Gerald and the Sea
Gerald McAfferty had a very normal life. He was a claims adjuster, for a large insurance company. He lived in Ohio, and had never left the state. When he finished high school, with near perfect grades, he went immediately to university. After he completed his degree, he was hired directly to the job which he held to this day. He lived alone, in a one bedroom apartment, and ate his lunch all alone every day. Life was quite predictable for Gerald, until his 31st birthday. Soon after that forgettable day, Gerald heard the call of the sea for the first time.
Sometimes, it would be a soft murmuring something in the back of his mind. Other times, a loud throbbing in his brain. At first, it would be weeks between incidents. Then closer, and closer together, until Gerald could no longer ignore what his head and his heart were telling him. That day, Gerald booked a sensibly priced flight to Cabo San Lucas, and waited. Finally the day came, and Gerald traveled to Mexico. He went alone, for there was no one Gerald could bring.
And on a sunny morning in late July, Gerald McAfferty walked down to the beach, strode into the water with purpose, and sank to his knees. He had finally answered the call of the sea. Gerald was understandably perturbed when he learned that sea wanted to know if he was happy with his current long distance provider.
