The Hurricane - Final Chapter

Quint was able to get Elena and Elizabeth to the hospital to be checked out...the doctor praised MArtin for doing such a wonderful job under the circumstances he had to work under. When Quint got back to the station that evening, he told Martin about it. Shaking Martins hand, Quint said, "...Doc said you did an A-1 job, Brody...her and baby is in perfect shape...thank you, from the bottom of me old heart", he grinned, trying not to let too much emotion show. "Just part of the job", Martin grinned back, "I'm just glad I could help". Quint looked over at Mikey, who was playing checkers with Shawn. "I really appreciate it, Brody...the way you and your missus have been here for my family and me...", Quint stammered, "...I....just...thank you...I...dont know how to tell you how greatful I am...". Quint was getting emotional and he didnt like it. He didnt like giving others the ability to see inside of him. He felt they could use it against him if he showed that he had any feelings. But he didnt know of any other way of how to let Martin know how greatful he felt for everything he did. Martin was starting to get a little emotional himself. Oh, they had to stop this shit right away!! This emotional stuff was womens business! "Hey!....What're friends for??", Martin grinned and before Quint could say anything, he clapped Quint on the arm and said, "...Lets go over to the grotto...Chats over there, now...I'll buy!". Now booze was something that could always break a tense mood...especially between these two. "Lets go", Quint grinned. Ellen stood there in the back of the room, smiling, after viewing this 'tender-male-moment'. She shook her head in disbelief. "Men!", she said to herself, grinning, before she walked away. Jeff Chisolm had inspected all three of the bed and breakfast Inns...two of them were suitable for occupancy but the remaining building had severe structural damage, including a large section of its roof that was missing. Other Islanders had started making thier way to the town center, once the roads had been cleared. Burns hadnt been able to reach any of the radio stations on the mainland...the one island radio station had been put out of commission by the hurricane, so it appeared that there was no way at all to contact the mainland. He also couldnt make communicatiion with FEMA or the Governors office. The radio in the back office was basically useless. So, after thier drink at the grotto, Quint decided to take his truck to the ferry building. He found a couple of guys there, checking things over. He told the guys he needed to get across to get word to the mainland what was happening here, so they pulled the ferry out of the boat garage and got the mayor across, safely. Quint was going to take a drive up to Boston and make a persoanl, although unannounced, visit to the governor. He was expecting a confrontation, bad words or maybe even jail, when he got there...but he encountered none of the above. Quint was met at the gate of the governors mansion by the security gaurds on duty. He stated who he was as he was being thoroughly checked out for authenticity, then a phone call was made to the governors office insode the house. After all...it was after midnight. Governor Roberts secretary told them to send the mayor in...right away. As Quint was accompanied through the gates and up through the driveway, it dawned on him that he wasnt quite dressed properly enough to meet the governor. He hadnt changed clothes in two days, the leg of his pants was incrusted with dried blood and torn and he hadnt even shaved or bathed. He was a mess. But, thinking positively, he thought that, perhaps, since he looked this badly, then the governor would have an idea what the island looked like...Quint figured he'd get more help this way so dismissed the entire problem from his mind. And it worked like a charm, too. Governor Tim Roberts had his secretary make a few late-night phone calls and got some help on its way to Amity Island. When the official business was all taken care of, governor Roberts took Quint into the library and had a warm brandy fixed for Quint as he offered Quint a chair next to the fireplace. The two official men talked next to the warm, roaring fire and drank warm brandies until the wee hours of the morning about the hurricane and the damage...and about all the things Quint was trying to do, as mayor, to get the island back to some realm of normalcy. They drank the brandy, smoked cigars and told dirty jokes in between the official discussions. Governor Roberts had told Quint that he had been watching the televised reports on the hurricane all the while it was pelting the island, but, since all communications had been severed with the island, there was no way that anyone could know the extent of the damage...and no one from thier side could get to the island because the ferry had been secured on the island side. However, Roberts told Quint, if it had been necessary, he would have contracted a helicopter to fly him over. But the important part of the entire visit was that Quint had 'got the ball rolling' as far as help was concerned. Help was now on its way to his island. Federal inspectors would be coming in with governor Roberts, who would also be accompanying Quint back to the island. They would all take a tour of the entire island and Quints office would be given the necessary forms for the islanders to fill out to claim damages for FEMA, so FEMA could estimate the damages and thier costs to repair. Then FEMA would take bids from state contractors for all the repair work that Amity needed as a whole. Also, there would come relief supplies, such as food, water and temporary housing within days, for the ones who had lost thier homes and/or businesses. Martin wasnt a bit suprized when Quint walked into the police station the next morning with governor Roberts. Quint was the kind of guy who could charm the devil right out of his asbestos underwear if there was something that he wanted badly enough. It tooks months before the island began to even resemble 'normal', but, by then, mostly everyone had made it back to thier own homes and thier lives. Those who couldnt, stayed in the Inns courtesy of the state of Massachussettes. Donations, via the Red Cross and other charitable agencies poured in from all over the United States, courtesy of Quints heart-felt pleas in letter form and even a prime mid-day spot on national television and a few radio commercials. And, because of his valiant efforts and hard work, the islanders were now regaling him as thier hero. He couldnt understand why they felt this way...to him, he was only doing the job that they had all elected him to do. The Brodys house had been one of those that had been badly damaged, so Quint wouldnt take 'no' for an answer when he insisted that they move into the mayoral mansion until thier home had been reconstructed. This night, as the women and children slept upstairs, Quint and Martin sat downstairs, drinking. Quints favorite apricot brandy had never tasted so good to him as it did this night. "Martin, tell me...", Quint asked, contemplating, "...Why does everybody on this island think of me as some sort of a bloody hero??...I only did my job...it wasnt like I did anything 'spectacular'...I just did what I was elected by them to do...". Martin, with his own bottle of Jack Daniels Kentucky whiskey, just shrugged. "I dont know, Quint", he said, more of an after thought, "...I think that after people suffer a tragedy, theyre pretty emotional...and when someone helps them through it, job or no job, theyre greatful to that person who helped them in a time of trouble...", he shrugged, "...Hell...who cares??...Just go with it!", then he chuckled as he took a good, long swallow of the whiskey. "...But it makes me feel so uncomfortable...", Quint said, quietly, half drunk and totally confused by the whole situation. "Relax, Quint", Martin said, his words slurring, now, "...it'll all blow out soon and then things will get back to normal". Thinking about what the islanders were like when they were considered 'normal' - in particular, Connie Claridge and all the moaners and whiners - Quint snorted, "I bloody well hope not!". That broke them up, laughing. Martin knew exactly what he meant. After the laughter died down a little, Martin tried to tell Quint something serious. "Quint...I...er...well...", Martin stuttered. "Spit it out, Brody", Quint demanded. Leaning over the arm of the chair, looking tired, the half empty bottle of JD hanging loosely from Martins hand, Martin deep-sighed and got on with it. "...Well...when we cleared the streets, me and a couple of the volunteers gathered all what was left of your boat and took it to the pier and piled it all up...we...didnt want to just toss her around like ordinary debris...you know...?". Quint understood what Martin meant....and was deeply touched by Martins thoughtfulness. Determined not to let this turn into another one of those 'touching womens moments', Quint simply said "thanks" and left it at that. Three months later, there wasnt much left to remind the islanders of Amity that they had ever experienced a point-four hurricane named Lester, except the memories. But Quint was reminded often. He would often take an evening stroll, down by the docks, to stand next to the wreckage that had once been his beloved "Orca". He would stand there for hours, just staring at the pile of his memories, reminiscing about all the good times that he had had with her. Sometimes, he would feel a tear break loose and roll down his cheek... So many of the islanders would watch him. They all felt so badly for him...he had went through alot to get them back thier lives, while his heart must have been breaking. But no one knew exactly what to do about it. Not even Elena knew what to do to make him feel better. He hid his pain quite well, except when he was at the docks...and, even then...he fought hard to keep any emotion from showing. No one knew what to do to even show him thier gratitude for all that he had done for them. But Martin did. A month later, on a friday, Martin...knowing that Quint was across the street at the town hall in his office...made a call to Elena. He told her that it was concerning a suprize for Quint, but he didnt even tell her what it was. He just told her to have Quint down at the docks at noon the next day. "But...how??", she asked, "What do I tell him in order to get him there??...You know saturdays are his day off and on his days off, he likes to just lay around and watch tv...". "Just tell him you want to reminisce...or simply take a walk...anything...use your imagination...just get him there", Martin urged her. And that, she did. Luckily, it was a nice, sunny day, so that helped. She asked him to take her and the children on a nice stroll down by the water. He protested at first, but she insisted. Reluctantly, he helped her get Mikey ready for a little outing while she dressed Elizabeth. They left the house at 11:40am. Martin met the Quints as they arrived. There was a massive crowd and Quint was confused as to what was happening. "Hey, mayor!", Martin greeted Quint, "Come on!...We're all waiting for you!". "Me??", Quint asked, confused. "Yep...you", Martin grinned, taking Quint by the arm to lead him in through the crowd. As Martin walked Quint through the crowd and everyone realized the mayor was actually there, they all began cheering and clapping, whistling and patting him on the back. Poor Quint had no clue as to what was going on. Martin walked Quint and his family past a huge eighteen-wheeler deisel truck, down along the side of it, toward the back, near the water. Someone handed Martin a microphone from the crowd. "Your honor, mayor", Martin spoke, as much for the crowds benefit as Quints, grinning madly, "We all know that youre a self-made man and that you dont like anyones help...probabaly because you feel like youre taking from other hard working folks and all this attention makes you feel uncomfortable...but this is something that we all really wanted to do for you...because of your great leadership abilities during and after that hurricane...you threw your rear out on the line for all of us to get us back into our homes and to get our businesses going again so we could pay the bills while you had a new baby at home that you should have been getting acquianted with, along with a wife and a young son who took second place in your life while you took care of us all...". Ellen yelled from the crowd, "Oh, get on with it, already, Martin!!". Everyone laughed. They liked thier chief, but he could get quite long-winded at times. "Okay!...Okay", Martin laughed along with them, "...Mayor Quint, we just wanted to let you know that we appreciate you....so...we all pitched in and got you this". A couple of guys stepped up from the crowd onto the platform next to Martin and Quint, which was in front of a trailor that was attached to the 18-wheeler. Something big was on that trailor and it was covered with a massive tarpolean. Martin and the two guys - Chet Williams and Clark Tibbs - positioned themselves at the front, back and middle of the huge object. They took hold of the tarpolean and gave a hardy yank. Quint had to blink his eyes twice at the sight of the now uncovered object. It was an exact replica of his Orca. The only thing that was different about it were the roman numerals "II" behind the name on the transom. Quint was flabbergasted. He looked over at Elena, who was crying. Then he looked over to where the wreckage of his original Orca had lain since Martin and the volunteers had piled it there during the hurricane cleanup...it wasnt there. Quint was completely speechless as he stared at this new boat. He didnt know quite what to think or to do or to say. Martin helped him out. He walked back to Quint and patted him on the back. He gestured for Roy O'Connor to come up onto the platform. "Roy...tell Quint how you made this boat", Martin said. "You made this vessel, Roy??", Quint asked, suprised. "Well", Roy grinned, "Me and coupla other guys...while the chief supervised, that is". Roy and Martin chuckled...Quint just smiled, still stunned by it all. Things got a little serious when Roy took Quint aside to ask him a question...a question that really worried everyone. "...Uhh, Quint...", Roy said, hesitantly, "...We, er...wanted to make this Orca just as special to you as the old one was, so...well...", he wasnt quite sure how Quint was going to take it all, so he wasnt sure how to proceed. After all...everyone knew how touchy Quint was about his boat... "What Roy is trying to say, Quint", Martin stepped in, putting his arm around Quints shoulders, "...Is that we used every single salvageable piece of the original Orca that we had...and we hope that youre not upset about that". Martin watched Quints face carefully for his reaction, but he didnt give one. Quint just stared at him with those icey blue eyes. After a moment, Quint asked Martin for the microphone. Martin gave it to him. Then Quint delivered a speech of thanks that brought tears to even the hardest old fishermen. Even Martin eyes were watery. He had thanked everyone for thier kindness and consideration. He told them how he felt about his original Orca (for the benefit of those who actually didnt know, which werent many) and, when he did, he heard a few sobs in the crowd and alot of sniffing. Then he told them how thoughtful that he thought it all was...how touched he was that, not only did they all think enough of him to build this boat for him, but to be so considerate of his feelings that they would incorporate the original beloved boat into his new beloved boat. More sobs and nose-blowing coming from the almost silent crowd. It was tough on Quint to hold himself together during all of this. He was far more emotional than he would have liked to be. He went on to thank Roy O'Connor and his crew for doing such an obviously fine job, then he thanked Martin, his 'best buddy', for getting all of this together. Quint even hugged Martin, right there, in front of everybody! Maybe it wasnt so 'macho', Quint thought, but he didnt give a rats-ass. He felt like doing it, so, he did it. Everyone clapped and cheered...and cried happy tears. "Well, Quint?", Roy grinned, "Lets see how good my work is...lets see if shes got her sea-legs!". (They couldnt have done it before...it was bad luck for the boat builder to have allowed the new boat to even touch the water...only her captain could do that). Roy waved to a guy up at the front of the big-rig, who, in turn, waved at the driver...a signal to release the wench on the trailor, so that the boat would slip off into the water. The men watched as the cables holding the boat were loosened, then watched as the trailor tipped backwards. The Orca II slipped easily off of the trailor and into the water, with a slight splash. Quint had mixed feelings about this new boat...but he would never tell anyone. She was part of his old boat...but, somehow, it just wasnt the same. Oh, well, he thought...he would make the best of it. "Ya gotta christen her", Martin smiled to Quint...handing Quint a bottle of his favorite apricot brandy. "Maybe I should drink this, first", Quint joked. "Go on, go on", Martin chuckled, pointing to the hull of the boat. So, Quint smashed the bottle across the bow of the hull and christened her the "Orca II", officially. There was a big party, later that evening and a picnic at the boatworks building that lasted well into the night. Connie Claridge presented Quint with a necklace - a black, leather cord which held a tooth from a great white shark. She told him that she had found it in an old specialty shop on the mainland and the man that sold it to her had told her that this was a fishermans good luck charm...that the belief was, as long as a fisherman wore this, it would protect him from harm at sea...and, since she had chipped in "so much" (money) on the new boat, she didnt want her investment to go to waste! She was totally unbelievable to most folks...but Quint wrote her off. He figured that this was an attempt to be nice, so he thanked her and put it right around his neck. She stood there, smiling proudly. So what if she didnt have any tact? He could remember a time when he didnt, either...and he was always forgiven. Besides...he was in such a good mood, that nothing or no one was going to blow it for him. He was greatful to her for helping. He figured she hated him too much to even throw in a dime! "Wheres Quint?", Elena asked Ellen, about two hours later, "...Have you seen him?". "Yeah", Ellen told her, "I saw him walk out the front door a little while ago...tell you what....you find Martin and you'll find Quint", she grinned, "...those two are as thick as thieves!". But Quint wasnt with Martin. Martin was over in a corner talking to several men - and none of them were Quint. "Ellen, I hate to ask you this, but", Elena said, pleadingly, "But...do you think Chrissy Eldridge would mind keeping and eye on my two also?...Just a few minutes...I'm a bit worried about Quint...". Chrissy Eldridge had been hired by the Brody's to watch thier two boys during the picnic so that Ellen and Martin could enjoy themselves without worrying what Shawn and Mike would be getting themselves into. "Why are you worried about Quint?", Ellen asked her, concerned. "Well", Elena said, "Its kind of tough to explain...but Quint gets a little moody and unpredictable after he;s had a particularly emotional day...he doesnt really know how to handle his emotions very well and...well...today has been a 'doozy'...". "Oh, I totally agree with you on that!", Ellen smiled, "...Anyway, sure...I know Chrissy wont mind...the baby will take her mind off of my two 'hell-raisers'...besides...they wont bother her so much when shes got the baby". "Thanks", Elena happily exclaimed, "I wont be long". Then she turned on her heel to go find Quint. She stepped outside and looked around. The boat lot was well lit, but Quint was nowhere to be seen. She began to walk toward the pier...she thought he might be at the new boat. She was right. There he was, setting on the stern, his feet inside, resting on the deck...drinking. "Honey?", she called softly, "...You okay?". He turned to look at her, in the dim glow of the overhead lights on the pier. He patted a spot on the transom, next to him, gesturing for her to come and sit by him. He helped her into the boat. "Why are you out here, all alone?", she asked him, rubbing his arm gently, lovingly. "Just thinking about how great things are going", he mused, smiling, "...I've got a beautiful wife that I love with all of my heart, two great kids, a great job...and more best friends than I thought I could ever have in a lifetime...". He slipped his arm around her shoulders. He sat there and stared up into the sky a moment before continuing, "...It cant get any better than this, babe...", he smiled and kissed her cheek sweetly. "Youre right...it cant", she smiled back. Quint was happy...peaceful. As he held her and they watched the stars, he mentally reviewed his life. Up until he had married Elena, he felt that his life had been one long, continual, painful disappointment. "Well", he thought to himself, "Ive spent the first half of my life earning the second part, I guess...everyones got to pay his dues". Then he looked into his wifes eyes, smiled at her, then kissed her passionately. "Wow!...What was that for?", she giggled. "For showing me that, if we can weather a hurricane together, then we can make it through anything together". He hugged her tightly and smiled...happily...and content...for one of the first times in his life, realizing that it didnt feel so bad to show some emotion, after all.

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