This story is based on more fact than fiction. Names, places have been changed to protect the true identity of the person's here-in. You are welcome to post comments or email me directly with any response! Hope you enjoy the first part of this story? Other parts will be forthcoming!
Part 1
Having built and remodeled houses for the past 20 years, I was ready to retire and do the one thing I've always loved and dreamed about, owning my own Sport Fishing boat!
Growing up, I spent many days fishing with my father on the Atlantic Ocean off the Jersey coast. Having chartered a few trips myself with some friends and a few guys who worked for me, the more I dreamed of owning my own boat and fishing everyday!
I worked hard for many years, building my business and putting money aside for my dream. I had a wife and 3 kids and all the normal things like everyone else, but, I wasn't happy with that routine, working my ass off. After 18 years of a not so great marriage, I got a divorce! So, after all those years of building a great reputation for building quality houses, I got the break of a life-time that many contractors dream about!
A very rich gentleman called one day and wanted me to build 500 homes on a huge tract of land that would afford every buyer to have at least 1 to 2 acre's of land and a house that would be the envy of many! These homes ranged from the low 6 figures to the 7 figures; and of course, I would be paid a handsome price plus a nice bonus if I could build these houses in 2 years or less! Well, in 19 months, I had built 500 houses and they were really beautiful and spacious homes and I received a nice bonus, an figure one!
With what I had invested and saved over the years without my ex-wife knowing and what I made on this contract and the huge bonus, I was set for the rest of my life and could now fulfill my dream at last! I sold my business to my son, packed up and moved to a small community of Delray Beach, Florida which was on the West Coast on the Gulf!
Once I found what I wanted in a home and the location was perfect! Being close to a local marina and some great seafood restraint; and having gotten settled in; I set out to find the boat of my dreams!
I traveled all over the coast line, searching all the marinas and boat brokerage places in search of the perfect boat! One day, while sitting at the local seafood house, a woman several years my senior approached my table.
"Excuse me sir, may I join you for a moment?" As I looked this woman over, she was well tanned and seemed to be in good shape for her age, with salt & pepper hair that was cropped nicely.
"Certainly, please, sit down!" I was puzzled by this and before I could ask what was on her mind, she spoke! She extended her hand in a friendly greeting and introduced herself.
"My name is Marge Henderson and I understand that you're looking to purchase a sport fishing boat?"
"Yes I am and my name is Charles Barger." I took her hand in mine and we shook hands as she took the chair across from me.
"Would you care for some coffee, iced tea or something stronger?"
"Yes please, thank you Mr. Barger." I motioned for the waitress to come over and take her order. She just ordered coffee and got down to the reason of her visit.
"Mr. Barger, I have a sport fishing boat for sale and its docked right here in slip 38, if you'd like to take a look at it?"
"Sure thing, what type and make is it and how old is it?" All the important questions anyone would ask at this point!
"Well, its practically brand new, it hasn't been used all that much and its only 2 years old!"
"When can I see it?" She had me interested right off, being that I was looking for something no older than 2 or 3 years and if it was fully equipped and ready to go!
"I can show it to you when we finish our coffee unless you have other plans for the day?"
"Sounds like a plan to me, I'm ready right now!"
"Swell, then lets go!" We got up and I dropped a ten'er on the table for the coffee's and tip and headed out the door and down the main wharf to the piers and the slips where there were many nice boats docked. Slip 38 was almost at the end and there were several large sail and cabin cruisers docked at this pier. One thing I had to say about this marina was the way they laid it out. Each slip had small floating docks each side of the boats!
As we approached her slip, I noticed a huge yacht docked at the end of this pier, which I found out, belonged to her also!
"Here we are Mr. Barger!" She stopped in front of a 36 foot Pacemaker Sport Fisher.
"Please call me Charlie, all my friends do!"
OK Charlie, you can call me Marge then!" With hat out of the way, she invited me to come on board. She gave me the grand tour and asked if I would like to take it out for a test run. I was in hog heaven at this point! And of course, I readily accepted the opportunity to test this baby out!
Well, to make a short story and get to the "Good-Stuff" we cruised for about 2 hours and by the time we returned to the slip, I was sold! It was everything I ever dreamed of and the type of craft I always dreamed about owning!
She invited me to her yacht for drinks and to discuss the sale! Needless to say, we shared several drinks and more small talk by the time we agreed on a price!
It was getting late in the evening and I was getting rather hungry, having not eaten all day and the wine we were drinking, wasn't helping any!
"Charlie, have you eaten yet?" No, I haven't and I was going to ask you the same thing!
"I take it you like seafood Charlie?
"Yes, I love it, why you ask?"