The 34th Degree

69

A ndros arrived in Piraeus dressed as a docker and made his way past the other stevedores into the shipyard offices of Andros Shipping, overlooking the harbor. Uncle Mitchell and Captain Tsatsos were hunched over a chart table when he walked in.

“Reviewing the route for this evening’s run to Kythira, Uncle?”

Uncle Mitchell looked up from his chart and beheld his prodigal nephew. “Why are you wearing those rags?”

“Why, to help you out,” Andros replied cavalierly. “The Turtle Dove should be arriving shortly, and I want to do my part in distributing the Red Cross relief supplies.”

“As if you’ve done even one day of honest work with your hands.” Uncle Mitchell glared at him. “You never came home last night. You didn’t even bother to show up at church this morning. I suppose you couldn’t break away from your duties at the Vasilis estate. All of Athens knows you are a collaborator. I am ashamed of you for your father.”

Andros assumed the seat behind his uncle’s desk and fanned himself with a ship’s manifest. “Oh, Uncle. I’m no collaborator. I’m simply a realist.”

“I should strangle you right now, to keep such filthy words from pouring out of your mouth.”

“I thought you were going to congratulate me, Uncle. Tonight I plan to propose to Aphrodite.”

“You will still marry that slut?”

“Bite your tongue, or I’ll cut it out for you.”

“Strong words for such a puppy. And where will you get married? You think the archbishop will marry you two?”

“Probably not, unless he wishes to come to Cairo.”

His uncle looked at him. “Cairo?”

Andros nodded. “The king will be there, along with other dignitaries who have nothing better to do these days. I hope you’ll join us.”

“Have you ever heard such nonsense, Tsatsos?” Uncle Mitchell asked the old skipper, who had been silent the whole time. “This boy’s gone mad!”

Andros put down the manifest and grew serious. “Secret storage has been prepared for you on the Turtle Dove, Uncle. Get Yiaya, Aunt Maria, and Helen, and be ready to spend the night on board. You’ll leave in the morning. I’ll leave tonight with Tsatsos on the Independence for the run to the National Bands base.”

His uncle and Tsatsos exchanged nervous glances. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten the myth of the Trojan horse?”

His uncle stared in wonder. “You? You are-”

“Sinon, Uncle.”

His uncle crossed himself in wonder and looked up to heaven with a great smile. He kissed Andros on the cheek and started crying. “Mother of God, you are your father’s son!”