Chapter 43: Wariness
As a kid, Jozu used to believe he was the most miserable child in the world. Over the years, he has come to understand how much of an exaggeration that was. While not particularly fortunate, Jozu was never alone back then. He had a roof over his head, and more often than not his family could afford to buy food. Now, watching Thatch, he thinks again of how overly dramatic his younger self was.
When Thatch agreed to join the crew yesterday, he didn't even want to go into town to collect his belongings, claiming he had nothing he wished to take with him. Not even a spare set of clothes. The captain dragged him into town anyway to buy him stuff.
Thatch isn't even a teenager, yet his scowl is truly impressive. Jozu worries about how much worse the kid will be once he does reach his teens.
Now, already back out at sea, Jozu has woken up to find Thatch isn't in the bed the captain pointed him to last night. The pillow and blanket are gone, and Jozu half expects to find him asleep on the deck the way Marco does sometimes, but Thatch isn't there.
The captain is still asleep and, just like every morning, Marco is already in the kitchen eating while he cooks breakfast. Marco eats more food than Jozu himself can put away, but he is polite to a fault. Whenever he cooks, he ensures there is enough food for everyone and then some. Today is no exception. Jozu raises an eyebrow when he sees the spread on the counter, pretty sure that the amount of food Marco has added on account of Thatch's presence would feed three kids Thatch's size.
"Morning," Jozu greets him, making a beeline for the coffee pot. He wishes Marco was a caffeine addict like him; that way there would always be a coffee pot ready in the morning.
Marco mumbles a greeting through whatever he's eating.
They stay silent for a while, Marco efficiently cooking the massive breakfast while Jozu puts the coffee on.
"Where's the kid?" Jozu asks. He's bent over the coffee pot, hoping the smell of it will wake him somewhat.
"In one of the empty rooms. He snuck out as soon as he thought we were all asleep."
Now that's worrying. Jozu expected Thatch to be mistrustful, of course, but to reject a comfortable mattress when Jozu would bet an arm he hasn't had access to one in a while?
Yes, Thatch is going to be a handful.
Sighing, Jozu steps away from the coffee pot.
"I'll go fetch him," he offers, because he has no doubt that, if left to his own devices, Thatch will wait until they are all away from the kitchen to sneak in to eat breakfast.
