"Hey didn't your mom ever teach you to look both ways before you cross a street?!"
Phil Harris stood with his mouth agape wondering just how close he actually came to being hit by the truck. From what he could figure it was probably inches. After a few seconds to get his breath back he yelled "Didn't your mother ever teach you which side of the street to drive on?!"
The voice yelled back "No!"
It wasn't the sort of response Phil was expecting and he couldn't help but chuckle.
Meanwhile the driver had exited the truck and was checking the gear that was piled high in the back. It was at this moment that Phil realized that a very petite woman had been the cause of his near death experience. She was scrambling over the back of the truck checking the netting and the tarp that covered the load. Just as she was finished the door of the truck popped open again and a tiny pink blob hopped onto the sidewalk.
"Mommy, where are the boats?"
"Just let me double check that nothing is going to fall out and we will be on our way to the boats"
"Ok", the pink blob replied then attempted to re-open the truck's door.
Phil had just managed to make his way over to the truck and chivalrously opened the door for what on closer inspection was a little girl. She scrambled back into the truck and into a booster seat set up in the backseat. Just as Phil was about to close the door the little girl yelled out something that was definitely not english.
"She said thank you" said the woman.
"In what language?" asked Phil.
"Japanese" replied the woman.
As Phil turned to face the woman, about to ask where a child learns Japanese in Dutch Harbor. The woman started speaking.
"I'm sorry I almost killed you, I'm still getting use to driving up here. I assume you are not grievously injured." Phil shook his head. "I'm Tess."
Shaking her hand he realized that she wasn't wearing gloves and her hands felt like blocks of ice.
"Well I suppose I should do something to make up for almost killing you, however I'm on a tight schedule to deliver this stuff to a boat. I'm sure I'll see you again, Dutch Harbor isn't that big, I'll make it up to you then." Tess jumped in the car shifted into gear and sped off towards the docks.
Phil felt like he needed to pinch himself. What was a woman like that doing in Dutch Harbor. He suppose he'd have to go straight to the source of all information in Dutch Harbor, the bartenders at the Elbow Room. Carefully looking both ways he walked across the street.
Ch.2
Tess pulled up in front of the boat, she grabbed her clip board and hopped out of the truck. Just as she was helping Stella out of her seat there was a call from the deck. "Tessie, you are late!"
"Sorry Matt, I was busy almost running over someone."
"That's ok, we just finished up stowing the last order of bait, so the crane is free to get the pallet off the back of your truck."
Tess smiled gratefully. The Northwestern was her last delivery of the day and knowing that she could unload the truck immediately meant she would be able to buy some new gloves on the way home. She'd dropped her pair into the drink on her first delivery of the day. As she started to untie the tarp and netting from the pallet she reminded her daughter to stay away from the edge of the dock. Matt hopped up onto the railing and offered the little girl a hand to get her onto the deck.
"Stella, I want to show you something, it's in the galley." Before the little girl took Matt's hand she looked up waiting for the ok. With a brief nod from Tess, the little girl grabbed Matt's hand and pulled him towards the house.
Tess sighed. She hoped whatever the special treat was didn't require her to take it home. Matt had hinted that Stella had said she wanted a puppy. Tess had no real place to put a puppy or the desire to take care of one. She and Stella were still adjusting to life in Dutch. The hard work was a good way to keep her mind off everything. This was the busy season for Dutch, the weeks leading up to the start of Red Crab season. Getting this job was a godsend, it got her away from everything and everyone she wasn't ready to deal with. She knew she couldn't escape forever, but for now running was really the only option she was willing to deal with.
Edgar and Norman emerged from the door, they were all smiles when they saw that the back of the truck was uncovered and ready for unloading. Tess watched with admiration as the brothers moved to do their respective tasks. Norman on the crane controls and Edgar jumping into the back of the truck to sling the pallet for the crane. The whole process took just minutes. Edgar offered his hand so Tess could hop onto the deck. She hesitated trying to remember which foot to step on the boat with first, she decided she'd just jump and landed with both feet firmly on the deck. Edgar let out a chuckle as the captains voice came over the hailer "You are going to break your neck jumping like that." Tess just smiled and headed toward the pallet. The rest of the guys appeared on deck and formed a passing line from the pallet of goods into the galley. Stella appeared next to Matt just inside the door then disappeared back into the galley. Edgar grabbed the first box yelling "Creamer" then passing it to Nick, who tossed it to Jake, who tossed it to Norman who tossed it to Matt who placed it inside. As each item was announced Tess placed a check mark on her list. She was incredibly thorough, once the boats left port it wasn't as if they could just make a quick run to the store for something they forgot.
Once the pallet was unloaded and tossed back up onto the dock the group headed into the galley. Tess asked if they had everything they needed or wanted for the trip. She knew she would still deliver the fresh items a few days before they planned to leave port, so if the crew decided they needed last minute items she could still pick them up. Even if they realized they forgot something once they were out at sea she would be able to put together the supplement order and have it ready for them when they docked for an unload. Matt took out a battered notebook and read off the fresh ingredients he wanted to get and the quantities. Tess double checked that she had everything correct in her book. Once finished with the ordering Stella proudly asked her mom if she noticed anything different about the galley. As Tess looked around she noticed that the crew had framed a picture that Stella had drawn. Stella was bursting with pride. Tess remembered the day that Stella had started to draw the picture.
It had been a bitterly cold evening and they were both sitting in front of the space heater drinking hot cocoa and coloring. Stella had been working furiously on a picture and refused to let her see until it was finished. It had taken the little girl over a week to get the picture just perfect. Tess had asked if Stella wanted to put it on the fridge. The reply surprised her.
"I'm going to give it as a present to the boat."
The next day Tess and Stella walked down the dock to the Northwestern, after receiving permission to come aboard the crew was presented with the picture. Stella had only been on one delivery to the Northwestern at that point and she'd never been allowed on the deck of the boat. Stella was pleased by the crews reaction and as they were walking back toward their house she asked her mom if her picture would keep the boat safe from harm. Tess looked down into her daughters upturned face and said she hoped so.
Back in the Northwestern galley Tess looked at the beautiful frame the picture was displayed in and how it seemed to be attached to the wall with an inordinate amount of brackets. Sig sensing her confusion explained that they didn't want the picture to fall off the wall, so they put a few extra brackets on it. Glancing at her watch she realized she'd missed her opportunity for glove shopping and that it was time to head home to start dinner. As Tess reconfirmed the next delivery date, Stella gave each crew member a big squeeze and a small peck on the cheek telling each to "be careful out there". It had become her signature phrase and each man looked into Stella's eyes and promised to be extra careful.
Ch.3
After dinner was eaten and the dishes were cleaned Tess decided that she should probably email Frank at the supplier to say the crew was pleased with the delivery and to confirm the next order for the Northwestern. As she brought up the homepage on her laptop she noticed the signal bars were grey instead of black. No signal. Damn. She looked down to the carpet where Stella was stringing beads to make a necklace then glanced outside. With a sigh, she gathered up the coats and beckoned Stella to put on her coat, boots, and gloves. She needed to get this email out tonight to make sure the order was confirmed first thing in the morning which meant she and Stella were heading to the Elbow Room. Tess and Stella entered by the back door nearest the bar. Stella stood half in and half out the door unsure where she should be standing. Meghan one of the bartenders smiled and walked over.
"Close the door Stella your letting the warm air out."
"Sorry Meg" replied Stella.
"I'm sorry to come while your busy but my internet is out and I need to send an email." Tess explained. Meg smiled offering Tess the seat at the end of the bar and bringing Stella behind the bar and setting her up on a stool across from her mom.
Stella immediately asked Meg if she could help her. Meg smiled and moved Stella further down the bar so she was sitting directly in front of the garnishes. This was Stella's favorite job, she could skewer a cherry and drop it into glass or squeeze a lime into a bottle of Corona as fast as any bartender. She even made tips.
"Whoa, looks like Meg hired a new bartender" exclaimed the man sitting right in front of Stella.
Without missing a beat Stella asked "What'll it be?" and the entire bar erupted into applause and laughter.
Tess was just finishing up her email when a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Hey, thanks for the cookies." It was Edgar. "We didn't find them until after you left, they were delicious. It's really nice for you to include them in the order. Did you and Stella make them from scratch?"
Tess smiled and nodded. Closing the rest of the programs on the computer the background picture suddenly came into view. The picture was Stella, Tess and a man in front of the Tokyo Tower.
"Didn't Godzilla knock that down in his movies?" asked Edgar.
"He sure did" said Tess while closing the laptop. "Stella, I'm all done".
"Don't go yet, at least let me buy you a drink. And you haven't met all the other captains. This way my lady" said Edgar with a mock bow.
Tess allowed Edgar to lead her to the table after she'd placed her laptop safely behind the bar. Once at the table introductions were made.
"This is Keith and Monte, they are on the Wizard, these are their deckhands Crosby and Lynn. This is Larry Hendricks, he's on the Sea Star."
Larry interrupted Edgar by saying her knew all about Tess, that she came highly recommended by Frank. Suddenly everyone was talking at once. Frank had done Tess' job for years but he'd finally gotten promoted to the corporate offices in Seattle. Frank had needed someone to take over for him and had chosen Tess. She hadn't realized that he had personally met with each boat to assure them that she was just the person for the job. She was embarrassed by all the praise and she felt her face heating.
"She's not that great, she nearly ran me over this afternoon." called a voice from behind her. Tess was pretty sure she couldn't blush any harder than she was at this exact moment. Taking a deep breath she replied "Since I seem to have found you again I suppose I should buy you a drink to make up for almost killing you."
"I'm Phil, you were in such a rush earlier I didn't get to introduce myself." Phil smiled at the rest of the table before turning his attention back to Tess.
Tess smiled, linked her arm through Phil's and steered him towards the bar, "Why don't we go to the bar and my daughter can make you a drink".
"How many daughters do you have?" Phil asked.
"Just one" Tess replied as they reached the bar. Phil was struck by how cute the little girl looked as she dropped garnishes into the glasses. Then as if realizing that a customer was waiting Stella raised her head and said "What'll it be?"
Phil laughed and ordered a whiskey sour. As Meg made Phil's drink. Stella asked "And for you ma'am, I mean mom." Tess replied, "I'll have a Shirley Temple with extra cherries." Stella's face broke out into a huge grin and she began to stab the cherries onto the tiny cocktail sword with gusto.
As Meg set Phil's drink down on the bar Tess asked if she was getting tired of her assistant. Meg shook her head and pointed behind her to the overflowing tip jar. "Everyone tips a little more when she's back here. I'm thinking of offering her a permanent position."
As Tess and Phil made their way back to the table Phil realized that he'd met the little girl twice and didn't know her name.
Tess answered his unspoken question. "Her name is Stella and she is 5 years old."
"She's something for a five year old", Phil said with a smile.
Tess glanced back at the bar and watched Stella twist a lemon rind into a martini glass and slide it to the patron that ordered it. "She is 5 going on 25. She's changed so much in the time we've been here."
"How long have you been here" asked Phil.
"About 2 months." answered Tess.
They'd reached the table and everyone shifted down so they could sit. Tess made sure she could keep an eye on Stella from her spot at the table. Nick noticing her eye line asked if she wanted to switch seats. Tess shook her head. Just then a commotion drew the tables attention to the front door. Two men entered, with a great deal of pushing and shoving. They both headed to the bar, straight toward Stella. Tess tensed, she didn't want those two idiots to do anything to scare Stella. Phil leaned over and said, "don't worry about Stella, Ding and Dong won't do anything to her." Tess raised an eyebrow silently asking Phil how he could know such a thing. In response Phil said "Those two idiots are my sons, they work on the boat with me." Tess shook her head slightly and watched as Phil's sons approached Stella.
A burst of laughter from the bar told Tess that Stella had said her "what'll you have line". The two boys looked as if they had been frozen, neither moved they just stared at her. Then they looked around as if to ask who she belonged to. Tess could see Stella waiting for their response. Finally they ordered something that got garnished with a lime. Drinks in hand they headed for the table.
"Have you guys seen the new mini me bartender?"
"What kind of idiotic mother would let her kid work in a bar like this?"
The whole table grew silent.
"That would be me, I'm Tess." Now if you'll excuse me I need to get the mini bartender home." With that Tess nudged Phil out of the way and walked towards the bar. Stella seeing her mom coming towards her looking upset immediately hoped off the stool and said goodbye to Meg. Stella was in her coat and boots by the time Tess had reached the end of the bar. She grabbed her coat and headed out the door with Stella in tow. In her rush she'd forgotten the reason she'd had to come to the bar, the laptop.
Meanwhile back at the table Jake and Josh were desperately trying to talk themselves out of a very bad situation. Edgar had been the first out of seat, in their faces telling them what assholes they were.
"Don't you two ever think before you talk?" asked Phil. "What am I saying, I know you don't." He stood abruptly and headed towards the bar. Once there he asked Meg for Tess' number. As Meg turned around to get a piece of paper she noticed the laptop, knowing that Tess would need it first thing in the morning she decided she'd get Phil to deliver it to her.
"Phil, I'll do you one better than a phone number. Can you please take this laptop up to her? She'll need it for the deliveries in the morning." Phil took the computer and the slip of paper containing Tess' address and headed to get his coat from the table. He set the computer down and shrugged on his coat.
"Dad, we are really sorry about what we said" started Josh "hey what's this?", he said picking up the notebook "this thing is sweet."
"Put it down Josh. I'm going to return it to Tess." barked Phil. Josh gently placed the computer down on the table. Phil finished zipping his coat, re-read the directions and headed out of the Elbow Room.
The trip up to Tess' house was short. She lived just off the docks in what Phil recognized as Frank's old place. Phil knocked on the door and waited. No one answered. He looked around for a doorbell, found it and rang it. He then heard the distinct sounds of footsteps approaching the door. He heard the bolt being unlocked and then the door swung open.
Ch. 4
Standing in the doorway Tess looked like an angel. She was backlit from the room behind her and was wearing a tank top and some very low slung pajama pants. The pants were sheer and Phil could see the outlines of her legs.
"You forgot your computer." was the first thing out of Phil's mouth. Followed quickly by "can I come inside, you must be freezing to death in that get up."
Tess stepped aside so Phil could enter. She took his coat and the laptop, beckoning him to follow her further into the house. He followed splitting his time staring at her and looking around the hallway. The house was clean and neat and smelled like cookies. She took a seat in one of the recliners and gestured that Phil should do the same. As soon as he sat down he let out a sigh of contentment. It was the most comfortable chair he'd had ever sat in.
"This chair is great!" exclaimed Phil.
"Thanks" said Tess, " you should be warned it does cause drowsiness."
Phil chuckled and took a moment to look around the room. There was a good size tv and a few bookshelves stuffed with books and dvds. There was a simple rug on the floor and a beautiful glass table that had beads strewn across it. The house looked cozy and lived in. Phil's casual perusal of the room was interrupted when Tess asked if he'd like some cocoa.
Phil was a little taken aback he hadn't been offered cocoa in a very long time. He said yes and watched as Tess stood and retrieved a cup from the kitchen. She poured a cup for him from a pot already on a small side table.
"Marshmallows?" asked Tess
"Huh?"
"Do you want marshmallows?"
"Sure"
Tess handed Phil the chocolate. He breathed in the heady aroma. It didn't smell like any hot cocoa he'd ever had. The first sip, burned his tongue slightly but the pain was worth it because the taste of the chocolate was delicious. Sweet, bitter, and decadent.
"This is delicious." exclaimed Phil "I've never had hot cocoa like this before."
"Thank you. It's hazelnut cocoa imported from holland. It's expensive but worth every penny."
Phil took a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry about what the boys said back at the bar. They didn't mean any harm. Not that I'm excusing what they said. I'm sorry."
"Thanks. She shouldn't have been there. Your son's were right, she doesn't belong in a bar, she's a child." Tess said sadly.
Phil didn't know what to say. He sipped on his hot cocoa and tried to think of a topic that would lighten the mood. As he glanced around the room looking for something to talk about. His eyes stop on a framed print of a japanese character sitting on the mantle. "What's that picture for?" he asks pointing towards the mantle.
"It's the Japanese character for strength." Tess replies.
"So your daughter speaks Japanese and you have Japanese character pictures sitting on your mantel. You must really like Japan." said Phil.
"I use to live there." Tess said this so quietly that Phil wasn't even sure he'd heard her correctly.
"Live there? What did you do? Were you born there? Where in Japan?" the questions flooded out of Phil's mouth.
Tess looked off into middle distance debating whether to tell this man the truth, a half truth or a lie. She sighed.
Just as Phil was about to apologize for asking so many questions Tess began to speak.
"I lived there with my husband and Stella. He was stationed there after he finished his residency program in San Diego. We lived on Okinawa, but traveled to a lot of Asia.
We were scheduled to stay for 3 years, but just after the second summer we were there Eric received word that he was going to deployed to Iraq. He was and he died there.
Phil sat in shock. A lot of people come to Alaska to escape things, relationships, the law, their families. Whatever he'd expected Tess to say this was not it. He stood up and went over to where Tess was sitting, he gathered her up into his arms and held her. She sat rigid for a moment then relaxed into his tender embrace. It had been years since someone had held her like this. She felt compelled to finish the story, the damn was broken now, she wanted the story to flow out of her like a rushing torrent.
"He was already deployed for 9 months when the accident happened. One of his corpsmen twisted his ankle so Eric took his place in their convoy rotation. He was out with a convoy, they'd been hit by enemy fire and a few of the men were wounded. The convoy was heading back to base when a storm came up. It was pouring rain and the transport had to cross a gully. It had been dry before but it was full of water as they crossed it. It was too deep and the water was rushing too fast it toppled the vehicle Eric was in. Everyone was wearing their flack jackets and kevlar, they were too heavy to escape and they drowned. He went to the desert to drown. His CO and XO came to my door the day after they heard and told me. After that I just sort of sat there. My friends came and took care of Stella and helped me pack up the house. We went home to California and had the funeral and his family was there and our friends from the military. After a few months it was all too much I had to get out of there. I didn't really know where to go. Stella and I traveled a lot, seeing the country and visiting friends. Finally I felt we needed to put down roots at first I picked Seattle because we'd gone on vacation there once. When I applied for a job in the paper and got this one I decided that Dutch Harbor was just what I needed. Hard work and no time to live in the past."
Tess stood, collected the cocoa cups and pot and walked into the kitchen. Phil followed her in and started to wash the cups and place them in the drainer. Tess dried them and put them away as if she was on automatic pilot.
Tess finally lifted her eyes off the floor and looked at Phil. "Thank you for listening to me, I haven't told that story to anyone." With that she gave him a big hug. Inhaling his scent and enjoying the warmth that can only come from another person.
Tess walked Phil to the door and said her goodnights. Phil worried about leaving Tess on her own and said as much. She assured him she would be fine and would stop by the Cornelia Marie in the morning just to show him she had survived the night.
As Phil walked away from the small house towards the Elbow Room, his head full of the information he'd been given. He decided that he would have to keep an eye on Tess and Stella. With a huge sigh he entered the bar.