The next three days, we sailed back to Steinhatchee where Lisa, the boys, and I would endure six long months.

We arrived in the evening. I am not sure what part of us was most broken; our body, our soul, or our Spirit. We anchored Aleph Tav and went to get a bite to eat. My bones hurt. Worst yet, I had pulled a muscle in my back so badly, that I could barely walk.

No sooner were we served our food, someone came to our table quickly; “Is that your boat???” A young man asked with urgency.

“What boat?” I asked

“The one laying on it’s side in the river?”

I just sat there chewing my food unresponsive. When we were done eating we rode our dingy back. Sure enough, there was Aleph Tav laying on her side taking in water.

“I give up…!” I announced, as if somehow giving up would help anything. I turned the bilge pump on and left with my family in the dingy.

“Where we going?” Asked one of the boys.

“We are going to the Good Times Marina Motel!” I answered.

“Why…?” Lisa asked.

“So we can spend the night in a motel and get a good night’s rest!” I explained.

“How are we paying for that…? We don’t have any money!” She asked.

“Don’t care…” I mumbled.

We walked into Good Times Marina and I approached the owner. “Our trip to Haiti had to end, we are totally spent, and our boat is out there in the river lying on it’s side. Please give us a place to rest for the night!”

“I’m so sorry, we are totally booked. Wish we could help…” He responded.

“We just need a place for the night… Our boat is on the river sideways… We had to cut our Haiti trip short…” I reiterated.

“Yes…” He responded, “you said that… Wish I could do something to help you, but we are completely booked. We have no rooms.”

We turned to walk away.

To be continued