Page 19 of The Voice of Wild Places
Watt took Giovanni’s hand, shaking it firmly.“Good afternoon, it’s good to see you again.”
“Hello, angel.”Giovanni smiled, giving Watt a wink.
Cornelius raised a brow and opened his mouth, but the SS Eastern Prince bellowed.The cacophonous noise rattled Watt’s skull, and he couldn’t help the flinch that overcame him.Maggie pressed tight against his leg, alert and quiet in the face of danger.Cornelius, unbothered by the horn that in truth sounded more like an exponentially amplified dying bull than anything else, side-eyed Maggie.
After the racket ended, Cornelius pointedly asked, “Are dogs allowed in first class?”
Fighting the tremble in his voice, Watt said, “This one is.”
Cornelius nodded, then looked over at Giovanni and gave him a quivering smile.“That’s it, then.”
“Come here.”Giovanni pulled Cornelius into a fierce hug.They whispered and patted each other on the back, for all intents and purposes it appeared like two good friends saying goodbye.But Watt had to duck his head, half turning away from them.It felt profoundly more intimate than that.Once again, he remembered the sort of place he'd first met Giovanni, and Cornelius.
After a moment Giovanni called, “Angel.”
Watt looked up, cheeks flushing.Giovanni and Cornelius were separated now, and Giovanni’s hand was extended to him once more.Watt took it, slightly confused until Giovanni pulled him closer, into a hug.It was awkward and took Watt far longer than it should have to reciprocate, simply because it’d been years since he’d done this with anyone, and he didn't know Giovanni.
In a quiet demand, Giovanni said, “Take care of him, yeah?”
“I will.”Watt answered in kind, compelled to assure the man.
After saying farewell to Giovanni, Cornelius and Watt approached the ship.Their luggage had been transported early this morning, and all that remained was to climb the gangplank.Watt and Maggie lead the way upwards, with Cornelius following close behind.It wasn’t as nearly of a crowded experience now, but the officer on deck who checked them in raised a brow at their late arrival.He parsed through Watt’s documents a moment longer than necessary, glancing at Maggie.Watt could see the math formulating in the man’s head, and the moment it gave way to an obvious answer.Service dogs for veterans weren’t a common aid, but they weren’t unheard of either.Especially for a man with a medal of honor.
The officer said, “Welcome aboard, Mr.Johnson.Your valet will be along shortly.”He bowed his head and added, “Thank you for your service.”
The process was smoother for Cornelius, who received none of the officer’s previous apprehension regarding their lateness.Watt led the way to a section of railing that was clear, and Cornelius followed closely behind.They were able to see Giovanni from here, and when the man caught sight of them he waved.Cornelius waved back, and Watt did as well but with half as much heart as his companion.Watt scanned the dock, but there was no one else there he knew.He swallowed and looked away, only to find Cornelius watching him.Cornelius didn’t ask where Watt’s parents were, and he didn’t offer an explanation for their absence.
A minute or two passed and they spent it in silence, elbows jostling every now and then as people moved around them, but otherwise they stood decidedly apart.The inches between them could’ve been a chasm, and Maggie neatly occupied it.The ship’s horn called one last time, and the proud black and red chimneys released smoke anew.Watt didn’t flinch this time, but he did stiffen beneath the overwhelming vibration of the ship’s twin diesel engines working overtime.For a tenuous moment it was as if the dock itself was pulling away, not the ship.Disoriented, Watt clenched his hands into fists and fought the rolling of his stomach, then gripped the railing.Cornelius was soon after, one hand clenching the railing so hard his knuckles turned white, while the other gripped his cane.Neither man let go until the dock was but a distant memory.
Their valet arrived, and Watt gratefully accepted the young man’s offer to show them to their room.He wore a suit, one much more formal than Watt’s.Cornelius appeared to belong in second class, or third if either was an option on this particular ship.Perhaps that’s what made Cornelius look so roguish, his lack of regard for society and its expectations.
They descended into the belly of the ship, passing down long alleys and brushing past other guests.The stairways were broad, the walls alternating between painted or paneled.There was a cross breeze, even in the closed hallways, no doubt from the highly boasted ventilation system.
In a British accent, the valet said, “If there is anything you gentlemen require, please don’t hesitate to ask.And I’m more than happy to assist with …?”He glanced at Maggie, who was still close by Watt’s side.Cornelius watched the exchange, bringing up the rear of the group.
Watt said, “Maggie, and I will take care of her myself.I understand there’s an area below decks?”
The valet nodded, leading them down yet another corridor flanked by doors.“Yes, sir.I can take you there, if you like.”
“I’d appreciate that.After we’re settled though, if it’s not too much trouble.Mr …?”
“Not at all,” the man said, smiling a little.“And it’s Jones, if you please.”
In short order they were shown to their quarters, and Mr.Jones left with promises to return in an hour’s time.Their sponsors had found one ordinary stateroom sufficient enough for their needs, and while the quarters were large it was clearly intended for a pair of people at most.The room was warm and homey, with wooden furniture and large square windows that provided an excellent view of the harbor.It was a cozy setting with upholstered easy chairs and a bookshelf to pass the time, and ceiling fans kept the room free of stuffiness.In addition to the enormous bedstead, there was a bow fronted bureau and fitted wardrobe along with a dressing mirror.A bedside cabinet beheld a shaded reading lamp, and Watt suddenly had the urge to crawl beneath the bedclothes and read a book.
Cornelius and Watt stood awkwardly in the sitting area, then Cornelius wordlessly took off to inspect his luggage placed on the floor at the foot of the bed.Watt did the same, doing his best to ignore Cornelius as the man was so obviously doing to him.He opened his suitcase, surveying for any potential damage.None that he could see.
Maggie stretched, back arching as she yawned.Watt raised a brow, then reached down and stroked a hand down her back.He breathed as he did so, doing his best to shed his nervousness.
When Watt stood again, he found Cornelius watching him.Cornelius turned away, focusing on his own luggage.Always watching but never talking, it would seem.Watt said, “She won’t be a hindrance.”
Cornelius stiffened, half turning his head.He opened his mouth, shut it, then tried again.“And if she doesn’t make it?”
It wasn’t an impractical question, but the bluntness of it had Watt stiffening beneath the pressure.There weren't many things he was firm on, but Maggie was one of them.“I don’t go anywhere without her, and she doesn’t go anywhere without me.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Watt said nothing, opting to close his luggage case.
