Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter Nineteen
Shocking news from California.
Solo sailing from Australia to Hawaii.
Goodbye to Liza, Bundaberg, and friends.
Danger in shipping lanes.
Storm off Three Kings!
The Bay of Islands.
These memories swam about my head as the words from Judi's telegram sank in. Appar-
ently, there had been some very serious allegations leveled against an ex-boyfriend regard-
ing our son. I stood in the post office foyer staring at the telegram; I was in shock, to say
the least. Thoughts and questions flew around my head. I made my way to a pay phone and
called Judi.
“What on earth is going on, Jude?” I asked, still shocked at these allegations.
“Oh God, Jonathan, you won't believe what has happened!” she sobbed. I couldn't believe
my ears when I heard her coming apart the way she was now over the phone. She was always
the strong one, always in control of her feelings. “Could you please come over and spend
some time with your son, Jonathan? I'm sure we can find some work here for you, and Dylan
would really appreciate your fatherly input,” she said, still crying.
I walked back to the boat with my head spinning. I had some serious planning to do. Yes,
I wanted to see Dylan and spend some time with him; he was adorable, and I was missing
him. I had a cloud of guilt hanging over me regarding my son, and this situation was now
coming to a head. My cruise had become a little jaded, and I was going around in circles
here in Bundaberg. Gavin was about to depart for Mooloolaba to work on his friend's boat.
I made arrangements at the Burnett Heads River Mouth boatyard to dry dock Déjà vu for as
long as I wanted. The fee was reasonable as I would be earning U.S. dollars. It was decided
then I would haul her out, purchase a one way ticket to California and spend a year working
for my ex in-laws who I still got on well enough with. Judi sounded very relieved when I
called her back a few days afterward. She promised to meet me at John Wayne Airport and
drive me to her folks' place in San Clemente, in southern California.
It was a grand reunion with young Dylan. How he had grown! How American he sounded,
and how beautiful he was! Huge, big, blue eyes, a mop of curly blonde hair, and the cutest
smile I had ever seen. I hugged his little frame, and he rewarded me with a heart wrenching
“Daddy, I love you.” It was a teary reunion and a blessing that I had come back, even under
these unfortunate circumstances. Here was something so much more real than idling away
