Blinded by Love
It started out as a perfect sailing day with a steady wind and clear skies. The sailboat was Marion’s and Phil’s pride and joy dressed out in new blue and white sails. They inherited the large sailboat, “Joyful Ride” from Marion’s grandparents as a wedding gift.
Since Marion was a young girl she always felt comfortable on the sea and sailing with her grandparents. She summered for years with them and learned how to sail from her grandfather, a master sailor in his own right who grew up on these waters as a boy. Marion was a natural and won many races at the local sailing camp at the yacht club as a child. Phil was from the mid-west and met Marion at college where they became college sweet hearts.
Deeply in love and newly married Phil was anxious to take the helm. As they quickly climbed on board and dumped their belongings Phil asked Marion to secure the lines. She moved effortlessly about the deck and double checked everything to get ready to launch. Phil readied the engine. Out of habit Marion cast one last look around the small harbor to the distant East.
“Phil, did you check the weather again?” she asked.
“It’s fine. You know how you always worry too much. Come on this will be fun!” he said giving her a big hug.
Taking another glance at the sky Marion guessed he might be right. All her life she had been a worrier and a perfectionist, maybe this was just her imagination. To share his enthusiasm she saluted and shouted “Yes, my captain!” before dropping down on the seat near the main sail. She turned and watched her new husband with glowing pride.
Within a few minutes the engine sputtered and coughed and finally roared.
“Let’s go sailor gal!” Phil shouted from behind the wheel over the hum of the engine.
Slowly the boat pulled back from the slip and headed towards the channel. The rolling waves lapped swiftly against the boat as they motored out of the harbor. Within fifteen minutes they were outside the breakwater and Phil cut the engine. Marion climbed down to get the jib sail from the deck below. Upon her return, the wind had quickly died off and the waves looked black.
“Maybe we should turn back,” she said remembering that major squalls were known to peak unexpectedly in this area. She thought she saw some light in the distance.
“This is nothing it will blow over” said Phil confidently. Within moments dark clouds came overhead. Marion suddenly felt uneasy. She had a tingling sensation on the back of her neck. As the sky opened the boat rocked and a hard rain began to fall…
It was a tragedy they said. Capsized, so fast, no time to call for help. Everything blown apart; all hopes and dreams and their young precious lives submerged beneath the sea.
Back at the yacht club the news spread.
“What a shame,” said a member, “Marion was a much better sailor than Phil.”
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