A gift most unwanted: Chapter one: The Poker game
Jessica groaned as she came on shift. There were a lot more people than usual at the tavern. Not that the place was ever quiet, Tortuga's taverns never were. But tonight, well tonight, several ships must have come in, for there was barely any room to move. Jessica sighed and went to work. She was a lovely girl with auburn hair and violet eyes, a beautiful seventeen year old. As usual she received pinches and looks and men wanting her rather than a drink. She was used to it having worked here for two years, slapping them away and seeming disinterested.
"Jessica," an old man called "come over here and bring these men some drinks."
Jessica rolled her eyes. It was her father calling her. The men he referred to were his current poker players. Her father constantly gambled, that's why she had this job, so she could eat. Although, sometimes she had to pay her father's debts.
"There you are, it isn't any good having a daughter as a barmaid, if you don't get the finest service." he said
Jessica didn't mind, when you had a drunk father who came home and beat you over the loss of another game, you were thankful for insults.
"Now Jess, they'll all be having rum. Wait don't get their drinks just yet. I've told them about the color of your eyes and they don't believe me, so show them."
Jessica, up to this point, had kept her face down, but now looked up at them. A gasp came from all the men in the room, except for one who she was now looking at. He had dark hair, that was in dreadlocks, with beads in them and chocolate-brown eyes that were lined with kohl. He simply smiled and beckoned her.
"Let me get a better look." he said in a slight drunken slur.
Before she could protest, she was pushed forward and he pulled her into his lap. He stared intently into her eyes.
"Interesting," he murmured and then let her go.
She then ran off to get their drinks.
The old man sighed as he lost another game, there was no way he could pay this off.
"Pay up," Jack said across from him.
"Another game," the old man said.
"We have to be going, pay up."
The old man's mind was reeling until he thought of the one thing he could give as payment, Jessica.
"I'll give you something that's worth what I owe you. It's upstairs, follow me."
Jack nodded, "Let me see then."