The Silent Spell

Coming to America

*This is a note before the update. I apologize for the delay I have had surgery and am currently recovering. I have failed to realize I have not updated this chapter (still am working on it)*

    Every time the boat swayed to one side my empty bucket would follow. Soon I watched as it slid past me and then against the wooden post Isaac was resting against. The old man just glanced at the bucket before scoffing at the air. I watched as he nuzzled against his thick jacket to protect himself against the cold. Isaac was much older than I was, and he was short too, maybe that's why he was so grumpy all the time. His temper seemed to get worse with each passing day and I found myself dreading being in his company without da around. Comparing the two of us I would say I wasn't that much shorter either; the top of my head could have easily touched the bottom of his chin if we stood next to one another.

The small children next to me began to stir awake, their mother had just left to gather some food for them above deck. I could see the littlest ones' eyes peep out of her ratted blanket, those bright brown eyes just watching me as I smiled at her. I could hear their little giggles as I stuck my tongue out at them with crossed eyes. I heard a familiar voice a few moments later and I went back to look at Isaac; the bucket now in Da's hands as they talked amongst themselves.

Da was a rather large man, he worked hard labor on ships ever since he was a young boy. He would say it was backbreaking and after so many years of watching him work, I agreed. He was a hard worker, and he was good at his job. He could finish a whole two days' worth of work within one if he wanted to. When it came to work, he was very fast and almost always made no mistakes.

Growing up, Da mostly stayed away for months at a time for most of my life but after the death of Ma, he started taking me with him. A year or so had passed before my Da realized it was much harder to leave a young child alone at home. Mrs. Thacher was an older woman would watch me for those first few years before da would realize that the old woman had a hard time keeping up with me. By 6 years old I had lost my mother, my newborn baby brother, and now my homeland all in just span of 10 years.

I started off just sweeping and mopping, da wanted me to find something to do with myself- make myself of use to the crew so the captain wouldn't throw me overboard. I now cook and provide meals for 'em. They began to act more friendly and treated me as if I were their own once they came back to the under-cabin. I learned really quickly what the crew liked and what they didn't like. Now that I am older and able-bodied to do more than just cook meals, I will be able to start working alongside Da and his men with fish netting once we get settled into our new home. Da says once we reach America, we will have a steady income and a better place to live. He expects us to arrive within the week and I would hope so but with each passing day it feels like another week is just added to the wait.

My eyes drifted back to Isaac and then to Da again; the old man had now sat up as the conversation with Da continued. It seemed to be a pleasant one as both men laughed at something Isaac had said. I felt my lips pull into a soft smile as Da waved goodbye and made his way over to me. Before he sat down he had whistled at the children next to me to grab their attention, the oldest one popped his head up and smiled brightly. There was an apple tossed into the air his way and two more followed soon after. Da nodded and quickly sat down; legs folded next to mine. I glanced down at his hands and lap to see a loaf of stale bread and some cheese. Holding out my hands to him, I mumbled a plea for food.

"Ye, ken I hate the mumbling birdy. Speak up so I can hear ye." His voice was deep but filled with play.

His smile widened as I stuck my tongue out at him. I quickly snatched the loaf out of his hand and tore a small piece off. His laughter broke the silence. I noticed Isaac had joined in as Da handed him some bread to share. He had then passed out a few pieces of cheese and to my surprise, freshly churned butter with salt.