Abraham Etheridge - 2. Chapter 2

Abbie awoke when he heard the bell clanging. It was the emergency bell for a ship in distress. It was the call to service, and he wasn’t going to let it pass. Abbie jumped from his bed, dressed, and headed to the community room. The Superintendent was peering out the window as a distress rocket shot from a ship.

“That’s the third rocket. Men, is everything ready? You have your mission. Godspeed.”

The men quickly put on their oilskins and headed to the boat shed. Abbie donned his also and kept his head down. Hopefully, they wouldn’t realize he was with them until it was too late to pull back to shore. He knew where the oars were maintained and grabbed one. They were down two men, and he was going to do his part.

The boat house doors opened to the howl of the wind and the roar of the ocean. Spray was blowing in their faces, so the men had their heads down as they hauled the boat into the surf and started rowing. The boat had never seemed so big to Abbie as they fought through the rain and wind to get it into the surf. They pushed it out and jumped aboard. They were a team and knew how to row in unison to keep the boat on its forward path. The coxswain had to yell to make his voice heard above the winds so they would row in rhythm. Abbie hadn’t realized how soon his shoulders would be screaming in pain. He didn’t participate in the daily workouts and exercise, and it didn’t take him long to understand the importance of this daily conditioning.

They crossed the bar, and now there was no turning back. Their boat plowed through the waves as they headed to the light that was on the forecastle of the ship. The light would appear when the rescue boat crested the wave and then disappeared when they were in the trough. The men were working together and slowly progressing toward the ship when a rogue wave almost overtook them. The lifesavers knew how to right the boat and to keep heading toward their target but they had lost time and expended energy needed to save the passengers and crew.

Abbie started chewing his lower lip, wondering if he could maintain the stroke of the oar. A burst of energy came to him when he realized they were within hailing distance of the ship. He saw people jumping into the inky waters crested with foam. One by one, they picked up passengers and put them into their boat's stern. Abbie saw their frightened faces and the terror in their eyes. He wondered if he had the same look. He certainly felt the terror but also the exhilaration of being on the life-saving boat. He reckoned that he had never been more needed than in this moment. His first rescue.

Abbie saw a man floating away. Without a second thought, Abbie pulled off his oilskins and jumped into the sea to save him. Abbie’s arms and shoulders ached as he pushed through the pain and reached the man. Abbie knew how to wrap his arms around the man’s chest to keep his head above the water. The roar and roll of the sea kept Abbie focused on his task as he moved them toward the lifesaving boat. It was much harder than he ever imagined. The man was much heavier than Abbie thought he should be. It was as if he was weighted down.

Abbie heard someone calling out for survivors. The men on the boat were quiet as they listened for any voices in the dark. Abbie saved his energy because he knew the men were aware that one of their own was in the water trying to save a passenger. A wave overtook him and the man slipped from his arms. Abbie dove under the water and connected with the man’s jacket. He pulled on it and had the man in his grasp again. Both were spluttering water. The man was fighting him and Abbie shouted for him to relax, but the man’s instincts would not let him trust anyone. He was fighting for his life.

Abbie’s strong swimming skills were put to the ultimate test. He flipped the man onto his back, lying across Abbie’s chest. Abbie used a one-handed backstroke to maneuver them toward the boat. Abbie realized the man was weighted down some type of carpetbags.

“Drop the bags. Drop the bags.” Abbie screamed at the man, trying to make his voice heard above the roar of the ocean.

“No, I can’t.”

“Drop them.”

The man started going underwater again. Abbie grabbed the man and pulled him closer. He was heavy and Abbie thought they would both die in the drink. The boat was trying to steer to them, but the men on the boat were afraid they would ride over Abbie and drown him. It was tricky maneuvering the boat in the rough seas.

They approached the leeward side of the boat. Abbie pushed as the men in the boat pulled the survivor into the boat. Just as the man tumbled into the boat, a rogue wave was upon them again and pushed the boat away. The man was safely lying in the boat as Abbie saw it quickly moving away. He had saved a man. There was great satisfaction that he was a lifesaver. He was exhausted and didn’t know if he could catch up with the boat. He hadn’t anticipated dying at such a young age, but he thought that at least he had been kissed. Just at that moment, Abbie knew the stories of Davy Jone’s Locker were true. He imagined himself to be like a Greek athlete dying in his youth. There was honor in dying in battle, and he was battling for his life and the lives of those on the ship.

Abbie tried floating to maintain his buoyancy as he watched the rescue boat move out of sight. He saw a man jump over the side of the boat and start swimming in his direction. He didn’t have the strength to last any longer as his head slowly started sinking beneath the surface. Blackness and warmth. He thought of Johnny and Ralph and their kisses. He smiled as he closed his eyes and sank deeper.

All was blackness when he lost consciousness just as hands reached out to grab him.

*****

He was puking seawater.

His throat stung as he heaved again. Someone was holding him. He was wrapped in a blanket lying on his side in the boat. Abbie looked up and saw Ralph also wrapped in a blanket, holding onto him.

“Stay still, boy. You are safe now. You done scared me with your heroics.”

Abbie realized that Ralph was crying. He felt Ralph’s strong hands rubbing his back, lighting pounding on him to push the seawater out of his body. Ralph’s hands were rough but felt warm to his cold skin. He started shaking and crying. Suddenly, he was pulled upright and Ralph was holding him like a child. Ralph was whispering that he was safe. Abbie lost consciousness a second time, realizing that the earlier kiss had not been for Ralph but for him.

It was a slow, long pull to the beach. Before the survivors reached the surf, they witnessed the ship start to sink. Lanterns on the forecastle extinguished as the ship slipped below the surface. If they had been closer, they would have heard the hiss of the lanterns, the yowling of the animals, and the scurrying of the mice as they tried to elude the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

Abbie was aware of being carried ashore. He was stripped of his wet clothes and laid on a pallet on the floor in the community room. A huge fire had been built to warm the survivors and rescuers. The cook was frantic when he couldn’t find Abbie and was now furious that his young charge was lying on the floor covered with a thick blanket. But he also gave thanks that Abbie had survived. The Superintendent was beside himself with anger that his young charge had defied his command and gone out to sea. He was also heartsick that he had almost lost the boy whom he secretly admired. It was a long night as the cook brought food and coffee to the community room. The passengers were from a variety of countries, and many did not speak English. Sitting next to Abbie was the young man he had rescued. The man’s eyes never left the young man who had saved his life.

Morning broke with a glorious sun in the sky. The ocean had calmed considerably and parts of the ship had already washed into the surf. Abbie was still so pale that no one wanted to move him. The cook brought him broth and some bread. Though he was very weak, Abbie was able to sit up as he chuckled that the bread was not as good as his. Next to him, the young man whom Abbie saved was sorting through his belongings. Everything was wet and someone was telling him that they would take his belongings and dry them out. The man refused the offer and closed up his bags. He hugged them to his chest.

Abbie noticed that he was foreign-looking. He had beautiful light brown skin, but it was different from Johnny’s. He had green eyes, and his hair was black and straight, whereas Johnny’s was curly. He was quietly talking to himself. Abbie did not recognize the accent, though it sounded somewhat like his. He understood some of the words the fellow was using.

Abbie started coughing, and the young man scooted over and pulled him into an embrace. The young man had seen Ralph do that the night before. He gently pressed on Abbie’s back until he vomited again. Abbie tried to apologize and the man said not to worry and quietly cleaned up the mess. When Abbie came to again, he was lying in his bed. He was in his room and the young man was lying on a pallet on the floor.

“You are better, I hope.”

“I don’t know.”

“Would you like something to eat? I told them I would wait until you awoke and get something for both of us.”

“Thank you, yes.”

The young man unfolded himself and gracefully stood. Abbie was surprised that he was so tall. He had thought of the man as being short in stature. The man turned to pick up his carpet bags and then left the room. He returned shortly with Ralph who had bowls of broth and freshly baked bread. Ralph would not let Abbie get up and instead fed him. The foreigner sat on his pallet and ate in silence. Once they finished eating, Ralph kissed Abbie on his forehead and took the dirty dishes away. Now, it was just the two of them.

“My name is Abraham, but people call me Abbie.”

The man nodded and smiled.

“And my name is Daniel, but people call me Dani.”

Dani jumped up when Abbie had another coughing spell. Abbie was able to hold down the food but was noticeably weaker. That is when Dani noticed the fine line of sweat on his upper lip. He then felt Abbie’s forehead. He was not happy.

“I will be back soon.”

Abbie lay on his bed and felt the energy drain from his body. Was he imagining what was happening? Had he died and now was in some other world? He certainly had not seen the pearly gates that Pastor Highben had spoken of in church. He wasn’t sure if he was dead or barely alive. He was aware of people floating in and out of his life. Ralph was there holding his hand. Dani was sitting beside his bed reading Charles Dickens. He remembered his Aunt Pearl trying to get him to drink some vile-smelling liquid while wrapping his chest in an even more gross-smelling unguent. It smelled of dead fish and rotted seaweed. He remembered her saying something to him, but he knew she was in Buxton. He reconciled himself to be in Purgatory – that nether world between heaven and hell.

He would awake and be aware of the blinding daytime sun through the window and then the cooling breezes that generally came at night. He heard whispers. He knew that someone had helped him roll on his side so he could relieve himself when directed. Everyone spoke in whispers. He felt the cool wet compresses on his forehead. He knew that the foreigner had cleaned him when the vomited and shat, that the man had placed cool cloths on this forehead and had changed his nightclothes. He was not modest by nature by was ashamed that others had seen him naked and feeble.

It was in the morning of the seventh day that Abbie awoke. He could tell it was still morning because of the position of the sun. The window was also partially opened and he could see the dew on the porch roof. Propped in the corner was the man he had saved. What was his name? Was it Daniel? Abbie was hungry. He needed to take a wicked piss. His mouth felt like the hounds of hell had taken craps there, and he needed to wash it out. But he was alive.

He made a grunt and the figure jumped up to look at him. Abbie reached out a hand and was barely able to whisper that he needed to piss. Dani told Abbie he wasn’t allowed out of bed and pulled a slop bucket from under the bed. Abbie turned onto his side and then followed the instructions when told to go. He realized that Dani was holding his penis. Another person was actually touching his penis. He tried not to think about it as he started to harden and the bulbous head pushed through the foreskin. He started blushing. Dani looked at him and grinned.

He finished, grunted, and fell back to sleep. His sleep was less fretful. He wasn’t having dreams. He wasn’t moaning and screaming anymore. When he awoke, he knew it was the noonday sun, and he was hungry. He turned his head and saw Dani sitting in the corner. He was asleep.

“Pssst. Daniel.”

Dani immediately opened his eyes and looked at Abbie.

“I am hungry. Can I get something to eat?”

“Yes, let me go get you some food. I will also let others know you are awake.” Daniel picked up his two carpet bags and opened the door. “I will be back, don’t get out of bed.”

Abbie sighed and wondered what day it was. The door to his room opened and he saw Ralph sitting against the wall. The Superintendent was pacing up and down the hallway. Then he saw his Aunt Pearl walking into the room. She was smiling at him. At that point, he knew that he had died. She was holding a tray with food he didn’t recognize.

“Eat this, my dear Abbie.”

“How did you get here? What is happening?”

“One thing at a time. A message was sent south via the Lifesaving Stations until it reached Buxton. The message said that I should come immediately. A pony and cart can only travel so fast, so one of the fishermen said it was a good breeze from the southeast and he would get me here by sailing up the sound. It was not his usual fishing boat but a flatboat skiff. It practically flew across the water. You were very sick with the pleurisy. No one thought you would live after taking in all that water. Your lungs were filled. Anyway, I made some poultices and plasters, and slowly, you started getting better. Plus, you have been drinking my Youpon tea with special herbs. You didn’t like it, but Ralph and Dani made you drink it every two hours. They have not left your side. Dani said he owed his life to you.”

Abbie ate the food his aunt brought in and said he wanted a bath.

“Well, after a week of sweating and being sick on yourself, you certainly need a bath. I will ask one of the men if they will do that. I think you are too old for your aunt to do that for you. You are no longer the little four-year-old who would only let me bathe you.”

Abbie and Pearl smiled, remembering his peculiar behaviors as a child.

Pearl had not anticipated the major disagreement when she went to the community room to announce that Abbie needed to be bathed. Ralph and Dani were almost at blows. Dani said he had an obligation to take care of Abbie. Ralph said that he had saved the boy’s life and that he should bathe him.

“Gentlemen, may I suggest that you both bathe him. Lord knows you would think he was some holy shrine. He is handsome and my nephew, but I don’t know that he is worthy of such worship.” She chuckled at their foolishness.

Though Dani and Ralph shot fiery looks at each other, they were gentle when they washed Abbie. He was weak, and when he said he needed the outhouse, Ralph quickly picked him up in his arms and carried him from the room. Dani was furious, though he really didn’t want to sit Abbie on the raw boards in the outhouse. The smell alone was more than he could bear.

When Ralph brought Abbie back to bed, Ralph kissed him and told Abbie that he would be back later to check on him. Dani was astounded when he saw Ralph kiss Abbie on the lips. Dani and Abbie positioned themselves in their usual places, and both fell asleep. It was later that afternoon that there was a knock on the door. Dani jumped up expecting to fight with Ralph, instead a handsome young man was standing there.

“Hi, my name is Johnny. Is Abbie able to see anyone?”

Abbie pulled himself up in bed when Johnny walked in. They both smiled at each other.

“I had a day off. I borrowed a pony and rode down here. Everyone heard of your heroic deeds in saving people from the ship and that you almost drowned. I had to see you.”

“Thank you for coming. I am finally starting to feel better. My Aunt Pearl has been here taking care of me. And, of course, Dani and Ralph have helped. They have stayed with me the entire time.”

Johnny looked at Dani and smiled.

“Dani, where are you from?”

“I am from Kendujhar in Orissa, India. I am on my way to Boston, where I am to start school this fall.”

“Don’t they have schools in India?”

“Oh yes, but my grandfather wanted me to have a Western education. The schools in England were out of the question, so he thought Harvard would be best.”

“Oh. Okay. Thanks for taking such good care of my Abbie’s Irish Rose.”

Dani excused himself, picked up his bags, and left the room. When he returned, he didn’t bother to knock, walked in, and saw Abbie and Johnny kissing.

“I was just leaving and wanted to kiss Abbie goodbye.”

“Yes, I see.”

Dani had seen Abbie kiss two men in one day. He didn’t understand. He understood kissing an auntie on the cheek or giving hugs to his grandfather, but this was something else. Maybe it was the way that people in America acted.

Abbie said he needed a nap before he ate some supper. Dani said he was sleepy also and started to unroll his floor pallet. Abbie felt bad that Dani slept on the floor and said his bed was big enough for both of them. Reluctantly, Dani grabbed his bags and slid them under the bed before gently sitting on the side of the bed and then lying down. There was only one pillow on the bed so they both shared it.

They awoke when someone quietly told them it was dinner time. Aunt Pearl had opened the door and saw the two young men wrapped in each other’s arms. They were sleeping like babies. A smile crossed her face. She didn’t want to awaken them but knew Abbie needed nourishment to rebuild his strength.

She gently spoke and said dinner was ready. Abbie smiled when he opened his eyes. Dani looked frightened. Pearl told him that everything was okay. She said she should have brought more food. Dani said he would eat in the community room so they could have their time together. As Dani was getting ready to leave, Aunt Pearl pulled him into her bosom and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Yes, kissing was an American thing.

Dani went into the large room and saw Ralph glaring at him. He sat at the other end of the table so he wouldn’t have to look at the big man while eating. The Superintendent said they were arranging transportation so the survivors could get to Norfolk. From there, they could make their way to New York or Boston.

“Do you know when the transport will come?”

“Daniel, it will be two more weeks. Normally, we would be able to get a fishing boat to take you, but they are having a good spring fishing run and none of them want to miss that income. I can hardly blame them. Everyone is welcome to stay here until then.”

Dani sighed. Two more weeks of staying in a room with Abbie. He didn’t know if he could stand it. Each day, he awoke with an aching need. Each night, he fell asleep with the same ache. There was no privacy. He thought surely that within that two-week period, he would be able to find some time alone to relieve the pressures. Young men needed to relieve their pressures.