* * *
Perhaps every boy has desires to escape the shadow of his father and become something on his own. In any case, Edward took every opportunity to pester his mother about beginning an apprenticeship on a ship rather than in a shop. Though his mother pretended fatigue of the subject, she felt it would be a good idea as well. It was the father who required extra convincing, perhaps because of his disappointment at not being able to pass on his trade. He remained undecided on Edward’s future for some time.
The man often wondered how his son could have such a love for the sea when their family lived in a landlocked area of England. Maybe the stories from the pubs had seeped their way down into the imaginations of children. It was true enough that, even here, families drew their livelihood from fathers and brothers who spent their lives on the seas. Edward’s father had met these men before, and he did not believe his son should grow to be like them. They were hard, weathered men: men who had perhaps seen too much of the world and were unable to experience the simple joys of a day in the English countryside.
One day, while young Edward was walking home from playing with the other boys, he noticed a man in fine clothing in his small town. In a place where nearly the entire population worked with their hands in order to earn their wages, this man’s appearance clearly stated that he was above such menial pursuits. The man seemed as though he were on official business, yet he did not seem as if he were in a hurry to go anywhere. He simply stood in the town square amiably talking with the occasional passerby.
Edward did not realize how much he had slowed his own pace as he looked on at the mysterious stranger.
“Excuse me, boy,” the man called out with a rich baritone voice.
“M-Me?” Edward stammered.
The man looked Edward over in a quick appraising manner that made the boy feel odd. Why should such a wealthy and important man such as him notice an average country boy?
“I’m looking for brave men to head to the sea with me on fine adventures and profit. Would you know where I could find men who would be ready to see the world?”
His voice sounded like it belonged at the ticket booth of a circus. The man’s pitch was so smooth and polished that Edward expected him to say something like, “Step right up and sign yourself over. Best decision of your life. Best ever.”
Edward smiled a little at the thought.
The man lifted an eyebrow. “So, do you know a spot, or do you have a joke you’re dying to tell?”
“Have you tried the pub yet?” Edward asked, pointing in the direction of the drinking establishment. “I’m sure some men would be happy for any kind of work, even if they had to leave town for it.”
The man seemed to consider the option for a moment, “No, that won’t do. I’m not looking for just anyone. I’m looking for men who will be calm and collected, men who can stare down the worst of the great waves that swell in the ocean.”
Edward’s face was a mask of wonder.
“Do you know of any men like that?” the man asked.
“Oh, I don’t know… maybe one or two. But I’m not sure they’d be ready to leave their families behind.”
“Hmm.” The man placed his index finger over his own lips, as though willing himself to be quiet while he gave the situation some thought. “Perhaps, my boy, we should start with you. Have you ever wanted to work on the ocean?”
Edward was so stunned he feared he would never be able to get the words out.
“Y-yes. I would love it. More than anything else in the world, I would love it.”
The man smiled. (Though the boy did not seem to notice, the smile seemed predatory in nature. In my dream, I felt only a moment of unease at the gesture, but upon looking back, the feeling is stronger.)
“That’s the kind of enthusiasm I’m looking for,” he said again in his circus voice. “A man who knows what he wants.”
Edward glanced around. His entire life was potentially about to change in this very moment, and no one seemed to even notice the presence of the two. He wanted to shout to everyone in the square, but he was much more likely to be regarded as a nuisance rather than celebrated by the town’s residents.
The man continued, “But have you ever sailed?”
The boy shook his head.
“I see. Well, it looks as if we will need to prepare you a bit before we head to the coast.”
Edward lowered his head. “I don’t know if my family can afford a tutor, sir.”
“Nonsense. I see a spark in you, son. I’m willing to work pro bono here.”
“Really?” Edward was delighted and puzzled in the same moment. “Why?”
“Because some things are meant to be, son. Every once in a great while, the universe reveals certain truths to those who listen, and you’re meant to be the captain of a ship someday. I’ll set my warrant on it.”
The boy smiled to near bursting.
Checking his pocket watch, the man said, “I’ll see you here tomorrow, understand? We’ll start at seven. I don’t want to waste another moment.”
The boy nodded his head as though it would fall off.
“Oh, and one more thing: don’t tell your parents about our training times.”
The look of sheer joy on the boy’s face was finally replaced with another emotion: confusion – unsuspecting, yet unrelenting confusion. “Why?”
“Come now, lad. Think on it. How amazed will your parents be when you tell them that you’re already prepared to begin your apprenticeship on the high seas? You’ll be able to explain to them a full dictionary of nautical terms, and you’ll know the names of every port in the world.
“How could they possibly deny you after you’ve prepared so?”
The look of confusion slowly faded. “Well, I guess that would be good.”
The man clapped the boy on the shoulder. “Of course it will. Now get on home and get some rest, because we start bright and early in the morning.”
“Okay! Thank you, sir!”
“Mr. Hornsby,” the man said, extending his hand.
“Stevens,” the boy said with as much bravado as he could muster as he shook Mr. Hornsby’s hand. “Edward Stevens.”