Chapter Forty Four
It is time for me to talk to Captain again. I found his behavior regarding what is called 'marriage' very odd and I want to understand it better. I go up to the attic as I know that's where he is.
"Scruffy," he nods at me as I enter. He is at his desk writing something or another.
Captain, I nod my head at him and wait for him to finish.
"You wanted something?" he lifts an eyebrow as he looks at me.
Yes, I do. I want to better understand something about humans.
"And what is that?" He seemed amused.
What is marriage? I cocked my head at him.
"Marriage? Why would a dog want to know about that?"
Just answer the question.
"Marriage binds two humans, a man and a woman together. It is usually done when a man and a woman love each other but it can also be an arranged marriage."
I gave him a 'go on' look.
"An arranged marriage is a…contract. They agree to marry each other for reasons other than love."
I thought about this for a few moments. So whether you love someone or not you agree to be with them?
"Exactly so."
For how long?
"Til death do you part is how it goes," he muttered.
For always then, or at least until you die.
"Yes, my furry friend, that's the gist of it."
Which is better? Arranged or love?
"Love is always better."
That's why you never married anyone? Because you never loved anyone?"
Captain gave me a sad look and slowly nodded.
Couldn't you have arranged a marriage?
"I did once. Remember Vanessa?"
Ohh, I did remember her, she made Carolyn very unhappy. I growled.
"Easy, my lad, she is not here and only a memory of the past. One that I have put away."
Do you think marriage is bad?
"Bad? No. I just don't think any man should be forced into marriage."
And you thought the Scared One was being forced?
"Yes. And loathe
though I am to admit it, even he does not need to endure that. A woman controlling what you do, where you go, who you see, even your own thoughts." He shuddered.
You wouldn't like that?
"No. Not one little bit."
I don't understand, my mind whirling with the contradictions he put before me. When would it be acceptable to get married?
"When a man truly loves a woman and wants to spend the rest of his life with her," he said in a deep voice and I knew he was thinking of Carolyn. And it clicked for me. Despite his protests to the contrary, he wanted to be a mortal man and to marry Carolyn.
Would you marry Carolyn if you could? I studied his face; it was somber now, filled with love and sadness.
"Yes," he whispered, and with a nod to me, he turned back to his writing and I knew that I had been dismissed.
No matter, he had given me even more to think about.