Stormy Seas: Part 14

 Eldon's situation had made me angry. We had not been friends for very long but I hurried toward the galley this morning feeling indignant for him.

“Eldon?” I called. All of the tables were empty but in the kitchen Jack was hard at work.

“In the boiler room,” Jack called over his shoulder. “Stir this will ya?”

I hurried in and caught the spoon he had been stirring with before it disappeared into the gooey depths of this morning's porridge. He ran off into the larder with a large bowl. When he reappeared he was stirring dough.

“There are bowls up there.” He pointed to the cabinet above my head. “They'll be in for breakfast soon.”

I nodded and took out a stack of bowls. The galley was silent except for the sound of the porridge slapping into the bowls. Jack stood with his back to me as he worked on the biscuits.

“It smells good,” I said politely. Someone had to say something.

“Same old food,” he grunted and shrugged.

When the door opened and the first few came in for breakfast I sighed with relief.

“Come 'an get 'em,” Jack said. He began moving the bowls to the other counter.

I looked over my shoulder, hoping that Eldon was there.

“Good morning!” Michael called cheerfully.

“Good morning,” I said. “Have you seen Eldon this morning?”

“He was with the engines Miss,” he said. “He'll eat after his shift.”

“Oh.” I could not hide my disappointment.

“If you want I'll sit with you,” he offered with a smile.

“Move outta' the way!” A rather large member of the crew commanded. Michael shuffled off with his food. “The lady'll sit with me.” He grinned lecherously.

“Well I suppose I have to sit with someone,” I said boldly. They would have to learn at some point that they could not fight over me. I grabbed a bowl and spoon for myself and came around to the table where Michael was sitting. I sat beside him and the large man sat on my other side. The rest of the table quickly filled.

“What shall we talk about?” I wondered aloud. “Father always talks about the latest debates in Parliament, or the revolts in China. I suppose it will raise the price of tea again won't it? That shall upset everyone in the Americas again.” They were all staring at me. “I wonder if they really will stop buying tea, they surely won't stop drinking it. Though I have heard that they've started making their own kind of tea somehow. I'm certain that it won't be as good as old fashioned tea.” I inhaled and took a bite. “Though,” I continued before any of them could speak. “I suppose not many of you drink much tea. I noticed a distinct lack of it on board, but then the CTC is based in the Americas and I suppose there isn't so much call for tea in the Americas, something about the revolution I gather. The war has been over for some time now though, so you might go back to it. Perhaps not though, with the prices so high.” I took another bite.

“I drink tea,” Michael tried to join in.

“With all the pirates in the atlantic the price of sugar has gone up as well hasn't it? Some people may take their tea without but most people would rather go without tea all together. Perhaps we should trade tea for sugar and then everyone would be content.” I started to take a bite and then stopped. “Then again, to really solve the problems I suppose we should stop the pirates and the revolts. The pirates would be the place to start since I assume it would be much harder to stop a revolt.”

“The Volitiers keep the pirates in line for the most part,” the big man said.

“Really? I haven't heard much about them except that they live in airships.” The conversation was getting away from me. “It must be terribly exciting.”

“They're no better than pirates themselves,” one of the men said.

“If they stop pirates then they must be better than pirates,” I said, regaining control.

They didn't seem to know what to say as I prattled on about that. I stopped when I saw Eldon listening in the galley doorway. He was covered in coal dust.

“Good morning!” I called to him.

“I should have guessed that you'd be alright,” he smiled.

“I had plenty of company watching out for me,” I said.

“Well I'm up to the crows nest,” the big man said as he stood and took his empty bowl. The others began to get up and leave as well. “Careful Eldon, that one'll talk both your ears off.”

Eldon laughed and picked up a bowl. “I'll risk it since I'm hungry.”

“It was good to get to talk to you Miss,” Michael said as he went out. One by one each of them stopped on his way out and called me Miss.

I set down my spoon and smiled to myself.

“Having fun?” Eldon asked as he sat down.

“Very much so. I think today is going to be a very good day.”