MARGOT, EDDY, AND THE SEA...( I I I )

Eddy checked out of the Hotel, and a few minutes before noon. he was on board the "Adventurer." He could see that the loading was not completely done, and went up on the Bridge to greet his good friend and Captain of the ship, Capt. Charles (Charlie) Seems.- Capt. Seems was a pleasant man that always treated everybody with respect and courtesy - but could be a very serious problem if crossed in any way. His friendly, good nature attitude was a coin with two sides; and the other side was a veritable, living nightmare for whoever crossed or disrespected him.- The Captain was 6'5" and tipped the scales at 350 lbs. of pure muscle.- Oh..! and to finish the picture, he held a Karate Black Belt.- Eddy was very glad and proud to be considered a close friend by Capt. Seems.

By three O'clock that afternoon, the loading was finished, and "The Coastal Adventurer" was on its way north. Eddy went down to the Engine Room to check everything and organize his crew into the three/eight hours shifts.-
It was an uneventful cruise back to the San Francisco Bay, where the freight was to be unloaded and transferred to other ships and modes of transportation, to reach its different destinations.- A new load awaited them also for their next trip south. Eddy - not having any role in the loading process - was planning on flying to Los Angeles for the two or three day expected furlough, and visit with a good friend he hadn't seen in years - Jose Marin - a very likeable fellow from Valencia, Spain.- Jose had asked him to visit and stay as his guest in his Apartment, just off Santa Mnica Boulevard; not too far from UCLA where he taught Spanish and Mathematics. He was married to Marita, also from Valencia. She was an eceptionally good cook, and her "Paella" was the best Eddy had ever tasted.- He put enough clothes for a couple of days and a shaving kit in a small carry-on bag and made arragements for transportation to the Airport. He called Jose with his flight information, and they agreed to meet at the Los Angeles Airport.
As Eddy walked into the waiting room of L.A.X., he could see Jose waiving at him with a big smile on his face.- Three days, Eddy thought: and couldn't help wondering what was Margot doing that very moment.