Lunar Gaze

Chapter 10

Being one of the only women on the pirate ship was a startling experience. The men wasted no time in giving dead stares right in Josephine's direction. The constant swaying of the boat didn't help Josephine's anxieties. However, she felt much safer on board than she did in Port Royal. As Josephine looked out on the greyish hue of the animated sea, she shut her eyes and dreamt of the crystal blue waters of her home.

"Hey! Hey! Hey!" The men cheered. To occupy themselves, they often bursted into song. Together the men all danced about, making the most of their situation.

Pirates seem to be walking oxymorons. Many had physical ailments from the hard lives they lived, constantly going from land to land. But their belongings were that of the wealthy, or at least what was left of it. A mishmash of stolen goods from all over the world. These goods weren't properly cared for, it would be possible in that environment. And it was clear that there was no certainty of how long one would hold one to these jewels, for at any moment they could be taken.

Beyond the fowl language and vulgar dances, Kidd was no where to be found. Josephine stood from the crate that she sat on and walked around. She passed through the dancing men, who drunkenly gave her a good look. Then finally once she made clearing, she began walking down into a lower deck. She looked into the rooms, and it exposed her to a world she hadn't seen. The men seemed tired, rundown from life. They were slumped in their cabins, looking into space in contemplation.

Josephine was quickly pulled into a room, which caused her to scream out. A hand was put over her mouth, and whoever grabbed her stood behind her.

"Are you mad? What causes you to roam the halls?" Kidd's voice whispered in her ear.

She wiggled her way out of his grasp then turned to where he stood against the wall. "Must you grab me in such a way? I was only exploring."

"Exploring? A girl likes you needn't explore." Kidd pointed at her.

"And who are you to tell me what I may or may not do?" Josephine asked, which caused Kidd to step even closer to her.

"Do you know what could happen to you here? You're with some of the world's most dangerous criminals and yet you're prancing around like you're in a parade." Kidd spoke to her. "You stay on deck where we can all see you. Where no one will have you all to themselves."

"Do you suggest someone may take an advantage of me?" Josephine asked.

Kidd paused. "I say it's best you keep in crowds."

"When will we arrive in Westmoreland? I'm itching to return home." Josephine said with her nose high in the air.

Kidd laughed. "Do you believe this is a cab? If the wind's in our favor, it's simple a day's time. But it can take up to a week."

A sense of despair filled Josephine. She took a seat in a nearby chair. "My family is probably looking all over for me."

"Once you board this ship, there's no such thing as family." Kidd said as he pulled out a piece of rolled paper out of his pocket. He pressed it between his lips and lit it. A puff of smoke filled the air and flowed from his nostrils.

Josephine began to cough. "That's the most strange tobacco that I've ever smelled in my life."

Kidd grinned. "This? This is not tobacco. I'm sure you know nothing of this."

"Well I may." Josephine crossed her arms. "Listen, I might be a brown girl but I still have access to many of life's delights. We surely have the money at our disposal at home."

Kidd giggled. "This is marijuana."

"Marijuana?" Josephine repeated. "See? I know exactly what that is. My dear friend had provided some at the very party you attended."

"Is that so?" Asked Kidd.

"And she said it came all the way from India." Josephine told him. "I'm sure you can't afford to ship such product. How did you get your hands on it?"

Kidd's grin slightly faded as he looked down at his spliff. "That marijuana hadn't come from India."

"Yes it did." Josephine insisted. "She said so."

"I know so because I was the one who had shared it with the party." Kidd explained. "And that India story was only to make it sound more exotic."

"Why would you lie about such a thing?" Asked Josephine.

Kidd laughed. "Men like me aren't exactly known for telling the truth."

"Well you are somewhat of a vitreous man. You've saved me from probably a life of slavery. And you were able to get me on this ship despite me being of the delicate sex." Josephine mentioned.

"That doesn't mean I haven't a dark side, honey." He said as he took another puff of his strange cigarette. "Those little acts are the only thing saving me from a boiling eternity."

"God forgives all." Josephine told him. "Even in this life, he's blessed me generously."

"God seems to be most forgiving of those who can pay the most to the Church." Said Kidd. "I must say, you are in an amazing position. I've never met a girl of your girl have such stature."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Josephine asked. "Do you suggest colored people are unable to retain a certain level of luxury?"

"Given that most of them are in slavery, yes. And I believe the white man makes it that way." Said Kidd. "I'm surprised hearing such words come out of your mouth."

"Not every colored person has such struggles. I was born into freedom." Josephine told him.

"And very few are able to say such a thing." Kidd explained. "I've been all around the world, and one thing stands true. Black people, especially those transplanted by the white man have the hardest time no matter what the society."

"Why did they decide that we would be the ones to take the brunt of everything?" Josephine asked. "Just out of curiosity."

"If there is no one below you, how else could you create a false sense of superiority?" Kidd asked. "It's all bullshit anyway. Color. Class. All made up so that those at the top stays there."

"Easy to detest that when you are of the dominant race." Josephine added. "As a white man you enjoy far more privileges I ever will."

"And you have been spoiled rotten, yet you are black." Kidd retorted.

"Do you believe that was easy? My family's place in Westmoreland has constantly been questioned because of our color." Josephine admitted. "We have to work our hardest— harder than everyone else just to prove we are capable."

"And I've never had anything to work hard for. I've never had a chance to." Kidd complained.

"I highly doubt as a white man you've had no chance to improve your status." Said Josephine. They stared at each other for a moment, disdain filled the air.

But that was all interrupted by a large noise overtaking the deck above. Running footsteps could be heard from the ceiling. Men shouted as chaos ensued.

"Shit." Kidd quickly put out his marijuana and began running out. Josephine, wishing to see what caused the commotion followed behind. Kidd quickly turned around and pointed at her. "You stay down here."

"Oh, now I stay down here." Josephine crossed her arms as she watched Kidd make his way onto the dock. Josephine couldn't help her curiosity. She listened in on all of the chaos on deck. Gripping onto her linen slip dress, she placed her barefoot onto a step. Then she removed it, knowing that Kidd wouldn't want her to go upstairs.

Well since when did I follow such rules? She thought to herself. Then quickly, she made her way up the steps.