A PIRATE'S TREASURE

Chapter 4

Jenny's POV

Months went by and I waited almost every day for his return. Coming to our spot looking out for his ship to come to dock but always feeling a little defeated when he never showed up. I tried smiling throughout the days pretending as if this all was a dream until I received a small parcel and a letter.

    My dearest Jenny,
I had to just write you something to show I still think about you. I wish every single day that I could've stayed and that things were just a little different. Hopefully, when you receive this, I'll be on my way back to you. I've caught my chance and am so close to Captain Blackbeard. I promise I'll be fine, please try not to worry.
During my travel, I stopped by a merchant selling flowers. She told me each flower represented something but I had to let my heart pick. This one flower caught my eye with its aroma and beauty. She said that the flower represented love and whomever I give it to will be granted a life full of true love. I love you Jenny and I wished I said it back then on the hill.

James Hook.

I opened the box to see a very wilted flower but the smell was almost intoxicating. So sweet and pretty with bright red petals falling in the box. I smiled holding a petal. I went back home placing the box by my bed. My sister saw the present and just sneered.

"Who gave you a dead flower?"

"It's not dead Donna."

"The petals are on the bottom of the box wilted to no return. They're not even on the stem."

"But the smell is still strong and the petals have their color. It's really special."

She just scoffed.

"He must've dug it from the trash Jen. You need to find someone from money so he can provide for you and your family to live...comfortably."

Madonna has always been materialistic and valued someone by their wealth and name.

"Shouldn't you marry for love instead? Money doesn't buy happiness."

"But it keeps a non-leaky roof over your head and food in your belly. Something we're always struggling for."

"I'm trying Donna, what are you doing to help?"

"Waiting for a respected man to come to my aid and get me out of this hell hole."

My sister would dress up to walk to the market hoping some prince would come and ask for her hand. We live in a small town where the wealthiest man was a goat farmer. Speaking of wealth...

"How'd you afford that dress?"

"The fund of the best sister ever."

I rushed to my closet to see my savings completely gone.

"How could you?! That was for food and necessities only! That took me months to save and loads of small jobs too!"

I started crying because all my hard work was for nothing. I should be shocked she would do this but I'm not.

"I'll pay you back when my prince charming comes. I'll show you how a real man buys you flowers."

I exploded.

"This flower means so much more than anything in the world. Material things are nice and pretty but it'll all fade because a week later, you'll want the next best thing. I feel bad for your future husband because you will only fall for his money. A person like you can't love anyone except yourself. "

Her smile was chilling.

"At least he'll be real because the only men you love are fictional. You probably found this flower and did this all yourself."

I couldn't stand her anymore and left our small cottage. After mom died, our family fell apart. My sister and I were never close but we were at least civil towards one another. My father smiled as well. He now doesn't talk much. He never got better after mom. I take his shift at the bread shop after my teaching lessons to keep money coming in. Guess it doesn't mean much since my sister would just steal it.

I went off to the docks just to look at all the ships feeling a small sense of happiness with James. Such a small amount of time and I fell in love. I touched his ring and it made my fight with my sister disappear.

I wouldn't care if he was the poorest man in the world because no other man could love me as much as he does. Yes, I love books and believe in happy ever afters and with him, I get it all. The stars, the fireworks, everything.