Chapter 2. A Certain Way With Words

A soft breeze came through the window followed by the first rays of the morning sunlight. Annie awoke from her bed to the sounds of another busy day around town.

She had grown tired of it. For the last eighteen months she had been stuck in this town while John was trying to get Bellemy out of prison. It seemed that he tried about everything to help him before he was hung the previous day. She knew how hard it was for him to lose Bellemy. She thought back to when she first met Bellemy. He and John looked out for her when she first ran away from home. They took her in, showed her how to fend for herself. She would miss him as much a John did.

Annie got up and walked over to her dirty old cabinets to get out a pot to brew some tea. As the water boiled in a small cauldron that she had found lying around, she looked out her window. There she saw a small boy walking down the trail that lead towards her house. It was Elliot, Bellemy's young son. Annie hurried towards the door, opening it just as Elliot arrived. "How's the Mornin' treating ya, love?" Annie asked. She was concerned at how the death of his father had impacted him. Elliot walked through the door and slumped down at her table. His long hair was a mess and dirty from the looks of poor hygiene.

 Elliot looked towards the boiling pot and said in a timid voice. "I'm hungry."

Elliot, had been staying with Annie ever since Bellemy's arrest. She had been caring for him as if he was her own son. Annie started to busy herself with pouring him some tea and looking around the place for a bit of food. "I didn't hear you get up this morning. Is everything alright?"  Annie took a look over her shoulder.

Elliot remained silent as he started fidgeting with the bracelet his father had given him. 

Annie sat down with him at the table, placing breakfast down before him. "We're heading back to Porica later this mornin'."  Stated Annie. " John figured it's time to see what there is to see." Annie winked at Elliot right before she took a bite out of some bread. Elliot looked up from his tea. He squinted his eyes and scratched at his shaggy hair. "Porica is where you and my father are from right?" asked Elliot. 

"That's right, dear," replied Annie. " We both grew up there although we didn't met until we were both a bit older."  Elliot took a few bites of bread and sat in silence for a bit, looking deep in thought. " I never been there, my father promised to take me once I got a bit older, but then he got arrested..." Elliot trailed off, lost in thought again. " Well now's your chance to see the place for yourself. Elliot's eyes lit up as he looked up at Annie. Annie smiled back and got up while still eating the bread she had in her hand. "Hurry up now and finishing eating, we have to meet everyone at the docks."

Annie and Elliot made their way down to the docks where John's ship was. Seagulls screeched above as they approached the docks. Men were busy loading supplies onto ships, unloading cargo. There was plenty of shouting, profanity and tobacco smoke in the air.  Annie paused and smiled, taking a deep breath to take it all in. She was back in her element. 

"How ya doing there Percy? Mind yer pipes there Wesley, save the singing for the partridges why don't you? Hey Jonesy, careful you don't trip over those slimy bootstraps again. Wouldn't want to make me send flowers to yer mum now would you?" Annie greeted the crew all while Elliot stuck close and chuckled at the sneer remarks the men retaliated with. 

Annie and Elliot boarded the ship and made their way to the captain quarters. John was studying a map while smoking tobacco out of a pipe. He looked up as they both approached him. " Ah, Annie and... Elliot?" John looked a bit puzzled at the sight of Elliot being there. " Annie pulled Elliot in front of her and placed her hands on his shoulders. "I figured this lad should come along and see the wonderful place that we call Porica" John eyes was fixated on Elliot as he sat back in his chair, smoke billowing from his nostrils. 

John remained silent for a few moments before he shouted out the door for Marco to come join them in the the room. Marco came running as fast as a heavy set man could run, nearly tripping over some rope that was laying by the doorway. "Yes sir." Marco said as he regained his balance. " John moved his attention away from Elliot and towards Marco. "Marco, it seems as if we have a potential new young sailor before us." Marco turn and look towards Elliot. "Bellemy's Boy?" he silently mouthed to John, looking confused. John smiled and nodded. Marco took a few steps and placed himself right beside of John. "You know he looks a bit too scrawny." Stated Marco. John continued to smile "I believe he's got greatness to grow into." Marco shot a look at John. "But he's downright puny!" exclaimed Marco.  "Careful who you're calling puny there, Marco." Warned Annie. " I'm sorry lass but, look at him, there's hardly any meat on his bones. To be a sailor you have to be tough, strong and withstand torrential winds and rains that birth maelstroms and waves taller than the eye can see. Real men stuff." Annie glared at Marco for that last remark. Marco put up his hands as if he was going to defend the inevitable blows that was going to come from Annie. "Well you know what I mean there lass." Marco said while chuckling. He turned his attention back towards Elliot. "Aye you have some mighty big boots you have to fill in order to take you fathers place. But maybe you won't get eaten by sharks". 

" Good!" John said nodding approvingly. "I want you to to keep an eye on him then." A shocked look came across Marco's face. "Me?" He asked. Annie stepped up to face Marco. "Yes you, ya chubby old man. And make sure no harm comes to him. He's precious cargo!" Marco shook his head and patted Elliot onto the back. " Come on now, lad. Guess I'll introduce you to the rest of the crew." Before Marco and Elliot left, Annie punched Marco hard into the arm making him squeal out of pain. "I'll show ya real man stuff." Jeered Annie. Marco clutched his arm and winched in pain. " Lesson one lad, don't anger Annie."

Night had fallen and the crew was well on it's way towards Porica. The ship was dimly lit by lanterns and the crew, who had finished their work for the day were hanging around, drinking rum and drunkenly singing songs. Annie emerged from her room which was originally the map room that she had commandeered just for herself. She liked the spacious room that contained various knickknacks and a large window that gave a grand view of the sea.

 As Annie came from below the deck she glanced up at the radiant moon that hung high in front of a back drop of a thousand stars. Out near the bow sat Elliot with Marco and a few other men. Marco was waving his arms around, telling one of his elaborate stories no doubt. Annie walked over to listen in on what Marco was saying. 

"And there he was lads, holding onto the ledge with one hand and clutching a bag of gun powder in the other. He shouted at me to help him pull him up. But I was busy fending for myself. Three men had me cornered me with their guns drawn, ready to fire. I knocked out one with my fist and squewered another with my blade. The other one fired a shot nearly missing me he did." Marco stuck out his belly and gave it a good rub to illustrate. Everyone laughed. "Then what happen Marco, what did my father do then? Elliot asked excitedly. Marco propped one leg up on a barrel that was on it's side and gave Elliot a smile. "He bested them lad. I ran over to look over the ledge just as a group of men pointed their guns right at him ready to fire. Your father turned the bag upside down spreading the gun powder in the air and into their eyes. They threw down their guns and started screaming. Clutching their eyes. They were crying like a bunch of ole wome-." Marco caught himself before finishing his sentence. His eyes glanced to Annie. "Like a bunch of what Marco?" Annie asked annoyed.

"Like a bunch of ole women" John said as he walked up to join the group. 

Annie's jaw dropped in shock. "They cried and whined like a bunch of ole women they did." Annie wasn't going to back down from Johns challenge. " Excuse me, not all women cry whenever they run into a problem." Annie watched as John walked over to Elliot and whispered something into his ear. "Well I admit that you may be the exception to that that rule but it's just the way things are." "You can't argue with the nature of things." 

Annie knew what John was trying to do. But this was a subject that he couldn't possibly win. She felt anger build up inside of her. "You ever see ya mum cry all those times you know you've let her down? Or perhaps you've witnessed the tears of all those women you've broken down with with empty promises and lies of a simple honest life you'd spend together. Well now, have you?" Johns eyes were wide in shock. It seemed as if he was struggling to find a clever retaliation. "No, I didn't think so!" Annie had begun to shout "You see these women are all much tougher than you all think. And a honest sad, disappointed and pained display of emotion is not a sign of weakness!" Annie look around at all of the men. None of them said a word. All of them knew the truth behind her words. Annie pointed towards John as she began to walk away. "Don't you forget John, I've seen you cry. Was your grief over Bellemy a sign of weakness? Who was a little ole woman then?" Annie stormed off.  as she walked away she overheard Marco chuckling and saying outload.  "You remember that first lesson I told you about, lad? It could save your life."

Annie had returned to her room after her exchange with John and the crew. 

She didn't feel like socializing much tonight and besides she thought that all of the men were being extra annoying. As she laid on her bed she became bored. She stared up at the ceiling and started to focus in on the rhythmic creaks the ship let out as it steadily rocked on the sea. Some time had passed before there was a knock on her door. 

"Go away." Annie yelled not interested in what anyone had to say.  "Annie, it's me and Marco." replied Elliot's voice. Annie took a deep sigh and got up from her bed and walked over to open up the door. She was greeted to both Marco and Elliot standing there with matching smiles on their faces. " Oh, I see what this is." Stated Annie " Ya both here to see if I'm in here crying like a wee, pathetic woman. Am I right?"  Marco took off his hat in as he and Elliot stepped inside. " No, no lass, you have the wrong idea about us." said Marco. "You see I sometimes I get a bit carried away when I tell those stories. And sometimes I say things that shouldn't be said in front of a lady." Annie walked over to look out the window not wanting to look at either one of them. "Ya call that an apology?" she said. Marco started to stumble over his words, trying to explain his reasoning. "Well, no lass, but you see... 

"Miss Annie." Elliot interrupted. "I asked Marco to tell me a story about my father. You know, about the places he's been, the things he has seen. Since he never really got the chance to bring me along or talked much about the things he did." Annie turned to face Elliot. His head was down and he was fidgeting with his bracelet his father gave him again. Annie walked over to Elliot, lifting his chin up so that he looked her in the eye. "Hey there, chin up." said Annie. "Your father was a great man who did many great things. As I am sure you will do as well." Elliot gave Annie a small smile before he dipped his head and ran his hand through his messy hair to hide his embarrassment. " Hey Elliot." Marco chimed. "Wasn't there something you wanted to ask Annie?" " Oh yes, I almost forgot!" Elliot said with wide eyes. "When we reach Porica, could you show me the places where you, my father and Captain John used to terrorize." Annie laughed. "I'm not sure if terrorize is the word for what we did back then. But yes my dear, I'll give you a proper tour of our purlieus of Porica.

"Purlieus?" said Marco confused. " I didn't know you spoke French." Annie rolled her eyes. "Bonne nuit monsieur Marco. Bonne nuit monsieur Elliot. Il se fait tard. Il est temps d'y aller maintenant." Annie said as she started to gently push both Marco and Elliot out the door. "A scot speaking French? When she learn to do that? Marco asked Elliot. "In Porica." Annie said as she gave them both a final push out of the door before closing it.  " Now then." Annie said out loud to herself. "It's time for bed." Annie walked over to the other side of the room where her bed was and sat on it for a few moments thinking about all the adventures she, Bellemy and John had years ago in Porica. Now in a better mood she blew out the lanterns that lit her room and rested in for the night.  Dreaming of her youth, tomorrow and what it may bring.