The nets in the fisherman’s boat were knotted, and he hoped to get them right soon; but the pain of his father’s death was still with him and he had trouble concentrating. Working alone he would have to haul in the heavy drift nets by early afternoon in order to be home by dusk.

The death of a fisherman was not uncommon in Algarve, but
an experienced old fisherman should not have drowned that way – and Joao felt responsible. It had been like a dream. After searching for 3 hours, he sat adrift in the boat for two days. He just couldn’t accept it. As the boat moved into the coastline of Portugal, he simply sat there staring down at his feet. Some tourists eventually found him near the limestone caves, and they talked him into leaving. It wasn’t easy.

The thoughts of things Joao had wanted to say to his Father filled his heart as he untangled the last net. Until, at last, he pushed the small blue boat out to sea and raised his eyes to the horizon.