A week later, I was able to walk relatively pain free. Most of the small lacerations were completely healed and the larger ones were on their way there. Wesley bandaged my feet with clean supplies every morning. Thanks to his diligence, no infection set in, but that didn't stop my feet from itching. Sometimes I wanted to shove a fork or rake down my boot and go to town just to stop the uncomfortable feelings that come with cuts healing.
Upon exiting my room this morning I found Intrepid at a port. We were honest to goodness at a port and no one in town was screaming for the local law enforcement. In fact, I saw quite a few members of the crew down on the dock hugging women and even children.
Sebastian walked up beside me an easy smile gracing his countenance.
"Where are we?" I asked in wonder as I watched the worlds of land and sea collide. A rigger named Vincenzo was twirling a little girl around in a circle as they both laughed. He had a daughter. I never thought of the prospect of any of the crew having a family.
"We're home."
"Home?" once again, the notion of pirates having a home, well to me it didn't really go with the whole profession.
"Well," here he shrugged, "as close to home as a pirate can get." We made our way down to the dock. "A lot of us have ties to this town."
Once everyone was off the boat, Captain Jack cleared his throat. "You have three days," he stated simply.
There was a round of cheers before the crew dispersed to spend their three days in the tiny port town.
I watched the all leave with purpose and felt immediately left out. They all had ties to this island, somewhere to go for these three days.
I had nowhere.
No one.
Somebody cleared their throat. Turning I saw Sebastian still on the dock.
"I want to show you something, William."
He led me through the town pointing out the bar, brothel and jail. Probably the most popular building for the crew. We walked straight through the town until the road stopped and met with sand. Then Sebastian took a left into a thicket of trees and we walked for about ten minutes until we came upon a small clearing. There were fruit trees and pineapple bushes in neat rows. Nestled amongst the rows of trees was a small cottage. And the clearing opened up on one side to the ocean. It was absolutely breathtaking.
"Sebastian, what is this place?" I asked in awe, never seeing such beauty on land before.
"This is my home," he answered proudly.
"You own this?"
"Yeah, and someday I'm gonna live here."
Sebastian led me to the front door and opened it allowing me to enter the small enchanting cottage first. There were dust and cobwebs everywhere showing that nobody had been here in quite a while. But there were all manner of simple luxuries that showed someone was planning on living here.
Sometime in the future Sebastian was going to live here. He wasn't going to be a pirate forever, I realized with mixed emotions.
"Why here?" I asked genuinely curious.
"I want to be a farmer, always have, but life doesn't always go the way you want it to," Sebastian began. "Soon I'm going to live here, William. I have enough loot to live comfortably. It will be fantastic!" he went on excitedly, "Just me and my cabin, living the simple life."
His words stabbed through me like a knife. He was going to live here. Just him and his cabin. Living the simple life. The simple life definitely didn't involve having a male lover.
There was no room for me in the future he so badly desired. That notion left me feeling strangely hollow. My negative thoughts must have shown on my face.
"Something wrong?" Sebastian asked, his good mood slipping at seeing my distress.
"Nothing," my voice was as clipped and hollow as I had ever heard it. "I'm going to head into town for a while."
"Great! I'll come with you."
"No," I snapped.
My harsh reply caused Sebastian to recoil slightly. He wasn't used to such bitterness tinting my words.
"Okay," he tried again, "I'll come and meet you later tonight."
I opened the door to his cabin, "Don't bother. Enjoy the time in your cabin," I spat with bitterness.
Closing the door on Sebastian I made my way back to town and away from a life with no place for me in it.
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Picture's of Vincenzo
YOU ARE READING
Better than We've Had (boyxboy)
General FictionThe pirate ship Intrepid was looking for some additional able bodied sailors for their next excursion. Looking for some extra money, I eagerly agreed to work. Never did I imagine that I'd see him again.
