The Silent Sailor

Someone Else's Seahorse

        I woke up, dizzy and disoriented. The first thing I noticed was the throbbing in my wrists. I looked down: bandages wrapped around swollen and purple fingers. I also noticed that I was no longer in my work clothes. I was in jeans and a t-shirt. I couldn’t recall what happened last night. Everything was blurry. The last thing I could remember was leaving work, Baylee...gambling? Me, leaving Baylee behind. God, she gambled. I shook my head as if to dislodge the cobwebs stuck in my brain.

                “Ow,” I murmured, well, tried to as I turned my head too fast. My hands flew to my throat when I realized no sound was coming out my mouth, no matter how hard I tried to force it. I clambered to my feet, trying to assess my surroundings. I immediately bumped into a hard chest and stumbled back to the ground.

                “Oh, sorry, ma’am. Are you alright?” My eyes shot back open to see a familiar, beautiful face peering down at me.
                Eric. I opened my mouth, but, again, no sound escaped. He leaned down, offering me his hand. I took it, squinting at the sun shining like Heaven’s light from behind his head. He pulled me back to standing position. I withdrew my hand once I remembered how grotesque they must have looked. He gingerly took them into his own and his kind eyes stared into mine. I had to stop the drool from pooling in my mouth.

                “Do you need to go to the hospital? I can take you if you’d like.” My hand rose to my throat and motioned upwards- trying to let him know that my voice was lost to me.
                “Oh…you can’t talk. So you couldn’t possibly be who I thought you were. You look very much like a girl I met a few days ago.” I am indeed that girl, Eric, not that you’d believe me, I’m sure.
                “I’m Eric, by the way.” I smiled, shaking his hand as well as I could. A smile grew on my face as a shock shot through my body when I touched him.
                “Lynnette,” I mouthed. His eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t understand. I’m sorry. Um, I don’t suppose you could write it out, could you?” I shook my head, casting my head down. “Well, where are you staying? I’d be happy to give you a lift.” I just shrugged because Baylee was no longer an option; I couldn’t trust her. My smile slipped into a frown as I realized how pathetic I must have seemed to Eric.
                “Well, um, you could, if you’d like, I mean…well, you could stay with me.” A sheepish grin floated onto my lips and I nodded in agreement. His eyes brightened considerably and I couldn’t help the blush that rose on my cheeks.

                “C’mon, then, Seahorse, I’ll take you back to my place.” He said, tugging me along with him, but I was frozen in my spot. He called me Seahorse just like Mom did. Eric stopped and turned back to me, realization striking his sexy features when he took note of the fact that he just called me Seahorse.

                “Oh, sorry, it was because of your tattoo. Is it okay if I call you that? I won’t if you don’t want me to. It’s just that you, well; I don’t really have anything else to call you.” I shrugged because I wasn’t really sure how I felt about him calling me Seahorse, I wanted him to, but I was scared that when I left his voice would overtake Mom’s in my memory and I’d forget her. I couldn’t forget Mom. I’d rather die than lose the sound of her voice.
                “Seahorse, it is.” Eric led me to motorcycle. My eyes grew wide and I stroked the side adoringly. “Isn’t she beautiful?” I laughed; Eric spoke of his bike like Daddy did his ship. The thought made me sad. I missed my family, no matter how exceedingly aggravating they were.
                “Well, climb on. You’ll have to wrap your arms around me, but don’t worry; I won’t go too fast.” The way he spoke told me he would be going fast, despite his words, but I was okay with that. I loved adrenaline and I wouldn’t mind the excuse to be able to hold myself tight against him. I slid on behind him, wrapping my arms around his- seriously sculpted- body.
                “Ready?” I squeezed tight and the bike roared beneath us. And we shot off. The wind flapped, making my hair and clothes fly in the wind and my cheeks burn, but it was so worth it. I felt like I was flying! Every time we stopped, be it a stoplight or a stop sign, Eric would look back at me and smile his handsome smile. I’d beam back.

                A few minutes later we arrived in the driveway of one of the biggest houses I’d ever seen in my life. My mouth dropped with an audible pop as Eric killed the engine. He chuckled at my face, guiding my jaw closed with his hand before speaking, “I suppose it is a bit…ostentatious.” I nodded wildly. “C’mon in, I’ll introduce you to the family.” He helped me off the beast of a motorcycle and I hoped I’d get to ride it again one day. He placed my hand in the crease of his elbow, like a true gentleman despite his rough around the edges look. I had to bite back a creepy smile; he welcomed my touch. We were greeted as soon as we entered the castle of a home. An older man stood there, his face similar to the one I assumed I was making when I saw the house.

                “Oh, Eric…you brought a young lady home.” He seemed very surprised. So, it was uncommon for Eric to bring woman home? Good news for me.
                “Yes, this is a friend of mine, she has strep throat. I decided to let her stay with us awhile.” I waved, shyly. The man nodded, almost like he was willing me away. Eric looked at him and I laughed when his glare frightened the older gentleman off.
                “Let’s go, Seahorse, I’m gonna show you around.” I nodded, leaning against him as he gave me the grand tour. There were so many rooms and he explained that they were pretty much empty all the time because his parents didn’t come home unless they were in Florida on business. I wanted to offer him stories of my own or an opinion, other than a smile or a squeeze of the hand. He didn’t seem to mind though as he introduced me to his second mother, as he called her, Charlotte. She was a sweet woman and offered clothes to me as soon as she realized I was in a raggedy shirt and jeans. I was dragged away from Eric and into a room filled with clothing.

                “They used to belong to the Missus, Eric’s mother, before she gained a bit of weight. She swears she’ll fit them again one day, but I doubt it, so I suppose you could use them while you stay with us.” She spoke kindly, leafing through clothes before withdrawing a pink dress. I never wore pink. It wasn’t my color, but this dress was beautiful and I knew it would capture Eric’s attention. It was form-fitting in the top and back was backless. The skirt flowed and hit me just above the knees. A boxed halter held it up with a soft, sweetheart neckline. She gave me a pair of softer pink flats with gold tips. Charlotte pulled my hair into a high braided bun and left me alone. I’d never been dressed by someone else, well, not in a very long time that is.

                I stepped out of the bedroom and nearly collided with Eric. His eyes widened and he gripped my elbow gently to steady me. “You look beautiful, Seahorse.” He noted and I blushed. He looped our arms and escorted me downstairs to the dining room. There sat two plates full of food. And it was only lunch! Dinner is going to be amazing, I thought, my mouth watering.
                “Would you like to eat outside? We have a gazebo and it’s really nice out.” I nodded and took my plate, but he shook his head. “Your hands are injured; you won’t be doing any lifting while you’re here. At least not while I’m around.” I blushed, but couldn’t help the little shot of indignation when he told me what I ‘wasn’t allowed to do’, it was stupid because I knew he only did it so I didn’t injure myself further, but I was a grown woman and I could take care of myself. He led me to the gazebo and sat down our tray of food and drinks. We sat in the warm, summer air and fell into a comfortable silence while we ate. Eric offered to feed me himself, but I shot him a stern glare because no matter how mangled my hands are, if I can use them I will. He got the idea quickly and let me eat in peace.

                “Hey, Seahorse, do you wanna go out somewhere with me tomorrow?” I nodded, enthusiastically. He smiled and took my hand, placing a swift, gentle kiss on each bruised finger. This boy was going to be the death of me.

A/N

The outfit on the side isn't her outift, just the dress. She's pretty much wearing those shoes, but with the golden tips on them. Inspired by the ball gown that she wears right after she goes to the castle with Eric in the original movie.