A Hidden Queen

Chapter 72

John narrows his eyes at Joe, "Excuse me young lady? Who do you think you are showing that little display of authority?"

"You have ears to listen." She counters tiredly, lowering her hand from her forehead. "I will not have you bellowing through my cabin, especially at Charlie."

"This is my ship! I will raise my voice if I so damn well please! And especially at him. You have not even been back for several hours, battered and bruise and he came in here trying to. . ."

"Oh, come off it! I am your niece not some crewman that the fearless Demon Johnny must flex his stern captain muscles at." She mocks. "I am also a grown ass woman, raising your voice is not going to shrink me away."

"Grown woman or not. I still don't want you lying about with my crewman. I am the captain of this vessel and as you have stated, you are my niece. You should not. . ."

"Do not give me that! You knew Charlie and I were becoming closer. And besides, if you'd learn to not barge into another's cabin, you'd be obviously to it all!"

"This."

"Is your damn ship!" Joe mocks in disdain, spitting on the floor at his feet.

John shakes with his rising anger, taking a determined step closer, "Littler girl, you're digging a deep hole. You are pushing your luck by lobing these insults and arguments at me. And you're already not on my good side after the stunt you pulled on that ship. What the hell were you thinking? Taking those beating for men. . ."

"That no more deserved to be there than I did."

"Stop interrupting me. No, they didn't deserve to be there; however, they should have gone, not you."

"Why?" She huffs hysterically. "It is because they are men, and I am a woman? Cut the chauvinistic crap Uncle John! No one deserved to be in that position."

"They didn't want you to begin with! You should have allowed Philips to take that damn kid! You taking his place was one of the most folly things I have ever heard you do."

"You cannot tell me you would have stood by, knowing what was going to happen, and let them take that small boy."

"That man is not a small boy! You were not protecting a child!"

"Yes, I was! As neither is he a man!" Jow howls, slamming her fist into the bulkhead. "When did a fifteen-year-old turn into an adult? You would never have expected such a sacrifice on my part at that age. So, why would you expect it with him? And do not tell me it's because he is boy!"

"Fine. How about because you are more important than he is."

"Oh my god." Joe exasperates, turning away. "This better not be a reasoning of 'I'm the daughter of the great Clinton Carter'. That is a load of folly, and you know it!"

"It is the reason because being his daughter makes you a damn queen!" John roars.

The quiet crashes into the small space, all fighting ceasing with John's angerly vomited words. He curses under his breath as Joe's face contorts to one of confusion.

"Let us not forget about us Josephine." John attempts to change directions. "You were leaving behind me, Pops, Charlie and so many more who care about you. Did you ever consider what your loss would do to us? Or did you simply not care enough to ponder it?"

"That is not fair Uncle John." Joe whispers tearfully. "I considered everything to protect everyone, including you. You cannot tell me you wouldn't have done the same in that situation."

"This is not about me Josephine."

Joe throws up both her hands, turning away from him, "Stop. Just stop."