The Great Wide Sea Chapter 7 Summary

  • Ben had thought his father would change his mind. He didn't, though. And now they're in the middle of the ocean, headed toward the Bahamas.
  • Ben's hanging out with his brothers. Dylan's trying to make the best of things.
  • Now Dad starts ordering everyone around. He's the captain, after all. Ben doesn't argue even though he questions his father's judgment.
  • The boys are moving around, doing various boat jobs. Even little Gerry has a task.
  • Poor little Gerry is trying his best, but he's just too little. So little, in fact, that he flies overboard when the boat hits a rough wave.
  • Ben's off to the rescue. Gerry's hanging on to the side of the boat, but just barely.
  • Ben takes over Gerry's job. Dad comes over to see what happened. Ben tells him. Ben's furious, by the way.
  • Dad's going over safety procedures. Ben reminds him that Gerry can't swim. He sinks like a stone every time he tries.
  • Gerry had tried swimming the day of their mother's death. She had been going to get ice cream as a pick-me-up treat when she died in the car crash.
  • Ben's dad says he hadn't forgotten. Ben can't even process what he's saying. Ben's furious and screaming. He walks away.