When You Were Young

The smell of fish and wet canvas overpowers Joey to the point that his head spins. He breathes through his mouth, holding his nose with one hand in an attempt to keep the odor at bay. He doesn't know how much longer he can hold out and the boat hasn't even left port yet.

He hears footsteps on the deck. "I don't want to go," he hears Molly say.

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but we have to go back," Mommy says. "The others are waiting for us."

"Can't we stay a little longer?" Aunt Veronica asks.

"No, honey. We have to go before it gets too cold. We don't want to be stuck here all winter."

"When are we coming back?" Molly asks.

"We'll be back in springtime, when all the pretty flowers are in bloom. Now you two go on and take your seats. And put your lifejackets on. Don't give me that look, young lady."

From his position beneath the tarp, Joey can see Mommy's feet as she walks along the deck to untie the boat. Two smaller pairs of feet-one in pink sneakers and the other in saddle shoes-approach the tarp. The saddle shoes stop. "Did you hear that?" Molly asks.

"Hear what?" Aunt Veronica says.

"I think something's under there." The saddle shoes take a step back. "Do you think it's a monster?"

"Don't be stupid," Aunt Veronica says. "It's probably a rat or something."

"A rat?" Molly screams and then her shoes disappear. The pink sneakers come closer. A chubby face peers beneath the tarp. Joey puts a finger to his lips, but Aunt Veronica only smiles and pulls the tarp away.

"It's not a rat or a monster. It's only Joe," she says.

Joey stands up and takes a few deep breaths to clear his head. Mommy rushes forward to scoop him up. "Joe, what are you doing here?" she asks.

"I wanted to go with you," he says.

"We've discussed this already. You can't come with me. You have to stay here."

"But-"

"Look at the little baby cry," Aunt Veronica says.

"That's enough," Mommy scolds. She presses her smooth, tan cheek against Joey's face. "Now you know you can't go with me."

"But you're taking them!" he says, pointing to Veronica.

"They have to go."

"Why?" Molly asks. She's cowering in a corner of the boat, as if still afraid a rat might appear. "Why can't we stay here and he goes with you?"

"That's enough, young lady," Mommy says. "You know the rules. You can't stay here. This isn't your home."

"Why can't it be?" Molly says.

"Because you don't belong here. Now put your lifejacket on and wait for me here." Mommy carries Joe off the boat and over to a stack of rope, where she sets him down. "Joe, we've talked about this. It's too dangerous for you to come with me."