“Miss Mary! You have been fully packed for three days now, insisting on wearing the same clothes and have barely eaten!” Sue followed closely behind Mary as she marched to the front of the ship. The sun peeked over the line where the ocean started and the sky ended. The shoreline arose from the sea in a jagged, unruly formation, her final destination.
Mary remained silent, her patience wearing thin toward the woman who had been her shadow for the past three months.
“Staring out on the water isn’t going to make us arrive any quicker, and your parents won’t pay me a penny if I do not deliver you in pristine condition.” Mary stopped just short of the final staircase which led to the frontmost part of the ship.
“Sue,” Mary began through gritted teeth. She took a deep breath and turned to face her oppressor. “For the last time, I am not cargo. I am a person with feelings. If you cannot give me the day to spend on my own thoughts, I will throw myself overboard.”
As much as Mary dreaded arriving in America, she was ready to remove herself from the boat, preferably on dry land, but she would swim as long as necessary to rid herself of Sue’s company.
Sue huffed indignantly and tapped her foot in irritation.
“Fine, if you insist I eat something, please fetch it and bring it to me up here. I can’t stand being inside the bowels of this ship any longer.” Sue agreed and headed down to retrieve lunch while Mary turned back to take her favorite spot on the boat.
There were some old barrels worn down from water splashes over the years that had left the wood soggy and smooth. Mary hiked up her skirt and plopped down on a barrel. She laid her chin on her crossed arms resting on the edge of the boat.
Salty water splashed up every so often, misting Mary’s sunken face. A lack of fresh fruits and vegetables drastically had changed Mary’s appearance. Her soft, supple skin had greyed and become porous from the salty air. The horizon in the west teased their impending arrival to America.
“Just another half day and you will be safely home.” Sue reappeared with both of their lunches balanced precariously in her arms. Mary was amazed that anyone could balance anything on the unsteady waves. With just a half day left in their voyage, Mary decided she would make an effort to be kind to Sue. After all, Sue had been her only source of companionship the entire trip, despite Sue’s early protests.
“Not home,” Mary said. “I left home. I am not sure what to call where I am going.” Mary said as Sue handed her a plate loaded with salted beef, cheese, and a biscuit. “Nor do I know what to call this meal. I figured after all these months, I would find the best way to describe this atrocity,” she continued and wrinkled her nose.
“You always think of worst-case scenarios. Your life can’t be all that bad.” Sue took a hearty bite of the salted beef and urged Mary to do the same.
“I know it seems unbelievable. A woman from a wealthy family, marrying into an even wealthier family should not have any problems. The life of luxury is just a shilling away,” Mary wailed and waved her free hand dramatically.
Mary’s voice dropped low. “My sorrow is something that cannot be explained to another. As much as I have enjoyed our many talks on this voyage, I wish to mourn the last hours of my freedom in peace.”
“By many talks, do you mean me trying to get you to eat, sleep, and pray?” Sue eyed Mary suspiciously, not picking up on the jest in her tone.
“The only person I will pray to is whoever can rescue me from my life of desperation.” Mary nibbled slowly on the hardened biscuit. It tasted the same as the first meal, and she longed for afternoon tea in her family’s home. Surely Eduard would appreciate her hosting afternoon tea for them once she was settled.
The two ate in silence as Mary watched the skilled sailors hoist and heave the various ropes and oars, preparing the ship for its arrival.
Sue cleared their empty plates and left Mary alone to relish the peace before whatever awaited her. Just a few short hours later, the small, jagged shoreline was within arm’s reach.
While the crew worked in an orchestrated chaos to bring the ship safely to the dock, Mary scanned the crowd, searching for Eduard’s familiar face. It took her several minutes, because she looked past him twice.
Then she saw him. He looked the same, but somehow bigger, and as though a wild animal was curled up on his face.
Eduard stood near a horse-drawn cart, fit with enough room for two riders and a small amount of goods. There was no way all of her suitcases were going to fit.
Typical. I have only been here a few minutes, and already I am causing trouble,Mary thought and worried about what she would say if Eduard demanded she leave some of it behind.
He was anxiously glancing between the different ships, clearly searching for her among all the passengers debarking. It took a few more moments, but their eyes finally met, and he waved his arm wildly in the air.
She waved back as she took her leave from the ship, eyes wide at the scene ahead. In her mind she thought she was coming to a wild and unruly land, with trees, dirt and not much else. Instead, she found a substantially well-established port and city. Her ship was amongst the long line of ships edging their way into the busy seaport.
As she drew closer to Eduard, weaving between all the bodies, she realized this was not the same man she had seen a year ago. Back in London, he was a youthful-looking young city man. Instead, a burly, bearded woodsman stood before her. His arms bulged against the rolled-up linen sleeve. His skin, no longer the fair color that was considered fashionable in London, was now a deep tan. His brilliant smile, against the deep hue, captivated her momentarily.
For a brief moment, she completely forgot he was the reason for her departure from the life she wanted. Mary allowed herself to feel hopeful that their life wouldn’t be so different than back in London.
“Mary!” Eduard’s arms exploded around her petite frame. He smelled of earth and hay. Her nose wrinkled to escape the stench.
“Hello, Eduard. You seem different.” Mary recoiled at his appearance. She was used to seeing him in a full chest coat and top hat.
“Yeah, I suppose I look different from the last time you saw me. I have worked almost every day outside since I left London. Wait until you see what I have built for us!”
Eduard waited expectantly for a response from Mary, but her stoic demeanor gave him nothing. He moved toward where the crew offloaded her belongings, and she took the time to take in her new surroundings. This port varied from London's in numerous ways.
