Swimming with
the Dolphins

Section 5

My Grandfather Bucky’s Time
On Captiva

There is nothing that I was able to find that described when the cabin was completed. What I do know is my grandfather and his family began coming to Captiva regularly in the early 1930’s. He was a conscientious recorder in his multiple diaries. I have taken excerpts from the pages that deal with Captiva or the people we met on the island. In addition, I conducted recorded personal interviews with my grandfather, Carlos, CeCe’s grandmother, and various Cosgrove and Hudson family members. The dates were from grandfather’s diaries but I have added additional description of some events. The dialogue is the authors.

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March 20 – April 4, 1935:  I heard my mother say many times, ‘We took everything but the kitchen sink.’ Ten years old was too old to come to Captiva Island for the first time. My sister was six and my brother, Jake was three. They were the right age. My father and his brother, Uncle Peter, who my mother called the Bohemian bought the cottage for six hundred dollars in 1932 from the Chandler family. The purchase included not only the cottage but also four acres of mango grove and a hundred yards of beach front on the Gulf of Mexico. Father spent one hundred fifty dollars on new screens, a cistern and an indoor bathroom with the necessary septic field. When he told the story he would look at mother and make fun of her by saying, ‘Your mother was afraid that a spider or snake would bite her butt if she went to the outhouse.’ Mother would immediately reprimand him for using the word “butt” and the children would laugh. It was our joke.

My father and Uncle Peter traveled to Captiva for the first time in 1920. My uncle supervised the building of the cabin for Mr. Chandler. After Peter and my father graduated from college they returned for several men only trips. We heard stories about the giant fish they caught and fried over an open fire and about starting their day at three in the afternoon because they stayed up all night playing cards. Mother didn’t like it when Father told those stories in front of us. She tried to quiet him but he wouldn’t be quieted. When Father returned from the 1933 trip he told mother that a neighbor had come to the island with his wife and her sister. He started trying to convince mother that it would be healthy for us to go to the island for a couple of weeks.

At first my mother said it was out of the question. She told father that besides the snakes and spiders the air was unhealthy. She said the mosquitoes had to be “as big as birds” and carried malaria. Father kept up his stories about the fresh air and sunshine and the beauty of the place. For some reason after Christmas she said, “OK, but only for two weeks and only this one time.”

Our two weeks began on March 20, 1935. I would be out of school for two weeks. Mother insisted that my teacher send my homework assignments with us. Mother promised the teacher that all my missed work would be completed before I got back. I hated homework and completed most of it on the train ride from Philadelphia. My mother was very unhappy when, at the last minute, my uncle decided to accompany us. What made her angrier was the woman and man that he invited to join us. She was furious with father and almost refused to go. Father convinced her but acknowledged that it was going to be tight in the cabin. There was only one bedroom and one big sleeping and eating space. There would be little privacy. This fact had apparently not occurred to my uncle but I knew he liked to annoy my mother. He did that frequently.

We had boarded the Panama Limited in Philadelphia. We changed trains Atlanta. When we arrived in Ft. Myers we were happy to be off of the stuffy train. Mother would not let us open the windows in our Pullman even though it was warm outside.

Our launch was docked at the city pier about three blocks from the train station. We loaded our luggage in a big flat boat filled with boxes and baskets of groceries. We took bedding because the men usually slept in hammocks that hung from the ceiling. Mother insisted that we take plenty of candles since she had heard father talk about the problems of the gasoline generator failing to operate for several days. The launch left the dock about nine thirty and the water of the Catchaloosie River was stirred by a stiff breeze from the west. Mother made us wear life jackets.

When we reached the little dock on Captiva. There was no one around. Father said, “Don’t worry we’ll walk to the house and come back for the luggage later.” Mother protested: “Someone might steal it!” “Who?” We followed father along a narrow trail filled with ruts. The vines and vegetation reached for us as we made the fifteen minute walk.

We kids ran ahead wanting to be the first to see the ocean. As we timidly approached the surf I heard excited words coming from my mother. Apparently the cabin was filthy. My father had written ahead arranging for someone to clean. That didn’t happen. Father said, “It’s only salt dust.” Mother was not happy. In addition to being dusty the cabin smelled like the wet towels that I sometimes leave in the corner of my room. The cabin was dark and spooky because the shutters were closed.

The situation improved once father pulled out the awnings and opened the shutters to let the light in. Mother got amazingly quiet as she looked at the ocean from the small deck area outside the front door. I followed her inside as she walked first to the bathroom. There wasn’t any water in the toilet. Father assured her that all he had to do was turn on the pump and the water would start running. He assured her that the cistern was full so there would be plenty of water.

My little brother was begging to go swimming. My sister and I wanted to go too but we let him do our bidding. We didn’t have our swimming suits. Father told us to swim in our underpants which my little brother thought would be fine as did my sister. I couldn’t do that because you only did that when you’re little. My objections led my father telling me to wait for a while and watch the others.

I didn’t want to be last in the ocean so I left my clothes in a pile on the front stoop and headed for the water. I was determined to be first in the water. The water was cold on my toes as I cautiously stepped into the gently undulating surf. Father stood on the shell ledge and watched us. Jake ran crying that we splashed him. Moments later he was back squealing and laughing. Mother and the others stood and talked but no one else got into the water.

I was getting hungry. There was no food in the house so Father and Uncle Peter left to get lunch. They came back thirty minutes later with fried scrimp and fried potatoes. There was Coca-Cola for the kids and beer for everyone else. I didn’t think I liked scrimp until that day.

The settling in did not go smoothly. Uncle Peter’s friends thought they were going to sleep in the double bed in the bedroom. Mother and father stated clearly that the cottage was theirs and they would be in there. Uncle Peter asked where the children were going to sleep. That stopped the unpleasant conversation. They decided that the children would sleep in the bed. Three of us in one bed would be a mess, I thought.

The next problem appeared when the groceries were delivered. The shelves were insufficient for the number of boxes, cans and cartons that we brought. Father and Uncle Peter assured mother that they would erect shelves soon. The food was left in the boxes except for a few things like milk that went into the tiny electric ice box.

Father instructed all of us on the water situation. The toilet should be flushed only when it was absolutely necessary. He took me aside and said, “Bucky,(that’s what they call me)you should pee outside in the bushes.” He told me that things were different on the island. He promised mother wouldn’t punish me.

After another swim this time in our swimming suits it was time to watch the sunset. The sun descended toward the horizon as we sat in the sand. The gigantic white disk became orange as it silently slipped toward the water. Jake was fussy and ran around as the rest of us quietly watched the brilliant golden disk glued to pink cotton candy. The disk was falling quickly toward the sparkling water. Three minutes after it touched the water it was gone. There was no sizzle or rustle. I secretly hoped to hear the sun boiling the water when it touched. The golden orb silently sliced the water like a knife blade. The clouds turned brilliant pink with beams of light shooting in all directions into the gray clouds. The sky turned deep purple as less sun light came from under the sea. I wondered how it got all the way around the earth in time for morning.

The air cooled but was never got cold as we walked along the beach toward the dock and tiny general store. Outside the store was a tiny shed with one corner leaning dangerously. We sat down at a table and brushed away a few mosquitoes. Father went inside and came out accompanied by a man and a woman. He introduced them as Roddy and Myra. They were as old as my grandparents but looked really different. Roddy was skinny and his skin was oily like the leather on my saddle at the pony club. His front teeth were black. When he spoke he seemed to be speaking a language other than English but it was English because I could understand some of his words. Myra, like Roddy, had tanned, leathery skin. Her face was drawn and tight. Her uncovered arms were baggy. She was not pretty by any standard measure. She seemed to glide rather than walk as she approached us. Her voice was soft and I could hardly hear her but her words were easier to understand than Roddy’s. Father asked if she could fix food for the eight of us. She smiled and said, “Sure ‘nough, It’ll be tak’n me some time. What’cha want’in.”

Father jumped in, “You fix us what you think we’ll like.”

She cooed, “Grouper, I kin pound, OK? Sea bass, too, I’m thinkin’. Lots of fried taters and some fruit. OK.”

I wasn’t sure about the fish but I knew I liked the potatoes if they were like those at lunch. Instead of sitting at the table father encouraged June, Jake and me to walk with him to the ocean. Little light came from the west. The palm fronds were like fingers reaching for us. I was concerned that we couldn’t find our way back. Father pointed to the luminous half moon that was ascending. He led the way through the glowing vegetation.

When we returned the picnic tables were illuminated by kerosene lanterns. There was another group of three people who acknowledged us as we walked up to take our place. Myra brought flat strips of fried grouper. Mother made me one pick a piece which I didn’t like. I ate the potatoes and the delicious fruit salad which didn’t come from a can. In the dim light I could see orange, light green and some dark orange pieces. My eyelids were drooping and I wanted to get going. Jake had fallen asleep and was leaning against father. Father picked Jake up, lifted a lantern and led the group along the moon lighted path to the cottage. Once inside the lantern accentuated the heat trapped in the cottage. Mother put Jake in bed in his diaper. June wore her new shorty pajamas that mother gave her before we left home. I dressed in long legged, long sleeved pajamas. Mother suggested that I take them off and wear my underwear. I knew I couldn’t sleep that way. She didn’t argue with me. Mother put Jake between June and I so he wouldn’t fall off of the bed. I wanted Mother to close the door but she insisted that we leave it open to catch whatever small breeze blew through.

I woke up in the middle of the night wet and was afraid I had wet the bed. I felt my pajamas and they weren’t wet in the pee place. I took off my pajama tops to let the air cool the sweat. I couldn’t sleep and finally decided to take off my pajama bottoms. I didn’t have underpants on so got up to find a pair but couldn’t without turning on the light. Slowly I slipped my bottoms off and put them right by my pillow. I had to wake before anyone else so no one would know. I could hear the adults talking in the other room but it was completely dark. I fell asleep.

The light of morning came early and I found my swimming suit. The cottage was cool and completely quiet. I heard the screen door squeak. . I picked my way through the adults and luggage scattered around the living room and looked out through the screen toward the water. In the dim light I could see a man silhouetted. I could tell the person was naked. He was outside and naked.

I watched as he walked toward the water. I recognized my father’s shape. He didn’t even have a towel. He waded into the water as the waves glistened in the dim light of the morning. He walked forward up to his butt and then plunged into the surf. He swam slowly out into the ocean, then turned and swam up the shoreline. I pushed the door open as quietly as I could. I saw father swim first a crawl then turn over and do the backstroke. I walked toward him, picked up his towel from the back of the chair and ran up the shell covered sand toward him. The sharp edge of the shells slowed my run to a walk but I kept going in his direction. Father looked toward the shore and waved. I waved back. He motioned for me to swim to him. He knew I was a good swimmer because I had won three blue ribbons during the swimming finals at our club.

The water was warm and then cool. I walked in up to my knees. My heart was pounding. I knew father would be there if I got in too deep. He didn’t say anything when I reached him. He let me hold his shoulders for a rest. He saw me looking at his naked body and smiled. We swam back to the shore and started walking away from the cottage. “Well, Bucky, how did you sleep?” I knew he knew my secret by the way he smiled.

“Fine, but it was really hot.” He nodded his acknowledgement. “How can you swim naked? Aren’t you afraid someone will see you? I brought you a towel.”

He laughed and spoke calmly, “Thank you, Bucky. But, no, I’m not afraid someone will see me.” I picked up the towel and carried it was we walked. He continued, “Maybe you’d like to come swimming with me every morning.” I knew he meant swim with no suit. I nodded my head in the affirmative. He smiled as he rubbed my hair and added, “Only if you want to.” Father was like that. He never had too many words to say.

“Bucky, isn’t this a wonderful place?” Without my answer he continued, “You know Uncle Peter and I love to come here. We came the first time when I was in the sixth form at Lawrenceville”. He paused as reached down to pick up a shell, “After finishing school at Lawrenceville I went to Columbia University instead of the University of Pennsylvania which disappointed my father. I got my degree in economics instead of studying law which he wanted.”

“But what about Uncle Peter?”

“After Peter finished at Tulane we got into the wholesale food business. I have told you we buy and sell flour, sugar and coffee in amounts that fill railroad cars. After Peter came back from the war and he and our father never really got along. You’ve heard Mother call him a Bohemian. She is right, but he’s my best friend.”

I nodded and listened until I noticed the other kids running toward us. Father quickly ran toward the water. “Rob get my swimming suit. It’s on the chair.” I ran and snatched father’s suit just as Uncle Peter came outside. He smiled, “Caught your father in his favorite swimming suit?”

I smiled, “Yes, he’s naked.” I ran back to rescue father.

After that job was done I walked back to the cabin. Mother and the Bernice were fixing breakfast. Jake and June got into their swimming suits on because they wanted to get in the water with Father. Mother said “No, not until after breakfast.” They fused around but finally sat down to toast and orange juice. The discussion centered on how we were going to exist for two weeks so close together. After breakfast Father and I walked down the beach to see if anyone else around. He knew the Hudsons were coming but didn’t know exactly when. There were three other cabins. He thought that Myra or Roddy might have keys. After speaking to Roddy he was able to get keys to one of the cabins but we found it was unfurnished. Father was confident that a discussion with Mr. Hudson would help resolve our overcrowded situation. He knew they had an extra bedroom that might be available. He also thought I might be able to sleep with the Hudson boy in their sleeping loft. I was apprehensive since I didn’t even know the boy. Jake, June and I swam as long as mother would let us. She was afraid we would get sunburned so she made us rest at 12:30. I could hear the adults pulling the chairs into the shade of the pine trees. Jake slept most of the afternoon as June and I played hearts in the main room. After our afternoon swim we dressed for dinner. Myra served delicious fish soup that I really liked. It was served with corn bread and watermelon for dessert. The adults drank beer and we drank Coca-Cola.

I was worried about waking up for my swim with father so I couldn’t go to sleep. I wanted to hear about father and Uncle Peter’s first trip to Captiva. The adults were talking and then there was quiet. I walked quietly to the screen door. The silvery moon shown on the slowly undulating surf. The adults were walking up the beach tossing shells in the water and laughing. I thought this was good since adults are so serious most of the time.

They were almost out of sight when I saw someone run into the water. The others followed. I wished I could be there with them but knew that it was time for adults to have fun. Father didn’t wake up early nor did anyone else. I went out the backdoor to avoid disturbing anyone. The sun was up but I didn’t know what time it was.

About fifty yards down the beach I approached man who was surf fishing. He was tall like father but had a paunch over the top of his swimming suit. He had all his hair on his head unlike my father. I walked past him before he said, “Good morning. Are you planning to walk on by?” He continued: “You must be Robert Hearn because you look like your father.” I turned and smiled but knew there was no way I looked like my father. “I’m Charles Hudson. Where are your father and your uncle?”

“Still sleeping.”

“Come over about ten and meet my children, Margaret and Todd.” I said that we would and continued to walk down the beach. I turned around and walked passed where Mr. Hudson had been fishing. He was swimming but his swimming suit was lying on the beach.

At breakfast Uncle Peter and father started talking about putting an addition on the cabin. They sat around the table and drew different sketches. They decided that the addition was going to be built higher on the pilings as opposed to flat on the ground. Father, Uncle Peter and I were joined by mother in the side yard. She listened intently. Father suggested to Peter that they assemble the picnic table that sat in a weathered box leaning against the house. They worked for most of the morning hoping to have the table ready for dinner. Mother decided she wanted something other than fish so she unpacked the three chickens that were packed in ice. She said the ice was almost gone so the chicken had to be cooked. Father talked her into taking the chickens to Myra to fry. She agreed and walked toward the general store with June and Jake trailing after her.

With the table assembled Father suggested a swim. Uncle Peter looked and him and said, “How do you mean in your favorite swimming suit?” Father said, “Of course.” They stripped their clothes off and ran into the water. I did the same. They threw me up in the air. My bare butt slapped the water. They pushed and shoved each other like they were ten years old like me. Father spotted, George and Bernice walking toward us. I started toward the shore.

Father caught my arm, “Bucky, look closely. They don’t have any clothes either.” That didn’t matter to me I wanted my suit. Before they got to us they stopped and went into the water for a swim. I was puzzled and asked Uncle Peter, “Why is it OK to swim naked here and not at home?”

He looked at me and smiled. “Well, Bucky, I guess we feel freer here. Do you like to swim naked?”

“It’s OK, I guess.” The next days were filled with discussion and planning for the addition. Should it be built on piers? How long would it take to get someone to drive the piles? Should the addition be more than bedrooms? What about adding a screened porch in front of the main room? Should the kitchen area be enlarged? Should there be another bathroom added? There were always more questions than answers. Most of the discussion took place between father and Uncle Peter, but mother got involved when it came to changes proposed in the kitchen. She strongly felt that she did not come on vacation to cook so making it bigger was not something she wanted. Her involvement demonstrated a major change in her resistance to Captiva.

I met the Hudson kids when their father brought them over. They were quiet and bored, to mildly describe their attitude toward June and me. Margaret announced that she was eleven when asked directly by father. She had short blond hair and was only slightly taller than I was. Her white sailor shirt and navy and white striped shorts looked like they had just been taken from the ironing board. Her brother, Todd, who was barefooted without prompting said, “I’m nine.”

They stood close to their father as the adults talked. My father did broach the subject of me sleeping over in their cabin because we were so crowded. Mr. Hudson said, “There is plenty of room in the loft with Todd. Tell George and Bernice that they are welcome to the sleeping couch on the porch.” The conversation ended and the three of them walked away.

When they were down the beach I asked mother, “Where is Mrs. Hudson?”

“Bucky, she is ill. If you sleep over with Todd remember to be quiet.”

“Does she have influenza or a stomach ache?

She did not answer as Jake came running up with his swimming suit around his knees. I did sleep in the loft with Todd and did not see Mrs. Hudson on the first night. The second night I asked Todd about his mother and he told me she had cancer. He said, “We almost didn’t come because she’s so sick. Mother insisted because she wanted to come one more time to Captiva. She will probably die pretty soon.” He was quiet and I heard his sleeping breath. I was shocked how he spoke about his mother. I had never been around anyone who was sick enough to die. I would never say my mother was about to die. The thought made me shiver. I tried to image what it might be like if mother or father died or were killed. The thought made my stomach ache.

The next day I asked Peggy, that is what we called Margaret, “Can I meet your mother?”

“You know she is very sick.” She hesitated and spoke softly, “She used to be very pretty.” She led the way into the bedroom. We stood silently watching Mr. Hudson wipe his wife’s face. She looked sad but smiled when she saw us. In a faint whisper she said, “Peggy come give mommy a hug.” Peggy stiffly complied. Her father motioned for us to leave which I was happy to do. I couldn’t understand why someone so sick would want to come to such an out of the way place. Later when I saw father I asked, “Why isn’t Mrs. Hudson in a hospital?”

“She wanted to be near her family when they were having fun. But, Bucky, she knew she could die anytime.” I nodded my head. I had many questions but thought it was better not to ask.

Todd and I played on the beach except for two hours in the middle of the day when mother made us get out of the sun. We built a hideout down the beach so the little kids couldn’t bother us. One day father and Mr. Hudson took the two of us fishing. We motored down to Blind Pass. We baited our hooks with the sand fleas. In a few minutes I had a bite that almost pulled me out of the boat. Father convinced me to let Mr. Hudson have the fishing pole. He coached the flopping monster up to the boat hoping that the thrashing would not break the line. I was praised and slapped on the back by father, Mr. Hudson and Todd. It was a great feeling.

After an hour Todd and I had fished enough and wanted to get out of the boat and explore the mountains of shells that gathered at the pass. I had to pee badly. The fathers approved our exploration but told us not to swim until they came back. After we relieved ourselves we wandered the shoreline. We picked up shells and threw them in the surf. A half an hour later father and Mr. Hudson came into view carrying a picnic hamper. The sun caused our eyes to squint. We couldn’t wait to swim in the waves which seemed bigger than our waves. Father opened a picnic basket and spread a blanket on the sandy shells. As we ate I recounted my fishing success. My fish was the biggest and father promised we would have Myra cook it for dinner. The peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and the Coca-Cola tasted really good. Father said, “Look, boys, dolphins. Want to swim out and see how close they will come to us.” He smiled as he looked at Mr. Hudson. I didn’t see what was funny.

“Don’t they bite?” I inquired

“They are too afraid,” father responded.

“What do you think, Chad? Should we?

“Why not?” At that point Mr. Hudson took off his clothes. We followed his lead until all four of us were naked running into the surf. Once in the water we slowly swam toward the dolphins. I was splashing and Father motioned for me to quiet down. From underneath something bumped my stomach. I was petrified but remained quiet as father came closer to me. A dolphin head came up and I reached out and touched his slippery gray skin. He slid past. When he returned I felt his fin and left my hand followed all the way down to his tail. It seemed so natural playing with this gentle animal. Todd grabbed onto the dolphin’s dorsal fin and was pulled along. I could see his bare butt as he bounced behind the dolphin.

I got my turn. I was so excited that my dick got rock hard as I grabbed hold of the fin. The whole experience was incredible. I failed to notice that I still had a hard dick as I walked out of the water. Pointing Todd laughed, “Look at you.”

Father smiled, “Buck, don’t worry about what’s natural for a man.” I smiled because he never called me a man before. We told Peggy, June and Jake what happened and they wanted to go. Todd and I had agreed not to tell them that we were swimming naked. I knew it could not be as special with clothes on because you couldn’t feel the dolphin touching you. We both knew clothed could not be as much fun.

That night after supper where we ate my fish I got up to go to the Hudson’s with Todd. Father said, “No, Bucky, you stay with us and you can go over later.”

“I know the way father. I’m not afraid.”

“No stay with us tonight.” Peggy and Todd walked home together because their father was not at dinner. About nine o’clock George, Bernice, mother, father and I walked over to the Hudson’s cabin after Jake and June were asleep. The lights were on but it was quiet. Father sent me to the loft. I found Todd asleep. I could hear mother and father talking to the others. I assumed they had come to see Mrs. Hudson. I fell asleep only to be awakened by Peggy’s soft crying coming from the room below. I could hear my father trying to comfort someone. In a few minutes he came up the stairs. “Bucky, come with me. You are going home with us.”

“Did something happen to Mrs. Hudson?”

“Yes, Buck, she passed away. Let’s go.” Todd awoke began to cry.

“Please, Mr. Hearn, let Bucky stay with me.”

“Todd, it would be better if you and Bucky came over to our house.

“OK.” At that in our pajama bottoms we climbed down the ladder and walked into the moonless night. The stars were brighter than usual.

Todd didn’t say much except that he was really scared. I put my hand on his shoulder. I didn’t know what to say to him. When we got close to the cabin he said he didn’t want to go inside. We continued to walk up the beach as the high tide waves tickled our feet and got the bottoms of our pajamas wet. I could see my mother standing by the big wooden chair on the deck. She watched. Todd walked with his eyes on the ground. I put my arm back on his shoulder. I felt unhappy for my new, best friend but I didn’t know what to say. He sat down in the wet sand and started to sob. I cried with him.

Mother came over and placed a blanket around our shoulders without saying a word. She went into the house and left us alone to cry. We fell asleep. It was bright when I woke up. I didn’t disturb Todd who was huddled so close that I couldn’t move. I watched the sandpipers running up and down at the edge of the waves. It seemed that Todd’s breath was in time with the surf. I listened and didn’t move.

When Todd did wake he wanted to find his father and get dry clothes. He started walking toward the Hudson’s cabin. Mother ran out to catch him. She said, “Todd, your father and Mr. Hearn along with Roddy took your mother’s body into Ft. Myers. They will be gone for a while. Todd, you put on some of Bucky’s shorts and I’ll make the two of you some breakfast.”

“Where is my sister?” Todd inquired.

“She’s with Bernice and George. She is fine. You can go see her after you eat.”

In the bedroom I dug around in my clothes for shorts for Todd and me. He stood naked in front of me until he put my shorts on without underpants. I didn’t realize how much taller I was. We laughed as the shorts hug on his skinny hips. I pointed to his exposed butt crack and gave him my only belt which prevented the pants from falling off. He didn’t let me out of his sight and followed me into the bathroom when I pooped. He sat after I got done. After breakfast I went with him when he returned to their cabin. We found Bernice holding Peggy on her lap. Peggy sat up immediately and greeted us with, “Will you take me to your hideout?”

“Why?” Todd threatened.

“I want to see it.”

“Now?” Todd asked exasperated.

“Yes,” she sweetly responded.

She rose slowly from Bernice’s arms. She swayed slightly as she stood in her pajamas. The three of us left the cabin and walked slowly down the beach. A warm breeze caused the loose fabric on our bodies to flap. At the spot only Todd and I knew we turned toward the vegetation. The sun was hot but under the vegetation it was cooler. The leaves slapped each other as if they were applauding us. We sat for a while and talked about everything and nothing. Some of the time we just sat. Then I spotted three dolphin fins. “Look there they go. Free as they can be. No wonder they are so happy they don’t have to go to school.”

Intending to upset his sister Todd said, “You should have seen us riding on the dolphins.”

“It was really cool,” I added.

Todd blurted, “We were naked when we swam with the dolphins.”

Peggy shot back, “I know.”

“How’d you know?” I said thinking she really didn’t know.

“I just knew.”

“Their skin was cool and slippery. You’d have to let go when they’d dive. I got a mouth full of water once.”

Peggy got big tears in her eyes. “I wish I could have gone with you. You two have left me out of everything you do.” She was right we had. But I thought that she couldn’t have gone with us because she was a girl.

Bernice called our names before we could see her. We got up and walked onto the beach. She motioned for us to come. When we reached her she told Peggy and Todd that their father was back. I assumed that my father had returned as well and walked toward our cabin. Jake and June were down at the water’s edge. Mother sat in the big white wooden beach chair reading a book. Her face and shoulders were shaded by a big straw hat. I could not tell if she saw me coming because her dark glasses covered her eyes. Her black and white striped swimming suit made her look like a zebra. Father was nowhere to be seen. Mother said, “Mr. Hudson returned but your father stayed in Ft. Myers and will return tomorrow.” She gave no further explanation. At a late lunch the next afternoon father asked how the Hudson kids were doing. None of us knew since we hadn’t seen them. Father got serious, “Tonight we are going to fulfill Mrs. Hudson’s request. She wanted to be buried on Captiva. We don’t usually bury people like we will bury Mrs. Hudson but she and Mr. Hudson want it this way. Mrs. Hudson’s body was cremated and that means it has been returned to dust. The Bible says man and woman were created from clay in God’s hand. When we die we return to dust.”

“Will there be a minister? I asked.

“No, but God will be there watching what we are doing,” Father said with conviction. I wondered how he knew. He continued, “June and Jake you will have to be quiet and listen when the adults are speaking.”

As the sun was setting we went down the beach. The Hudson’s and Hearn’s were there as well as an older couple who were staying down the beach. Mr. Hudson talked about the special twelve years he had with Mrs. Hudson. He talked about her battle with cancer and her terrible pain. He talked about his wonderful children. He talked about the love he and Mrs. Hudson had for Captiva. He concluded that he felt she would be happy always being on the beach. He turned to the Peggy and Todd and said, “Your mother wanted to be buried at the foot of the steps leading out of the front door so she could always be with us when we were having fun.” The crying from my mother and Bernice seemed to be happy and sad at the same time. After the small container of dust was put in a hole about three feet deep we got up. I had never been to a funeral before but if they were like this one they weren’t so bad.

The dusk of evening disappeared. Everyone seemed to get happy. When we arrived at Myra’s there was feast awaiting the ten of us. Myra had boiled scrimp, fried grouper and several other fish, fixed potatoes, carrots and beans and served my favorite fruit salad of pineapple and mango. The adults drank beer and the kids got Coke. There was laughing and singing. It really was a party.

Todd wanted me to sleep in the loft with him. Mother thought I should come home. Mr. Hudson indicated that it was OK with him if I stayed. When we were finally in bed Todd said, “The house seems so empty without mother. I miss her already. I am lonely for her.” Then he said something funny, “I know mom’s with God, even though she said she didn’t believe in Him.” I told him I thought she was in heaven, too.

***

April 1, 1935:  The next morning Mr. Hudson called to us, “Boys get up. Hurry! They’re unloading. Let’s go.” We pulled on our swimming suits, T-shirts and high tops and jumped down the ladder. “They’re unloading the pile driver. You wanted to watch.” The three of us raced to the bayside passing Roddy and Myra’s. The barge was pulled up to the shore and three men were scruffy beards and dirty overalls were placing railroad ties to make a ramp. It took a while before the rusty monster would come alive. I ran to our cabin to get the kids only to find two men in our side yard measuring and marking off the spots for the piers. Father was hurrying Jake and June to get dressed. I didn’t wait for them.

The engine coughed as the monster crept forward. It clanked and clattered off the deck and dipped forward as the driver slowly moved down the makeshift ramp. The lumbering, noisy dinosaur rumbled through the brush crushing trees and bushes the way I imagined real dinosaurs walked in prehistoric times. I wondered if there had been dinosaurs on Captiva.

The machine was positioned over one marked spot. Two men were digging shallow holes for the piles. A twelve foot wooden post was upright and the pile driving hammer drove it into the sand and shells. The hammer head was lifted and dropped with constant puffing and sputtering. The each pile took about thirty minutes to set. At noon the three men stopped working for a lunch break. When they didn’t come back Father went looking for them. He came back fuming. All he said was “Lazy bastards.”

The next morning the workers returned about seven. They managed to get twelve piers into the ground leaving six leaning in their shallow pits. The main man announced that they were leaving and would return the following week. Father tried to convince them to finish. He was unsuccessful. They walked toward the pier leaving behind the dinosaur sleeping peacefully in our yard. When they left George and Bernice rode with them to Ft. Myers.

At supper the fathers suggested that we find dolphins for Peggy, Jake and June. I was horrified because of what Peggy had said in our hideout about swimming naked. I knew my mother would never approve.

The next morning was gray and overcast. The rain came and went. A school of dolphins swam off shore which intensified the kid’s excitement. They were close to shore and seemed to be watching us. Mid-afternoon father came in as we were playing Rook. Peggy was reading a book which is all she seemed to do. Father said, “Let’s go to Blind Pass.” The Hearns and Hudsons got into the launch with our swimming suits on and slowly motored down the bay side. Father stopped at Roddy’s and got pieces of fish to temp the dolphins to come closer to the shore so Jake could pet them.

We walked around the point at Blind Pass and watched four fins circling in the protected inlet. Mother was uninterested in swimming with the dolphins. She sat in her big floppy hat with the picnic basket and watched as the two fathers waded into the water with us. Cautiously, the fins slid closer and closer. The plan was for mother to bring Jake. Instead of Mother Peggy picked him up and carried him. June walked right next to her as Todd and I dove into the water. As the water got deeper June grabbed Peggy’s hand. The dolphins were only a few feet away. Father took Jake.

Mr. Hudson signaled for Peggy to swim out to him. Todd and I were on our own. Todd was about ten feet away when a dolphin’s blunt snout pushed me. The gentle gray torpedo brushed my leg as I dipped lower to touch him as he swam by. The first time I reached for the dorsal fin I missed but second time I got a good grip. He pulled me up the shoreline but didn’t go any further out into the ocean. I got several good rides as did Todd.

Finally, Peggy got her courage up and got a short ride. She only tried once. The little kids squealed every time they touched the “fish” as Jake called the dolphins. Mother was tired of getting rained on and encouraged the fathers to gather us up for the trip to the cabin. As we walked back Todd whispered, “It wasn’t the same.” I concurred.

From that day forward Peggy joined Todd and I doing most of things that we did. Todd wasn’t happy about his sister horning in on our friendship. She was careful to ask if she could come into the hideout. We let her in most of the time. One time she walked in and caught us with our swimming suits off comparing our stuff. We screamed at her for not getting permission. We laughed as she ran down the beach. She didn’t say anything and we didn’t say anything.

In the hideout the next afternoon Todd suggested hiking to Blind Pass. The idea appealed to me. Our plan was to get up early in the morning and set off with a back pack of food and water. We had been down the beach to fallen trees but had never gone further. We agreed to wear shorts, a T-shirt and tennis shoes which we hoped would convince our parents that we weren’t going to swim. We would promise to wear shoes all the time because we did not want any cuts that might cause the expedition to have to turn back.

At dinner we shared our plan with our parents. There was little enthusiasm but no one said absolutely “no”. The parents said they would let us know in the morning. The three of us slept in the loft so whoever woke up first could wake the others. We wanted to get an early start if the parents said “yes”. We did wake early but not on our own. We heard a loud crash and found Mr. Hudson cleaning the kitchen floor where he dropped the coffee pot. We waited patiently while he cleaned up the mess. Then Peggy inquired as to the fate of our expedition.

Mr. Hudson told us that the parents had agreed to let our expedition go forward. He said, “There are three absolute rules. Under no circumstances do we swim at Blind Pass. He said there are strong currents that flow between Captiva and Sanibel Islands that are very dangerous. Two, if we cannot get around the trees or the shell ledge we have to turn around. Finally, if anyone gets tired and wants to return all of us must return together. We don’t want the group to split up.”

We went to our cabin to get the food and got the same lecture from my father. We began our expedition in the style of a jungle safari with walking sticks. I carried our food pouch in my backpack. We reached the fallen trees in about forty-five minutes. Without trouble we climbed over or under the branches. We wondered if the tide was in or out. We discussed what we would do if the tide came up and blocked our return. We could see that the vegetation and undergrowth was heavy on the six foot shell ledge but not so high that we couldn’t climb through it to get back.

The width of the beach increased as we rounded a long smooth curve. Peggy said she read that hurricanes and storms were always changing the shore line of islands like Captiva. She said that some islands disappear altogether.

As we walked the dolphins were playing offshore. Herons and sand pipers scurried up and down the surf line. Brown pelicans cruised at the crest of the waves diving for a fishy lunch. As we watched and walked we got hungrier. We had to walk into the woods a short distance when the beach disappeared. When we came out we could see the water that divided Captiva from Sanibel. We had accomplished our goal. We unpacked our lunches and gobbled down our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. No one suggested a swim not only because of the adult rules but because it was too difficult to get down to the water and we didn’t have our swimming suits.

During lunch Todd broke the bad news when he said, “We are going to be leaving tomorrow.” He explained that his father had wanted to stay but Mrs. Hudson’s parents strongly suggested that he and the children return home to New York. Mrs. Hudson’s parents wanted to have a memorial service sooner than he had planned. To me it seemed strange since Mrs. Hudson was already buried in Florida. Todd and Peggy didn’t want to go home because they had more than a week of spring holiday left. They asked me to go to Ft. Myers to see them off on the train. I agreed because I assumed that my father would be driving the launch.

I said, “We have between now and dusk to have fun so let’s get going.” We had been told in no uncertain terms that we had to return before dark. We started back along the wide beach. We were intent on finding outstanding shells that Todd and Peggy could take home. We walked through the underbrush and our socks got covered with little burrs. We took off our shoes and socks and started running up and down the glorious stretch of sand and shells. Tossing our walking sticks aside we began running along the edge of the surf. Todd ran into the water and began kicking water and sand toward his sister. She pushed him in the water and got his cuffs wet. He yelled angrily at her. She laughed at him. She started splashing water at him and I joined her. Todd got crazy and pelted us with sand and shells. Throwing our hands up I called a truce. “The dolphins are watching us,” Peggy said. Todd and I looked out toward the gulf. We whistled at the dolphins. Their jumping and splashing playfully intensified. Surprising myself I stood up and dropped my knapsack and my shoes. I shed my shirt, my shorts and my underpants. I ran toward the surf and dove into the water intent of getting a dolphin ride. Momentarily, a dolphin gently bumped me. I grabbed hold of his fin. He started to swim out to sea. I quickly dropped off. I could hear my father’s stern words “no swimming” even though he meant at Blind Pass. Peggy and Todd sat on the beach watching and laughing. When I could see they weren’t coming in I walked into the shallow water making sure my lower half wasn’t exposed. I yelled at Todd to bring my shorts.

He didn’t. Instead he looked at Peggy and must have said, “Let’s go.” As fast as me they undressed and ran for the water. I was scared or happy all at the same time. I couldn’t help eyeing Peggy’s breasts and thinking they were as flat as mine but they were different. I noticed that my dick was stiff. As Todd came up for air I said, “Let’s get Peggy a ride.” I could tell she was nervous. I wasn’t sure whether it was going to work.

Todd and I swam out and paddled around waiting. Peggy stayed closer to the shore. I watched a dolphin move toward her. She got down in the water and was soon being pulled along. Todd and I got several good rides. As we were squealing and splashing I noticed the sun was slipping toward disappearing. I yelled, “We’ve gotta get going.” We shot out of the water and ran for our clothes. We continued laughing hysterically as we tried to get our underpants on over our wet bodies. Todd fell down and had to get back in the water to wash the sand off. Peggy and I were dressed when he came running out of the water.

Peggy said sarcastically, “Todd, your pee’er is stiff.”

“So what?” And he proceeded to march around the beach like a soldier on parade.

“Get dressed it’s getting dark.” Peggy and I started running and Todd somehow got his shorts on and followed us carrying his shirt and shoes. We made it over the last of the fallen trees. We could see the adults standing on the beach long before we got there. By our assessment the last speck of light left the sky as we fell at their feet. Great smiles covered their faces as Todd yelled, “We made it.”

They asked us about our day and we told them almost everything. We told them about the spectacular crescent beach that was just beyond the fallen trees. We told them about our swimming but emphasized that is wasn’t at Blind Pass. I was dying to tell them about our swim with the dolphins but decided that was a secret I should keep.

We had a wonderful dinner at Myra’s. I was told I could sleep in the loft but I had to come home as soon as I woke up so Peggy and Todd could get dressed and pack their things. Father said we would leave for Ft. Myers about noon to get to the station for the Gulf Coast Limited that left for Tampa and northward at 3:30pm.

In our pajamas Peggy, Todd and I relived our hiking adventure until late into the night. As father said the launch pulled away at noon. Mother gave us peanut butter sandwiches. She, June and Jake stayed behind. The clouds in the east were boiling and were more black than gray. There were occasional raindrops that splashed on the windshield but the approaching storm held off. The roar of the launch made it difficult to talk so we sat and watched the sky.

***

January 2, 1936:  Three days after Christmas in 1935 the Hearn family traveled on the Pennsylvania Railroad to New York City. The occasion was the wedding of Mr. Charles Hudson to Mrs. Bernice Wolcott. According to Father Mr. Hudson and Mrs. Wolcott, who was divorced, planned to be married at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church on December 29. According to Father Mr. Hudson and Mrs. Wolcott have been friends for many years. After Mrs. Hudson died last spring they began seeing each other and decided to marry. Father told me that Mr. Hudson said that Peggy and Todd were happy about Mrs. Wolcott becoming their new mother.” I would believe that when I heard those words from Todd’s mouth.

We were invited to the Hudson’s apartment to play and have dinner the night before the wedding. June, Jake and I were reminded about our manners – no yelling, no running around and staying away from the adults. Neither mother nor father knew how big the Hudson’s apartment was. The taxi driver drove like a mad man speeding through the crowded streets. I was sure we were going to crash or kill a pedestrian before we arrived at 75th and Madison Avenue. When the taxi stopped mother snapped, “Miraculously, we were not in an accident!” The doorman opened the taxi door and Jake proceeded to stick his foot in a large, icy puddle. Mother yelped and Father grabbed at the same time hoping to save the shoe and sock on his dry foot. It was too late. The elevator ride to the 5th floor was a continuation of the instructions about manners and behavior. I couldn’t understand why this was so important now but not on Captiva. We knew the Hudsons already. I shook my head as the elevator door opened onto a small vestibule. The large white door opened and standing to greet us was a plump Negro maid in a black starched uniform with a white apron and a white cap. She smiled broadly as we stepped across the threshold onto a shiny black and white marble floor that stretched before us. Mother and father should not have been concerned about noise because the apartment was so big. Peggy and Todd came running. They were followed by Mr. Hudson and Bernice. Seeing Bernice I remembered when she and George walked naked down the beach. I wonder what happened to George but knew this was not the time to ask. Jake was barefooted. Mother asked Mr. Hudson if Todd had an extra pair of socks for Jake to wear. We followed Todd around through the apartment which was big enough to allow the kids to stay far away from the adults. The living room, dining room and study were down the hall on the left. In the other direction was an informal room with a table set for five which I presumed was for the children.

After another right turn there were the bedrooms. First, was Todd’s room with plaid, bright red carpet which I really liked. He had bunk beds against the wall and across the room was a door that led to the bathroom he shared with Peggy. The erector set he had was bigger than any I had ever seen. He had shelves that went to the ceiling covered with miniature cars, trucks and soldiers. He had everything a boy could dream of.

Peggy was equally excited to show us her room. I didn’t find it particularly interesting even though I acted interested. Dolls and books were not high on my list of priorities. June’s eyes danced as Peggy described every doll to us. There were stuffed animals everywhere. Peggy told us the end of the hall was their father’s bedroom. We didn’t go there. We were called to dinner and I was really hungry. When dinner was over mother convinced Jake to take a nap in a small guest room next to Peggy’s room. He complained but fell asleep almost instantly which meant we could stay longer. Peggy, Todd and I planned how we could convince my parents to agree to let me stay over. The three of us would ask together. We suspected they would say “No” because the wedding was tomorrow. We conceived a plan while June not smiling continued to play with Peggy’s dolls.

When we sensed my parents were preparing to leave we marched into the dining room together. Todd spoke first. “Dad can Bucky stay overnight?” The adult conversation paused. My mother was poised to say, “No.” when Mr. Hudson said, “Its fine with me if your parents don’t mind.” After plenty of negatives from my parents the children won. June was unhappy because she wasn’t going to get to stay.

Father gathered up Jake who was sound asleep. June crying, got on the elevator and was followed by mother and Bernice. They were going to drop Bernice off at her apartment before going back to the Plaza. I didn’t understand marriage. Bernice, who lived in New Orleans, had an apartment in New York. I had questions but I knew it was better not to ask them. Mr. Hudson told us to go and to get ready for bed. He came in and told Todd and me that there would be a lunch before the wedding. He told me my father would bring my clothes over in the morning. He knew that Todd’s pajamas were too small and suggested I sleep in my underpants and undershirt.

I heard the water running into the bathtub. I assumed Peggy was going to bath first. We ran some more water and made sure that the door to Peggy’s room was locked. We She closed the door . Todd and I decided to take a bath together even though the tub was small. I washed his back and he washed mine. We were giggling and laughing remembering our naked march along the beach. Suddenly the door from Todd’s room opened and Peggy stood there. She smirked, “What are you guy’s laughing about?”

Todd yelled, “Get out of here.” She didn’t and proceeded to enter our conversation about our time on the beach. She had her pajamas and gown on. Todd got out of the tub first and wrapped himself in a towel and marched off to find his pajamas. She came closer and sat down on the toilet lid. I was safely in the tub but was getting cold. I sensed she wasn’t leaving so I stood up to get out. She looked right at me and said in a whiney voice, “Well, Bucky, why don’t you get dressed for bed?” I was irritated before but now was really mad. I stayed naked while I brushed my teeth. Too late I noticed that my dick was stiff as a board. Acting unconcerned I went to find my underwear. She kept watching and said, “I hope to see you like this on Captiva.” I stuck my tongue out at her as I pulled up my underpants. She strutted out.

“She’s gone, thank God,” I declared exasperated. “Why’d she do that?”

Todd smiled, “She does that to me and I do it to her.

“Why didn’t you lock your door?

Sheepishly he said, “I don’t know. She has seen you and me before.” He climbed to the top buck.

The festivities were joyous from early morning until we got on the train to go home. Todd and I got up about 9:00am.My father was already there with my new black suit and white shirt. He bought me a clip on bowtie which I really liked. He and Mr. Hudson were in the kid’s dining room when Todd and I emerged dressed. Peggy came a few minutes later followed by the maid who helped her dress. The luncheon at the Union League Club occurred without Bernice. Mother explained that the bride shouldn’t see the groom before the wedding. That puzzled me because we were all together last night. In the taxi ride I thought of the first Mrs. Hudson and I bet Todd did too. Todd told me last night that he was really happy that Bernice was going to become his new mother but he said he really missed his real mother. Hearing him say that made me feel better.

About forty people attended the service in the church’s chapel. Todd had his own tuxedo and Peggy was in a white, starchy dress that came down to the floor. After the wedding there was a small reception in the church social hall. There was a dinner planned later in the evening but we said our “Goodbyes” at the church. We left at 4:30 because Father wanted to catch the 5:45pm train. Our parents were trying not to act rushed but they really were. They had plans in Philadelphia in the evening. My final words to Todd and Peggy were, “Well, see you in the spring on Captiva.”

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