Kate and Sean

Untitled Part 2

It took two metro transfers and a bus ride to make it to the docks. The boat was waiting just where Smokey said it would be. He handed his friend the yellow package of marijuana and boarded the fishing vessel with a chuckle, "That's some good shit, bud. You take your time on that stuff."

Smokey replied, "What you two was planning on doin? Swim to catch us? We almost left without yo asses." He leaned on the pier his red sweatshirt had orange reflective tape crisscrossed over it. He wore a yellow winter hat over the pile of dread locks on his head. He had a thin jaw line beard that puddled at his chin and fluffed out like cotton candy. He called himself the Red-boned Jamaican, but his accent was as New York as Sean's. His deep tan complexion sported a cute array of freckles that bunched together when he smiled. Smokey opened the bag and took a long whiff of it. "Ah, right on bro, right on." Then he followed Sean and Kate up the plank and gave Walsh the finger, his way of signaling it was time to pull anchor.

The engines had the entire deck trembling and Kate latched onto Sean, "I don't know about this. Are you sure it's safe?" "Come on, sweetie, would Smokey be working on some clackity ol' ship?" At first he had one arm wrapped around her for balance, but one of the engines backfired and now he had both arms wrapped around her as she nearly lept from her own skin. Her eyes pooled as she tried to hide her fear.

Sean whispered in her ear, "Come on, let's go check out our bed." She wiped her eyes and a lighthearted smile curled her lips. He opened the door and led the way down into the belly of the fishing vessel until they came to a cubby that would only be large enough to accommodate a couple of kids. It just so happened that the two of them were small enough to pass for kids. Sean was twenty-two and stood an impressive five foot-five, while Kate was barely cutting five three. His size never got to him, however. He was accustomed to living in the shadows and he found that for the most part he was easily dismissed when he needed to be.

They climbed in and snuggled up together. Kate basking in the scent of him and shutting out the rumbles and moans of the ship coming to life and rocking it's way out into the open sea. As soon as Kate dozed off, Sean scrambled out from the bunk and made for the galley. He spent the rest of the night precooking food and packing it in the freezers for easy, grab and go snacks.

The captain finally made his appearance, most likely following his nose. He grabbed a burrito from the foil wrapped stacks and peeled it open, "I'm Captain Greg Burns. Been a long time since we had a cook down here. You work as a cook anyplace else?"

"Nah, my mom was Hispanic and my dad was Irish. I can just cook stuff we ate at home, ya know. Don't expect nothin fancy."

The captain laughed as he chowed down more of the burrito, "This is already fancier than what we normally get. So what's your name, son?" Sean flipped another burrito over and then gestured the captain to hold up his plate. The next flip landed the burrito right on it, "Name's Sean, and my girl's Kate. We ain't gots no work for her yet, but she can wash clothes or somethin I'm sure."

The captain scooped up the wrap and half chewed it before speaking, "She don't need no work long as you keep cookin like this."

Feeling like he scored Sean flipped a few more, tossing the spatula in the air and catching it behind his back as he did so. He gave off a corny laugh that reminded the captain of a donkey choking on a hairball. The captain's face lit up, "What the hell was that?"

"What, yo? You got a problem with ma' laugh?" Sean let off another bringing the captain to a jolly riot before he stumbled out of the galley to finish up his own work. He called back over his shoulder, "I like you kid, you're alright."

The entire crew had nothing but praise for the new cook. Not only did they enjoy dinner but a few guys ventured back for snacks before Sean was done cleaning up. He was invited on deck afterwards for a nightcap. A few of the guys including the captain passed around some of the weed he had given Smokey. Sean waived it off.

Then the guys got to talking, the captain finally brought up the issue plaguing him, "Smokes, says you got yourself into some trouble back in the city." Sean was hesitant about answering, "Wa'nt nuttin big." "We're a family out here at sea, Sean. We've got to trust each other, because when it comes to life or death, you gotta know your man has your back. Now I don't think murder is one of those things that falls under 'nuttin big'. Why don't you tell us what happened so we can all feel a little more at ease with each other."

Sean sat up and stuffed his hands into his pouch. He wasn't cold he just needed to cocoon himself a bit. To lay everything on the table would be a big step and one he was not ready for. You don't really have a choice when the alternative is to turn this boat around and be left on the docks. Worse yet dumped overboard if they don't want to waste the fuel or time back tracking. "I got jacked. I was slingin because I need the dough, Kate was in the hospital. I shouldn't've done it, yo."

The captain handed the joint to one of the other crew members, "So, there is one less thug on the street and you feel sorry for it? I don't. You come here, you work hard, I'll protect you. When we return, stay on the boat. You'll make a shit load of money the right way, and I'll drop you and your little girlfriend off in Canada or Iceland or some shit. You two can open a coffee shop or somethin."

Sean perked up, he was safe. They hadn't heard about the thug he had shot last week and the guy he had pistol whipped over roughing Kate up. He had a new crew to roll with. One he didn't have to fight to join or escape from like the gang he was fleeing from. Kate was safe. They had the means to make it, probably better than ever before, legit.