Chapter 4

“That’s some major one-up-man-ship right there,” Steve said, and we got of our chairs and headed down to the promenade deck.

After a few steps it was obvious I was limping, and it made me both ashamed and feeling old. “Old war wound?” Steve asked.

“An unfortunate incident with my sword cane,” I replied.

“And my glands are so swollen it reminds me of when I had mumps as a child,” Steve replied, feeling his neck. “There are always so many smells on a ship: varnish, paint, perfume, smoke, ugh. I sort of knew that, but I wanted to come, anyhow. You have to rise above as much shit as you can, and you never know how far above you can rise until you try.”

“Meeting a small boy, a cat, and you have made it all worthwhile, and I’m hoping there will be many more similar things to come.”