AN: If you've stuck with me this far thank you for continuing with me. Please let me know if you like/don't like Scruffy and this story. Reviews are very welcome - they let me know if I am doing things right. Thanks.
Chapter Thirty Seven (Strictly Relative)
I hear Carolyn and Martha talking in the hallway about the papers she received at the house today, Martha calls it mail. Some of her family wants to visit, some I haven't met yet. Captain appears and tells her that he looks forward to meeting them. She tells him about them, calls them her in-laws, whatever that I, and then says something to tease him. I know he doesn't quite get it because I see the puzzled look on Captain's face.
I bark as the car with the new relatives pull up, it is my duty to welcome them and make sure that Carolyn is happy. They do not like our home and I take exception to that. When they enter the house the man stands by the Captain's portrait. They cannot see him, but Carolyn panics for a moment when the father in law looks at her and asks who the Captain is (our Captain is standing next to her and she wonders if her father in law sees the real captain). He likes the Captain's portrait which makes Captain happy. My playmates are happy to see their grandparents so I guess they can't be all bad. They think Jonathan looks like their Bobby. I am guessing that must be the father of my playmates. Grandfather is annoying; he is trying to interfere in our lives.
He can't even remember Martha's name for pity's sake. He wants to spend the day with Jonathan, and my playmate thinks that's a great idea. Candy is going off with grandmother. Grandfather doesn't understand how sewing the canvas for a mast is something a boy would do. He thinks it unmanly; he has obviously not talked to Captain. Grandfather is a miserable fisherman. I watch in dismay as the fishing pole reel becomes hopelessly tangled. Dejected we finally hike back to our home. Jonathan has talked about the Captain the entire time, and now said something to grandfather that he shouldn't have.
I listen in and the grandparents now think that Carolyn has found a new mate. In truth, she has but won't let anyone know, even herself. It is odd that when grandfather talks about their son Bobby, who must surely be the father of my playmates that Carolyn doesn't say anything. After all he was her mate, why doesn't she talk about him?
Captain is funny; he doesn't want them to drink his wine. He confuses grandfather. They think she will marry Captain. They find out he is Jonathan's imaginary friend, and want to take her back to Philadelphia. I do not think she will leave, I think this is her home now.
Captain and Carolyn talk, Captain is worried that she wants to leave but she tells him that she and the children will stay here. Captain says we are his family, and she doesn't correct him. Captain says he will make the Scared One be him. How is that possible? There is no one who would ever believe that. The Captain has quite a task ahead of him and I wish him well. I do not see how he can do it. The Scared One becoming Captain is laughable.
Claymore shows up at our home and he is dressed funny. Carolyn is surprised to see him when she answers the door, obviously Captain did not tell her about his plan. Captain is in the living room to watch this impersonation. Claymore claims to be Captain's descendant and I see Captain wince. Claymore talks funny and Captain tells him to leave, a shorter impression is better I guess. Grandparents don't know what to think of Claymore, and neither do I. Captain looks relieved as the seemed to believe that Claymore is the Captain. Now they will leave and life will return to normal.
They leave and still think that Carolyn will marry the Captain. If they only knew the truth!