Chapter 2: First Day on the Job
The sun rose in the sky over Benbow Inn and sunlight poured inside the bedroom of Jim Hawkins, streaking the room with a golden haze. Linnea laid in the bed with her left hand dangling over the edge until light hit her delicate eyes. Linnea blinked several times and rolled over until she opened her sapphire orbs, rubbing the sleep from them as she sat up in bed, the lavender bed sheets losing grip from her bosom as she leaned forward in bed. As she looked around the room, she noticed this and quickly pulled them up with a blush on her face as she continued to look around Jim's room. But, minutes after waking up fully, she noticed Jim wasn't there and began to panic until a knock came at the door. "Come in!" Linnea called out as she faced the door, only to see Sarah entering.
"Ah, good morning, my dear. Sleep well last night?"
"Yes, ma'am." Sarah inspected the room before walking over to the window to open the curtains. As she did so, she noticed Linnea's scared facial expression and like any loving mother would, she soothed the girl, "You have nothing to fear, my dear. I'm Jim's mother, Sarah, and I own the inn."
"It's a real honor to be here and thank you for raising a savior. You and him saved my tail, literally!"
"No problem. So, has Jim treated you well?"
"Oh, yes. He's as good as gold, I should say."
"Good, good!"
"...Mrs. Hawkins?"
"Please just call me Sarah, but what is it, dear?"
"Where's Jim? He wasn't in the room when I woke up."
"He's cooking our breakfast, my dear, but he's all right."
"Another thing."
"What is it?"
"Will I have to leave if I can't pay?" Sarah laughed gently before embracing the girl, "Oh, no! Of course you won't leave, not when I could give you help here."
"I can work to pay off the debt, promise. I can cook basic meals and clean, or I could serve food. Or maybe-"
"Relax, dear! I shall find a job for you if you want it, but the doctor told us last night that you should stay in bed for at least a day or two before you move again. Are you sure you're able to walk or move?"
"Yes, ma'am. I am able and I can help."
"Well, I'll see what I can do," Sarah replied as she rose from the bed as she wrapped a sheet around Linnea and lead her down the hall, responding, "In the meantime, let's find you some clothes while you tell me your name. I'm afraid Jim hasn't told me yet."
"I'm Linnea."
"What a beautiful name, my dear!"
"Thank you."
"Also, tell me about why you came here. Jim only told me that you came to see the inn. Is this true?" Sarah started rummaging through an old closet as Linnea sat on the bed and replied, "Yes...I wanted to see it for myself, but I also wanted to get a job here. I'm an explorer, you know?"
"Really?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"That's not the only reason, correct?" Linnea looked doubtful and fearful, almost as if she were a child in trouble with their parents, as Sarah uttered that sentence, her mind going back to dark memories as Sarah saw the expression and asked, "What's wrong, Linnea? You can tell me."
"Oh, it's nothing." Linnea brushed it off, trying her best to smile but finding it difficult as Sarah wrapped an arm around the Siren, "Please tell me because I'm willing to listen if you're willing to tell it." Linnea grinned before beginning, "I came not only to see the inn but to get away from my home. It's really bad back there."
"Why? What happened?"
"Before I continue, I must know something."
"Anything."
"Jim told me his father was a sailor and adventurer, and yet I don't see such a man. Is your husband gone?"
"...Yes, he is. He's been gone since Jim was 7."
"I'm so sorry and I offer my condolences."
"It wasn't your fault, my dear...but to be honest with you, Jim's father isn't dead."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, it brings back such good memories."
"Do tell."
"I was young and beautiful then-"
"You still are!"
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"I met Jim's father, Leland, when I was young and we hit it off right away. I worked at a local restaurant and I served his father one night. Leland and his comrades, men, were visiting after their latest adventure. He told me that I was beautiful and after a few months of dating, we married and had Jim. Although Jim tried to please his father but was ignored, Leland really loved the boy very much but when Jim was 7, he decided that fatherhood wasn't for him, so he left and never came back. Honestly, I'd hit him over the head with a skillet and shout 'Get out, you blasted hellion' if he ever came back here again. It's not that I hate him, I really don't, but I wouldn't be comfortable with him trying to cozy back up here and act like nothing happened."
"I sympathize with you and I get it. You're not the only one with a screwed up life."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Can you keep a secret, Sarah?"
"Of course." Linnea sighed deeply before she told her tale, "When I was born, there were complications with the procedure and my mother passed away shortly after I came out. The doctors say it was a brain injury that killed her and not me but I don't believe that. I'M the reason she's dead."
"Oh, Linnea! No, don't go there!"
"Why? What if it's true? Father told me so before he left and never came back, same as Jim's dad."
"What happened?"
"Father blamed me for Mom's death, and he left after he had attacked me verbally. He never came back and I didn't blame him. I WAS A MURDERER AND I KILLED MY MOM!"
"No, Linnea! You did nothing wrong and your father's crazy if he blamed you for something you never did...If he did leave, then who raised you?"
"Ms. Merina...She was a middle-aged widow who lived next door to me and she raised me."
"Just curious, but how old are you?"
"17."
"Wow, same age as Jim. Sorry. Please continue."
"She raised me until marriage became part of my goal as a Siren. At age 16, Siren girls are expected to marry someone chosen by an older sibling, their parental guardians, or their parents. We have arranged marriages back home, but I want adventure and freedom, so I don't agree with the marriage tradition. I believe we should choose who we'll marry and find love in our time and place, however, my society didn't accept that answer and refused to listen to me. I'm only engaged but my fiancé is not one I'm pleased with even though he's rich and high in power in Siren society. I don't like him."
"Why?"
"Ever since day 1 of being engaged to him, he would...beat me and tell people it was an accident from me tripping or something." Sarah gasped as she covered her mouth, shaking her head as she exclaimed, "No! Don't let that be true, not to a precious gem like you! Oh, gosh! Did you tell your guardian?"
"Yes, and when I told her I wouldn't marry the man, she helped me escape my marriage. She once had a husband who loved her, but he died, so she believed that I should find love in my own ways...That's when I decided to come here to the inn, to escape my marriage and home. I can't go back there."
"And Jim and I won't let you! Does your fiancé have...powers or does he know your location?"
"No, he doesn't know human customs nor does he know I'd come here. Besides, only female Sirens have powers, but only a select few have clairvoyant gifts, including me. I have the gift of empathy and healing, meaning I can understand people's thoughts and emotions as if they were my own but I can also heal someone through my tears or body."
"Amazing!"
"Thank you."
"Now that that's done, how about we get you some clothes?...Nope, too dark!...Too light!...Oh, this shirt might do the trick. It'll show off your eyes well," Sarah remarked as she handed Linnea a sapphire shirt that came to the knees, because of it being loose, before tossing a pair of tan pants and black boots onto the bed as Linnea asked, "Do these pants belong to Jim?"
"They do, but they don't fit him anymore. They'll definitely fit you, though!"
"Thanks." Linnea quickly slid the clothes on before Sarah inspected the look and replied, "Beautiful, my dear! Absolutely beautiful!"
"Thanks and you're beautiful too."
"Oh, we'll, thank you. What a sweet girl! If only I had your smile and beautiful face, I'd be happy, but who cares what I think? Let's get that brown hair up and out of your face before Jim calls us down to eat." With that, Sarah gently brushed Linnea's beautiful, silky tresses before putting it into a braided bun, securing it with a simple strip of cloth like a hair tie. Satisfied with Linnea's new look, the two women hurried downstairs until they reached the kitchen as the sweet aroma of bacon and eggs filled the inn.
"Good morning, Jim."
"Good morning, Mom. Sleep well?"
"Yes, I did, dear. What about you?"
"The same. It was peaceful, especially with Linnea around." In that moment, Linnea shyly replied, "Morning, Jim."
"Morning, Linne-Whoa," Jim gasped as he looked at Linnea, her beautiful showing off with her hair pulled back while her body figure showed off very well with her new yet baggy clothes as Jim exclaimed, "Wow, you look amazing."
"Really? Thanks."
"No problem. Breakfast is almost ready, but please sit and make yourself comfortable."
"Thanks for cooking. As much as I hate to admit it, I've never had human cuisine before."
"Then, today's your lucky day. Although I'm only half the cook Mom is, I'm pretty sure my food will be good for your first time. What kind of food do you normally eat?"
"I eat kelp, sea grass, and other leafy greens under the sea."
"So, you've never tried meat?"
"No, but if I had the guts to come onto land by myself, I think I have the guts to try human food, even meat as long as it's not fish."
"You have nothing to fear. It's just eggs, which are chicken eggs, and bacon or pig."
"That's good to know, and I wanna thank you for everything you've done for me thus far."
"No problem." Jim continued checking on the eggs and bacon while Linnea and Sarah sat down, getting ready to start their day with breakfast. Linnea kept staring at Jim with a gentle gaze upon her face until Jim placed a plate in front if her, smiling, "Here you are! Eat up before it gets cold and eat as much as you'd like." Linnea smiled back before she picked up her fork, after watching Sarah and Jim do so, and took a bite of an egg, salvo ring the taste as Sarah asked, "How is it?" Linnea continued to chew until she swallowed and grinned, "It's really good, actually. Probably the best human food I've ever tasted and it reminds me of my kelp casserole."
Jim smirked before he replied, "Well, as I said before, eat as much as you'd like. There's plenty to go around."
"Thanks..."
"You're welcome." Linnea gazed at Jim with her sapphire orbs and smiled as Jim smiled back at her, his handsome face bringing on a blush upon the Siren's cheeks as they ate in peace.
As soon as breakfast was over, Sarah, Jim, and their new employee, Linnea made preparations for the inn before guests started to arrive. Sarah handed Linnea an apron as she told her the ground rules: No being rude, no arguing with a customer, find out things you don't know immediately, etc. as well as letting her know that if she needed to rest, Sarah would take over the Siren's shift, to which the girl replied, "I appreciate your offer, but I think I'll be fine. I can manage."
Lunch and dinner service at the inn was very stressful as the cooks tried to keep up with the orders while Jim, Sarah, and Linnea tried to run out the meals in a quick yet patient manner. After stressful hours of running in and out if the kitchen, the dinner service started to wind down as everyone started to leave to go home or stay in their rooms. Only Dr. Doppler remained in the inn's dining hall, eating his meal of kibble while Jim brought out a hot meal for his mom and guest. Doppler was very interested in Linnea as he examined her, "So, Sarah tells me that you're new here, right?"
"Yes, sir...Mr.-Umm-"
"Doppler, Dr. Doppler."
"Doppler...Nice to meet you. I'm Linnea, just Linnea."
"Tell me, are you human or alien in a human form? I'm a doctor-well astronomist really-Well, I'm very observant too-"
"I'm neither."
"Wait, what?" Before Doppler could ask another question, Linnea cuffed her trousers up and took the water from her drinking cup, sprinkling it onto her leg to reveal blue, shining scales as Doppler gasped, "She's a-That impossible-They're only legends-"
"Legends come true and in plain sight, Doctor." Jim remarked as he handed Linnea a towel to wipe her leg dry while Doppler exclaimed, "Do you know what this means? If people know she's a siren, they'll expect her to take them to Treasure Planet. Legend says that-"
"Sirens are the key to the greatest treasure of them all. I know because I read those stories long ago when I was a kid, but come on, Doppler! No one's gonna know, ever! She'll be safe here, I swear!"
"You better make sure. If someone, especially a pirate, comes after her, you better be ready to defend her." Doppler replied uneasily as Jim chuckled, "Relax, she's safe here and if anyone wants her, they'll go through me."
"I'll have none of that nonsense! I won't watch you get hurt!"
"I'm not a kid anymore, so relax, Mom!"
"She's right, Jim and please don't talk to her that way. She cares for you and so do I. If you or any of you were to get hurt because of me, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I'd rather die than have someone get hurt because of me."
"Hey, relax. No one's gonna hurt you and none of us will get hurt, I'll guarantee that." Linnea embraced Jim tightly as she whispered, "Thanks, Jim. You always have the right words for every situation and you always cheer me up." Although he wasn't very sentimental, Jim returned the embrace as he smirked, "No problem." Afterwards, Doppler left to get back to his lab while Jim, Linnea, and Sarah departed for bed. Jim preferred the floor again even though Linnea insisted she'd sleep on the floor instead, but Jim would rather have her comfortable and happy than aching and upset. Once again, Linnea's hand dangled over the bedside, making her and Jim grasp hands again as they slept. Linnea's image danced through Jim's head as he slept, her petite, beautiful form entrancing him and giving him thoughts beyond his wildest dreams. Her image soothed him to sleep as did his image in Linnea's head, making her dream pleasant things about the rebellious teenager. The two slept with content and pleasant dreams as a new day dawned for them and maybe one day, something would change both their lives forever...
