Coincidence - Alan May [27]
Fortunately for Anika, the crowd’s laughter went on long enough for her to get her own giggles under control. She ran her hands through her close-cropped blond hair and began again, on a more serious note. The program directors, she told the parents, determine the itinerary eighteen months in advance.
“We take advantage of the prevailing winds, and we like to chase summer wherever it is, staying out of the low-pressure development areas of hurricanes or typhoons. Countries we plan to visit must be politically stable as well as offering a unique educational environment, which we integrate with our strong curriculum based in anthropology, marine biology, political science, economics, history, and geography.
“We must choose a route that allows us to travel fifteen thousand nautical miles in five months, and it must include eighty days at sea to provide the mandatory hundred and twenty-five hours of teaching time per course. We try to add a couple of new ports each year to see which ones are best. We also make every attempt to participate in major sailing events happening on our course. And home stays with local residents in some ports are always part of the itinerary, and one of the most valuable. There is no better way to learn about a culture than by actively participating in it with a host family.
“We have an impressive array of ports lined up, with some once-in-a-lifetime sights awaiting us. We have an outstanding group of dedicated teachers. We have a rigorous course curriculum. But I know Mr. Flynn will back me up when I say that the most educational part of the whole year will be what you learn about yourselves as you face the challenges of making the extraordinary journey that is before you. I hope you’ll make the most of every minute of it.”
Mr. Flynn did indeed back up Anika’s words, and added more of his own. He spoke of the difficult journey that the parents would be making as they let their children go. The Inspiration, he told them, would be a floating “greenhouse” that would nurture the growth of everyone onboard, as well as that of the families left behind. Growing pains, he said, would be inevitable; sometimes they would be severe. Metamorphosis was not an easy process. Their journey, however, their metamorphosis, would be an experience to be treasured, an experience that few were privileged enough to make. He ended by asking the students to look carefully at the person standing on their left, and the person standing on their right.
“Although you have just met, it is these people standing beside you now who are about to become your best friends for life.”
That was it for speeches. The moment that had been everyone’s focus for the past several months had finally, unbelievably, arrived. It was time.
Hugs. Kisses. Tears. More hugs. Unnecessary reminders— “You won’t forget to use sunscreen, will you?” One final hug all around, then Captain Marzynski, Anika, and Dave escorted the parents with firm courtesy off the ship, giving them their most reassuring smiles and waves.
Meanwhile, Mac had sent the students to change into their crew uniforms. As soon as they returned, he gave each of them a task. He knew it would ease the leave-taking.
The gangplank was taken aboard, and Captain Marzynski gave the order to single up the lines—they had all been doubled while the ship was docked. The engine was put in forward gear full to starboard to keep the ship steady as the lines were untied. Craig Jordan and some of the other parents helped with the untying. It seemed to Craig that it made him feel better to have something to do, even if what he was doing served to hasten his daughter’s departure.
The breast lines were first to go, then the stern spring line, bowline, and stern line, leaving only the bow spring line attached. The captain swung the helm full to port and the stern started to move from the dock. When there was sufficient clearance, he put the engine in reverse and ordered the bow spring line released.
The Inspiration slipped slowly