TWELVE
Roux opened his eyes to the bright sunlight that streamed through the open hatch leading up on deck. Willy, Edward, and Jack were gone, along with the fifteen oompa loompas. Roux could hear cheers of excitement and laughing accompanied by loud splashes. Roux stood up and put his suspender straps back on before climbing up the stairs and through the open door.
Willy was standing next to the side of the boat, clapping his hands excitedly. Edward and Jack were sitting on the side of the boat, smiling as well. Roux went over to them, stepping over Jack's boots, belt with all its items, and coat. He peered down over the side of the boat to see the oompa loompas swimming in the water. They were in a star formation, synchronized swimming it appeared to be.
"oh oh! Do the dandelion!" Willy shouted.
The oompa loompas joined hands and moved into the shape of a flower. They kicked their legs and sure enough, it looked like a dandelion, a little rough around the edges, but a dandelion just the same.
Roux grinned and quietly stood next to Jack. Jack smiled, glanced at Roux, looked back at the oompa loompas, and suddenly surprised by Roux's sudden arrival, turned and fell into the water. Roux Edward and Willy leaned over the side of the boat as Jack came up sputtering.
"you scared the bejusus out of me!" Jack called to Roux, treading water.
"I am sorry," Roux said leaning over so Jack could grab his hand. He pulled Jack up, saying, "It's a good thing ye've got your shoes off,".
"good morning Starshine," Willy said to Roux.
"morning to ya guys," Roux said.
Edward laughed and kicked his legs like a young child as the oompa loompas leapt off the side of the boat into the ocean, performing acrobatic stunts once again.
"did ye guys eat breakfast?" Roux asked.
"no, but it's well past breakfast time. It's one o' clock in the afternoon," Jack said.
"What!" Roux said, "How did I sleep that long?"
"well mate, did ya have a drink in Tortuga?" Jack asked him.
"yes, I might've, but just one though," Roux said.
"well that's why you slept so long mate. That stuff will do it to you, even one drink. Willy and Edward didn't have any, and I've drunk so much of it that it doesn't affect me anymore, savvy?" Jack said.
"Right, well it's never too late to eat breakfast, who's hungry?" Roux asked them.
"I am," Edward said, swinging his legs over the side of the boat to face the others.
"Alright, well, come on," Roux said, turning and going down back the stairs.
Jack, Willy, and Edward followed him, but the oompa loompas stayed and continued to swim.
"Roux, can I help?" Edward asked hopefully.
"a'course ye can," he said slapping Edward on the shoulder.
Roux bent down and opened the cabinet under the sink and pulled out a large frying pan.
"who likes chocolate chip pancakes?" Roux asked, putting the pan on the stove.
"anything with chocolate is good in my book," Jack said. Jack was sitting at the table with his feet propped up in the chair opposite him.
"oh yes, they are very delicious," Willy said as he examined his hair in the mirror, making sure every strand was in place.
"I like them," Edward said.
"great. Edward, perhaps you could stir the batter?" Roux suggested.
"I can't hold a spoon," Edward said shrugging his shoulders.
Roux bit his lip and searched around the room, making a clicking noise as he tried to figure out how Edward could help him. He smiled and opened a drawer, pulling out a large mixing spoon and a roll of tape.
"hold out your arm," Roux said.
Edward reached his right arm out towards Roux, who carefully took it. He held the spoon next to Edward's index "finger" and wrapped the tape around it.
"there problem solved," Roux said.
Edward stood staring at the spoon attached to his hand blinked.
Jack started laughing, at the makeshift stirrer.
"shut up Jack," Roux said annoyed.
"apologies," Jack said trying to control his laughter and putting his hands together and raising them up to his nose.
Roux dumped some pancake mix into a bowl along with eggs and milk. He slid it over to Edward saying, "have at it,".
Edward dipped the spoon into the bowl and started to mix it. He moved his arm in a circle and the bowl spun and slid over to the left. Roux pushed the bowl back in front of Edward. Edward spun the spoon once again and the bowl slid back towards Roux.
Roux peered into the bowl and the pancake batter had a ways to go yet. He pushed the bowl back by Edward again. It happened again and again before Roux finally said, "how about, I just hold it for ya,".
"thank you," Edward said smiling.
After the batter was mixed, Roux stirred in the chocolate chips. Edward's spoon was detached and he went to sit with Jack who was rebraiding his beard.
Roux cooked the pancakes, Edward watched Jack groom himself, and Willy was "talking" with his oompa loompas using lots of bizarre hand movements.
The food was set down on the table and everyone was called in to eat. The oompa loompas ate in shifts, and Roux, Willy, Jack, and Edward all ate together. The giant stack of pancakes was gone before they knew it, and to finish it all off, they ate a bunch of bananas.