Five Sisters

by Leen Elle

  Nathaniel nodded politely, "I look forward to it."

  "And what about you? Have you always lived in Laraford?"

  "Yes, but I have had to travel around quite a bit, usually accompanied by a nurse or two, to see various doctors about my condition."

  "And that's why you're going to Brighton too, I suppose?"

  "No," Nathaniel shook his head and moved one of his marbles, "I'm going to Wickensville. It's a bit farther down the coast than Brighton, so we'll get there first, I believe. But yes, I am going there to see a doctor."

  Gail nodded and looked down at the board to contemplate her next move, but she wasn't really thinking about the game, "If you don't mind my asking . . . What exactly do all these doctors do to you?"

  "Well, usually they just perform various tests to try and determine what my condition is exactly."

  "What kind of tests are they?"

  "Er . . . well, it varies from doctor to doctor. I've gotten quite a few odd medicines and ointments I'm supposed to try. It's a bit scary, really, to take a big gulp of some unknown substance, but I usually just have to trust the doctor's word. Besides, the effects aren't usually too bad. I did have hives once though, from some mysterious ointment a doctor gave me up north. And there was also some thick, syrupy liquid that made me turn a bluish color and start shivering like mad.

  "But the worst was when this one doctor, I believe he was a bit psychotic, gave me some violet powder that I had to sprinkle on my tongue. I really shouldn't have done it after looking at the man; it was quite obvious that he had some screws loose, if you know what I mean. For an hour or so everything was fine. The doctor thought that his concoction hadn't worked so he just went to bed, but I stayed up reading for a bit. Then, all of the sudden, the strangest feeling in the world came over me. It started in my toes, giving them an eerie, tingling feeling and then slowly crept up my legs. I simply ignored it, and continued my reading, but soon the feeling was traveling up my torso, down my arms, and through to my fingertips. They became frozen in place, and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't move them. Then suddenly the book dropped onto my lap, no longer held by my rigid fingers, and my arms dropped limply.

  "That oddball doctor later explained that some chemicals he'd used had reacted in a way he hadn't expected, or something of that sort, and caused me to basically become paralyzed from the neck downwards. It lasted a week- one of the worst weeks of my life. I had to have a nurse stand by me all hours of the day to feed me and hold a glass of water up to my mouth so I could get a drink."

  "How terrible!" Gail exclaimed, "I can't even imagine it."

  There was a silence as the game continued, when suddenly a loud clatter of thunder sounded just out of Nathaniel's porthole. Gail rose from her seat and looked outside at the dark waves, looking much rougher here than they had on deck.

  "It's not raining yet," she said, returning to her chair, "But I have a feeling the storm is going to start pretty soon. It's taken long enough."

  Nathaniel nodded, "It's been thundering all day."

  "And it's been really windy too," Gail agreed, taking her turn, "I love storms."

  "So do I." Nathaniel reached out for a marble, but as he did so his arm began to shake with large tremors. With his free hand, he grabbed the arm, attempting to stop the jerking, but failing. Gail sat silently, and bit her lip. She knew that Nathaniel didn't like to be thought of as weak, and tried not to stare for fear he should be angry with her again.

  "Are you alright?" she asked in a small voice, "Is there anything I can do?"

  Nathaniel shook his head, but wouldn't let their eyes meet, "No, nothing. Thanks though."

  Wearily, he used his controllable hand to choose a marble and made a move without even thinking about it, desperate to remove attention from himself.

  Gail understood by his wandering eyes that he didn't want her to feel sorry for him, so she stared at the board to contemplate her next move and hopefully give Nathaniel enough time to improve the state of his jittery arm, which he was now sitting upon in an effort to hinder its trepidations.

  Raising a hand to rest her chin on, Gail tried to continue focusing on the board but couldn't help glance up as she saw that Nathaniel seemed to be getting worse. His trembling arm wasn't the only problem anymore. His face was growing whiter and whiter, the color draining from his cheeks, and his breathing was becoming heavier.

  Gail gulped, but tried not to sound too concerned as she asked, "Are you sure you're alright, Nathaniel?"

  "Fine, fine," he replied quickly.

  Gail nodded and bit her lip again, turning her attention back to the game board and staring at the jumbled patterns of red and yellow marbles. They became a blur as she heard Nathaniel cough. She tried her best to ignore it, but then he began to cough louder and harder; it was as though he couldn't even breathe.

  Remembering the last time this had happened, Gail quickly straightened up and reached for the tall violet bottle of syrupy liquid that she'd used the last time he'd erupted into a fit of violet coughs, holding it up for Nathaniel to see.

  "Would you like some?" she asked worriedly, "Would that help?"

  Nathaniel shook his head, using his free hand to grab a handkerchief, hold it to his mouth, and suppress his continuing coughs, "I'm fine."

  Gail nodded, but as she stared back at the board she knew he was lying.

  Slowly, though, his coughs diminished. Gail finally moved her marble, after the rather large interruption, but when she looked up she didn't see Nathaniel sitting contently again as she'd expected. He was lying back on his pillow, as pale as a ghost.

  "Are you alright?" Gail asked for what seemed like the hundredth time that afternoon.

  He didn't answer.

  "Nathaniel," Gail repeated, "Are you alright?"

  Nathaniel blinked, his eyes glazed over and looking as placid as two gray stones. "I don't much feel like playing anymore," he murmured, his voice hoarse.

  "Alright," Gail nodded, "Alright. We don't have to play a game."

  It didn't seem that Nathaniel could hear her; he stared at the wall with a blank expression.

  Gail didn't know what she was supposed to do. Leaving the marbles where they were, she moved the game board off of the bed and onto the dresser. Nathaniel still hadn't moved. Gail stood up and walked to look out of the window again, but Nathaniel lied frozen.

  "Would you like anything to drink?" she asked quietly, "I'm a bit thirsty myself."

  "No," Nathaniel replied without looking towards her, but Gail could barely hear him.

  She headed upstairs to get a glass of water and soon found herself dawdling around the deck and stalling so that she wouldn't have to head back downstairs again. It wasn't that she didn't like Nathaniel, she'd been having a lot of fun with him for the past few hours, but she felt terribly uncomfortable with him when he was in this strange, stationary state. She didn't know what she was supposed to do with him now. Perhaps it'd be best if she just left him alone to get his rest. Or perhaps he wanted her to entertain him and read him a story. Neither choice really appealed to Gail.

  Still rather uncertain, but feeling very guilty about leaving Nathaniel alone, Gail walked back downstairs. The color had risen up again a bit in Nathaniel's cheeks, although they were still as pale as ever, and his eyes were no longer cold stones.

  "Feeling better?" Gail asked.

  Nathaniel nodded, "Yes, very."

  "Would you like to play a game then? If you're tired of Chinese checkers we could always play cards or something. Or if you don't feel like playing I could just read you a story," Gail suggested.

  "Whatever you want."

  "No, it's up to you," Gail refused, "I'll do whatever you like."

  "I suppose we could finish our game then."

  Gail rose and set up the game on the bed between them and they continued for a short while as though nothing had ever occurred to disrupt their game. But Gail noticed that Nathaniel's eyes were watching her rather suspiciously, scrutinizi
ng her every move as the thunder clashed louder just outside.

  Finally, he spoke: "You don't have to be here if you don't want."

  "Yes, I know," Gail replied, "But I'm perfectly content where I am, thank you."

  "No, I just . . . You don't seem like the type of girl who enjoys spending all her time indoors."

  "Well . . ." Gail paused, "I'm not, I suppose, but that doesn't mean . . ."

  "It means that you would rather be anywhere than here. Don't feel as though you've been forced to come here today. You can go anytime you please."

  "But what if I don't want to leave?"

  "And you don't have to lie to me either."

  "But I'm not lying."

  Nathaniel sighed, "I'm tired of feeling pitied. I know you would much rather be up on deck in the wind and excitement than down here in this stuffy room with me."

  Gail tried to speak, but Nathaniel interrupted.

  "I'm sure I've already scared you with . . . with . . ." Nathaniel stammered, "With whatever was happening to me. I'm really not sure what it was exactly, but it's happened before."

  "I tried to help," Gail said, "But I didn't know what you wanted me to do and you kept telling me you were fine."

  "I know, I know, I just . . ." he paused, "I just don't want you to feel obligated to be here. I know that no one in their right mind would ever want to spend their day down here with me in this horribly suffocating and disease-filled room and I . . ."

  "Are you saying I'm not in my right mind?" Gail asked a bit defensively.

  "No," Nathaniel assured, "Not at all, I just . . ."

  But Gail interrupted him, "Because I'm perfectly sane, thank you very much."

  "I never said you weren't."

  Gail crossed her arms. "You said that 'no one in their right mind would ever want to spend their day down here with you.' And if I do want to spend my day down here, then you must be insinuating that Iam not in my right mind."

  "Gail I . . ."

  "Why do you always do this?" Gail asked angrily, rising from her chair, "Every time things are starting to go well, you try to start up some sort of argument."

  "But I didn't mean to . . ."

  "I'm sick of this! I've tried to be nice and I've tried to make friends. I thought you could use some company. I thought you might want a friend!" Gail fumed, "But obviously I was wrong! If you really wanted a friend you wouldn't be so rude and ignorant! I'm sorry I ever came down here today! And I . . ."

  Nathaniel sat up, his eyes mad with fury, "Do you know what I think? I think you're just perplexed that I've been a rather pleasant companion all evening. And because I haven't started up any sort of quarrel, you feel the need to do so yourself! I didn't mean to say anything that would offend you! And if I did, I'm sorry. But you must admit that you made this entire feud appear out of thin air! You did it all yourself! I am not the one to blame!"

  "How dare you try to blame this all on me, Nathaniel West!" Gail spat back, "I've been trying to make friends with you, but you just won't have it, will you? It seems like every time I come in here all we do is fight! I'm tired of it! And you know what? You're right! I would much rather be up on deck! But it's not just because of the fresh air and excitement, it's because each and every one of the sailors is ten times nicer than you'll ever be! I'm tired of this!" she screamed, "And I'm leaving!"

  With one final glare at Nathaniel, Gail stomped out of the room, making as much noise as possible as she did so. Nathaniel watched her with an uneasy expression upon his face.

  He bit his lip, "Gail?"

  But she didn't turn around.

  "Gail, come back!" he called.

  She slowed her pace, but didn't bother to reply.

  "Gail, please come back!" Nathaniel called, his voice hoarse and shaky, "I didn't mean what I said. I didn't mean any of it. Please don't go."

  She'd come to a stop just outside of Nathaniel's door, listening to what he had to say and wondering if he'd continue.

  "You were right. It does get lonely down here," he said, "And I-I do want a friend. One could go mad down here by himself all the time. There's absolutely nothing to do and most of the time I'm bored out of mind. The best times I've had on this journey so far have been my four visits from you. Some of them didn't go over so well and both of our tempers flared at points, but I've always enjoyed the times you've come to see me. No one else has even bothered to look in, besides Charlie. And it's terrible to sit down here by my lonesome self when I can hear everyone on deck upstairs, laughing and singing and dancing. You don't know what that's like. I'm sorry for all the times I've been rude, and I really didn't mean to hurt you. Well," Nathaniel scratched his head, "I probably did at the time . . ."

  Gail smiled and turned around.

  Nathaniel continued, ". . . but now I don't. I'm not asking for much, but I . . . It . . . It would really mean a lot to me if you'd come down every so often. We could play checkers again. Or cards. Or . . . or anything you want. It doesn't even have to be that often, if you don't want. Just once every two weeks or so would be more than enough. And I'd promise not to let my temper get the better of me if you'd only just come down and see me . . . I'm sorry, Gail. Just please, please don't go. Please don't leave me."

  His voice was so sincere that Gail knew he must be telling the truth. She didn't know how to respond to all that he'd said though. Gail wasn't very good with emotional situations and she didn't want to sound silly or sentimental.

  With a blank face, she walked back across the room and set the game board on the edge of Nathaniel's bed. Then, she moved one of her red marbles into a new space and looked up with a small smile, "Your turn."

  CHAPTER 13

  The Great Storm Begins

  In the distance, just above the line where the ocean met the sky, a flash of lighting appeared, followed shortly by a crash of thunder. Dark clouds floated ominously overhead, but as of yet, not a drop of rain had fallen.

  Nora had woken that morning with a sudden feeling of confidence and determination, and had planned on finally sitting beside and speaking to Ben during breakfast. But when the meal began she found herself beside not Ben, but Sawyer. It would be silly to scheme and strategize a way to move closer, so Nora simply sat where she was.

  At first she was rather miserable, watching Ben wistfully from across the table, but before she knew it he'd been erased from her mind, disappeared into thin air.

  And as the day went on, Nora found that she could rarely even think of Ben.

  She spent most of the day with Sawyer, as a matter of fact.

  First Sawyer tried to teach Nora how to fish, since she had yet to catch anything while fishing with Zooey. And after an hour and a half of practice, she felt a tug at the end of her line. Reeling in her string, Nora was so excited she was grinning with glee. Not long after, a small, thrashing fish became visible at the top of the water. With Sawyer's help Nora was able to reel it in. And although it was definitely smaller than the fish she'd seen the sailors catch, Nora was proud just the same.

  Sawyer smiled at her accomplishment and asked, "So is he going to be your dinner then?"

  "My dinner?" Nora gasped, "How could I ever eat this poor little fish?"

  Sawyer grinned, "You've been eating fish just like this one ever since you set foot on this ship. How's this one any different?"

  "I don't know . . ." Nora sighed, watching as Sawyer removed the hook from the fish's lip, "But he's the first fish I've caught. And look how cute he is!"

  "Cute?" Sawyer laughed.

  "Couldn't we at least keep him around for a little while? In a pail, perhaps?"

  Sawyer shrugged, "If you want."

  They found a wooden bucket, filled it with water, and dropped the little fish inside. They watched as it swam around the pail joyfully, relieved to find itself in a container of water rather than being chopped up and served on a platter.

  By that time, the day was still early, so Sawyer and Nora decided to get a little work done and spent a few h
ours in the kitchen, scrubbing the floors, sinks and counters. Most would have thought this a terrible way to spend one's day, but somehow it ended up being one of the most enjoyable times Nora had had on board since they'd left Laraford. Both Sawyer and Nora were busy scrubbing with their soapy sponges, laughing as they did so, when Sawyer went back to the bucket in the corner to wet his sponge. As he was walking back across the room, a bit of soapy water dripped from his sponge onto Nora's arm.

  "Sorry 'bout that," Sawyer said, pushing his glasses up further on his nose.

  A sly smile crept across Nora's face. She moved over to the bucket on her knees and dunked her sponge into the water, not bothering to wring it out afterwards. Then, she scooted over to Sawyer and twisted the sponge right over his head. Water and suds trailed down his flaxen blond waves and onto his freckled cheeks. And then, without any sort of warning, he jumped to his feet and ran after Nora with his sponge held high in the air.

  Although most of their afternoon was spent in an amusing water fight, by dinnertime the kitchen was sparkly clean, from ceiling to floor.

  After dinner, Sawyer and Nora headed back up to the deck.

  Mary was downstairs weeping in bed. Nora didn't know what was wrong with her, but had only heard that her eldest sister had been terribly upset all afternoon. Sara was in the office with Charlie, while Gail had headed downstairs to Nathaniel's room. Nora didn't know where Emy had gone off to, but could correctly assume that she was mulling around somewhere, hopelessly lovesick with some mysterious man that her sisters had yet to identify.

  Sawyer stuck his hands in his pockets and glanced up at the dark clouds overhead, "It won't be long now."

  The twosome walked around the deck several times, talking, and watched as the ocean surrounding Violet grew darker and rougher. The sailors were growing anxious, wondering when the storm would finally hit.