A Sailor's Tale

PROLOGUE

The sun beamed down on the seaside village below as clouds lazily drift across the sky. A breeze carried the scent of salty waters as ships go in and out of port. Mothers and wives saw their husbands and children off to school and to work. Such things were left unnoticed by a young man as he held the body of a young woman in his arms, tears flowing relentlessly down his cheeks.

Many years later

John had grown accustomed to the sight of his grandfather wandering every morning to the cliffs where once the Jameson bridge stood. To one side there lay a small marketplace. Like John and his grandfather, many of the villagers resided on land separated by the great expanse of the sea below.

It had come to John's attention that whenever his grandfather would come back from such outings, he'd return looking more haggard than when he had set out. When he was younger, John was often brought along. For hours John watched his grandfather as he looked out to sea as if waiting for something that wouldn't ever come. John had never understood the reason behind these visits.

When he grew into a young man he asked as they looked out to sea," Grandfather, why do we come out here day in and out, when it only brings you pain?" For a while, there was a heavy silence broken at last by grandfather when he let out a shaky sigh only for his shoulders to drop. At last, his grandfather looked reluctantly at him, his eyes reflecting like broken glass.

"Do...do you remember your mother?" John was taken aback by this but nodded in response. "Yes of course. She left when I was young with no explanation as to why. His grandfather let out a worn-out laugh saying, at last, "Yes, well that's not as true as you may think.

John looked quizically at his grandfather as he had appeared to have aged. When you were just an infant your mother and I came here with the hope of a new home, a fresh start so to speak. Shortly after we'd settled, your mother fell for a young sailor. Everyone knew his name to be Jim. As grandfather said this he pulled out a worn and faded photo of a young woman with blond wavy hair, a freckled fair complexion, who stood next to a young man of the same height. He had dark brown hair with a tanned complexion John figured that must have been his mother and Jim. He stared at the photo as his grandfather continued. "He was very considerate and took quite a liking to your mother. And after only six months together, Jim decided very suddenly that he'd be taking his fishing trip early. He said he'd be gone for a while but that he would return. So the following day, we'd watched as he set sail. Every day, your mother would come to this very spot, and would look out to sea for hours, hoping that she'd spot his ship in the distance.

John waited for what seemed like several minutes when at last grandfather broke the silence. "One day, your mother received a letter from Jim saying that he'd be returning that night. As he'd said this, a tear raced down his cheek as others took its place. In a quiet tone, he said, " Your mother had wanted to surprise him with a special dinner just for them. At last, he turned to look at John pointing to the pit that lay before them saying, you wouldn't remember this but there was once a bridge which had connected this side to the marketplace across from us. Back then, it was the only way across. It was an old bridge and we'd had some nasty weather only a few days before. Your mother was not aware and went to fetch ingredients from the marketplace, leaving you with me. She'd left a little before the sun was to set. He now shook with sobs as he whispered hoarsely, "she never came back." I was heading out to look for her when I heard a knock on the door. Jim stood outside and I could tell from the look on his face that something was wrong. But when I asked him what happened, he wouldn't meet my eyes. Though I tried, I could get anything out of him. That night, he left without saying a word. The next day, I'd found a note with instructions to look after you as something bad had happened and that he was not going to return. Rumour had spread of the bridge collapsing, and that an accident had occurred involving a young woman. It was only after I"d heard that I'd understood. His voice trailed off as he was unable to continue.

John stood there, shock evident on his face. It was long after his grandfather had left that John came to a decision, He was going to find Jim. That night he'd pack food, clothes, the photo, and set out on his grandfather's old boat. Everywhere he stopped he'd show the picture asking if anyone had met the man in the photo. On and on he had searched. Soon, days turned into weeks, and weeks then turned into months. John was growing weary as his search began to feel in vain. As he was falling into a pit of despair, the fog that had enveloped him all morning dispersed revealing a small seaside town. He went ashore telling himself this was the last place he'd look and then he would go home.

Walking into the marketplace, John took in all about him. Women went from stall to stall with children in toe as they looked for ingredients to fill their baskets. Men hurried to and fro carrying supplies of all sorts. Various smells of fruits, meats, and spices filled the air. John went to each stall, pointing to Jim in the photo, asking if any had seen him, only to hear that which he'd heard so often on his travels.

The last place he decided to check was but a small boat shop. Walking inside, John closed the door on the fading rays of that day. Except for the faint glow which emanated from behind the front desk, all appeared dark. John had started to ask the question he'd asked so many times over the last several weeks when the light caught the owner's face and John froze. "It was him...Jim!" John tapped the bell on the desk. Jim looked up staring for a few minutes before recognition dawned. "John? he mouthed silently." John saw a tear race down his cheek as he rushed forward embracing him. Pulling away, Jim stared into his face saying " you've grown. You look just like your dear mother." John realized he was crying as he asked, " Why did you leave?' Jim's smile faded, as it was replaced with a look of dread. When he failed to respond, John said, " Grandfather told me what happened to mom. Jim's shoulders sagged as a haunted light filled his eyes. " Come with me, we've got a lot to discuss."

Taking John to a back table, he gestured towards a seat. John didn't join him. " I was about your age when I met your mother, maybe a little older. Your mother was very beautiful and very charming. I wouldn't have been surprised if she'd been proposed to a dozen times a day. Wherever she went, a dazzling light would seem to envelop her. She made friends with everyone. I loved everything about her. Before we knew it, we'd fallen in love. After being together for only six months, I'd made an excuse to take my fishing trip early. I'd told them that I would be gone for a while as the area I was going to for fishing had moved but in reality, I had other reasons why I'd be gone for so long, reasons neither your mother nor your grandfather knew about. As he said this, he opened an old closet door, returning with a small wooden box. Sitting, he pushed it towards John. Opening it, the first thing to grab his attention was a small shining pearl. He then noticed that it was attached to a small brass band. John paled as understanding grew. Jim interrupted his thoughts as he said in a whisper, " I was going to ask for her hand in marriage. John could barely breathe. I was so excited coming back that I'd failed to notice the crowd which had gathered near the shore. as soon as my ship was secure in port, I'd gone towards the crowd as I was curious as to what had everyone's attention.

Pieces of what appeared to be the bridge were Strood throughout the shallows. He wouldn't meet John's eyes as he said, among them...lay your mother. I rushed forward, begging her to open her eyes. Sadly, my request was not granted. After I'd put your mother to rest, I'd gone to your grandfather. I left that night, leaving a note...asking him to look after you.

Jim looked despondent as he waited for John to react. John whispered as tears filled his eyes, " you would have been my dad." Jim went to John and hugged him saying, "yes, that would have indeed been the case. After an endless silence, John asked, " won't...won't you come back with me? Jim smiled sadly then said, " you look tired. Let's get you something to eat, then get you to bed." John wanted to point out that he was avoiding the question when he realized just how exhausted he was. He allowed himself to be led away to get some much-needed rest.

The next day, Jim helped John to restock his ship. John then asked again, "Why did you leave?" Jim said with a broken look in his eyes, " I couldn't face you or your grandfather...without seeing her, I'm sorry." John realized he was crying as he begged, "please, come back! don't leave me alone again." Jim couldn't face him as he asked, "Why would you want to be around me? I left you and your grandfather without an explanation. I'm nothing but a coward!" John brought out the photo of Jim and his mom as he said, " please if not for me...then do it for her." Jim looked at the photo and then slowly nodded. John helped him pack his things, and then they both set out for the long journey home.

EPILOGUE

John's ship bobbed up and down on the waves as he came into the port of the village he'd called his home. The sky was a vibrant blue with not a cloud to be seen. The air was crisp and fresh as ships went in and out of port. It was as if nothing had changed since the day John had left. Jim stood silently beside him preoccupied with his own thoughts. John looked at Jim and nodded reassuredly.

Jim squeezed John's hand as if to say," I'm alright." Once his boat was secured in the port, John led Jim to his grandfather's cabin. As they passed the pit where the accident took place, Jim paused, took a few deep breaths, and then went on.

Opening the door, the first thing to grab their attention was how dim and musty it was. Both Jim and John looked at each other in concern. John called, " Grandfather, I'm back." No response. "Grandfather, where are you?" Fear rapidly began to close in on John when suddenly, he heard a groan from the other room. Upon entering both Jim and John are alarmed to find Grandfather collapsed between the bed and the floor. " Grandfather," they both yelled at once, helping him onto the bed. Both come to the same realization, his end was near.

John peered into his grandfather's face. He burned with fever. John gently shook his grandfather's shoulder. Slowly his eyes opened He stared uncomprehendingly for a few minutes. Then as if to show he understood what was going on, tears began to flow freely down his cheeks. He weakly gripped his grandson's hands, as he smiled sadly. Looking past John, Grandfather stammered, "Jim." John stepped aside to let Jim through. Jim's eyes shimmered with tears as he took Grandfather's hand. Grandfather forced his head off the pillow, imploring Jim to lean closer. As Jim did so, Grandfather said, " Take care of him. This is your home now." Jim shook with sobs as he promised that he would never leave John's side.

Grandfather then sighed mouthing," love you," as his eyes closed, never to open again. Shortly after Grandfather's funeral, John and Jim visited the spot they decided to call Sailor's Vigil. They came every day and decide to do so without fail as both John's mother and grandfather had done.