Days At Sea

Chapter 13 - Will You Get Drunk And Dance With Me?

As promised, the first thing Isabella did the following day was give Celeste a hug. The girl accepted the embrace but sniffed loudly in her arms. Her frizzy, ebony curls tickled the child's face as they hugged, and Isabella's heart was warmed by the soft girl before her. 

"Celeste, I am so so sorry that I shouted at you. It was very unkind, I never should have..." Isabella rambled, clutching the child tightly. 

"Yes," a small, muffled voice said. Releasing the girl, she held her delicate face and reiterated her apologies. Still somewhat subdued, Celeste rubbed her sleepy eyes and gazed back at her. Retrieving the brush she had borrowed (with permission) from Eldon, she offered to do Celeste's hair, which seemed to cheer the child significantly. Fixing her blond waves into two plaits, Isabella tied them off and smiled widely.

"Suzy used to do my hair every morning," Celeste mumbled. Isabella was afraid of upsetting the child, but it was a big deal to hear Celeste talk about her sister, so impulsively, she continued the subject. 

"Your sister, Suzanne?" Isabella asked softly. The girl nodded, stroking one of her braids and biting her trembling lip.

"She's with the angels now," Celeste mourned. Caressing her hair, Isabella marvelled at the child's bravery. After everything she had been through, Celeste hadn't let her experiences turn her bitter or angry. For such a young child to be so resilient was influential. 

"I know I will never replace Suzy, but I would like to be a sister to you, if you'll let me," Isabella proposed. The solemn nod and tight hug were better than any words, and Isabella exhaled in relief as Louie gave her a thumbs-up. 

-

The next step of her mission would be much more arduous, but Isabella thought she had a solid plan. Louie had reproachfully informed her that Hugo was greatly humiliated by her public rejection of his attempts to make amends. Personally, she thought he deserved to be a little embarrassed, but her determination to resolve their issues was firm.

She tracked down Minh and practically begged him to help her. The musician appeared confused initially, but soon enough, he grasped what she was asking. 

"I play tonight if you wish," he agreed, beaming at her. Cringing inwardly, Isabella made the next part of her request through gritted teeth. 

"Will you teach me a song?" She asked. Minh looked highly apprehensive, and she didn't blame him. 

"Which song?" He said, his smile fading.

"The shortest one," Isabella insisted.

Fortunately (or unfortunately), the man agreed. She had thought it over the night before and concluded that a grand gesture was the way to go. Actions meant more than words, and she prayed that a night of music, drinking, and dancing would sufficiently raise Hugo's spirits. It wasn't that she was hoping he would be more forgiving when drunk - well, that wasn't the whole plan. Swallowing her pride, she had also decided that humiliation of a similar degree would make them even. To her despair, Eldon's suggestion of a song dedicated to Hugo was actually a good idea. He had seemed amused as he presented the idea, but Isabella quickly thwarted his glee. 

"You won't be laughing later. It'll be so mortifying you'll most likely jump overboard to escape it," she had said darkly. 

The day passed without further incident, and Isabella barely saw Hugo in the afternoon. She suspected Dante had told some of the crew to shut up because nobody teased her or mentioned Jimmy at all. The occasional vague comment or grin suggested that word had gotten around. However, they were always accompanied by either laughter or a pat on the back, and she ignored it, far too focused on the job at hand.