Sea Change Read Free Page A

unfortunate slope inward, Mrs. Denham had a way about her that made people feel warm in her presence.
    "I would say that the captain was looking for a handsome lady of a sweet disposition who would make him a comfortable home after his years at sea. He is a fortunate man to have found you."
    "Why, Dr. Alcott, are you flirting with me?"
    "A doctor never flirts, Mrs. Denham. That was my professional observation."
    Mrs. Denham smiled at this, and kept walking with a rolling gait that incorporated the ship's movement as much as her own bulk.
    Mrs. Denham peeked up from beneath her bonnet and saw Charley watching her progress. "Do not fear that I will overbalance myself, Dr. Alcott. I am comfortable with the motions of the Lady Jane. This is now my home. If I am to be a good wife to the captain, then I must make him feel I fit into his world, Doctor. What of you, do you fancy a life at sea now that you have had a taste of it?"
    "Absolutely not," Charley said with conviction, offering Mrs. Denham her hand to help her step around some lines. "This has been a wonderful adventure and opportunity, Mrs. Denham, but I will be satisfied and relieved to stand again on a floor that does not shift beneath my feet!"
    Mrs. Denham laughed at this, but pronounced herself well satisfied with life at sea, as long as she had Captain Denham beside her. Later that evening when Charley came above to take the air, she came upon the captain and his lady, but they did not see her. Captain Denham had his arms around his wife, his hefty bulk acting as a windbreak to shield her from the fog rolling across the water. Charley watched from the shadows, and swallowed down the lump in her throat. They seemed so content together, just standing at the rail and holding each other. Charley hugged herself to get a bit of extra warmth, then turned back to her solitary bunk.
    Charley was awakened from a sound sleep that night by a frantic Captain Denham pounding on her cabin door. She wasn't surprised, but got dressed in a few moments since she slept in shirt and trousers to maintain her disguise.
    In the captain's cabin a lantern was lit, and Mrs. Denham was sitting on a chair in her nightdress, clutching her belly. A patch of wetness on the deck told the tale as much as her next words.
    "I arose to use the chamber pot, and when I stood there was a rush of water from between my legs!"
    "Is she well? Is something wrong?"
    Charley turned to Captain Denham, who was wringing his hands and nervously shifting from foot to foot.
    "Mrs. Denham's waters have broken and your son is going to make an earlier arrival than anticipated, Captain. Do not be concerned. Mrs. Denham and I have it all well in hand. You should go above now, and we will call you when it is time."
    "But Elizabeth--"
    "Listen to Dr. Alcott, please, Ronald," his wife said as she clutched her belly.
    Charley took the captain by the arm and turned him toward the door.
    "Your part is done, Captain," she said with a wink to convey masculine solidarity. "You don't want to be here now. It will not happen quickly and your presence is a distraction."
    "Aye," the captain said in a daze as he allowed Charley to evict him from his own cabin. "This fog--I need to talk with the helmsman..."
    He was still mumbling to himself as Charley closed the door behind him.
    "Well!" she said, pushing up her sleeves. "Let us see what we can do to help the newest Denham into this world."
    The fog closed 'round the ship like a heavy blanket during the night, cutting them off from contact with the convoy. Sounds were muffled in the damp gloom and the lookout strained to keep the running lights of the other ships in sight.
    Charley spent the pre-dawn hours helping Mrs. Denham pace the confines of the cabin, holding her when the contractions hit, bathing her forehead and soothing her fears.
    "No, this is not unusual, Mrs. Denham. A first child is a new experience for your body, so it is no wonder that it takes time to adjust."
    "I have been