Second Street // Part Thirty Two

          Second Street

          Part Thirty Two

Sunday came creeping through the heavy curtains of their hotel room. The approaching light finding Pam wrapped in Charlie’s arms neither of them wishing to stir after their long and busy day yesterday. Pam groaned and pulled the sheets over her head. The alarm clock next to Charlie was flashing out its digits minute by minute. Charlie saw the numbers 7:30 and turned his head away and towards Pam. They both dozed off and woke thirty minutes later. Come on sweetheart Charlie said to Pam. We really need to get moving if we are to do anything today. Pam just groaned and held the sheets tightly in place. Charlie left the bed and headed to the shower. He stood in the window for several moments watching the Hudson flow by. It was a peaceful view. Charlie turned on the shower waiting for the temperature to get warm and soon enough was pleased and entered the steaming water.

 It was just a few moments when Pam pulled the curtain open and joined him. She seemed really tired, wrapping her arms around Charlie and just leaning into him, letting the water fall on them. What would you like to do today, Charlie said to her? We have to check out by two, so let’s put our trust in Jimmy, Pam replied .Good idea Charlie said maybe we pack now so we can just have Jimmy bring our luggage down if we are running late. Alright, Pam said handing Charlie the soap and turning her back to him. Charlie soaped up a washcloth and slowly massaged her back with lather. He finished and told her I’m off.  He kissed her forehead and disappeared. Pam just let the water run over her face for a few minutes and soon felt better. She finished and got moving. Pam joined Charlie and quickly got dressed and put on her makeup, and then attending to packing. Charlie asked, are you alright? I’m fine now she replied let’s finish our weekend with a bang. I’m all for it Charlie said looking at her. They were all packed and ready for the day. They looked around the room, wishing they could stay, even if just for a few more days. They headed to the elevator to find Jimmy.

The door to the elevator opened and there was Jimmy, a smile on his face, happy to see them. You folks had a long busy day yesterday, no? It was exhausting Pam said but what a day. I need to thank you so much for the Delmonico’s reservation. My God what a fantastic piece of meat! We also had just a wonderful day, thank you so much Pam said to him. I love it when people are happy with the choices I have made for them. It makes my heart happy, Jimmy said to Pam. Jimmy, I need to ask a favor, Pam told him. We don’t have a long day, we must check out by two. We have packed everything and wonder if you could retrieve our luggage if were late? Also can you suggest something for us to do in the short time we have left? I believe I have just the ticket for you and your time constraints, he replied.

Jimmy rummaged through his desk and came up with two tickets to a harbor cruise. This is a wonderful tour and lasts around two hours, maybe a bit more but I think it fits your needs. You have time to go and have breakfast and get to the marina. You’ll have a fun time and be back in time to check out. Thank you so much, Pam said to him. You are a prince! I am starving Pam told him. Is there a good breakfast place near bye? There is he replied, go two blocks over and one block up and you’ll find Fazzio’s. Wonderful breakfast, Jimmy said as he handed tickets for the cruise to Pam. Thank you so much Charlie said to Jimmy. The couple left to follow Jimmie’s directions to Fazzio’s.  Fazzio’s was a great place and featured omelets. Their waitress was a Puerto Rican, and as good a waitress as could be. Pam decided to have a three egg omelet of mushrooms, spinach and Swiss cheese, Charlie having a Western. They quickly got their meals that were presented with home fries and toast. It was delicious and they were so glad they came. They finished their meals, paid the bill and caught a cab to the marina.

The cab delivered them to the home of the Shearwater at the North Cove Marina on the Hudson. This schooner was birthed two hundred yards from the World Trade Center and had been hit by falling debris from the catastrophe of 9/11. It was a beautiful ship at eighty one feet long and built in 1929. It held forty eight persons. This ship had quite the history. It was built in East Boothbay Maine. The history of this delight was amazing. Originally built for a multimillionaire from Oyster Bay She had been requisitioned during world war two to serve the Coast Guard running up and down the coast in search of Nazi submarines. She had circumnavigated the globe during the 1980’s and worked as a research vessel for the University of Pennsylvania for medical research.

This beauty had two masts of spruce and is listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places. Charlie and Pam fell in love with this ship.  They boarded and were welcomed by the captain and crew. This Captain had been the master of this vessel for quite a few years and had great respect from his crew. He was a Maritime Academy graduate and had managed ships of much greater size. His name was Sergio Cantini a very handsome man in his fifties. He had given up the big ships when presented with the chance to captain this wonder. He had made plenty of money and this was the most wonderful retirement possible.

 As all the passengers came aboard the crew readied the ship and soon enough were motoring out to the harbor. The guests were encouraged to help with raising the masts and Charlie obliged. He took his orders from the demanding and knowledgeable crew and managed to get underway. This was a wine cruise, quite the nice affair. The captain offered the helm to any that would come forward and that was Pam. She found this so intriguing and enjoyed herself immensely. He gave her plenty of time. She had so many questions for him as she guided this beauty. She felt such a sense of history and thanked the captain profusely. This was another memory to store away. How many have guided an historic ship? The ship toured Brooklyn Heights, Visited the Manhattan skyline, Views of Redhook, Battery Park,The Verrazano Bridge, Governors Island, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. With a bit of imagination, one could see thousands of immigrants waiting in long lines, just waiting for entry to a new life.

There were wines for tasting along with Charcuterie and Cornichons. There was a variety of well respected wines, always different on each tour; some from Spain France and Italy as well as California. There was a smoked or cured meat. Cheeses were offered to compliment each variety. This was an exceptional tour. This template included dried fruit and nuts. What a spectacular cruise. So interactive and so rich in history!  This ship felt like home to Charlie and Pam! They were enthralled, this gorgeous schooner rolling under their feet the salt spray on their faces. Jimmy was just so spectacular for suggesting such a treat! They had hoisted the mast and navigated this historic beauty. They had sampled new wines and had their fill of cheese, fruit and such. It was the most perfect day! This ship returning to her birth Charlie helping with the masts, Pam watching close by as Sergio brought his girl to rest at port, the crew securing her to dock. Charlie and Pam were the last to disembark. They thanked and shook hands with each crew member and spoke to the Captain with glowing admiration. You could see that he appreciated this. Their time was short and they caught a cab back to the hotel.

It was fifteen minutes until two and Jimmy had courteously had their bags brought to his desk. Pam went to the front desk to settle the balance of their bill and telling the woman at the counter what a wonderful time they had had and hoped to come back soon. She complimented the entire staff mentioning Jimmy in particular! Charlie had taken three hundred dollar bills from his wallet and placed them in his pocket. Pam finished at the desk joined Charlie in saying farewell to Jimmy. Jimmy thank you so much for the excellent care you have shown us. You made our stay just perfect, Pam said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek. Charlie reached into his pocket retrieving the bills and slipping them into Jimmie’s hand as he shook hands goodbye. Jimmy told them he loved having them and that they had been the best customers he had had in quite some time. I sure hope to see you again real soon, he said to them, maybe next time we can do better with some planning. Jimmy motioned to the bellhop to take their bags and all said goodbye, tears welling up in Pam’s eyes. Out to the taxi stand and off to the Port Authority. Their short ride was quiet, neither of them wanting to depart. They exited the taxi and made the climb down three floors and found the platform where their train would soon enough take them homeward bound. Within fifteen minutes it arrived and they settled in for a long ride Pam being awfully quiet and unhappy at leaving. She was sitting next to Charlie and took his right hand in between hers. She leaned over and kissed him promptly resting her head against his shoulder. She quickly fell off to slumber, thoughts of this wonderful weekend in her mind.