Chapter 19 The Black Pearl
Time passed things changed and things stayed the same. Sidi had been pregnant three times again. None of the babies survived. Jack escaped the drama by again leaving Courtney to pick up the pieces of his shattered wife's life while he found more exotic ways of distracting himself. He was his father's son and had become quite skilled at keeping his overseas liaisons from his wife.
Adam's relationship with AnnaMaria was struggling. Eventually Adam convinced James and Charles that a single point of contact in Jamaica was quite necessary and volunteered to relocate to Montego Bay to manage the family interests there. James and Charles, amused by Adam's apparent confusion between the "family jewels" and the "family interests", humored him by installing an office and finding things to keep him busy there. Adam living in Jamaica worried Courtney. She was horrorstricken that James, knowing his son's chronic health issues, would allow her delicate son to permanently live in Jamaica and began dividing her time between their home in England and Montego Bay.
Jonathan sat chattering in his father's office as James reviewed invoices for foodstuff and medical supplies purchased for the estate in Jamaica.
"Do you remember the last time you sat there?" his father asked.
Jack thought back and laughed. "We discussed Sidi."
His father flashed a smile. "You've grown up a lot since then."
"Except for the time in Port Royal aye?" Jack added
"What happened in Port Royal was a part of growing up." James put the invoices down and reached for a stack of log books. He opened them.
"Right then. You've been to Jamaica, the Colonies, India, China the Spice Islands, Africa and God knows where else." He said perusing the paper before him and letting the pages flip. You've accepted every position in the crew and have performed to the highest standard no matter the situation assigned to you. You've become and excellent navigator. Only minor indiscretions and two reprimands by anyone that matters. There are twenty- seven reprimands by Charles. It seems our Captains frequently request you as First Mate and it's beginning to be an issue to those to whom you are not assigned to serve.
Jack was squirming under the incredible praise. Damn, where was Charles?
"Therefore Jonathan I believe its time to make you Captain of your own ship. I daresay you're ready for it."
Jack looked at his father. "Me own ship?"
"Your own ship" James cringed at the word "me." Jonathan please speak like a man of excellence and not like something that crawled out of Tortuga.
Jack couldn't speak at all.
"However," James continued. "There is one very important issue that is a concern, your record keeping. I want you to explain this to me."
Confused Jack looked at his father. " I don't understand." He knew his records were impeccable.
James picked the stack of paper from the top of his desk and handed it to his son. "These are excerpts from your last three voyages."
Jack sat and shuffled through the pages. "These are not mine. I did not write this. Dad I can give you copies of my logs. I copied them for, myself and gave Charles." His mouth hung open the words trailed.
James raised his eyebrows and brought his folded hands to his chin. He leaned on his elbows.
"May I suggest to you Jonathan that you and your brother are night and day in all but the appreciation of a beautiful woman. However do not be so naïve as to think that because you pursue different paths there could be no professional jealousy between the two of you."
"But Dad I already own...."
James upraised palm stopped him. "Its not always about profit son. Power is just as intoxicating."
Jack was fuming. " That bleedin' bastard. You knew all along he was sabbing me."
"I knew all along he was sabotaging you." James lit a pipe. "You however, did not seem to feel the need to open your eyes." James stood and indicated to Jonathan to follow him. "And as I'd prefer not to have anymore furniture and valuables broken, walk with me until you calm down."
"I don't want to calm down. I want to break his bloomin neck."
James chuckled. "Trust no one son and never make apologies."
"You don't seem to mind 'ee did this." Jack pouted.
"Jonathan," James sighed knowing his youngest child would never be a businessman. "This is business. There are no friends or family in a quest for power and profit. There are only those in the plan or in the way. Do make a note of that."
They walked along the dock by the house. Jack could not remember a time that he just talked to his father or his father offering fatherly advice He liked it. They stopped to admire a boat in the harbor. His Father never allowed their shipping vessels near the docks at home. A smile overpowered his face. He looked at James who was satisfied with his boy's reaction to the gift.
"So what are you going to name 'er son?"
Jack paused a moment and grinned back. "after me wife."
Time passed things changed and things stayed the same. Sidi had been pregnant three times again. None of the babies survived. Jack escaped the drama by again leaving Courtney to pick up the pieces of his shattered wife's life while he found more exotic ways of distracting himself. He was his father's son and had become quite skilled at keeping his overseas liaisons from his wife.
Adam's relationship with AnnaMaria was struggling. Eventually Adam convinced James and Charles that a single point of contact in Jamaica was quite necessary and volunteered to relocate to Montego Bay to manage the family interests there. James and Charles, amused by Adam's apparent confusion between the "family jewels" and the "family interests", humored him by installing an office and finding things to keep him busy there. Adam living in Jamaica worried Courtney. She was horrorstricken that James, knowing his son's chronic health issues, would allow her delicate son to permanently live in Jamaica and began dividing her time between their home in England and Montego Bay.
Jonathan sat chattering in his father's office as James reviewed invoices for foodstuff and medical supplies purchased for the estate in Jamaica.
"Do you remember the last time you sat there?" his father asked.
Jack thought back and laughed. "We discussed Sidi."
His father flashed a smile. "You've grown up a lot since then."
"Except for the time in Port Royal aye?" Jack added
"What happened in Port Royal was a part of growing up." James put the invoices down and reached for a stack of log books. He opened them.
"Right then. You've been to Jamaica, the Colonies, India, China the Spice Islands, Africa and God knows where else." He said perusing the paper before him and letting the pages flip. You've accepted every position in the crew and have performed to the highest standard no matter the situation assigned to you. You've become and excellent navigator. Only minor indiscretions and two reprimands by anyone that matters. There are twenty- seven reprimands by Charles. It seems our Captains frequently request you as First Mate and it's beginning to be an issue to those to whom you are not assigned to serve.
Jack was squirming under the incredible praise. Damn, where was Charles?
"Therefore Jonathan I believe its time to make you Captain of your own ship. I daresay you're ready for it."
Jack looked at his father. "Me own ship?"
"Your own ship" James cringed at the word "me." Jonathan please speak like a man of excellence and not like something that crawled out of Tortuga.
Jack couldn't speak at all.
"However," James continued. "There is one very important issue that is a concern, your record keeping. I want you to explain this to me."
Confused Jack looked at his father. " I don't understand." He knew his records were impeccable.
James picked the stack of paper from the top of his desk and handed it to his son. "These are excerpts from your last three voyages."
Jack sat and shuffled through the pages. "These are not mine. I did not write this. Dad I can give you copies of my logs. I copied them for, myself and gave Charles." His mouth hung open the words trailed.
James raised his eyebrows and brought his folded hands to his chin. He leaned on his elbows.
"May I suggest to you Jonathan that you and your brother are night and day in all but the appreciation of a beautiful woman. However do not be so naïve as to think that because you pursue different paths there could be no professional jealousy between the two of you."
"But Dad I already own...."
James upraised palm stopped him. "Its not always about profit son. Power is just as intoxicating."
Jack was fuming. " That bleedin' bastard. You knew all along he was sabbing me."
"I knew all along he was sabotaging you." James lit a pipe. "You however, did not seem to feel the need to open your eyes." James stood and indicated to Jonathan to follow him. "And as I'd prefer not to have anymore furniture and valuables broken, walk with me until you calm down."
"I don't want to calm down. I want to break his bloomin neck."
James chuckled. "Trust no one son and never make apologies."
"You don't seem to mind 'ee did this." Jack pouted.
"Jonathan," James sighed knowing his youngest child would never be a businessman. "This is business. There are no friends or family in a quest for power and profit. There are only those in the plan or in the way. Do make a note of that."
They walked along the dock by the house. Jack could not remember a time that he just talked to his father or his father offering fatherly advice He liked it. They stopped to admire a boat in the harbor. His Father never allowed their shipping vessels near the docks at home. A smile overpowered his face. He looked at James who was satisfied with his boy's reaction to the gift.
"So what are you going to name 'er son?"
Jack paused a moment and grinned back. "after me wife."