My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

15. Whispers

We’ve been at sea only one day and already rumors are flying that we have a ghostly visitor aboard.

It all began when Lee happened to mention that he felt a draft, and it happened on more than one occasion. Of course, all boats have drafts, but because this was Lee, and we were attempting to find a ghost ship of sorts, well, one thing led to another, and before I knew it, the crew kept looking at their captain askance as if he was going to be suddenly possessed.

They looked at me too as if they half expected me to pull out a gun and shoot him again!

I decided to take matters into my hands and called Chip to my cabin.

“Is there a problem with the thermostats?” I asked, hopeful there was  a malfunction.

“Ah, you don’t really believe all that nonsense Riley’s been harping on about ghosts  aboard lying in wait to grab Lee, er, the captain?”

“Of course not. I just don’t like being viewed as a possible accomplice,” I said lightly.

Just then the boat lurched.

“What the hell was that?” Lee’s voice came over the PA.

“Sorry, sir,” O’Brien said, “one of the helmsmen was showing Mrs. Crane how it worked and she kind of over corrected…”

“My  mother?  Who authorized a ‘hands on’ for her?”

“If you must know, Lee,” she said through the mike, “I was so bored, that I asked if I could  experience a little of what you do, well, at least what you tell others what to do.”

“O’Brien, please return the helm to the crew. I’ll be right there.”

“Oh dear,” she said, “he’s not going to drop me over the side, is he, Lt.?”

“As much as I’d like to, no,” Lee said. “Lt. O’Brien, however…”

“Perhaps I’d better go help settle things down,” Chip said after the PA clicked off.

“No, Chip. I think we should let Lee handle this…I see you disapprove.”

“Frank was just trying to be nice…”

“Did he seek permission for Mrs. Crane to have a hands on session? Not from me.  Not from you unless…”

“No, he didn’t ask me.”

“Then the captain’s well within his rights to put Frank on report, isn’t he.”

It wasn’t long after that I felt the boat surface. For the briefest of moments I had an awkward daydream of the woman being cast adrift in a zodiac with bread and water.

I had no choice. I had to see what was really going on. Chip did too, as he joined me enroute to the Control Room.

All things were quiet. O’Brien hadn’t been drawn and quartered and was at the plot table. Seeing us he nodded toward the ladder.

“He’s up there with her. Sure wish I was a fly on the wall.”

So did I, but I could hardly spy on them. Or could I?

“Please ask the captain to meet me in my cabin when he comes back down.”

“Aye sir.”

As soon as I reached my cabin and closed the door, I tuned the monitor to the conning tower. There they were, illuminated by our red running lights, and a little starlight. The moon was putting  on a nice display as well.

“I still don’t think you had  to put the boy on report,” she was saying.

“Don’t you understand? I had no choice. He disobeyed the articles of this vessel. And you knew better than to accept his offer to steer the boat!”

“How could I know it was against the rules? What’s wrong?”

“Just a draft.”

“Well, what do you expect up here against the breeze?”

“It was cold.”

“Like those other ones? Good! And I hope it is a ghost, just like Riley thinks it is.”

“Oh good grief. You don’t buy that, do you?”

“He thinks the boat is haunted. Everyone else does too. You’ve had ghostly encounters before. And since you’re the only one feeling these chills, it’s apparent that you’re being haunted, targeted. Or your father is finally making his displeasure known. That he’s trying to tell you that this Nelson-Crane business of yours is a slap in his face.”

“I loved Pop. I still do! And who are you to tell me who to love or not? Why can’t I love them both?”

With that she slapped him.

“That’s enough! And  I hope Edward haunts you for the rest of your life! You’ve left me no choice. When I get home,” she added coolly, “I’m going to dissolve your adoption by Edward and me.”

“A piece of paper isn’t going to keep me from retaining the Crane part of my name, or from still loving the both of you, warts and all, Mom.”

“But it will keep you from calling me Mom.”

With that she began her trek back down into the Control Room.

 No doubt O’Brien or a crewman would assist, so I spent those few minutes just watching Lee.  He had grabbed the coaming and looked up into the sky.

“Why, Pop? Why are you letting her do this to me?” he pleaded, his eyes moistening  with unshed tears.

I decided it was not a good idea to intrude anymore and turned off the monitor, doubtful that anyone below had heard.  Well, it was too late now to do anything if they had. Not anything at all.

It wasn’t long before Lee knocked on my cabin door, as requested.

“Come in, Lee,” I said genially and poured out two shots of some of the ‘family label’ and handed him one.

“What’s this for?”

“Just because, son. Just because.”

“You’ve heard.”

“About your mother tilting the boat? About having to take O’Brien to task? Yes.” (I tried very hard not to reveal any sign that I knew the real reason.)

“No,” he said, then took a swig of the amber fluid, “it's about our argument afterward. Mom and me, that is.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Let’s just say, at least in her eyes, I’m no longer her son. She’s going to make that official when she gets home.”

“You can still remove Nelson …”

“No, Harry. I won’t give you up. I won’t give up my memories of Edward Crane either. Even if he may be haunting me,” Lee added lightly.

“You can’t believe that, can you?”

“I’m not sure anymore. It wouldn’t be like the man I remember. But I still can’t figure out all those chilly drafts.”

“Perhaps  a visit to Sickbay is in order?”

“Perhaps,” he managed to grin. “Well, I think I’ll turn in now.”

“Good night Lee. Pleasant dreams.”

“Thanks…good night.”

I hope he can have pleasant dreams, because I’m sure I won’t.