Family Reunion (5 page)

"I promised no probing. I meant it, just let me take you and drop you off. I promise I won't be knocking on the door to speak to anyone…no questions asked."

Rory stood unsure. With all that he told him, he still could never let him find out the deepest, scariest truth of all, that his mother was in fact a Negro. There was no way to explain it, but for some reason, he rather liked this man acting concerned over him, talking to him as if he were really somebody worth his time, even after catching him in bed with his lady. However, the moment he knew the truth, that he was a mulatto, he knew his whole manner would change toward him. He would probably regret not kicking the hell out of him. He wasn't dumb to the prejudices that suddenly changed people. His secret could easily turn this man's smile into a sneer.

"Well Rory, come on… it'll be fine, you can trust me."

Reluctant as he was, he accepted the ride home.

"One of these days, I'm gonna own my own ship just like you. I
love the sea, and the ships - I tell'yah ain't nothing nicer."

"You think so, hm?"

"Why sure. I'll be a captain and all, and they'll answer to me, "Yes sir cap'n, 'right away cap'n." the way your crew talks to you."

"Yes, some do. Some just call me Manny, or Mr. Webster. Doesn't matter what they call me, just as long as when they do I hear respect, loyalty and sincerity in their tone and most of the time – I do. If you ever find yourself captain of a ship… make sure your crew looks up to you."

"Oh they will, you better believe they will… I'll see that they do. They'll call me Captain Sin-…" Rory bit his tongue and then looked away from Manny in the dimly lit carriage. Sinclair was not his name; he did not know what his name was.

"Captain – what?"

"Ohhh nothing, just talking nonsense." He said as the coach rocked riding along the uneven cobble stones en route to his home.

"Didn't sound like nonsense to me, many'ah captain insists upon being called by their names. Will you insist?"

"No … pay me no mind; people like me don't captain ships."

"What does that mean, people like you?"

"You said no questions asked." Rory reminded him gently, still staring out at the cold night.

"So I did. You must admit one can't help inquiring if they're left waiting for an ending."

Rory remained quiet. He felt he had already talked too much as it was. Going on and on like some jibber mouth kid.
'What's wrong with you - you idiot! Going on and on like that. Running your fool mouth, you keep it up you're gonna let something slip. Shet your trap till you get home.'
He silently scolded himself.

Manny waited, but it was obvious the boy would say no more.
'You've closed up on me but why? How do I get through to you? How do I help you?'

An idea suddenly came to him.

"I see you've gone quiet on me, that's a shame, I was starting to believe you might have what I've been looking for…maybe not." Manny dangled the carrot. Rory turned from the window waiting for him to say more but now Manny was quiet.

"Well, aren't you gonna finish? What you been looking for?"

Manny bit the inside of his lip so as not to smile. "Oh nothing, there was a position to fill on my ship, you wouldn't be interested in that. However, it could lead to all the necessary steps of learning about ships, how they're operated… you would have been able to see how I command mine.”

“
I don't know, maybe learn things here and there… so that maybe, in time… you'd earn a bit of money-…"

"Money?! Earn money… you mean my own money?"

"Well yes, if you were interested that is… but I'm certain you'd never be interested in working on a ship with me, learning-…"

"What would I be doing?"

"Ah, don't you worry about it – you wouldn't want this job."

"Well if you told me what it is, I might consider it." Rory sat straighter with his eyes wide, showing definite interest.

"Nah, I know you wouldn't like it, you'd have to follow orders…do what I say, when I say it. You'd also have to accept direction from one or more of my crewmen; someone like you wouldn't do well in that kind of position."

"I can take orders. I would listen to you mister, really I would. Long as it's a real job, on one of your ships getting paid… I wouldn't mind at all."

"Maybe, but you'd have to stay out of trouble."

"I don't mean to be getting into no trouble. It's ol'man Hamilton! He don't like me, he chases me from the docks the minute he lays eyes on me, sometimes I ain't even done nothing! Callin' me all them names like I was so bad. 'Rory the tramp' – 'Hurricane Rory' – 'Rapscallion Rory', every time they see me!" He complained.

Manny grinned, well informed of the names, having heard a few of his crew members taunting him. At the times that it happened, he had been too busy to pay them or the kid any attention.

"Yes so I've heard. That's because the wharf is no place for a kid to be hanging around without proper reason. The men are loaded with a lot of dangerous work, the last thing they need is someone hanging about and playing, endangering their lives and their cargo. Nevertheless, if you were…let's say, working for me that would be different."

"Oh mister! Please, let me work for you. I'll do anything, as long as I can do it on a ship at the docks, oh please…I won't get into no more trouble, honest I won't."

"The position is for a cabin boy. You'd have to clean my cabin, keep it orderly and neat, as well other duties, like running errands for me, delivering messages – whatever I ask."

"I can do that mister…no problem, long as nobody's hollering at me."

"I can't promise you, you'll never be hollered at, it all depends on how you do your job.”

“
All I can promise is this, there will be no ill treatment of you, no teasing, poking fun or the like. The respect you'll get is for the respect you give and earn, for the most part, it all depends on you."

"Well I ain't lazy that's for sure."

"Glad to hear it, I've no positions for the lazy."

"No sir I’m not, I'll work real hard if I have to and if I got this job, I'd work harder than I ever have. I got a strong back, and I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty."

Manny grinned. "Sounds to me you're just the one for the job." Manny informed him, although in truth there was no need whatsoever for a cabin boy on the Princess.

"So I get the job?"

"Yes, you get the job."

Rory's heart leapt in joy as he threw himself back in the seat happily, "You won't regret this mister, you'll see. I'll work really hard for you, I swear I will."

"We will see. Let me warn you right now, no trouble and no friends at the waterfront with you. When you show up, it's all work and no play – do I make myself clear?"

"Yes – sir – Captain!" Rory grinned. "How much is my pay?"

It was Manny's turn to grin. He stared a moment tempted to shake his head in wonder, sure that he must be crazy, the boy was a male spitting image of his mother, so close in fact that he should be her son, only difference being, that he was darker. Again, he dismissed the idea, not willing to let it overcome his thoughts.

"Well, how much?"

"How's a dollar a week starting off? You do well, I will increase it in time."

"Yes - sir! That's fine sir! I'm going to be the best cabin boy you've ever known."

"Now, as part of the job, here's a few things I expect from you. You must attend school everyday, because your education is vital. You are to head straight home, informing your mother of your employment and whereabouts, and then see to all that she requires from you. I expect you there at the top of five, no later– at least not without a good excuse.”

“
Your day will end at nine and I will see you home. This schedule runs Monday thru Friday. Saturday and Sunday, your day with me will begin at noon and end at seven. Should you prove yourself to be dependable, trustworthy and competent – I will see about making arrangements for you to go abroad with me, is that all clear?"

"Just one dollar
, for all of that?"

"Idle hands are your enemy; working for me will change that."

Manny finished as Rory resigned himself to the idea of fulfilling all that he expected. Watching the possibilities of chores course through Rory's mind brought a satisfied smile to Manny's face as the coach turned onto the long drive of the Sinclair Estate.

"Now, before I leave you, is there anything you wish to know?"

"No. I better leave well enough alone." He answered as they stopped before the grand home. A bit nervous, Rory looked out of the coach to the front windows of the mansion. He saw the tall window draperies move aside and the light shining behind his mother. His heart set off a pounding as Manny looked forward to peer out as well. By the time the window came into view, all he saw were the draperies falling back into place.

"It appears someone is looking for you, your mother perhaps?!" Manny asked as he sat back in the coach. Panicking that she might come out, Rory quickly threw the door to the coach open and leapt out, surprising Manny.

"Hey, what's the hurry?"

"I have to go! See you tomorrow mister!"

"Hey wait a moment. Do me a favor will you?" Manny asked, noticing the boy's sudden impatience to flee his presence. Rory stopped and turned, "I gotta go in mister."

"Just a moment." Manny stalled him. "Look, do me a favor will you, be a little nicer toward your mother. Give her a chance regardless of whether you feel she deserves it or not. As you told me, things aren't always what they seem. Sometimes things happen to adults that they have no control over. You may have no idea of what she is going through."

Rory was looking from Manny to the front door, and back again waiting for him to get done, afraid the door would open any second.

"Yeah sure mister…bye!" Like a shot, he took off from the coach. Manny sat back exhaling and shaking his head as the front door opened to Rory.

Manny tapped on the roof of the coach spurring it on its way.

Lena closed the door in relief now that Rory was home. She was curious about who that could possibly be bringing him home at that hour.

Appreciative that someone had, she figured it must be one of his schoolmates parents dropping him off.

"Was that a friend who brought you home?" She asked.

Chapter Two

"Why are you down here…looking for me?" He asked harshly, still panicked that Manny could have seen her, and might have wanted to talk to her, which could lead to one thing then another.

"I was worried about you Rory."

"Why? I can take care of myself; I don't need you worrying about me." He returned, walking to the stairs and mounting them, heading to his room. Lena sighed and picking up the length of her dressing gown, she followed him to the stairs. "I kept a plate warm for you; I thought you might be hungry. You didn't come home from school and you weren't there when I came to get you."

"I wish you would stop doing that! I don't need you picking me up from school. Besides, I'm tired, I just want to go to my room." He informed her on the way up the stairs with her following close behind him. Lena paused as suddenly the scent of him hit her, making her grab the stair banister stunned, her heart began fluttering in her chest. She knew that aroma, so familiar to her senses that she felt a chill race over her.
'Oh my God.'
She looked up to the top of the stairs where her son turned out of sight.
'Manny…he smells like Manny.'
Swallowing deeply, she shook off the feelings the scent evoked, knowing that anyone could also use the same cologne. Speeding up, she rushed to catch up with Rory as he was about to shut his bedroom door.

She prayed for something to say to him that
would make things better with them, trying to bridge the gap that existed between them was strenuous work.

"Wait, don't rush off to bed, I thought-…" She stopped, a catch in her throat made her pause as she swallowed back emotion, the scent was so strong in her head it was making her crazy, she felt weak as her heart wouldn't stop it's pounding. "…-I just thought we could talk…maybe…"