Thomas Hudson

Thomas Hudson would like nothing better from life than to live with his first wife, Ginny Watson, and their son, Tom. He fails at this due to his lack of patience and a proclivity to emotional fights, which are serious flaws within a marriage. He tries another marriage and runs into the same problems but does father two boys, David and Andrew. At the opening of the book, Thomas finds relative peace on the beautiful island of Bimini, as long as he fills his days with painting. He also finds alcohol to be useful.

When his three sons come to visit him on the island, Thomas enjoys the short time with them. Shortly after their visit, he receives word that his second wife and his two youngest sons have all died in a car wreck. Then World War II breaks out and the government orders Thomas to...