The Pirate and the Poem Lover

Chapter 5

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When Eliza woke up from her long nap, she noticed that the sun was setting as Lafayette stood a few feet away from her, stirring a pot of stew. Eliza groaned, feeling her entire body ache as she started to wake up. She rolled onto her back and sat up as Lafayette glanced back at her and sadly smiled. She wiped the crust off her itchy, dry eyes and looked around herself.

"I hope yah feewin' awright, Wizzy. I don't 'fink anyone's awake but I made some food jus' in case," Lafayette stated in a low, raspy voice.

Eliza nodded her head at him before sighing and pulling her legs up to her chest. She felt a strange, deep feeling but wasn't sure what it was for until she remembered the treacherous storm and what it had done to everything and everyone on the ship. More tears filled Eliza's eyes but they were so dry already that the tears probably wouldn't overflow and spill out of her eyes. She sighed a deep, heavy sigh as her thoughts seemed to travel toward Captain Charles.

Is he alright? Does he need any help? Eliza thought with worry.

"Lafayette?" Eliza quietly stated, causing Lafayette to completely turn away from the food and face her. He seemed to worry as he thick brows furrowed and he leaned closer to Eliza. She softly smiled at him to let him know that she was fine.

"Has anyone gone to see the captain yet?" Eliza asked, glancing down at her feet before she looked back up at Lafayette. He seemed to think about her words for moment before shrugging and turning back to the pot of food that was still cooking.

"I don't 'fink so. Nobody wanted to diswupt his west. We aww had a wouff day but 'e had the worst of it," Lafayette stated with a calm sigh.

Eliza thought about his words for a minute and after a while, it was all that was running through her head. She couldn't stop thinking about the horrible black bruise around his eye and the deep, grotesque cut on his arm. She'd remembered reading a few medical books that talked about sterilization and cleaning wounds. She didn't know if she would be able to follow the exact steps of the book but what couldn't it hurt if she tried to help.

"Lafayette, do you know where the um.... The....?" Eliza struggled to finish her sentence as Lafayette looked at her with concern and confusion. She had grown up in a good Christian home so asking for things like alcoholic beverages was just as bad as swearing in her household.

"Do you know where the.... The rum is aboard the ship?" Eliza finally stated and Lafayette's face brightened as he nodded his head. After a moment he looked at Eliza with confusion and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Whut do yah want wiff rum doh, Wizzy??" Lafayette asked, tilting his head to the side. Eliza shot up from were she sat on the floor and rushed over to Lafayette's side.

"I don't want it to drink! Goodness no, not me. But.... I was thinking maybe I could take a bottle to the captain. If he's awake that is," Eliza rushed out, staring at Lafayette with wide eyes.

He seemed confused for a long minute before seeming to realize what Eliza was asking. He smiled at her, nodding his head as he lifted the pot of food off the stove and walked over to the kitchen door. Eliza anxiously followed him, licking at her lips as he kicked the door opened and held it in place for Eliza. She rushed out the door, awkwardly standing in the hall as Lafayette walked toward the stairs.

"Der shouwd be a few bot'les of rum bewuw deck, underneaff the sweeping quarters. Ask Ma'cole fo' hewp. E'w show yah dah way," Lafayette stated, walking up to the main deck. He nodded his head toward a doorway with a staircase that led below deck and Eliza smiled at him with relief.