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Peter and Charlotte made love on the chaise and fell asleep in an embrace, covered only in a couple of beach towels they had used on their picnic. They woke up a few hours later. The fog had rolled in, and both were damp from the mist. Laughing, they made their way quietly up to the bedroom and made love again. Peter fell almost instantly into a deep sleep.
He opened his eyes to the sun streaming in their bedroom windows. It looked to be a warm and hazy day outside, the sky white with light clouds. He turned to give Charlotte a kiss, but her side of the bed was empty; she had already gone down to the kitchen for coffee. She does love her coffee, thought Peter. He looked up at the ceiling and felt completely happy and content. His voyage on the Paragon and his brief time on the island in 1828 seemed a distant memory, almost dreamlike. But he vowed to himself that he’d never forget that time or those people.
He pulled the covers back, sat up, and swung his feet on to the floor. Naked, he walked over to the closet and found some shorts and a polo. He pulled them on and headed downstairs.
He walked into the kitchen to find Sophie and Spencer at the table, eating sandwiches. Charlotte was at the sink washing off some dishes and loading up the dishwasher. He walked up behind her and gave her a big hug then turned his attention to the table where he kissed both his children on the forehead and tousled their hair. “Good morning!” he said.
Charlotte smiled. “Well actually, it’s almost afternoon.”
“What?” said Peter.
“Yeah,” said Charlotte. She came back over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “It’s quarter to twelve. You certainly had a good night’s sleep,” she said and winked.
He put his hands on her hips and pulled her toward him. “I guess I must have needed it,” he said with a smile and kissed her firmly on the lips.
“Ugh,” said Spencer.
“What?” said Peter looking at him.
“That’s gross.”
Peter and Charlotte laughed and kissed again.
“What do you think about dinner in town tonight?” asked Peter, releasing Charlotte from the embrace. “I’d like to tell you what I learned about myself on that walk.”
“Ooh, that sounds good. Shall we do 56 Union again?”
“No, I’m in the mood for something a little more casual. How about we go to the Brotherhood? I’d kill for one of their burgers.”
“Hmm, okay, that sounds great.”
“Excellent,” said Peter. He gave Charlotte another long kiss.
“Ugh,” said Spencer.
Sophie was smiling, pleased to see her parents so happy.
Peter withdrew from the embrace and smiled at his family. “I just need a little coffee.”
“Just coffee? Can I make you some breakfast?” asked Charlotte.
Peter, thinking of hardtack, salt horse, and foul water, said, “You know what? That sounds wonderful.”
“Bacon and eggs?”
“Perfect,” he said. “And maybe some Portuguese toast?”
Charlotte smiled. “Done. Just give me ten.”
“I love you, hon.”
“I love you too.”
“And, I can’t wait to start this next chapter in our lives. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Charlotte came up to Peter and embraced him. “It will be more than fun. It will be wonderful.”
* * *
Peter eased the Range Rover out of the carriage house and headed down the driveway and proceeded left toward Milestone Road.
“What’s the over/under tonight?” asked Peter teasingly, knowing that their last trip to town for dinner had been a bust.
“Hmm.” Charlotte paused a minute. “I’m thinking ten.”
“I’ll take the under. I don’t think we will see that many tonight. Too much traffic. Are we playing for the usual prize?” asked Peter.
Charlotte smiled, “I think we both won the prize last night, but I’m up for a replay.”
Peter reached over and held Charlotte’s hand. Milestone Road was busy with summer traffic, although fortunately, the mopeds were few and far between. They did get behind an older gentleman driving a nicely restored Wagoneer. The car looked brand new, but the driver must have thought the speed limit was 35, not the posted 45. Charlotte tensed, worried that being stuck behind this driver was going to set Peter off. But he rolled the window down, put his elbow out, and seemed to just enjoy being in the car with her. She relaxed.
They made it into town and started the challenge of finding an available parking spot in August. Eventually, they crept behind a couple who looked like they were walking to their car. “You’re such a vulture,” said Charlotte, chuckling.
Peter laughed. “It’s the only way to get a spot. This is crazy!”
His bet paid off, and the couple proceeded to get in their car and start the engine. A few seconds later, they were backing out, and Peter was able to swing the Rover in. They jumped out and walked the few blocks to the restaurant. When they got there, they saw that the line for a table was out the door.
“It looks jam-packed,” said Charlotte nervously, knowing Peter’s lack of patience and penchant for taking his frustrations out on the hostess. “Shall we go somewhere else?”
Peter took her hand and said, “Nope. This is good. We’re not in any rush, are we?”
“No, we really aren’t. Are you sure you don’t mind waiting?” asked Charlotte.
“I don’t mind at all. It just gives me more time to be with you and stare into those lovely eyes,” said Peter. He leaned over and kissed Charlotte hard on the lips.
“Wow,” said Charlotte. “I’m really looking forward to hearing about your walk.”
They waited nearly an hour before the hostess showed them to a table in the corner. They were just below grade and could look out through the windows and see the feet of people walking by. It was dark, the candles at each table providing just enough light to make out the exposed brick walls and low, wooden beamed ceilings. For some reason, the place reminded Peter of the belowdecks on the Paragon. He found it comforting and, in some ways, a perfect venue to share his story with Charlotte.
The waiter arrived and took their drink orders. As usual, Charlotte had a glass of sauvignon blanc while Peter settled for a local draft beer.
“No Manhattan?” asked Charlotte.
“No, just want to keep things simple.” He took a swig and placed his glass down on the table. He reached both hands over to Charlotte. She took them.
“Have I told you today how lucky I’m to have you?” said Peter.
Charlotte smiled. “Actually, I think you’ve said that maybe once or twice. Or a dozen,” she giggled. “And I love hearing it.” Slowly, her smile was replaced with a pensive look. “What did happen to you on that walk?”
Peter was quiet. He squeezed her hands and looked into her eyes. “I learned about who I could be as a man,” he said.
“All that from an hour-long walk?”
“It was actually longer than that, quite a bit longer.”
“What?” asked Charlotte, confused.
“I really don’t think you’re going to believe me, but I need to share with you what happened.”
“Oh, okay. But you have me worried now.”
“Don’t be worried, it’s all good.” He squeezed her hands again. He took a deep breath and started. “Remember that terrible argument we had? About you wanting me to be home more and starting the foundation?”
Charlotte nodded and smiled, “It was just yesterday, I think I’d remember it.”
“Oh, right. Sorry, it’s just that it’s been a little longer for me. Anyway, I was so angry and really not sure what I wanted to do. I ended up walking straight to the tip of Great Point and decided I was going to go back to Connecticut. Alone. Thought maybe a few weeks without me would teach you a lesson,” he said sadly.
“Teach me a lesson?” asked Charlotte, her good mood starting to evaporate.
Peter gripped her hands. “I was so wrong, hon. So wrong. I’m ashamed of myself for even having a thought like that.” His grip on her hands relaxed, and he continued, “Anyway, I was at the Point trying to call the jet to take me back to Connecticut when a wave hit me and knocked me off my feet. It pulled me out into the rip and then sucked me under.”
Charlotte’s eyes went wide. “Did you almost drown?”
Peter looked at her nervously. “Well, yes, but I landed on a whaleship.”
“A whaleship? I didn’t know there were any around. Usually, when an old ship visits they’ll have something in the paper about them.”
“There aren’t any around, at least in 2019.”
“In 2019? What do you mean?”
“I did indeed land on a whaleship. It was called the Paragon. But the year was 1828.”
“1828?” Charlotte looked at him, confused.
“I know it sounds crazy. But I promise you it happened. It was captained by a man named Nelson, and one of the mates was a young man named Tristam. Do you remember me telling you about my friend Jack who drowned swimming with me?”
“I do. I know how much it devastated you.”
“Tris looked exactly like Jack. It was almost as if they were related. And as I got to know him, I realized his personality and nature were very similar as well.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And he helped me to settle in on the Paragon, and showed me how to do things.”
“What do you mean ‘settle in’? Hadn’t they just rescued you from the water?”
The waiter interrupted them, “What can I get you folks tonight? Any questions about the menu?”
Peter looked at Charlotte, “Do you know what you want?”
“Yes,” and she looked up at the waiter. “I’ll start with the small Caesar, and then I’ll have a bowl of the French onion soup for my entree.”
“Very well,” said the waiter. “And you, sir?”
“I’ll start with a bowl of the chowder. And then I’ll have the Brotherhood burger, please. Medium with the Boursin cheese.”
The waiter finished writing down the order. “Can I refresh your drinks?”
“Yes, please,” said Peter.
He turned his attention back to Charlotte and reached for her hands. “Honey, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I was on the Paragon for nearly four months.”
Charlotte looked shocked. “Four months? How is that possible? You were only gone an hour. Peter, you’re worrying me now.”
“I know what it sounds like, hon. But trust me, every bit of this is true. Time is strange, and time travel is stranger still.”
“Time travel?” said Charlotte, her voice barely a whisper. She was getting more concerned.
“Hon, trust me, please. Hold off on any judgments until you hear the whole story.”
“Okay, babe, I’ll try. But this isn’t easy for me to hear.”
“I can imagine,” replied Peter. “But, I need to share everything with you and how it has impacted me.”
She held his hands firmly and stared into his eyes. “Okay. I’m all yours.”
He paused for a minute and then started, “As you can imagine, I was very confused when I landed on the Paragon. We were off the coast of Chile and looking for whales....”
Peter talked for several hours, stopping only to enjoy their food as well as order additional rounds of drinks. Charlotte was patient and listened intently, asking just a few questions along the way.
“...and then Isaiah told me how to get back to you and back to this time,” said Peter tapping on the table with his finger. “He said I needed to go back to Great Point, stand in the rip, and reflect on who I wanted to be as a man. And then I was hit by another wave and pulled under. I woke up on the beach, right next to a big seal. That was yesterday. I was home.”
Charlotte sat back and stared at Peter. “This really happened? All of it?” she said.
Peter leaned forward and took her hands. “It did, hon. All of it. And it was exactly what needed to happen to me. I needed to learn what was most important and why I’m here.” A tear trickled down Peter’s cheek.
“What is it, babe?”
Peter smiled sadly. “I am just so lucky to have you. I keep thinking of Isaiah and what that poor man lost. I never, ever, want to take you and the kids for granted again.”
Charlotte clutched Peter’s hands and smiled. “I love you, Peter Bois. And while your story sounds fantastical, I love what it has meant for you.”
“Thank you, hon. And thank you for listening, as crazy as it sounds.” Peter leaned back into his chair and said, “so let’s talk about the future.”
Charlotte relaxed, happy for a change of topic, and excited to hear Peter’s thoughts. “Okay,” she said, “tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I don’t want to sell the company,” said Peter. “Instead, I think we can use it to do good things.”
“Like what?” asked Charlotte, a little wary about where this was going.
“Plastics are a significant problem in the world’s oceans right now. In fact, plastic trash is killing whales, dolphins, and other sea life.”
Charlotte nodded in understanding.
“If you remember our discussion a few weeks ago, I told you about that new resin technology we developed that breaks down in saltwater. So, for example, a water bottle made with this resin will quite literally degrade in just a few days. It essentially melts away, leaving nothing behind but some harmless residue that can be eaten by plankton. So instead of trash, it’s more like producing food.”
“But didn’t you tell me that it was too expensive and would cost millions in lost margins?”
“Yes, but I was a jerk and an idiot,” said Peter. “There are things that are more important than profits.”
Charlotte smiled knowingly. “So, what do you want to do now?”
“I think we should spin off all our production capability, all of the factories, and set-up a separate company to focus on licensing this technology to plastic companies everywhere. All the profits generated would be donated to those organizations that are dedicated to cleaning up the world’s oceans, like Clean Seas Forever.”
Charlotte was shocked, even more so than in hearing Peter’s story. “Would you still be the CEO?”
“More of an honorary chairman. We would hire a full-time CEO.”
“Oh. Peter. That would be wonderful. The thought of having you home with us. And think of the positive impact you can have.”
Peter smiled, “Yes. Which would leave me with the time to manage our new foundation.”
“Really?”
“Really. But only if you will manage it with me. Be my partner?”
“Oh my god, yes!” She reached out and grabbed his hands. “Of course! I would love that!”
“You had originally asked for half of our money to start the foundation. But I think we can do better than that. We don’t need much to pay the bills, and I’m done with that CEO lifestyle, the private jets, limos, you know. We can put a few million in some conservative investments, which would generate all the income we need to maintain our current lifestyle. And provide a nice inheritance for Spencer and Sophie.”
“Oh, Peter. That would be amazing. Just amazing.”
The waiter arrived. Peter and Charlotte were the last people in the restaurant, and the waiter looked like he was ready to head home and go to sleep. Or more likely, head out to party. “Can I get you anything else?” he asked, hesitant of the answer.
“No, just the check, please.”
The waiter, relieved, produced the bill from his apron and laid it on the table. Peter quickly whipped out his wallet and threw his card down. The waiter retreated to process the payment.
Peter looked over at Charlotte. “Oh, and one more thing.”
“What’s that?” said Charlotte a little nervously.
“I want us to get a dog.”
Charlotte laughed out loud. “That sounds perfect. I know that will make Spencer and Sophie very happy. They’ve wanted one for a while now.”
“And I’d like to name him Tris.”
“Tris it is,” said Charlotte, smiling. She paused. “Peter, I cannot tell you how happy you’ve made me over the past twenty-four hours.”
He reached over to take her hand, rubbing her knuckles with the tips of his fingers. “When I was on the Paragon, all I could think of was you, Sophie and Spencer. It kept me alive.” His eyes filled with tears. “All I wanted was to get home to you and the kids. For me, this is a dream come true.”
“It’s a dream come true for me as well. I love you,” said Charlotte. “With all of my heart.”
“I love you too,” said Peter. He wiped a tear from his cheek and said, “What do you think about joining me on the patio for a drink when we get home?”
“Absolutely,” said Charlotte.
Peter signed the check, added a very generous tip, and then walked Charlotte back to the car, holding hands the entire way.
Heading home, they saw ten deer but didn’t bother counting. They knew they had both won.