Chapter 4
Within a half-hour, Phineas found himself situated on a warm bed in a small keeper's room inside the white, granite lighthouse. It was a sturdy, clean structure that the Bates kept well maintained and Rebecca explained it was only built three years prior in 1811. The tower stood twenty-five feet above the ground with a clear view of the bustling harbor from every angle. They gave Jeffrey the tiny quarters opposite him, a few steps up the spiral stairs. Abigail, though still wary of the strangers, had arranged things comfortably with some hot tea and soup for them both. She also had a small tray with bandages and poultices that she insisted would stave off infection and help him heal quicker. Phineas agreed to that treatment, though Jeffrey wished they had some penicillin. Rebecca propped up his pillows so he could lie on his side.
"Phineas, you'll have to remove your shirt, we need to plaster you up. Jeffrey, would you help him?"
Jeffrey went to his side. "Of course."
Phineas held out his arms while Jeffrey carefully removed the clothing. "Thanks Jeff, this is hurting more than I thought now. It must have been the saltwater you doused me with. Sometimes that can be more painful to the wound than the whip, but it helps in the long run. How did you know it would work?"
"I read about the African slave ships. The traders thought they were torturing the slaves by doing that, and they did. But like you said in the long run, it healed them faster."
Abigail tugged on her sister's arm and dragged her to the doorway, talking in hushed tones. "Becky! Mother says supper will be ready soon and these boys look hungry. We should prepare them plates and tell father and the rest of the family that they are here, don't you agree? Father's going to find out anyway when he comes for his nightly watch."
Rebecca nodded, but her gaze never left Phineas. "I know that. He won't turn them away, we boarded soldiers for weeks, didn't we? Besides, I don't want to tell the children, they'll be harping all over them with questions and never let them rest."
"I suppose, Jeffrey does look tired too. But having those other soldiers was a necessity, they protected us and we have the muskets they left behind. What can these two offer us?"
"Abigail, stop worrying and be a good Samaritan, will you? When Phineas is well again, he'll probably be as forthright as a soldier, perhaps even stronger and more skilled. A sailor knows the ways of the sea and how his fellow sailors will react. He may be able to help us greatly…Jeffrey?"
"Yeah, Becky?" Jeffrey was amused at the whole situation and took to relaxing in a wide cushy chair alongside the bed.
"Please give me Phineas' shirt when you're finished tending his wounds. The poultice is already made, all you have to do is lather it on."
If Jeffrey had long sleeves, he would have rolled them up, he was ready to do anything to help his partner. "Sure, no problem. Let's just say I got it covered, ladies."
The women broke into giggles. Phineas, who had started to doze, smiled and opened one eye. "Why do ya need my shirt?"
Rebecca approached his side of the bed, which faced the window with a view to the shoreline. "I'm a seamstress and I'd like to make you a new one. I'll try and recreate it." She delicately touched his arm and ignored her sister's warning coughs. "I'll give you one of my brother's shirts in the meantime. He's about your size. He went off to join the fighting. " She said kindly.
Phineas was acutely aware to the emotions behind her touch and he clutched her hand. "Becky, I couldn't ask you to do any more for us. I don't want you to get in trouble with your father and mother. We'll be leaving before you know it."
She couldn't hide her crestfallen expression, but then she grinned. "Oh, it's no trouble. I can't have you wear this rag anymore; it's covered in blood! That will be impossible to remove no matter how much you beat and scrub it."
"Really Becky, it's fine."
She placed a cool hand on his brow, fearful that his perspiration was a sign of fever. "Don't argue with me, Phineas. Jeffrey needs you back in full health. You're his guardian. Let us take care of you."
"She's right Bogg, we can't go anywhere until you're up to speed. You need more sleep too."
"Right now I'm starving." He admitted. "Jeffrey too."
Rebecca smiled. "That's good, hunger is a promising sign of recovery. Eat the soup and bread for now. Abby, we better hurry home before the hot food is gone so we can make them plates. Unfortunately I have a big family, Phineas."
Abigail folded her arms in the doorway and shook her head. "Becky seems to forget that we are only two of nine siblings. She likes to pretend she's the only child."
Rebecca glared at her crimson faced. "Abby, that's not true. I'm the second oldest and with Lucas out to war I'm left caring for all of you…all day. Do you mind if I have a little diversion once in a while?"
Phineas quickly hid his face in the pillow to mask his laughter. No woman had ever called him that. But thinking of his somewhat randy pirate history, coming and going from port to port, he could very well imagine he was indeed a diversion. Jeffrey bit down on his lip and covered his mouth to stifle chuckles.
Rebecca stared back at Phineas. "I'm sorry, Phineas, but Abby thinks she can voice every thought that comes into her feeble mind."
Abigail stood tall. "Hey! I'll tell you what's feeble! Becky's romantic wiles." Abigail put a hand on her hip and pointed at her sister accusingly. "You can probably guess by now Phineas, that Becky is a pushy know-it-all, so it's little wonder that she cannot find a man."
Rebecca's eyes flashed with hurt and her lower lip trembled. She didn't acknowledge the comment.
"I'll…I'll be back with supper in about an hour…please have the shirt ready, Jeffrey…wait, I'll take it now…umm, I'll bring you more paste too."
Phineas tried to grasp her hand and console her, but she turned aside. Bundling his shirt under her arm, she went quickly to the doorway. Phineas felt he had to say something to her.
"Becky, I don't think that way of you. A lot of strength and courage is needed to run this place and care for your family, not to mention be on guard against the threat of an attack. I'm sure she didn't mean…"
Rebecca sighed inwardly. 'Why did he have to be sensitive?' She thought. "Oh, no, Phineas, Abigail is known for her scathing barbs, it's part of her foolishness. I…I have to go."
She raced out of the room. Abigail, realizing she hurt her sister, hurried after her. Jeffrey watched them from the window and their bickering faded down the pathway to the cottage. He noticed other children around the yard, doing all sorts of chores and playing games.
"Yep, those two are definitely sisters. I always wanted a brother or sister to argue with."
"Aren't I enough?" Phineas held his head and groaned. "Jeff, let's hope I recover fast, I'm already causing dissension. That's not good in a green light zone. By the way, do you know where in Massachusetts we are?"
"Yeah, I asked Abigail and it's a town called Scituate. I can't put my finger on it, Bogg, but I know the name and I know this place."
"We've never been here before have we? I would remember all the lighthouses."
"No, it was almost two years ago. I was in Massachusetts touring with my folks."
Jeffrey's face crumpled in grief and Phineas attempted to sit up. "Jeff, what's wrong?"
"Bogg, this was our last family road trip right before the camper accident. It happened on our way back to New York." Jeffrey's eyes lowered as tears filled to the rims. He tried desperately not to cry.
"I almost…I can't believe I almost forgot!" He suddenly burst out. He tossed his face in his arms and cried. Phineas scooted closer and stroked his head gently.
"Jeffrey, you didn't forget. We've got so much stuff going on in our lives right now that you just pushed it further back in your mind. Sometimes…well, you know the saying, time heals all wounds? There's truth in that statement. After a while, the pain lessens and you don't dwell on the tragedies."
"But I never want to forget them, Bogg! They were my parents, they're all I ever had." He looked up red-faced. Phineas rubbed his shoulder.
"It doesn't mean you'll ever forget them, Jeff. All it means is that you'll eventually keep the good memories in the forefront and push the tragic ones back."
Phineas was fighting sleep, but Jeffrey needed him. He put his hand on his cheek and leaned upon his elbow, finding a comfortable position.
"Jeffrey, I never told you any of this, and now that the memories are with me again I think I should."
"Tell me what?"
"What happened to my family. It all came rushing back to me when we saw my younger self on the ship. The moment he…I…mentioned my sister Joanna."
Phineas felt choked up. Jeffrey always knew how to invoke pity and make the strongest of men cry. He was a tough boy when he needed to be, but inside a sensitive soul. Those were two qualities that would take him far as a Voyager.
"Bogg, tell me everything you remember. I've always wanted to know more about your family, but you never talked about it and I wasn't sure if you even wanted me to ask."
"Okay…I'll tell you."
Jeffrey listened in awe as the sun settled in dazzling hues of deep pink and orange. Phineas delved into his memories and revealed the good times, as well as the tragedies that befell all of his beloved family members. His mother and sister died of typhoid. Phineas was forced to leave his life of youthful luxury behind with his father and learn the business of a Privateer. Within a few years, his father was murdered. He was struck down while saving Phineas' life during a pirate raid. The murderers were to become Phineas' new family when they took him aboard their ship Excelsior and made him one of their own.
"And now I've started another family. You and me, kid. And nothing and nobody will ever take you away from me! I won't lose my family again. I swear to it." Phineas said resolutely, his eyes bright with tears. Jeffery leaned forward and grasped Phineas' neck for a consoling hug.
"That's right. We'll always be a family and we'll always be together. I wish I would have known all this sooner, that you and I are both orphans. What a life you had."
"Yeah, well, maybe that's why we developed this kinship pretty fast. We understand each other, even if we didn't say it right away, I knew it."
Jeffrey sat back, gazing at Phineas with a new-found respect and a deeper affection. He suddenly realized that he truly loved Phineas like a father. He could never replace his real one, but Phineas would always be the next best man to Bill Jones. Phineas understood that and he wouldn't ask for anything more.
