Flight of the Monarch

"Do you still obey your mother?"

"No, but I care about her opinion."

"Even if she's wrong?"

"Actually, there is more to the situation between Hayley and me than I care to say."

"There is no good reason that you should want to stay clear of a girl like Hayley." Mr. Lawrence picked up a rope. "It's time for you to get the cargo loaded."

_ _

Hayley spent time on the deck, following the men as they worked. She laughed with some of them, ate with others and tried to assist in whatever way she was allowed. Many times her father asked her to sit and watch. Hayley would gracefully bow out, only to have one of the men take up for her and pretend that her help was genuinely needed.

One particular afternoon, Hayley sat on the deck, attempting to tie a knot in a rope. Austin knelt down and watched as she became more frustrated with her attempts. He reached out and placed his hand over one of her fists as she held the rope tightly.

"Let me help you with that."

Hayley pulled the rope away from him. "I can do it myself, thank you." She continued twisting the rope.

"Who taught you how to tie a rope?"

"No one. I've been watching and I want to see if I can do it."

"I can understand that, but if you had a teacher, it would be easier."

"Don't you have something else you need to be doing?" Hayley threw the rope down beside her and did not look at him as she spoke. "I am not supposed to be in the way. If father sees that you are distracted from your work, he will blame me."

"I was just taking a break for a few minutes and thought I would ask a favor of you."

Hayley gave him a look of curiosity, but did not speak.

We will be docking soon to unload a shipment, and I'd like to know if you would go ashore with me for dinner."

"My father plans to have dinner with me."

"Yes, I know but I thought you might be getting tired of fish as much as I am."

"Fish? Not three days in succession!"

Austin chuckled, "Yes, seems the cook hasn't run out of ways to prepare it yet, it always tastes the same."

"I will ask Father. Perhaps he would like to go."