Seated close together at the small table in his cabin, Jack helped Joanna with her math assignment. She listened in rapt attention as he explained a simple theory. He cut a short string and pinned one end to the table then tied a pencil to the other end.

“Imagine this is a line segment, and this is an endpoint.” Jack indicated the string and the pin. “It’s Euclid, m’dear, the fourth postulate … simple geometry. Given any straight line segment, a circle can be drawn having the segment as radius and one endpoint as center. Thusly.” Jack demonstrated the postulate, drawing a perfect circle on the note paper.

“Jack,” Joanna exclaimed, “I understand now. You make it so clear.”

Jack beamed, warmed by her praise. “No, no, Miss Bennett. It’s not me but you, opening your mind to the thing.”

“But, I couldn’t have – ”

She was interrupted by a sharp rap and the first mate, Susan Wiley entered the cabin. Her face showed no emotion, surprise or question about Joanna Bennett being in the Captain’s cabin alone. But, her eyes took in everything; the captain and the young, pretty crewmember practically sitting on his lap. So, that’s how it is. The rumors are true.

“Yes, Wiley,” Jack’s eyebrows rose.

“Our meeting, sir, to go over the provisions and duty roster for next week.”

“Ah, yes.” Turning to Joanna, “Miss Bennett, we must continue this some other time.”

“Of course, Captain.” She smiled and gathered her things. “Until later.”

As she passed the first mate, Susan said under her breath, “I believe you’re needed on deck, Miss Bennett.”

Joanna turned, about to say something nasty, but caught sight of Jack. Instead, she smiled sweetly. “Of course, Ms. Wiley.” Nodding to Jack, she left the cabin.

Jack cleared the table and pulled out the duty roster. “Now, Miss Wiley, about the provisions …”

They went over the lists of provisions that might be restocked in Portland and over the duty roster for the next week. Jack was impressed with Susan’s skill as a sailor and her ability to manage the ship. As she rose to go, he found himself thinking of what an asset she would have been on the original Surprise.

“Sir, before I leave, there’s one more thing.”

“Yes, Miss Wiley?”

“Well … may I be frank, sir?”

“Of course.” Jack was concerned at what could be troubling the young officer.

Wiley relaxed. “It’s the rumors, sir, about you and Bennett.”

“Rumors? What do you mean?”

“Well, um, I don’t usually get involved in this kind of thing, but the talk is all over the ship. Your relationship with Bennett.”

Jack frowned. “Relationship? What my relationship is to Miss Bennett is nobody’s damned business!” He turned and stared out the windows banking the back wall of the cabin.

“Well, yes sir. But,” she continued, “it doesn’t help that Bennett isn’t doing her fair share of the work. When she does join in, it’s half-hearted and sloppy. It’s causing problems with the rest of the crew.”

“Preposterous!” Jack roared. “In all my experience with her, Miss Bennett has proven herself to be hard-working and industrious. Why, just this afternoon she applied herself to her math problems.”

“That’s an example, sir. She was supposed to be part of the watch on deck, not down here studying mathematics. Believe me sir; the crew has noticed that whenever Bennett is missing, she can be found with you.”

Jack glanced over the roster and indeed, Miss Bennett was to have been on watch at this moment.

“Yes, of course you are correct, Miss Wiley. I will take care of the matter.”

The first mate nodded and left. Jack sighed. How could he have been so blind? Of course he noticed the young girl’s infatuation, but it seemed like such a minor thing, nothing to be concerned with. But obviously, it had become a problem. Now how to deal with it?

***

Dawn, the next day and Jack was on the quarterdeck, watching the sea roll and pitch, thinking of Natalie and their last conversation. He understood her disappointment, but damned it all … didn’t she know he was lonely, too? He wanted to be with her but duty demanded he be at sea. He shook his head and turned. Bright blond hair caught his eye as Miss Bennett stepped up onto the quarterdeck; without permission.

Smiling she spoke, “Captain, can I ask you another question about Euclid?”

He frowned. That morning he reviewed the roster and knew that she should have been below in the kitchen, working with the cook on the afternoon meal. Looking around, he could see the glances and stares of the crew and officers alike. Yes, this definitely was a bad situation that had to be dealt with quickly.

“Miss Bennett,” he replied sternly, “You are on my quarterdeck without permission. And I believe you are to be below helping Cook, am I not correct?”

Her face fell. “But, Captain –”

“Are you going to argue with me, ma’am, or are you going to do your duty?”

Joanna’s eyes filled with tears and she ran down the narrow, steep steps to the main deck and disappeared down the hatch. Jack felt badly that he had spoken to her so harshly, but he felt there was nothing to be done for it … it was the only way to nip this problem in the bud. Best make a clean cut and heal quickly.

***

Joanna heaved bags of flour from the pantry to the kitchen. Sweat dripped down her face, red with exertion, and her mind reeled. She couldn’t believe that Jack would do that, speak to her in that tone of voice and in front of everybody! Her eyes fell on the first mate, Wiley dining on her breakfast. Her eyes narrowed as she lifted a heavy stock pot. It must have been her. She found us in the cabin and must be jealous. But, how could such a short, plain woman turn Jack away from me? No … Jack would never go for the likes of her. But, that wouldn’t stop her from trying. She must have said something. But why would Jack believe her?

All of a sudden, she had a burst of understanding. Jack must have been trying to protect her. Keep her safe from gossip. That must be it! Everything was clear now, and Jack obviously still loved her. She had to tell him, let him know she understood and wasn’t angry with him. As soon as she could, she slipped away and hurried to his cabin.

“Jack,” she knocked on the door. No answer. “Jack,” she cried and knocked again. The door swung open to an empty cabin. She crept in and breathed deep. It smelled of him! She closed the door and strolled around the small, neat room. Her fingers traced over the maps open on the small table. She stroked the books lining the shelves, and wrapped herself in his jacket hanging on the wall. Jack!  She closed her eyes and imagined him there, his arms around her, dancing. But a loud, annoying beep broke her reverie. Jack’s open laptop signaled a new email. She stared at it. Email. Who would be emailing him? Wondering over, she brought up his inbox and read the names on the incoming messages. The most recent: Natalie Aubrey. His wife. Now what would that bitch have to say to Jack?

Jack,

I am so very sorry for the way I spoke on the phone. My only excuse is disappointment that it will be so much longer before we can be together with Catherine and Chelsea in our new home. But, I really do understand that you need to be away a bit longer. Just know that I love you, miss you, and will be waiting with open arms when you come home. Be safe, my love. Take care of yourself and write when you can.

I love you,
Natalie

Joanna seethed as she read the short note. She could only imagine how that bitch could have spoken to Jack. What a harpy. Well, Jack doesn’t need to be bothered by this crap, she thought to herself as she deleted the message. He’s got enough on his mind without this.