Chapter Four

I did my best to act and behave normally that morning at breakfast. If anyone had noticed they did not mention it. If they did notice it was probably written off only excitement, nervousness, or a combination of both.

By the middle of the day I had forgotten about my bad dream the previous night. I went about my usual chores, saw poor Mister Andrews hurrying around the ship and fretting. He leaned on the cane that the stewards and stewardesses had given him. I knew he had great problems with his poor legs and I had hoped the cane would help him. I really didn't want to imagine what it would be like to have trouble with one's own legs. Would there ever be any other types of treatment options available?

I could see Mister Andrews chatting to a man whose face I recognized but I couldn't place a name. Mister Andrews jotted down a few notes before turning and scurrying away.

I turned away from my spot and walked towards the window. From there I could see the decks that stretched out to the blue ocean. When I looked up I could see blue sky that was dotted with the occasional puffy cloud. There were times it was difficult to predict when it was going to rain around this time of year. What was that rhyme that children said? April showers bring…May flowers? It was something like that.

I was also willing to bet that the people who painted the ship and did the decks was grateful it was not raining.

"Humph, you just can't slide on this deck," I heard Lights mutter.

"Pardon?" I asked and turned to see him.

He smiled at me, "Oh, on an old ship I used to like to try to slide from one end of the bridge to the other and see if I could make it without touching anything. I once accidently knocked over a higher up and got into a great deal of hot water."

I couldn't help it. I started laughing right there!

"You're imagining it right now, aren't you?" He asked me.

"I am," I confessed and chuckled more. "How did you slide across the bridge?"

"Very carefully. It's also incredibly easy for your feet to go out from under you and for you to land flat on your back."

"Ouch."

"Yes, it would knock the wind right out of me."

I felt myself wincing in sympathy.

Lights chuckled and approached me, "When we get to a ship that allows us to do that I'll teach you how."

I smiled and nodded, "I like that plan."

The usual routine of the day progressed and towards the end of my shift I found Harold Lowe crouched down near a small creature. As I got closer I realized it was a cat. Harold had his hand out stretched and was giving the cat a scratch behind the ear.

"Do you like animals too?" I asked.

He looked up, perhaps surprised at first, before nodding, "I do. I've always loved animals. I am especially fond of cats. A dog will openly give you their love but you have to earn it with a cat."

"My sister has a cat. When I was a boy we had a dog that I loved so much. I still miss that dog."

"You never do forget."

The cat moved away from Harold's hand and quickly gave a brief brush against my leg before wandering off to parts unknown.

Finally curiosity got the better of me. "Where did you find the cat?"

"She found me. She wandered right up to me from down the hall. I imagine she's finding somewhere to have her kittens."

"Do you really think she'll have kittens?"

"Yes. I was able to feel her belly but I can't tell you how far along she is."

"I thought she was just fat!"

Harold laughed, "I did too at first. Once the kittens are old enough they can also start hunting rats and other pests. Every ship needs a cat."

"They certainly are helpful. Do you think we'll see any dolphins?"

"We might once we get going. It'll be nice to see them as they're good luck."

I was glad Harold was able to relax a bit more and he seemed to fit in better and better with us. I felt that he could become a good friend of ours.

When night rolled around I was exhausted and ready to go to sleep. I made it to my cabin and changed into my pajamas before collapsing onto the bed. It wouldn't be long for sleep to overtake me.