"chapter 8": a long cry from home
she smiled as she saw the men off the ship. they were all due back after the catch was weighed and she stayed behind to tidy up and then it was off to the grocery to stock up for the next run out. it seemed so quickly that the hungry, hard working boys ate through the stock. when she went out to collect the trash from the wheel house she saw that john was still there. "you ok honey?" she came up slowly and softly behind him, wrapping her arms around him, her chin rested gentally on his shoulder "its just hard to see scotty leave, i failed at my second chance to be a dad to him, again." "ill leave and wait in dutch for your return if you want to bring him back, so not to make him uncomfortable, if you would like?" he shook his head and leaned it against hers lovingly, enjoying her scent some more "forget about your chores for now, you can do them while the boys are sleeping off the alcohol, lets head to town so i can show off my new woman" he grinned like a shark, all of his teeth showing through. "and who might this new woman be?" she said playfully helping him to his feet "only the most beautiful one in all of unalaska" he said before kissing her forehead she gasped "you lie johnathan hillstrand, you lie like a dead dog" she slapped his chest and laughed "no i dont you just dont give yourself enough credit. you are a great asset to me, to this ship. you do realize that? the men, most twice your age, respect you like a mother and a sister both, and me, i love you with everything you deserve" she smiled falling for him all the more "now come on to dutch or i will drag you kicking and screaming" he said "ok, your word is law captain" she winked and he jumped up, throwing her over his shoulder "hey listen up here, you brute, i said id come quietly" she yelled, playfully beating him on the back making him laugh as he proceeded to carry her off of the ship.
"oh hi josh, phil" he nodded putting down his prize and keeping his arm around her waist marking her as his. phil raised his eyebrows and josh looked away not understanding why this sight made him jealous but not liking the feeling at all. "hi captain, hi josh" she beamed at their friends. josh looked in her direction and gave a feeble smile, not meeting her eyes, she looked so happy. "we were just heading to the elbow room, want to join us?" john offered and phil accepted for both him and his second eldest son. the quartet joked and laughed all the way to the bar and john bought them all a round of celebratory duck farts as he proudly flaunted his new woman, introducing her as the woman who had fixed them all supper two months ago. by the time that the bar was about to close josh had drank more than anyone else in the place trying to drown out the jealousy he felt. phil looked at his son worried about him as josh paid his tab and got roughly up "imma go check on jake and that count" then stalked off.
"i dont know whats eating him" phil shook his head. john had drank enough to be feeling quite well by now, his arm around her the whole night. "neather do i. do you want to go back to the ship?" he turned and asked mariah. she shook her head "i have to call home first to check on my daughter" "ok ill see you soon" he kissed her on the lips and paid off both of their tabs before leaving. "ill send josh back up here soon to so you to the Bandit in a few" phil said as he too paid and got ready to leave "thank you phil" she said "hey, tony, can i borrow your phone?" she yelled "yeah its right back here mariah" he answered
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"sorry its so late we about to head back out in the morning. how is sophia?" mariah asked when her mom answered the phone "she is ok, she has been crying for you all day today, she said that she wouldnt sleep until you got home and just passed out a few hours ago. how is it so far?" mariah was silent, missing her baby girl. "oh...its great mom, i just miss you all so much" "ok, well i have to work in the morning so i have to go, ill talk to you again soon ok?" "ok mom, oh and i have a feeling i might be bringing some company when i get back so you and the rest of the family can meet someone, love you, ill let you go now." she hung up the phone, laughing at the suspense that her mom must feel now when she felt a hand on her shoulders. "how can you be with him when you could be my star, darling?" mariah's eyes widened and she didnt dare to turn around but her eyes searched wildly for tony, she knew he had a bat and rifle to break up fights but he wasnt anywhere to be seen. "get your hands off of her." she heard josh's voice, surprisingly steady and even. stanley removed his hands and turned around slowly "and what do you want harris, you gonna claim her from him for yourself" he mocked "no, but nether are you so move your ass out of my way, you are between me and my friend, a place where you dont want to be" while josh had stanley's attention, pride rose up in mariah, she didnt need a guy to take care of her or protect her even if that guy was her friend. josh had expected her to run for it but instead she kicked his knees in "what the-" she cut him off with a swift kick in the ribs, knocking the wind out of him. "dont you ever touch me or any other woman again, you slimy bastard, got that clear?" she yelled and when he tried to get up she kicked him in the groin and bent down, punching him in the nose before stepping over him and joining josh who stood in stunned silence with his mouth hanging open "c'mon josh ill walk you back to the cornelia".
A/N: i know really short chapter but im preparing to wrap up this story and get my sequel typed up ill probably add a teaser for the next story at the end of this story
peace