IrishCaptain Haha! I wasn't sure myself at first. But this chapter will explain everything!

Chapter Two

I couldn't believe everything that was going through my head. I was so happy, scared, nervous, and thankful. Captain Phil had agreed to see how I work out as a greenhorn. He didn't know I was a girl, or that I was underage, thats how I kept it. One thing was certain, I was going to have to do some shopping before tomorrow, and I was going to have to learn fast how to be a boy. But first, I had to break the news to my mom. I chewed on my lip, as I walked to the front of the house, and saw my Uncles truck in the driveway. Scott ran out to greet me, I was thankful, and told him the news first.

"I got the job Scott!" I said with a smile on my face.

"Your crazy! I seriously cant believe you want to go through with this."

"Yeah, well. I have to do whatever it takes to provide for my family."

That was the end of the conversation, as we both entered my house. Johnathan was sitting down with my mom at the table. The smell of fresh coffee filled the air, and I took in a deep breath.

"There she is! How ya doin squirt?" Johnathan asked.

"Hey Uncle John. I'm fine. How are things going?"

"Same as always. You know me. I just came by to see how your mom, and you kids were." I glanced at my mom for a moment, before looking back at my Uncle. Every season, both Johnathan, and Andy would come over for a visit before the season started. But since dad left, the reason for the visit was different. They started coming over to give us money, and to make sure we were living properly. Course, my mother always refused the financial help.

"Same as always, of course. Have you heard from dad yet?" My dad was the middle Hillstrand child. And often caused trouble, my grandfathers idea was to set him straight by putting him on the Time Bandit. However, that just made him more distant from my mother, and his children. I couldnt' understand why he would leave. Sure we were hurting, and he seemed to have a dark side to him, but I loved my dad, and I wanted him around. After he left I had to fill his boots. My mother seemed to be more depressed then ever, aswell as my grandmother. My uncles tried their hardest to track him down, but no matter how much any of us searched, we always came up empty handed.

"Sorry kiddo."

"Alex, go check on the kids for me." My mother asked. I did without question, but stayed hidden behind a corner to hear their conversation.

"I think Ronnie was cheating on me." I heard my mother inform my uncle, "I dont think he's in Alaska anymore. I dont want Alex to know, and the kids dont know either." I covered my mouth with my hands, that thought always cropped up in my mind, but to hear it come from my mothers mouth, made me believe that he had someone else. I walked up to Beths room to find her sound asleep. Then I made my way to Kyles room, he too had fallen asleep. I smiled, and went to my room. I sat down on my bed, and started to think.

I giggled as my dad scooped me up in his arms. I held on tight to his wrists, as he put me over his head, and sat me down on his shoulders. He took my hands into his, and stretched my arms out to the side as far as they would go. I couldn't help but giggle. I felt like I was flying. "Daddy I'm a plane!" I giggled. My dad ran around in different patters in our front yard, making plane noises. I heard a beeping noise coming from his back pocket. My dad put me down, and patted my head. "This will only take a second." My dad said, as he took out his pager, and looked over it. Then he looked at me, and smiled. "I gotta go. I'll be back."

"Dont go daddy. Please!"

"I'll be back soon. Love you Monkey!"

I cried in the driveway watching my father leave.

Though he kept his promise, and was back a few hours later. It was the youngest memory I ever had of being with my dad. I was four years old. After that, I knew he would always return to me, just as he promised. Except this time. I felt bad for Beth, and Kyle. I didn't want them to grow up without a father. I couldn't imagine my childhood without my dad being around. He was the best father anyone could ask for. He always went out of his way to please me. When he would come home from work he always had something for me. Thats why I had to step up. I needed to take care of the kids, and my mom. He betrayed us, and left us. I couldn't help but feel hatred towards him, but there was another part of me that said he was still my father, and wished he would come back.

"Your uncle, and cousin left."Came my mothers voice. I looked up, and she stood leaning against the frame of my door.

"Oh." Was all I could think of.

"Why aren't you at work?"

"Well..." It was now or never. I had to tell her. "I quit, and I got a new job."

"What? Where?"

"Your not going to like the answer, so do I have to tell you?"

"Where at Alex?" My mother sounded scared, and serious. It made me worry.

"On the Cornelia Marie."

"What? Isn't that a crab boat?"

"Yes."

"Your a girl, and your underage. What are you thinking young lady?"

"Mom please, calm down. We cant keep living like this, we need more. And the only way thats going to happen is if I finish school, and go to college. Which wont happen, because we cant afford it. I know I can do this, mom! Its in my blood."

"Alex, your not going, and thats it!"

"Yes I am, I'm tired of living like this. We can get a new house, and a new car. One that has heat in it, and we can actually live half way decent."

"Did Scott help you with this?"

"No mom. He didn't. He has nothing to do with this. He doesn't even know."

"Just tell me one thing. How did you get on?"

"Well, I left early to go to the dock. I saw the Captain, and I started talking to him, and he thought I would be good on this boat."

"He thought you would be good on his boat, knowing your a girl, and your only seventeen?"

"Well..."

"Alex!"

"I lied about my age, and he thinks I'm a boy."

"Oh Alex, Come on! How is that going to last?"

"Mom, its only three months. I can handle this."

I know this is real slow. I love this fic though! Review please!