I Made Him a Promise

Chapter - 7

I made him a promise
Chapter 7
By: Mike Hurley

Amy and Soraya devised a plan they both liked.
They said good night & Amy returned to Ty's room.  Ty was still deep asleep, his evening meds continued to keep him drowsy.  Amy was tired, it had been a good but long day.  As she spread out her blankets on the window ledge & arranged her pillow, Amy remembered sitting on Ty's lap in the lounge.  It was the first time Ty had held Amy, and she loved how safe she felt in his arms.  She knew little about love, even less about real adult love; but this seemed right.
What she and Ty shared was something beautiful.  Not at all like what she had with Jesse.  Amy still had lots of questions about Ty, she knew little about his past, even less about his family.  But Amy had a good sense of people; she was certain Ty was a good person.
He helped her win the fall finale and proved to be a reliable friend.  And she had gotten over his sudden disappearance.......well, sort of.

God knows, since her mother's death, Amy yearned for someone to love her.  Not yet in a sexual way, but someone of her own who could watch out for her and keep her safe.  A guy to laugh with, share dreams, and scary times with. 

Amy was wise and mature at 16; she grew up fast after her mum's passing.  But she was still a girl, venturing out into the big world, often on her own.  And now, she loved the renewed prospect of having Ty by her side.  She had missed him terribly.

Amy yawned & opened a book she found at the library. She read it on her I-Phone and was only on page 79 of 458.
But the author's words had captivated her.......

............The main characters were:
17-year-old Eleanor, and 20-year-old Theo.
It was the year 1875, and the two were the sole survivors of a great ocean-crossing vessel named 'SS Washington'.  Traveling from Seattle to India with their families.  Eleanor, a daughter of the elite upper class, and Theo a son of teachers, who raised their family with modest means.

5 days west of Hawaii, at dusk, the ships boiler suddenly exploded, and ended the great vessels young life, with all her passengers and crew.  Except for Theo who swam desperately for a small island illuminated by the moon. 
And Eleanor who lay unconscious, floating alone on a large & stately ballroom door.  Theo spotted the makeshift raft and climbed aboard uninvited.  He attempted to revive the young girl who clung to life.  Ominous lightning and a line of distant monstrous thunderstorms blew and roared at the floating solid oak door.  Theo pulled the girl to the center of raft and used his shirt to secure her.  One sleeve was tied around her right arm, the other through a small slash in the wood.

Hello!!  Miss, can you hear me??  He touched her soft cheek and gathered her exquisite purple & white, soaked dress about her.  He stared at her bare feet and so wished he could provide her the caliber of a rescue so fitting such a beautiful angel. 

Papa!!  She opened her eyes and screamed out staring at Theo!!  Papa!!  Where are you!!
I'm scared Papa!!  Hurry!!

Her hand grabbed Theo's forearm and clung tightly.  Then in a lightning bolts flash she fell back into an unconscious state.
Her beautiful face reflected the kindness of her young soul. 

No!!  Don't leave me!!  Theo bellowed as he gently shook her.  So wanting to do something to provide her comfort and peace.  But this was a storm, not a roadway in Paris.  He had nothing but his pocketknife.

Theo scanned 360 degrees around them and only saw scattered floating debris.   He spotted a plank and dove into the water for it.  They would need a good study paddle or oar for propulsion.  He swam furiously across 55 meters of rough open seas and grabbed the plank.  All alone, but together they would head for the little island........and find a way to survive.