Speaking of the Past
Chapter 20: No 'Sort of' this Time.
"I'm takin' Marcel wit me ashore," he announced as soon as he opened the door to their cabin.
"Wit' you? Jack Sparrow? I'm sorry but the answer is no," she replied hotly. Apparently she was still upset about the little brig incident, but reasonably so. She sat at his desk at the far side of the room studying the maps.
"Aw, come on Maria. I'll keep a real close eye on 'im really."
"No."
"Maria, really. Think about it," he almost pleaded.
"Why do you want to take him ashore with you anyway? He's not your son, so it's not like any father-son bonding or anything." She instantly regretted the words as soon as she had said them. How did she know what he wanted?
"I have my reasons Maria," he replied calmly, staring at her. She looked back down at the map for a moment probably contemplating whether she should let him go and if she should apologize or not.
He only just heard her whisper: "Alright." But he was amazed at how quickly she returned back to her normal self. The Anamaria she was 4 months ago, before the dreams started, before everything had happened. But in truth he really didn't know whether to blame it on her mood swings or recent/none too recent events.
"I swear on pain of death Jack Sparrow, that if you have my son drunk, gallivanting around The Faithful Bride you'll be a eunuch!" A true statement this was. Anamaria was not one to go around shouting empty threats. He gave a quick nervous laugh, looking her up and down.
"No such thing would ever happen t' the boy wit' me. I'll be sure of it."
He led Marcel, Gibbs, Twain, Jobe and Luke over to a table in a dark corner away from all the daily rituals of Tortuga hoopla. "The Faithful Bride. That indeed she is," he said sitting down.
"You know son, if every town in the world were like this here no man would ever feel unwanted."
"So true Marcel. Listen to him," Aaron said walking past with as whore at his side.
"My mother would kill the both of us."
"That, my son is why I leave the women to the crew and I myself take on the drinking and merriment," he said making them both laugh. They shared a few more laughs, just the two of them and sometimes the whole group.
Soon Jack's crew began to get drunk, not being able to hold their liquor while their captain on the other hand had everything under control. Jack and Marcel sat unusually quiet as the others paraded themselves as fools around the Faithful Bride. Then after a while Marcel got up to use the bathroom. He stood up silently walking to the none-too-hygienically-correct-bathroom. On his way out he was met by a rather abominable and vile man walked up to him.
"What 're ye doing 'ere boy?" he asked in a deep and almost cynical voice grabbing onto his arm.
"I'm here with him." He said pointing to the table where the drunken fools were gallivanting around.
"Well then, let's take a little trip over there then ay?" he led Marcel over to the table Jack and the others sat at.
"This your nigger?" said the gruff looking fellow, holding a frightened Marcel by the arm.
He took a swig of his rum eyeing the man carefully. "No."
"Seems like 'e don't know you. You're all mine now," said the man pulling roughly at Marcel's arm.
"What do ye think you're doin' mate?" Jack asked standing up to meet him.
"He ain't your nigger."
"Like I said. He's not my 'nigger' but this so happens to be me son. Don't think you'd be wantin' t' mess wit' the son of Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?"
"Jack Sparrow eh? They said you had a nigger woman."
"I suggest you kindly rephrase that and be so kind as to take your drunken hand off 'im."
He completely ignored Jack. "Throwin' in your lot wit' those nigger folks and got the nerve to claim 'im as your boy."
"You, my friend, whoever you may be, have until the count of 5 to release him."
"Or else what? You'll shoot me?" he asked sarcastically.
"4…2…1…3…5. You're times up."
"So whatcha gonna do now Sparrow. I still have your 'boy'."
"This." And with a swift move he served the man to a fist square in the face flinging Marcel to the side by his arm.
"Nice shot but now ye've made me mad and I don't think ye'd like t' see me mad Sparrow."
Jack flashed him a smile. "I think I would. Show me." He ducked quickly avoiding a blow from the man countering with his own to the stomach. He stumbled backwards, knocking into a table. The man shook his head, trying to rid himself of the pain.
"Alright Sparrow. Ye wanna play huh?" He marched swiftly towards the pirate captain unsheathing his sword in a quick move.
"Don't quite think playin' is the correct term," Jack said backing away and unsheathing his own blade.
He slapped his sword to Jack's quickly. "Then what the hell would it be?"
"Haven't quite figured it out yet mate, but when I do I'll be sure to inform you immediately."
"Kind fellow ye are Sparrow."
Jack had found himself behind a table in hopes to avoid his "Aye that I am mate."
"Jack!" he yelled rushing to keep with Jack's stride.
"Sorry son. Didn't mean t' leave le behind," he proclaimed with a smile.
"Hey Jack."
"Yeah?"
"For what you did back there…thanks."
"No problem but as gentlemen we can keep this t' ourselves surely?
"Of course," he said closing his mouth to the first secret with his father of said sorts.
A/N: Yes I know Jack sounds kinda Mort Rainey but whatever. Yes Jack did beat the man. I just figured I should let you imagine how that went. I hope y'all weren't ready to get the pitchforks out. If you like it, review. If you don't, review anyway.