Stowaway. Chapter: One

“Brittany” Mary Ann Piper greeted me at the door as always. With a big smile she threw her arms around me. “So good to see you,” She extended her hand to my dad. “Mr. Weeks, always a pleasure.” I never quite understood while after all these’s years they still shook hands. They have known each other for thirteen years, yet they never acted like such. Mary Ann stood aside, allowing me and my dad to come in.

         I had always liked Mary Ann’s home. It was so much smaller then my own, and so much homier. It was also quite cramped but I enjoyed the chaos of this family. Six kids lived here, and I loved each and every one like they were my own siblings. “The kids are out back sweetie. Their dad has decided to go off and show them all how to protect themselves.” She gestured the table, and my dad sat down. “Honestly, I don’t want them children to go off and fight at school.” She sat a cup of tea down on the table, and then took a seat herself.

         I lingered behind my dad’s chair, and peered out the open back door. In the back I could see Mr. Piper holding his hands up as his four sons took turns throwing badly aimed punches. My dad sipped his tea, and then cleared his voice. “Once again Mary Ann, I appreciate you letting my Brittany stay here while I’m out. I sail with peace knowing that she is safely of your home.”

         Mary Ann smiled. “Oh, it’s always a pleasure having her over Author, you know that.” She leaned in to talk to him more closely “She is a dear with the children, you know. She will make such a good parent when the time comes.” My dad agreed and I decided to tune out of the conversation. I always hated when anyone went off on their whole ‘she’s twenty now, when will she be marrying.’ Too soon, I thought. Dad had went off and promised me to some guy who worked for him, a Mr. Robert Swain. I did not want to marry some merchant that worked for my father and was looking for a get rich quick deal.

         I made my way to the back door to get a better look at the kids playing. The moment they saw me Lilly and Candice, the Pipers twin girls, screamed and ran up to me. I did adore these children. “Brittany.” Mr. Piper looked up with his usually big smile, “so glad that you could come join us.” By now he was sweaty and breathing hard. He had obviously been working harder then his sons had. They still had the energy to run up to me and give me a hug.

         “Brittany…” My dad called from behind me. I turned around just as he wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. “You’re best behavior.” He kissed me lightly on my forehead and smiled wearily at me. He was getting old, I had to admit that. It was partly due to the harsh travels at sea that had aged him far beyond his time. He was early in his forties but easily mistaken for a man in his sixties. His once clean face was now a tangle of white beard and wrinkles. He ran his hand though my hair “I shall miss you daughter.” He whispered, leaving me with one more kiss on the forehead. He turned back to Mary Ann offering his hand “Once again, I thank you” And with that, he was out the door.

         Every few months dad found is necessary to join his ship on a run. He was a merchant and sold goods from port to port. Carrying the usual supply of wood from the nearby forests he made good pay. Every once and a while he would get offered extra if he delivered some other dried goods.  My dad was the lead of the merchants in this town, he had thirty good and honest men working under him. I never understood the reason why he felt he had to go. I wished so hard at times that he would stay home.

         On his trips, usually lasting two months, I would stay over at the Pipers house. They were good friends of ours that lived just a few houses down. My dad was nice enough to help them pay for food and other necessary expenses in exchange that I had somewhere to go. They had offer plenty of times to open the door for me at no cost, but dad was not the kind to take without giving. I sat myself down at the table next to Mary Ann and we watched the kids play out in the back.

         I had begged often for my dad to let me go with him. Asked and pleaded to sail on his ship with him, and go to a port far away. I had dreamed of being on the sea. The smell of the salt water, the sound of the crashing waves. No, dad would not allow it. As many times as he has said bye, he has also said no. “The sea is no place for a young lady such as yourself” he would always say. My place was to remain here, on shore, where I could marry to a fine man and start a family. I wanted nothing of the such. I wanted to be off on the sea like my dad, nothing more and nothing less.

          Mary Ann turned to me, “I heard about Mr. Robert Swain, you must be excited.” She said with a smile. I loved Mary Ann’s smile, a mother’s smile. But I dreaded the conversation. Mr. Robert Swain, my fiancé, my soon to be husband. He had come to my dad only months before, asking for my hand in marriage. If it was up to me I would have declined, but my dad did not. He was so happy that I would soon be marrying off, and to such a fine man.

Robert had worked under my dad since he was only a small boy. His whole family had been working under my dad for many a years. They were poorer then the Pipers here were, and all a bunch of no good trouble-makers. How could my dad want that for me? Sure, he seemed like such a well rounded man, but his respect was low. “The wedding is set for when dad’s ship pulls back into harbor.” I answered her, trying not to let my disappointment show through. I forced a smile as Mary Ann started in on how happy I would be.

I helped Mary Ann finish dinner and call the kids inside. We all sat around the table for a meal of corn mash. Tonight, Candice said grace. I was so proud at how quickly she was accelerating in her learning’s, so smart for a five year old. “Amen. Brittany,” I sat my fork down and looked up at Mr. Piper. Was I not supposed to start eating after grace? Were they trying a new tradition? “No no…” he said laughing, “go ahead and eat.” Thankful I had no made a fool of myself, I took a bite. Mary Ann made some of the best food this side of town. “A little bird told me you were to get married to Robert Swain. Is that true?” His voice was stern, almost angry. I nodded.

I heard him sigh and looked up alarmed. “That man…” he said quietly. I heard Mary Ann hush him, but he continued. “He is trouble. I’ve seen him and his brother down at the docks some nights. So much rum they can’t walk, and they fall all over themselves. He has no respect for anyone of anything in this town. Not even for your dad who has given him a job most everyone wants in this town.” He threw his elbows on the table and leaned in. “Don’t marry him Brittany. That man can’t be good for you, nor your father. He’s likely to run your dads reputation into the ground. I say this as a concerned friend.”

         Mary Ann had it. She spoke up louder then him. “Just cause those Swain boys are known to cause trouble don’t mean he’s not a good man.” She turned to me. “Ignore him dear. Robert shall do you fine.”

         “No, Mary Ann.” Mr. Piper cut in, “he shall not do her fine. He causes to much trouble in this town I don’t think Brittany should be marrying to a guy like him. Brittany deserves a man with a lot more class and respect then him.” Mary Ann gave him a glare that could kill but said nothing.

I looked down at my meal, pushing it around the plate with a fork. I’ve heard the storys about the pranks and games Robert and his brother had pulled. Did dad know about this? I lost my appetite and pushed myself up. “May I be excused, I need some fresh air.” Mary Ann nodded and told me to take my time. As I made my way outside I saw her give Mr. Piper another look.

It was nice outside, a light breeze brought the cool from the sea up the hill. I sat down on the Pipers front steps, folding my skirt under me. I breathed in the light smell of salt and closed my eyes. I felt Tanner, the Pipers oldest son sit down beside me. Tanner was five years younger then me, and almost as tall. We sat there for moments, letting the silence pass by. I looked over at him, nudging him lightly. I knew he was thinking something, something that he wanted to say. “What is it boy?” I asked curiously.

“I agree with my dad.” He said looking over at me. His usually laughing and joking face was replaced by a serious one. “Don’t marry that Robert.”

         I laughed lightly, “Oh, if only it was that easy Tanner.” I saw him shake his head and look at the ground. He muttered something I knew he didn’t want me to hear. After a few more minutes of silence passed I stood up, brushing myself off. Tanner stood up after me and followed me inside.

Mr. Piper was throwing some logs onto the fire, and Mary Ann was brushing Candice’s hair. I walked over next to her, picking Lilly up and setting her down in a chair. I picked up a brush and started combing her hair. I prayed to god that Mary Ann wouldn’t bring up talk about Robert. She didn’t, instead she talked about the girls schooling. They were doing so well. Candice was ahead of where she should be, and Piper was right on track. Candice and Piper told me about the history lesson they were learning about in school this week.

Finally Mr. Piper settled down in the main room and called us all over. Every night Mr. Piper liked to read the kids all a story. Everyone would join in and we would read together, all taking turns. I sat down on the floor with Lilly in my lap as Tanner began to read. They only owned four books so by now they must have all the stories memorized. It didn’t matter, they still enjoyed the story like they had never heard it before.

The tanners let me sleep in Lilly and Candice’s room, and I didn’t mind. Granted it was small and I had to make due on the floor I still liked it. It made me feel so much more like family this way. Some nights I would close my eyes and it would seem as if the Pipers were my family. Then I would remember my dad, and feel guilty.

It wasn’t long before Lilly and Candice were fast asleep. As for me, I couldn’t sleep. I kept trying to figure out why my dad would allow me to marry a guy like Robert. Was it true, what Mr. Piper had told me about his father? The more I thought about it, the more I dreaded dads return. I decided a walk was in order.