Last winter I watched a house boat slipped next to me while the owner, “Dave” at 86 years, spent the winter in AZ. Once he came back, he handed me a bottle of Basil Haden TOAST. Something I’ve never tried before. I told him when I get back, we’ll crack it together.
Throughout the year, when Dave was looking for someone to talk to and perhaps have a sip with, he would leave his upstairs light on. Over the last 4 years, I’ve made many a trip to his houseboat.
The Sunday before I was leaving on my cruise down the river for 3 weeks, I stopped in to see him and to find out if he would give be a ride back to the boat on Wednesday after I dropped off my truck. No problem and he made me one of his famous bloody mary’s before I left.
Wednesday came and no Dave. Totally unlike him. I went over to his boat and the doors were unlock, which made sense because his car was still there. Then I noticed his hat and cap still on the table. Because of skin cancer, he never goes outside without his sun protection. I started to worry that he might have fallen off the back end of his boat…but put that out of my mind and kept calling his name as I walked through his pride and joy, the 80 some foot house boat.
Then I went to his bed room. Still in his PJ’s, motionless and cold to the touch.
My bottle of Toast is still in the cabinet, seal intact.
Attachments:
Dave.jpg
