My Mother, Castigo Cay, and Matt Bracken (Travis McGee)

Vanity | 8 June, 2012 | marktwain

[marktwain]

A woman lay on the bed in a small house in the north woods. An old woman, her sight was gone, she could no longer walk, she could not hear well, her world had shrunk to this small house and a few of her children and friends. She was 97 years old. She hurt, her bones ached, she was tired and yet, her mind was clear.

For a time, she lived in the Caribbean, rode fast boats, knew heroes, defeat, and victory. This woman is my mother, and she knew some of the joy of life again as I read Matt Bracken’s dystopic action thriller, Castigo Cay.

For a week this spring, I read to her when she was awake and I was able. My sister and I took care of her as she can no longer care for herself. She was captivated by Castigo Cay, enthralled by the story, transported to the tropics and the ocean wilderness. Once, she asked me “Is it real?” “It seems so real!”

I won a case of Castigo Cay from Matt (our own Travis McGee) on a bet on Freerepublic. I would gladly have paid for the case if I had lost.

I will always owe a debt of gratitude to Matt for the hours that he transported my mother to another time and place, where she was part of a great adventure on the tropical seas.

If you have not read Matt’s books, please do so. You will not be disappointed.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” For a time, she lived in the Caribbean, rode fast boats, knew heroes, defeat, and victory. This woman is my mother, and she knew some of the joy of life again as I read Matt Bracken’s dystopic action thriller, Castigo Cay. “

Way to go!