Lydia sat down on a bench outside of her cabin.  It was one of her favorite places to sit and admire the ocean, for it was placed facing the stern of the ship.  She overlooked the deck, swarming with sailors.  Aidan sat down beside her and sighed happily.  “Nice to be back, isn’t it?”

Lydia nodded and scuffed at the wooden floor with the toe of her boot.  A frown began between her eyes and she asked, “Aidan, do you think Mama will be okay alone for so long?  I mean,” she dropped her voice to just above a whisper.  “The baby is due in about only three months.  Do you think we’ll be back in time?”  Aidan shrugged and looked at her with an amused look.  “If Father didn’t think we would be back in time he wouldn’t have left.  Besides, Mama is quite capable of having a baby on her own,” he ended sarcastically.  Lydia sighed.  “I guess.  I just…”

“Well, what have we here?” boomed a loud, Australian accented voice above them.  Lydia and Aidan forgot their worries and greeted the friendly second mate with a smile.  Aidan jumped up and shook hands with the big man, and Lydia nodded politely.  “Back for the trip, eh?” Ross rumbled.  Lydia smiled and replied, “Yes, we’re back.  And it’s good to be back!”  And she meant it.  Ross’ laugh bellowed throughout the ship.  “We could use your help, Mate,” Ross gestured to Aidan.  Aidan grinned and waved to Lydia as he and Ross ambled away.  Lydia sighed again and sat back against the cabin wall.  As the crew settled in she decided that it was time to talk to God.  Lydia had become a Christian 7 years ago and had a close relationship with God.  She found herself talking to Him at various times during the day, just like she would a friend.  “Father God, I pray that you protect my Mama while we’re gone.  Help her, and the baby.  Give me and Aidan and Father peace during this trip and help us to have no set-backs – Your will be done.  Thank you, Lord.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”  Lydia stood up and walked over to the rail overlooking the sparkling ocean.  Then she heard the familiar hobble of Duke, the oldest sailor on board.  Duke, who was 70, had lost a leg during a battle.  Since then Captain Boit had kept him on not out of compassion, but happily.  Duke was like a father to just about every man on board, and was always ready with an encouraging word or scripture from the Holy Bible.  Duke nodded to Lydia and admitted, “I overheard you talkin’ to our Father.  Ya know, He’ll take care of yo’ Mama.  ‘Side’s, Mrs. Captain Boit ain’t one to break down.  She’s strong, ‘spite her size, like you.”  Lydia blushed and thanked the old sailor gratefully.  Any kind of encouragement helped a lot.  “Join me for dinner, Duke?” she asked cheerfully.  The weathered sailor shook his head and laughed, “Ya act like ‘er, too.”  Lydia watched him amble off as Derry came up to her.  “Dinner’s ready, Lyd.  Uncle Allen wants ya in his cabin for the first night on board.”  Lydia hugged her younger cousin and they walked off together.

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Merely the introduction...

Bright Hopes

Introduction

 “Hoist the main sails and prepare to launch,” bellowed the large, barrel-chested Captain Boit.  At his command, the sailors snapped to attention.  The ship was called the Bright Hopes, and she was one of the largest import vessels on the sea.  Captain Boit also had one of the largest crews.  He was known for being kind and fair, and any common sailor knew of him and tried to get signed on his rig.  The Captain looked toward his wife standing on the dock.  Mrs. Boit was a pretty, petite woman with curling blonde hair and large, expressive brown eyes.  She dabbed a delicate lace handkerchief at the corners of her eyes and waved a small hand at the Captain and his son.  Then Captain Boit looked at his daughter, who looked a lot like his wife, despite her height and intense green eyes.  He watched his wife reach out and grab his daughter’s hand, and give it a squeeze.  His daughter gave a tight smile and grabbed onto the ladder with her long, tanned arms.  She quickly hauled herself aboard, ignoring her brother’s outstretched hand offering assistance from above.  Captain Boit smiled with satisfaction and gave the order, “Cast off!”  The bustle of the ship quickly engulfed the family, and the Bright Hopes sailed out of the port.  Once they were safely on their way, the Captain nodded to first mate Steven and headed towards his cabin, leaving his children to do as they pleased.

Captain Boit’s son was a sturdy lad of 17 years, whose thick, wavy, coarse blonde hair fell into his green-gray eyes.  His name was Aidan, and although he loved ship life, he planned to be a doctor, with his sister as assistant.  He never shirked at the sight of blood or grotesque wounds, and he was known among his friends and peers as being a very plucky, honest, and yet calm young man.  He was a talented sailor, with the grace of a dolphin and sharpness of an eagle, who had plans of being the ship’s doctor in a few years.

Now, the Captain’s daughter needs a bit more description.  Lydia Boit was a very pretty girl of average height.  Her long, curling, waist-length hair was like her brother’s in all ways except texture - purely blonde, but silky to touch.  Her eyes were an intense, sparkling green that just at this moment looked serious, and generally displayed her emotions better than words.  Her skin was tanned from years on board the Bright Hopes, and she moved easily and gracefully with the rocking of the ship.  At 16 girls were usually to be married, or at least preparing – but Lydia was not the usual girl.  Lydia’s mother, Kathleen Boit, had been unable to raise Lydia herself, due to sickness.  So Captain Boit was the main influence in her life, and he didn’t exactly teach the usual and proper etiquette.  Instead, he let Lydia do everything he did – which grew her up into a strong, beautiful, healthy young woman.  So continued the life of Lydia Grace Boit – as of yet.

The Bright Hopes’ crew consisted of 318 sailors – (3 of whom we will meet soon).  There was also Steven, first mate, a tall, somber man of 45, and Ross, second mate, who was full of energy and extremely agreeable.  Lydia’s cousin, Derry, was the Captain’s cabin boy.  Derry was a dark-haired, dark-eyed boy of 10, who looked up to his cousins with an almost frightening idolatry. 

And so…

the story begins.

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