I nodded, noticing how the corner of Larry’s eyes tightened, not wanting to say whatever it was he felt he needed to share.
“None of the boys will touch you, Miss. I assure you, if any of the lads ever grabs you, it would be to save you from a swinging boom, or to stop you from tripping on the deck ropes. You’re under the protection of the Captain, which makes you a member of this crew. So even if the lads get rowdy and mouthy, you should know that you’re safe.”
I smiled up at him, genuinely relieved at this news, and touched that the giant would be so thoughtful. “Thank you,” I nodded. “I truly appreciate that.”
“I’ve been the Captain’s first mate for several years, Miss, and he’s a good man. But if you ever need to ask questions and he’s not around, I am at your service.” His deep scar creased higher as he grinned. “I’ll be very grateful with the stitchin’ help. I’m the only one with the patience to try my hand at it, but my hands...” He held one up. “Not really those of a seamstress.”
I laughed, too loudly, I thought, but my voice was caught by the breeze and flew away. “I really have been sewing for years. Perhaps tomorrow you can give me a pile of work, and I can start earning my keep right away.”
“Deal,” he said, shaking my lily-white palm in his huge, tanned hand.
Larry gave me a quick tour of the mid decks. “You’ll have to learn a few things quickly, Miss. The back of the ship is the stern, the front is the bow. Instead of left and right, which switches depending on which way you’re facing, we have port and starboard.”
He pointed, and I tried to think of the ship as a sketch in one of my geography books. “So if you’re facing the bow, the front,” I said, thinking, “Starboard would be the right.”
“Yes,” he smiled.
“And left is port.”
“Correct.”
“Port and left both have four letters. Starboard and right both have more letters.” Larry’s mouth fell open, but I continued. “As you sail away, people on the dock would give stern glances that you left them behind. When you bow to the King, you bow forward. So that all makes sense.”
Larry blinked with what appeared to be shock. “You’re very quick, Miss. The Fortune’s Favor is a sloop – that’s the style of the ship. We’re able to run her with just six crewmen, or even less, since these men are all rather skilled.” His eyes suddenly sparkled in delight. “You’re lucky number seven, Miss.”
I grinned back at him, relieved that speaking with these strange men was getting easier. I’d been painfully shy my whole life, but now it was almost like I was
outside myself looking in. Could I be a new person if I was in a different place?
Larry led me across the decks, pointing out various features and dangers. I jumped when I heard a thump, and spun to see two of the men salute to the Captain, who had just appeared in the doorway.
I turned west to see the last trails of orange and red streak across the enormous sky. I was in a new world of color now, where I could take a moment to enjoy the sunset without fear of being punished. Where people seemed to want to teach me, just for the sake of keeping me safe, and sharing knowledge.
As I turned back to Larry, he smiled warmly. “Yes, Miss. You’ll see that the sky is far bigger out here. I’d say you’ll get used to it, but I never have.”
Another thump made me jump, nearly squealing.
“Easy, lass,” the Captain said. He was suddenly behind me, and I noticed that Larry instantly took a step back. “I want you to take one last look at Glenport.”
Turning to see the hills of my home town growing smaller and dimmer, I could barely make out the dark blob with a brightly lit top window that used to be my house.
The Captain’s heavy hand rested on my shoulder. “Are you okay so far, lass?”
“Yes, sir. I promise you, I won’t get homesick.”
His chuckle blended with Larry’s. “Aye, that I don’t doubt.”
“She already knows her ship directions, sir,” Larry said, seeming proud.
“Good girl. You two get down to the galley, and I’ll join the crew in a few minutes.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Larry went down the steep steps first, reaching out to hold my hand so that if I fell, he’d catch me. It was slightly odd that these strange men were more caring and considerate in my first hour of knowing them than my father had been my entire life.
Most of the crew were already settled around a round wooden table, and Larry pulled out a barrel for me to sit on. “Flora, this is the crew,” Larry said. “McGee is the one stirring the stew, but maybe tomorrow you could help him with the cooking.”
A short, slightly portly man with a wide mustache turned to give me a nod. “Miss.”