Subtle Waves • James Kidd/Mary Read

chapter three

I wake up, only to hear the water outside splashing against the ship. I slowly roll over onto my back and stretch out to try wake myself up. I make a quick glance around my chambers only to catch my reflection in the mirror. My eyes widen at the frantic state of my hair. My naturally wavy hair has grown three times the size of its usual volume and it's sticking up in multiple different places. I slowly get up and make my way over to my vanity, where I begin to brush my wild hair. Then I walk over to my closet to change into my usual outfit. Another glance in the mirror and I realize that I'm missing something. "Ah. I know what it is." I whisper to myself. I grab the dagger from my boot and make a cut on my hand. Not deep enough to scar, but deep enough to draw some blood. I then take my finger up to my mouth and drag the blood across my lips, turning them a scarlet colour. "Perfect" I say, giving myself a nod of approval in the mirror. After finishing up, I walk out onto the main deck. Looking to the sky, I realize that the sun hasn't even begun to rise yet. As soon as the sun fully rises that's when we will set sail. I manage to make my way up to the crow's nest. I sit on the edge looking out towards the horizon and patiently wait for the sun to ascend. Without realizing, I reach up and grab the gold pendant laying on my chest. Holding it brings me comfort in some sort of way. It reminds me of my dear mother.

•••

After the sun officially rises, I jump down onto the main deck. Slowly, I could see the crew beginning to come up from below deck. Then I walk over to the Captain's wheel and begin forming a plan, in my head, as to what travel route we will take to Nassau. As I'm thinking, my father comes up to me, exclaiming "Well look who's up and early, as per usual!"

I look over at him an smile. "Good morning to you as well, Father." He gives me a smile in return and pats my shoulder as he walks away. He begins yelling orders to the crew and, before I even know it, we are sailing out to sea.

•••

After a couple days of sailing, we finally reach the great Nassau. It's already night when we arrive, so half of the crew goes to their quarters to catch up on sleep and the other half make their way over to the Old Avery tavern. They deserve some rest and relaxation after working their arses off for the last few days.

For me, Nassau is one of the towns where I actually own a small home, so I decide to make my way over there. I walk up to the house, only to see a lantern lit inside. I smile, knowing exactly who it is. I open the front door and hear a small voice come from the kitchen saying "Mummy, I think someone's here." Another voice tells them to stay there, while they go investigate. I then hear footsteps approaching me and then I see a young woman walk through the doorway, only to stop and stare at me in surprise.

"Ye know, it's dangerous to keep your door unlocked at this time of day." I say in a teasing tone. She quickly laughs and rushes over to me. She gives me a tight and friendly hug and I chuckle at her reaction.

"Oh my! Ez, we haven't seen you in forever!" She says in a loving voice. She quickly hugs me again, as if I'm going to disappear any second.

During this interaction, a small voice comes from the doorway, quietly saying my name. I look over only to see the little boy I've missed ever so dearly. As soon as he realizes that it's me, he comes running and squealing towards me. I give a real, full-hearted laugh and swiftly pick him up and twirl him. "Hello there, bud" I say to him. He grins at me and continues to hug me with all his strength. After a couple minutes, I put him down and we all walk over to the couch. We all talk for hours, but it came to an end when I saw a big yawn come from the little boy's mouth. We all said our good nights and they retreated off to bed. We'll be able to catch up more tomorrow.

I remember the first time I met them, just like it was yesterday. Lily was a young mother, with no money left to her name and little Tommy wasn't even born yet, he was still in the womb.

*flashback*

After a long night, I was about to retreat back to my home when I heard a scream come from a couple blocks over. I quickly ran towards the sound and hid in a bush. I saw an obviously pregnant woman trying to get away from wickedly drunk man. He had a hold of her wrist and looked two seconds away from hitting her. Before I even knew it, I leaped out of the bush and punched the man square in the face. He fell over and I gave him a hard kick to the gut for good measure. Once I knew I had knocked him out, I looked up towards the scared woman. I immediately asked her if she was okay and rushed her over to my home. When we got back, she was obviously shaken up and did not feel like talking, so I led her to my spare bedroom to sleep.

The next day, I woke up bright and early to make the poor woman some breakfast. It wasn't much, but it was enough that she wouldn't starve. When she came down the stairs she looked at me wearily. "I don't bite ye know. Ye don't have to be scared, Lass." I quickly assured her. She calmed down a bit and sat down at the table. She muttered a quiet apology and I smiled at her in return. After she was almost done her meal, I asked, "So ye gonna tell me what happened last night? Or do I have to find out myself?" She stared at me for a few seconds and then sighed. She began by saying, "That man you saw last night is a local at the tavern." She continued with, "I often beg outside there for money, for I have none. My husband died a couple months back, so I have no one to depend on for money. No one wants to hire a pregnant homeless lady. He kept saying that if I did certain things for him, he would give me the money, but I always refused. It's just this time he wasn't having it." I gave her a look of pity and quickly made a decision before even thinking.

"How about you stay here?" I asked.

She replied immediately, saying, "Oh no! I could never. This is your home I wouldn't want to intrude."

"Oh please. I only ever return to this house once or twice a year. The house would be a waste without someone living in it. Anyways, what about your child? You plan on living on the streets with a newborn baby?" I argued.

I saw the look on her face and she knew she had no other choice, but to stay here. She quickly rushed to her feet and tackled me in an aggressive hug. I didn't really know how to respond, so I patted her back.

*flashback over*

Ever since that day, they've lived in my home. Little Tommy is almost four years old, while Lily had just turned twenty a couple months back. I've got to say, they've definitely grown on me over the years. They're family now. I give a small smile at my thoughts, before heading up to my room. On my way there, I pass the guest bedroom and I see Lily and Tommy snuggled up together on their bed. I see that they left their window open, so I quietly walk in, close the window, and lock the hatch. I try to sneak out, but before I can open the door, a tired voice calls my name. I look over to the bed to see Tommy rubbing his eyes. "Mom and I really missed you, Ez." He suddenly says.

"I know, bud, I know" I whisper to him. As quickly as he woke up, he falls back asleep. I wait a couple seconds before saying, "I missed ye too." Then I close their door and wander to my room, where I softly land on my bed and quickly fall asleep.

•••

Author's note:
I said Kidd would be in this chapter, but he'll definitely be in the next one. I just got too into Lily's backstory. Any feedback? Thanks!!