Max wasn’t ready to give up yet. He couldn’t let those old folks triumph over him, a trained FBI agent. Max stopped and put down anchor three times on the way to Alaska in order to sleep. He made up sandwiches for the day each morning so he didn’t have to stop to eat.
Max found himself relaxing more than he had in a long time, being out on the open water. He saw a school of whales and then saw some seals sunning themselves on a big rock outcropping as he traveled. One evening after a big storm, Max saw a huge rainbow stretching as far as he could see. He was definitely not a spiritual man, but he felt renewed and strengthened being away from people and his job. He decided to keep going and even though he would only be able to check in a few towns for the missing elderly, he just might be able to find the one they were in. Were his convictions easing off some? “God, I hope not!” he thought.
Max thought, “There is no way 78 people could have landed in a small Alaskan town and not be noticed! Well, there is a good possibility that I will succeed! Onward!”
Sarah and her crew were setting up on Venice Beach and ended up having to have the police help them cordone off the area they needed to work in because it was already so crowded with homeless people. “Oh dear, I have a hard time working when it feels like I am being pressed to hurry up and open up and there are people looking over my shoulder. I just need to not think about that and realize these people have been waiting much longer for help than just today while we are setting up. I need to think about how happy they will be on the cruise ship and know it is for the best to get totally organized before we open up.” She looked up and could actually see the giant ships way out in the water. It looked like they were smiling, ready to receive these needy people.
Sarah was dreading when the base did open and she had to tell people that the cruise ships were only for 54 and under. But she would explain to the 50 and over that there was a brand new resort being prepared for them in the mountains! She had been told this morning that the resort would open in two weeks. Sarah had seen some pictures of the resort and it was so nice that she wouldn’t mind going up there for some more RNR! Also, she would have to tell the addicts that there was nothing for them at this time, but they hoped to have help for them soon. To keep checking back. Sarah hoped the posters would be posted soon to help explain all of these things so she didn’t have to keep seeing the disappointed look on people’s faces after telling them.
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Sarah really did enjoy her job, seeing the grateful faces of ones she gave food to and helped to get ready for the cruise ships. She had enjoyed getting to share leftovers with the people in the park by her old home. She was enjoying being here with the wonderful breezes and the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach and the sounds of children playing and laughing! “That’s it,” she told herself. “Just keep thinking about the things I like and the grumpiness will go away!” Sarah laughed and went back to work.
The road had been completed and Ray Moss had hired a second construction company so that one company had the day shift and the other the night shift. Fortunately, the two companies had worked together at a few different sites and were able to coordinate their crews to work together with a minimum of strife. Hiring was going on for the staff at the resort but Ray didn’t have to concern himself with that detail. He needed to make a trip down to Venice Beach later today to see how the set-up was going.
Ray had heard from a buddy that the cruise ship was now fully staffed and ready to receive its new residents. He was really glad that he hadn't been asked to work on staffing that monstrosity! He drove down the mountain and immediately got into heavy traffic. What a contrast to the beautiful pine tree surrounded resort! Even with all of its heavy equipment humming all around the property, it was still peaceful compared with the city!
He got to Venice Beach around noon. Sarah was busy getting people in line for the food that was already set up. He wandered over to the shower trailer and was pleased to see it was set up and there was a line there, as well. When Sarah finally got a breather, Ray went over to talk with her and they sat down and continued discussing details over lunch.
“So, you are saying you believe we are ready to start sending people out to the ships? He asked her.”
“All we seem to need is the launches and the drivers. As you said, the crew is ready on the ship and as you can see, people are more than ready to get off of the streets and get into a nice room with some security.”
Ray thought of his little family of three boys and how important security was to his wife. She was just asking about his benefits this morning and figuring what all they needed to schedule before the first of the year at the dentist and family doctor. That was the first time he had thought of the homeless population in comparison to his family, as real people. He put the idea out of his mind, knowing that compassion was the enemy to getting this project done. The next thought that popped into his mind was a picture of himself as a guard in the nazi uniform! “ Is that what I am like? Naaah!”