Avis Dolphin

Avis Dolphin — page 7 — worrying Do you think a millionaire like Mr Vanderbilt would risk his life sailing on the Lusitania if there was anything to be concerned about Or Lady Mackworth Sarah chimes in She’s a suffragette fighting for women’s rights She knows all about politics and what’s going on in the world She wouldn’t sail on the Lusitania if there was any danger And neither would Josephine Eaton Burnside the daughter of Timothy Eaton who owns that department store or that New York fashion designer Carrie Kennedy or See Avis says Hilda interrupting Sarah No one else is letting a few rumors scare them off All your worrying will just give you a headache It’s already giving me a headache Enjoy yourself Avis I certainly will says Sarah Imagine We might even meet some famous people on the ship I hope you ladies do enjoy your trip It may be your There you go again Avis says Hilda Stop last says the burly photographer Hilda glares at him What a cruel thing to say she snaps Do you realize you’re scaring an impressionable young girl Hilda puts her arm around me and squeezes my shoulder so hard that I wince

Avis Dolphin — page 8 — Look I’m only telling you what I’ve heard It’s not too late to turn back You don’t have to sail on the Lusitania Some people have canceled their trip I untangle myself from Hilda’s arm What if the photographer is right What if it isn’t all fear-mongering but there’s something real to fear After all everyone said the Titanic was unsinkable and it sank How could the Cunard people be sure that nothing is going to happen to the Lusitania Hilda I begin again Hilda cuts me off and shakes her finger in the photographer’s face We have no intention of changing our plans We are not afraid of rumors Rumors can be true says the photographer pointing his camera With a click he takes a picture of the three of us Well if anything happens at least we have your picture The photographer and his friend push through the crowd as a black car drives up to the dock and deposits another wealthy couple on their way to the Lusitania I look up Smoke curls from three of the four giant smokestacks on the ship Huge escalators haul up suitcases trunks and boxes The gangplanks have been lowered and people scurry aboard Ready says Hilda Her face is flushed with

Avis Dolphin — page 9 — excitement I have no choice I’m sailing on the Lusitania I close my eyes and try to lock out my frightening thoughts I’m ready I say Me too says Sarah She smiles so widely I can see all her teeth She looks like she just won first prize at the fair I hope we meet some young men at dinner tonight Some must be traveling second class like us You and your young men says Hilda raising her eyebrows Look The sun is coming out Just in time for sailing says Sarah This is going to be a marvelous trip The sun pokes through the clouds and glistens on the dock the ship and the ocean I peer around People are smiling What a perfect day to sail says a woman in a flowing scarlet cloak beside me The sun has changed everyone’s mood even mine Maybe Hilda and Sarah are right Maybe this will be an amazing adventure I’ve never had a real adventure except in books I glance up to the deck of the Lusy People on board wave to their friends and family below Bright colorful flags fly from the ship A band plays as Hilda Sarah and I

Avis Dolphin — page 10 — weave our way through the crowd toward the gangplank We’re almost there when two bellboys in uniforms with shiny brass buttons scoot toward us Have you seen a black cat the bellboy with flaming red hair and a face full of freckles asks me No I say Have you lost your cat It’s the ship’s cat Dowie says the bellboy He never goes missing but we haven’t seen him all day Dowie always senses danger says the other bellboy His round glasses skid off his nose Remember when we had the fire in the galley Sam Remember how Dowie wouldn’t stop meowing till we had a look Dowie knows when something bad is going to happen Maybe that’s why he’s run off Maybe Dowie is already on the Lusitania I say Sam pats his friend on the back Right Lou That’s probably all it is I hope so miss says Lou He sighs and adjusts his glasses again Let’s hurry Sam We’re going to be late Then we’ll be in real trouble I walk up the gangplank beside Hilda and Sarah The ocean so dull and gray just a few hours ago is sparkling and as blue as the sky Everyone is saying goodbye Write soon

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