The Old Pirate
He sat at the table with tears streaming down his face. The gold gleamed in the sunlight; the jewels reflected the light in a multitude of colors. In one hand he held a bottle of rum and in the other he held the picture of her. He didn’t know whether to consider her an angel or a demon. She had walked into his life and left as if nothing had ever occurred. He had never been the same after they had met all those years ago. He thought back to that fateful day.
It was a beautiful bright Monday morning. The day was young and so was he. He walked down the lane towards the city with a slight bounce in his step. The pace was quick and he fast approached his destination. Typically he dreaded going to the city, but for some reason today he was looking forward to it. As the dirt turned to cobblestones he took stock of his surroundings. He was amazed at the growth of the city in just the last few months. His pace slowed considerably as he looked at all of the new buildings. He wondered to himself how people could stand to be so close to each other.
Suddenly he saw her, the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her long auburn hair cascaded down her back. He must meet this buxom beauty; he determined that he must find someone who could introduce him. His feet couldn’t move but his eyes followed her as she continued down the street. He watched as she walked into the tavern. What was she doing walking into a tavern; that was no place for a lady to be.
A few moments later he walked into the tavern and quickly scanned the room. There she was in the far corner, talking to a slightly older man. He walked up to the bar and asked for a stein. As he took his drink he heard a loud slap over the din in the tavern. He turned and saw her holding her cheek with a lone tear beginning the path towards her jaw line. As she walked towards the door he paid the bartender and followed her out. She stood a few feet away from the tavern composing herself. He approached her in a manner he hoped would not startle her.
“Pardon me, ma’am, I don’t mean to intrude however I could not help noticing what happened in the tavern and was wondering if there was anything I could do to help,” he offered.
She turned to look at him with a cold confused stare.
“I’m sorry sir, have we met?” she asked icily.
“My goodness, I seem to have forgotten my manners. I am William Smith.”
“Well Mr. Smith, I fail to see how my personal matters are any of your business,” she sniffed.
“I apologize ma’am. It’s just that it makes my blood boil to see a beautiful young lady such as yourself mistreated so.”
He saw her stiff veneer soften slightly and hoped that he would be able to get her name. “This may be too bold, but may I walk you home?”
“I do not think that my husband would be fond of that idea.” His heart sank in his chest, she was a married woman. “However, since my husband seems to be incapacitated at the moment, I will say yes. And as I am sure you are wondering my name is Sarah Johnson.”
He felt as if he were floating. “Mrs. Johnson, it is a pleasure to meet you. I just wish it had been under more agreeable circumstances.”
They walked side by side for a few moments before the silence was broken. “I certainly hope you will not assume this to be a regular occurrence Mr. Smith,” she stated.
“I am in the city very infrequently Mrs. Johnson. I live in the country at Willow Creek Manor and only come into town for supplies every few months. So you need not worry about me being around often,” he replied.
Soon afterwards they came upon Mrs. Johnson’s home. “Thank you Mr. Smith for walking me home.”
“My pleasure Mrs. Johnson. A good day to you.”
“A good day to you Mr. Smith.” And with that he tipped his hat, turned around and left.
A couple of years passed and still he thought of her. He wondered what might have been had she not been married. Would he even have had the chance to meet her? On a chilly winter afternoon a letter arrived addressed to him in a small feminine script. Curiosity filled his mind as he reached for his letter opener. As he read his heart dropped, then jumped into his throat. It was from her. She mentioned his kindness despite her cold demeanor and asked for his help. Would he please come to see her at his earliest convenience?
The next day he stood on her door step and rang the bell. Thoughts raced through his mind of why Mrs. Johnson might want to see him. As the butler opened the door he presented his card and was shown into the library. A few moments later she joined him.
As he left the house several hours later his mind reeled. What had he done? What had he agreed to? He slowly made his way home contemplating the consequences of the actions he had agreed to take.
He tried to remember exactly what he was feeling that day. To this day he was still unsure of why exactly he had decided to help her. He looked at the picture he held in his right hand as he took a swig out of the bottle he held in his left.
“Why Sarah? Why did you leave me so?” he cried out.
He tearfully laid his head upon the table and let his memories overtake him once again.
Plans had been laid. Preparations were almost complete. They were coming upon the day when they would actually take action.
“Sarah, are you sure you want to go through with this?” he asked. “I’m sure there’s another way.”
“This is the only way William,” she replied with grim determination.
He could tell by looking at her that there would be no dissuading her from completing what had been started. She glanced at him and he smiled to show his support. He knew that he would do anything for her, all she need do is ask.
They completed their day with minimal conversation. Tomorrow was the day. Tomorrow all of their planning would be tested.
As William left the house he heard his name being called. He turned around to see Sarah exiting the library and coming towards him.
“William, before you leave I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your help.”
“Sar…”
“Wait, let me finish,” she interrupted. “I just wanted to tell you I would never have been able to do this without you. You have become a very dear friend to me; you will always hold a place in my heart.” With that she reached up and placed a kiss on his cheek.
“Sarah, I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything William.”
She turned towards the library, “Now go, I will see you tomorrow.”
“Goodbye Sarah.” He thought he saw a tear in her eye but then decided it was just the lighting. He turned and walked out the door.
The sun rose the next day with its fierce, bright light shining through Williams bedroom window as always. However the day felt different to him. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but it was different. Getting ready, he thought about the day ahead, what he must do. He was soon dressed and headed out the door.
Heading towards the city William thought the future looked very bright indeed. Sarah’s kiss yesterday had pleasantly surprised him. Maybe his feelings were not one sided after all. He looked up, after what seemed like merely seconds, and noticed he was already in front of his destination.
He rang the bell and a few moments later the door was answered.
“Good morning John. Is Mrs. Johnson in? She’s expecting me.” he asked, knowing the answer he would get.
“I’m sorry Mr. Smith. Mrs. Johnson left late last night. However, she said to give you this letter when you stopped by today.”
That was definitely not the answer he was expecting. He numbly took the letter that was being handed to him and turned away from the door as it was being shut. Looking at the letter he could tell it was Sarah’s writing. He sat on the steps as he opened the letter to read it.
“Dear William,
I am sorry to leave you a letter and not speak to you directly. However,
after your comment yesterday I felt I must do this on my own. My words
yesterday were truth and I spoke them from my heart. I am forever
grateful for your help in this matter and I will never forget you. Do not try
looking for me, for I have found a new destination. I must start over on my
own, please try to understand.
Humbly Yours,
Sarah”
William stood up and started walking. He had no destination in mind, but he soon ended up in front of the shipyards. He stood there watching the hustle and bustle of the sailors coming and going from ships, the loading and unloading of cargo, and the dock master telling people what they needed to do. On an impulse he walked up to the dock master and asked how he might sign up to be a sailor.
The dock master took one look at him and asked, “What’s her name son?”
“Sarah,” he replied despondently.
“This ship here, the Maria of Boston, is ready to sail in a few days time. The captain’s that wiry fellow standing over there.”
William approached the captain and introduced himself and informed the captain he was a quick learner and had nothing to lose. After a few moments of conversation William had secured a spot on the ship.
They set sail the following day. Although the sun was bright, William felt nothing but gloom as he sailed away from his previous life.
William was true to his word. He learned quickly and was soon one of the top sailors on the ship. He worked as though each day was his last, giving every bit of energy he had to forget his past pain.
One night William awoke to the sound of canon blasts and the violent rocking of the ship beneath him.
He remembered that night so well. What surprised him to this day was the lack of fear that he felt. He remembered instead the feeling of relief; relief that he would no longer suffer.
He ran on deck to do what he could. However as he reached the top of the stairs he realized that it was too late and he was violently yanked upwards by two pairs of arms. He looked around and recognized the filthy rags before him as men who called themselves pirates.
William felt nothing. He watched listlessly as the captain of the pirate ship boarded the ship and approached the line of sailors. As the ships new captain reached the first sailor William wondered what would happen to them. The pirate captain slowly walked the line looking disdainfully from face to face of his captive shipmates. William turned to scratch his nose on his shoulder and when he again faced forward he was looking at the man who would decide his fate.
“What’s your name boy?” the new captain harshly demanded.
“William Smith,” he answered apathetically. He felt he knew his fate and felt a small rush of relief that he would no longer have to put up with life.
“Why do you not worry about what my crew may do to you?”
He was slightly taken aback by the pirate captain’s question. “I have nothing to lose. Do to me what you will,” he responded.
The older man threw back his head and let out a burst of laughter.
“I like you boy, I think I’ll let you live.”
William was escorted roughly to his new ship, The Ranger, captained by Charles Vane. William found that his new ship was incredibly similar to his old ship and that sailing was sailing. The crew was a bit more crude, but other than that, things went on the same as before.
Day in and day out William went about his business. Helping run the ship, an occasional pillage of a village or a ship, hard liquor and women whenever the men could get them. However, whenever he took pleasure in whatever woman would have him, or those he took by force, there was only one face that he saw in his mind’s eye. And there was only one question he howled to the moon in his drunken stupors.
“Sarah, WHY?”
Labels: writing
posted by Diana at 6:41 PM
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