Chapter 4
Jessica sat quietly in her large suite. Mr. Berkely had Left her alone a few minutes ago. She was glad to be alone in her room
with her thoughts and the new scenery around her. She had a large bed with a red velvet bed spread that was soft to the touch. The
room also was crafted with dark teak that smelled of sweet pine. She also noticed that she had a big glass window which was was
able to peer out at. She walked over to it and peered out. She could see the harbor from her window. "Yes, Jessica, I think I am
going to find this ship to be quite at home," she said loudly to herself.
She was always like this when she was at home with her father. It had become a habit when her mother died and her father ignored
her. She found talking to herself to be quite comforting, when no body was around. When her father did notice, however, he found
her to be rather mad. That's when he sent her to boarding schools for girls. Once at the boarding schools, she found the other girls
to be ghastly towards her and her behavior, causing her to talk to herself even more. Her teachers and other pupils also began to
find her to be mad, which sent Jessica into her array on shenanigans and silly childish practical jokes. Slow tears rolled down her
face and she decided it was time to take a walk on the boat deck and collect her thoughts.
Jessica stepped outside onto the beautiful boat deck and felt the cold salty air blow against her face gently. She loved the feeling
on her face as the wind was always her friend other than Felicity. She took a few steps further only to notice an empty crow's nest
high above her. Dress or no dress, and shoes or no shoes, Jessica decided to climb up the rope latter into the crow's nest. While
climbing, Jessica's dress tore in a few areas. "Bloody dress," she shouted at it. "And I hate these bloody shoes and this bloody
corset that I cannot breathe in. I do hope there are other women in the Caribbean that I find common interest with." With that she
angrily climbed into the crow's nest and peered over. She then ran her fingers through one of her curls and then took out all of her
hair pins. She hated having her hair done in tight ringlets. She preferred to having her wild hair flowing about. But her father was
so refined on these kinds of things that she had no other choice. "Young ladies never wear their hair in a silly manner of looking
like a bloody child. And you're not a child Jessica." With these words as thoughts, Jessica pulled at her hair angrily until all of her
hair was loose. She then combed her fingers through her hair until it reached the middle of her back. She smiled wickedly and
thought about how she was not going to let Mr. Berkley control her or let alone marry her.
"Eh' you there. No one is supposed to be up there but the crew young lady," someone said interrupting Jessica's thoughts. She
peered down only to see a crew member standing along side Mr. Berkley. "Your father is going to hear about this," Mr. Berkley
said in a sullen manner. "Climbing into a crow's nest in your dress and letting your hair fly around as if you're some wild animal.
For shame," he added pointing his finger at her. "Oh shut it," Jessica yelled at him. "I really don't care what my father will
think about this. He doesn't even care to pay attention to me, and either do you." "You get down from there right now or I'll
lock you in your room," Mr. Berkley shouted at her. Jessica then angrily climbed down the crows nest and on the main deck to
stand up to her fiancee'. "What in bloody hell did you say to me wanker?" Jessica asked angrily, refusing to let him control her.
He rose this right hand to strike her, but Jessica grabbed it. She looked at him with anger in her eyes. "Don't ever try to touch me
again you arrogant dog. I am not a soldier and are not a Sergeant. You are my fiancee and I demand to to treated with respect,"
Jessica shouted, and Mr. Berkley took a step back in fear. "Since my father is not here, what makes you think you can control
me?" With that, Jessica pushed him hard enough it made him fall on his behind. Jessica then childishly stuck out her tongue laughing
loudly and saying," Oh, what a cowardly man.
It was nearly time to set-sail, and Jessica had just finished a wonderful lunch. She had seen no sign of her fiancee' ever since she
had pushed him. It was pretty good to take control of her own actions. She stepped over to the starboard side of the main deck's
and watched the crew weigh the anchor and release the white canvas sails. "All hands on deck," the captain shouted to them.
"We're casting off." Jessica loved the sound of this. She saw people on docks looking at them and waving. "Bon Voyage," they
shouted. "Thank you," Jessica said, remembering a few French words from her former classes. She smiled and waved at them as the
ship began to move out of the harbor and off into the horizon and the slow setting sun.
