Salt Storm: The Salted Series: Episodes #31-35 Galvin, Aaron (classic fiction txt) 📖

answer to Marisa’s riddle? She wondered, toying with the idea, even as her conscience urged her to doubt it. But, if that’s true, then why are we going east, like Bryant said?

Chidi could make no sense of it. She estimated Bryant was having no such luck either, the Selkie marshal running his fingers through his hair as he yawned.

“I don’t know, partner,” he said. “I just don’t know. All this yammering on about riddles and five pieces of two crap is about to do my head in though, I’ll tell you that. Need me some coffee to help make this headache go away.” He yawned again. “That, or at least help me to stay awake.”

“Why don’t you get some sleep?” Allambee asked.

“What, and miss this boat party with you two kids?” Bryant replied, giving the young Kenyan a wink. “Nah, a little coffee is all I need.” He eyed the captain’s cabin doorway. “Only trouble with that is I gotta go down and spend a few minutes with Bourgeois to get it.”

“You don’t like her?” Allambee asked.

“Can’t say as I do,” said Bryant. “Like some of my ol’ buddies used to say in school, ‘That girl gives me the heebie-jeebies.’”

Allambee smiled. “I remember school . . . I miss it too.”

“Yeah?” Bryant asked. “Why? All I ever wanted was to get away from such a place.”

“I miss learning and my friends also,” said Allambee. “But I miss my mother most.” He chuckled when Bryant and Chidi exchanged a look, then went on. “Do not worry over me. I miss her very much, but I would rather be here with you both and on the way to meet my father.”

“Uh huh,” said Bryant. “This daddy of yours, Allambee, you got any idea of where we’re supposed to meet up with him?”

“No,” said Allambee. “I have never met him before.”

“We know, kid,” said Bryant. “I just mean to ask if you got any ideas or anything of where he might be now. ‘Cause the way I figure it, Marisa’s been dragging you all over the map with this promise to meet him, but can’t say as I see how she’s given you much proof as to why yet.”

“Bryant,” Chidi scolded him.

“Nah, don’t try and call me down, partner,” he said, not unkindly. “Just trying to point out the larger point that Marisa’s got us all by the short-hairs. Each of us chasing something that matters. Something personal. Don’t none of us know how long any of this is supposed to take before we get our answers either.” He turned back to Allambee. “Bourgeois came to take you from your momma how long ago, kid? Months? A year?”

“I don’t remember,” said Allambee. “I have not counted the days or nights since I last saw my mother, but I knew that when I left her, it would be a long while before I would meet my father.”

“How did you know that?” Chidi asked. “Did Marisa tell you?”

“No,” said Allambee. “I knew it when my mother told me to be brave for her and for my father also.”

Bryant smiled at that. “You are brave, kid. I’ll give you that. All the things you’ve seen and been through already?” He did a double-take of Chidi as he spoke, his cheeks blushing. “What you both seen and been through. Hell, I wouldn’t have made it when I was the age that either of you came into all this mess.”

“You would have, Silkstealer,” said Chidi quietly, the corners of her mouth teasing if only to show Bryant she meant the word as an acknowledging testament to all she knew he had likewise endured. “You’ve made it this far.”

Bryant nodded in solemn reply. “Maybe you do have the right of it, partner. Way my Susie used to say it, I got the makings to be one helluva stubborn bastard when I got my mind set on something.”

Allambee laughed.

Chidi did too then, the three of them continuing on as one until she took notice of it, her memory not serving to offer a reminder of when she had last shared such mirth with others. All her thoughts of fear and doubt and unconscious worry removed for the moment. In her heart, Chidi wished it would last awhile longer, that the three could pretend they were merely friends on a deep-sea excursion, each with no knowledge of all that swam beneath them and abroad.

Cuing on Chidi’s silence, Bryant called to Allambee. “This daddy of yours, kid, you know what you’re gonna say when you finally meet him?”

“No,” said Allambee. “In truth, I am a little bit afraid. But I will put on a brave face as my mother instructed me to do.”

“There’s no shame in being afraid, kid,” said Bryant. “’Specially not in front of your daddy. Any father worth anything would tell you the same.”

Allambee nodded. “Did you know your father, Mr. Bryant?”

“I surely did,” he replied. “Good man, my daddy. Even if he was a little rough at times with the discipline.” Bryant shrugged. “‘Course, looking back, I can’t say as I didn’t deserve most of it. Made me who I am anyway. All them lessons he taught hadn’t failed me yet, rather.”

“He made you a great man,” said Allambee. “As I wish my father could have done for me also.”

“You’re on your way, kid,” Bryant smirked and clapped him on the shoulder, rocking Allambee roughly back and forth. “Always thought a boy needed his daddy, but I think your momma did right fine raising you alone.”

Chidi could not fend off her immediate grin when one spread across Allambee’s face as well.

“Anyway,” Bryant continued, releasing his hold over the young Kenyan. “Count yourself fortunate to have a good momma in your life. Raised you well, taught you enough to keep your head about you. Knew you were strong enough to go out in the world and take it on. That’s a good, strong woman to put that heart in you, son.”

“Yes,” said Allambee. “My mother is one of the