A Weather Eye on the Horizon

A Weather Eye on the Horizon (23)

here's the  next bit! thanks for reading!!! i'm so excited to see more than 1200 reads! i know i know, it's not alot, but it means LOADS to me!! thank you ALL!

Wednesday, October 16th, 1720

Dear little book,

It didn’t occur to me until today to find out the day. I have been home for a few days now and am trying to adjust. Life feels so different: no duties or watches. I mean, I have chores, of course, but small ones and unimportant. I cannot watch Joanie anymore because she still won’t go near me. Most of my family is avoiding me, even Luke, and I wish Sarah was here. She could understand me.

Last night, I took all the braids and things out of my hair and tried to comb it out. Grace was sitting on the bed watching me, and finally she said, “Here, let me.” And then my seven-year-old sister took the comb and carefully brushed out my tangled hair. I kept my head bowed and tried to think of something to say. When she finished, I turned around to face her. My lips formed the words “Thank you” but she gave me a big hug before I could say anything.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered. I hugged her back. Grace has grown up. She’s only seven but at that moment she seemed so much older.

Saturday, October 19th, 1720

Dear little book,

Today Margaret came over. She was bringing some jam to Mama. I wondered why, until Luke told me the news: my mama is pregnant! I can’t believe it. Apparently, she became pregnant about three months before I was captured. She didn’t tell any of us. Now she’s seven months in and I wonder how I never noticed. Maybe I have been too caught up with myself.

Well, when Margaret saw me, she burst into tears and flung her arms around me. We stood there, embracing, for a moment, and then she pulled away and said, “You are back! How are you? Why did no one tell me? How –”

“Margaret, slow down,” I begged, and we both had a laughing fit. I took her to the yard and told her everything. Her eyes were huge, but she didn’t question anything. Then she said,

“You enjoyed life on a pirate ship?”

I smiled. “It wasn’t that bad, Margaret,” I told her. “And I had friends.”

She twisted a piece of hair with her finger. “I would love to meet David,” she said. I cast my eyes down. The truth is, I’m not sure if I shall ever see him again. He lives a buccaneer’s life, and I have chosen my life, that of a plantation owner’s daughter. I wonder if I made the right choice, but I have been trying to convince myself I have.

Margaret looked awkward, but she tried to help. I’m thankful for that; she didn’t ask questions that would have hurt. When she left she told me that she shall be free if I ever need her. I wish I had more friends like her.

Saturday, November 2nd, 1720

Dear little book,

I am so sorry! I put you in my chest by my bed and I simply forgot to write in you. Nothing much has happened, though. I am fitting in better and Grace and I are friends again. Luke and Davy are mostly back to normal, but Luke still doesn’t tease me as much as he did. In fact, the only one who hasn’t accepted me yet is Joanie. I miss her, but I need to give her some time.

Tuesday, November 5th, 1720

Dear little book,

Today Sarah and John Lorrington came to visit. She rushed to meet me and we embraced. I was crying, I think, and I think she was also. She kept saying, “I missed you,” over and over.

John looked a little awkward, and he said, “We tried to look for you, Annie – the Navy, that is. But we had very little to go on and so there was little hope.”

 I tried to look like I understood, pushing down my feelings of resentment. I tried not to think of all the times I had worried that no one wanted me, on the William. I shook his hand and said it was all right.

We had a nice supper and Sarah told us all the news from town. John questioned me a little on the William, but I tried to act like I had stayed in my cabin mostly. I was not sure if he would the information against Calico Jack and his crew. Even though I was upset with Jack for kidnapping me, I did not want the Navy to capture the William. John did not press me and I spent most of the meal in silence.

Sarah and I went on a walk after dinner, just the two of us. We did not say much. After all, what was there to say? I have been captured by pirates for the last four months. She is a newlywed living near her family still. There is such a vast gap between us now, I feel as though I hardly even know her.

It has never been so awkward talking to my own sister.

Sunday, November 10th, 1720

Dear little book,

I cannot adjust to this new life. It is strange to think that this was once my life. After spending so long on the William, life here on terra firma is odd. Today Luke’s friend Sam came over. He was delivering jars of strawberry preserves for Mama. Because she is seven months pregnant, she is finding it harder and harder to work around the house. I try to help as much as I can.