
Johnny responded by throwing his pillow at Wayne and moaning, “Why did you wake me up so early? Let me sleep.”
Wayne certainly was not going to let that happen. Instead, he dove onto Johnny’s bed, pinning him down while tickling him. After a minute, Johnny managed to slide off the bed and scramble downstairs with Wayne in hot pursuit.
After their mom promptly stopped the chase, the two boys settled down and then sat with their grandparents at the kitchen table for breakfast. While eating, the boys planned another day of crabbing.
“Let’s try that other place Grandpa mentioned,” Wayne said. “You remember the place on the west side of the bay called Stites Sound. Grandpa said it’s a great place to crab.”
Grandpa chimed in. “That’s right, boys, I’ve caught a ton of crabs at the sound over the years. Just be sure to stay close to the high grass areas.”
A short time later, the boys motored the dinghy across the quiet bay and into the North Channel. From there, the vessel entered a small canal and slowly cruised through the wetlands toward the promising crabbing site.
Their grandfather had been correct. The crabbing was fantastic that morning!
“I’m really glad that we brought two buckets with us,” said Johnny. “I can’t believe that we just caught forty crabs. If Mr. Sharp likes them, we’ll earn another twelve dollars.”
Feeling good about their successful crabbing trip, Johnny steered the boat out of the wetlands. As they approached the bay, Wayne said, “The wind has really picked up, and the water’s getting choppy.” Sitting at the stern, Johnny glanced at the surprisingly powerful motor and responded, “You have to admit, this sure is easier than using the oars!”
Halfway back to the house, Wayne said, “Guess where we might go tonight?”
“Where?”
Wayne recounted how he overheard his parents talking about taking everyone to the two amusement park piers in Wildwood.
“That’s awesome!” said Johnny. Then, he excitedly talked of how much he enjoyed visiting this neighboring barrier island, which is just south of Seven Mile Island. Especially because Johnny loved riding on roller coasters. “Hey, maybe we can ride the Golden Nugget Mine Ride or The Flyer roller coaster at Hunt’s Pier. And if we have time, let’s try the Sea Serpent roller coaster at Morey’s Piers. I heard that it’s awesome!”
As they continued back toward their grandparents’ home, Wayne reminded his brother of all the fantastic food at the amusement park. “Maybe we can get some pizza, or fries, or even funnel cake! And if we’re still hungry, we can share a giant bag of saltwater taffy and some cotton candy.”
Johnny just shook his head and laughed. “You’re crazy, Wayne. You can eat anytime. But tonight, roller coasters rule!”
After the boys docked the boat and unloaded, Liz and Lisa drove them to the Sharp’s Fruits & Vegetables stand to sell their catch. Frank was in a very good mood and happily purchased the shellfish from the boys. Frank asked the boys, “Are you having a good summer with your grandparents?” The brothers answered by telling Mr. Sharp that they were having a great time. They then described how they were playing volleyball games, going out in their dinghy, playing water polo, and using their water guns.
As an afterthought, Johnny added, “And we are also having fun being treasure hunters just like you!”
Almost immediately, Frank’s disposition became less friendly. He suddenly turned away and muttered, “Oh, well, ah, have fun, boys.”
On the drive back to the house, Lisa expressed surprise at how quickly Mr. Sharp brushed off the boys after being so nice when they first arrived.
Elizabeth calmly said, “Mr. Sharp has a business to run and doesn’t have much time to talk to kids. Think about it, honey, he had other customers. How long do you get to talk with people while waiting at the Fishin’ Pier Grille?”
Lisa lowered her head and replied, “I guess you’re right, Mom. Sorry.”
When the boys exited the Jeep back at the house, they noticed that the tide was low. “Mom, is it OK if we go swimming in the lagoon?”
Liz responded, “That’s fine, boys. But we’re all going to Wildwood in an hour, so I want you out of the water in forty-five minutes so you can get cleaned up before we leave. You’re not wearing wet swimsuits to the amusement park!”
In a flash, Johnny and Wayne hurried out to the lagoon with their gear bag filled with their fins, masks, and flashlights. After snorkeling through the water to the enlarged crevice, Wayne reentered the dark hollow den and said, “Wow, this cave smells even worse today. It’s like a backed-up toilet!”
Johnny followed his brother through the hole and had a look of disbelief as he expressed, “You’re not kidding. This place is really creepy. There’s slime everywhere!”
As Wayne moved deeper into the gloomy interior, he said, “Johnny, look over here. Aim your flashlight where my light is shining. Do you see that small bright spot?”
Johnny directed his light in the same direction. “Yeah, I see it. Is it a turtle shell?”
Wayne said that he didn’t think so. “Let me take a closer look. Keep shining your light on it.”
Wayne then moved toward the unknown object in the wet cavern. After bumping into multiple submerged objects, he handed his flashlight to his brother and then attempted to grab the object. “This thing sure is heavy. Whatever it is, it’s slippery too! I can’t get a firm grip on it.”
Turning back toward his brother, Wayne commanded, “Come here, Johnny. I need your help lifting this thing.” After navigating toward Wayne, Johnny evaluated the situation and decided that the easiest way to move their discovery outside the cave would be to place the odd rectangular object into their gear bag. By doing so, they wouldn’t risk dropping or losing the slippery object.
With great effort, the boys successfully placed it into the duffle bag.
Johnny was surprised by the object's weight and exclaimed, “You’re right. This thing is heavy. It must weigh thirty pounds!”
As they worked their way back toward the opening of the cavern, the bag handle slipped from Johnny’s grasp, and the loaded bag quickly dropped several feet to the bottom of the cave.
With frustration in his voice, Johnny said, “Sorry, Wayne!”
Without hesitation, Wayne went below the surface, and a few seconds later, he came up coughing. “I’ve got it,” he croaked while tightly gripping the bag handles. With Johnny’s bright flashlight shining into his eyes, Wayne muttered, “Hey, turn that thing away from my eyes. You’re blinding me!” He then coughed again and added, “I could use a little help.”
Together, the boys carried the heavy bag to the cave’s opening and shoved it through the parted boards. After exiting, they carried the bag and their gear through waist-deep water directly to the boat dock about twenty yards away. Just as the anxious brothers lifted their find onto the dry dock, they heard their mom yell, “Boys, we are leaving for Wildwood in two minutes. Get up here now!”
With that, the boys scrambled up the dock’s wooden ladder and promptly maneuvered the gear bag into the dock’s storage chest bench. As they dashed toward the outdoor shower, Wayne said, “We better hurry before Mom decides to call off the trip to the amusement park!”