Granger reached for the binoculars one more time. The small smudge was still on the horizon and appeared to have stayed in position. It could just be a fisherman he reasoned or someone doing research in the Gulf. He had seen that before. But somehow this was different. For one, the boat was smaller and there did not appear to be any lines or nets strung out from its deck.

He raised the small handheld binoculars to his eyes and adjusted the focus once again. No. It was in the same position. It was not a research boat he recognized from any of the coastal Marine Centers. There were no fishing lines visible.

Maybe it was time to go take a look.

Granger proceeded slowly. No telling who was in the boat. Better to be cautious and steady. As he approached the small boat, he noticed how quiet it was. No engine sound at all. And then, a voice called out, “ Ahoy Man! Can you help?” Ahoy? That was a kick! Granger slowed and gradually approached the seemingly stranded boat. A young mainlander who was obviously happy to see him, called out that he was out of gas and so very happy that Granger had come along. Granger couldn’t help but think he should have been, as the sun was setting and it would soon be cold and dark on the water. A small dark, boat could be easily overtaken by the oil tankers coming and going from the giant rigs chugging away a little further to the West.

The mainlander stuck out his hand and announced that his name was Josh and he had no means of communication on board. He accidentally left his spare Jerry can on the dock when he left and now realized he had no way to get back to the marina. Granger sucked on his toothpick and wondered how these guys ever survived at all. Then he quietly threw a towrope to the boy/man and told him to secure it to his own boat and prepare to be towed.

An hour later, as darkness covered the bays and marinas and moored boats, Granger pulled in to Sharkey’s. The stranded boater thanked him profusely and offered to pay him. He had very little actual cash on him since he always used his cards but would be more than happy to mail a check or meet up later for a cash exchange.  All he needed was a name and place. Granger was still for a moment and then told him his name was Granger, Merit Granger. No need to repay anything. Just remember to double-check everything when you go out on the water again. Over protests, Granger returned to his own boat and set off through the darkened waters once again.

Josh was at a loss. Where was he? Who was Merit Granger? How could he find him again?

He walked into Sharkey’s; making doubly sure his boat was secure, and took a seat at the bar.

The place had the combined odors of fishermen after a long day, wet rope and cigarettes. It was murky and a bit rundown. The bar was scuffed and white rings from decades of cold beers defied the cleaning rag. A few men sat at a table perusing partially opened mail, choosing which to toss and which to carefully save in a shirt pocket for later. One guy emerged from a back room with clean, wet hair and the smell of soap. He stopped and slowed his gait when he saw Josh. The men at the bar glanced sideways and kept silent. Then, the bartender approached and asked how he could help. Was the young man lost? Did he need directions? He did not offer him a drink and as he spoke, he guided him to the door he had just come in. When Josh mentioned Granger, the bartender relaxed a bit and listened to the story. He knew Merit, yes and would be glad to give him a token of thanks but there was no telling when he would be back. Could be tomorrow or next month. It all depended on Granger’s need to communicate with the world outside the water.

The bartender asked Josh the location of his marina and said he would have the boat towed there in the morning. Meanwhile, he would call Josh a cab so he could return home. There seemed to be little choice but to go along.

Morning dawned grey and wet. Josh hurriedly dressed and called his marina. Yes, his boat was in its slip. No one was around when it arrived but it was safely moored and in place. 

So who were these people? Where was Sharkey’s? Who was Merit Granger? Josh knew he should just be grateful…for the rescue, for the tow and for the return of his boat. But there seemed to be so much more here, a story, a mystery, and a secret world? And so it was, he set out to find Merit Granger. He would begin to see with new eyes a world he could not imagine.