SOMETHING TO TIDE YOU OVER  

 (from "The Ghost of Christmas Past" by Judy)

   Captain Gregg couldn't imagine not being home for the holidays.  Not being with Carolyn.  Not seeing the children.  And now that he was safely on deck at Gull cottage, he thanked the powers above for every moment he was allowed to be surrounded by those he loved.  This must be heaven, he thought, for the sounds and smells and feelings he remembered, on this eve before Christmas, were everywhere, and most abundantly in his heart.
   Gathered in the parlor after a wonderful home-cooked dinner, the family lounged about contentedly, relishing in their closeness and colorful surroundings.  On the sofa, Carolyn held the orphaned baby they'd named Patrick, and rocked him, lulling him to sleep with her soft tones.  The Captain, wearing his thick white sweater, sat across from her, flanked by Jonathan and Candy.  From his travels, the seafarer had returned bringing back many surprises, one of which was a fanciful story book to entertain the children.
   So, cuddled in close to him, in their white night-caps and gowns, the children anxiously waited for the Captain to recite a tall tale before they, reluctantly, of course, had to go to bed.  With a reassuring glance at his smiling Carolyn, he chose a poem and began to read...
The Gingerbread Sailor
Children, this story, which I happily put before you
Is as true as dark night becomes day
'Tis a yarn of true love, of sweet, smitten delight
Though a bittersweet tale, some say
Once, on a wintry, and quite blustery day
A Gingerbread Sailor was bore
His shoulders were square, he'd a smart cock to his hat
A quick wink and a smile he wore
Proud, was he, in his deep midnight blues
With white stripings and buttons of gold
He stood tall among his mates, all equally attired
Their manner, courageous and bold
One day, while the Sailor kept watch on the sill
He spied a young lass on the tree
In the rays of the sun, her silver eyes sparkled
Yes, her smile was only for he!
Like sugar spun, her hair glistened and shone
Her dress pink, as an antique rose
Across the large room, she waited coyly for him
Among the scented pine boughs and bows
Each day, how they wished for a life-line to come
To be rescued from standing apart
But the clouds and the sun and the moon never slept
How they suffered with yearning hearts
"At least we have this!"  the Sailor yelled out,
"I could look at you forever, my pearl!"
"And I, you, my love, my Gingerbread man",
Sang out his Sugar Cookie girl
On another fine day, music swept through the air
The aroma, rich with sweet spicy cider
Sugar Cookie saw a hand reach for her Sailor
And soon he was standing beside her!
Hurrah!  Together at last, they danced about the room
Giggling with merriment and glee
How they wished the moment would last forever and ever
But alas!  This was ne'er to be
Snap!  Went the Gingerbread Sailor's head
Chomp!  Chomp!  Went his arm and his knee
Poor Sugar Cookie girl fainted frightfully away
Her fate seeming as grim as he
Limp with sorrow, tears fell from Sugar Cookie's eyes
Falling sullenly in a cold pot o' tea
Duly heralded as so, the drink was flung o'er the cliffs
Washing her tears out to sea
Perhaps her Sailor was among the dolphins and waves
Singing a sea chantey of love, might he be
As Sugar Cookie girl recalled her Sailor man's words
"Remember the moments and me..."
   As he read the last line, the Captain purposefully focused on Carolyn. Their eyes met and locked with poignant emotion, only the crackling fire in the hearth could be heard over the silence between them.  Carolyn diverted her moistening eyes to the brightness of the fire.
   "Tomorrow is Christmas.  The children are so happy these days", she managed to say with a smile.
   "And a very special day tomorrow will be, my dear," the Captain added closing the book.  As suspected, the children nodded off before the verse was finished.   Then, as if the children were his own, the Captain, trundled the children upstairs to bed, carrying Candy, but letting an insistent Jonathan walk up as he pleased, for in the boy's drowsy state, he was awake enough to declare that he was a 'man' and didn't want to be carried.  Carolyn followed, one arm carefully holding the sleeping baby, the other lifting her long, red dressing gown.
   After laying the baby down in his wooden cradle in the master bedroom, Carolyn and the Captain were together again on the top landing.  Hand in hand, they walked down and stepped out onto the front veranda to let the feeling of winter, and all its joys, fall lovingly on their hearts.

Something to Tide You Over- Part II
   During a particularly delightful kiss on the front porch, snow began to fall.  The Captain and Carolyn snuggled closer to each other attempting to stave off the biting cold, for they hoped to linger outside a bit longer, knowing their time together was precious.            Carolyn finally looked up at her tall Captain.  "You haven't said much about the baby.  I've done right, haven't I?  By taking him in?  We can manage, surely."
   The Captain laughed easily at her, "I would expect nothing less from you, my dear.  We all need a home and someone to love us.  Don't worry, my darling, I want a house full of children and the sooner we're wed, the sooner that dream will come true.  We'll manage quite adequately, I assure you."
   Captain Gregg had been having a devil of a time convincing his lovely ‘bride to be' that she had no more cause to worry about such matters.  Having been poor of late, her fear of lapsing back to that dreary state preoccupied her thoughts. He smiled to himself, supposing she'd heard the same promise from her late husband, who, unfortunately, had not managed the Muir finances well and left the little family nearly destitute when he passed on.  The Captain,
however, was determined of his own will,  that he would now provide for Carolyn and that she and the children would want for nothing in the years to come.  He pressed her closer to his heart knowing his treasure was held in his arms.
   Carolyn felt complacent encircled in Captain Gregg's arms.  For the first time, she felt that Gull Cottage was really home and always would be.  Somehow, belonging finally in this place, and to him, helped to let her heart open to a future she could not see before.  Yet, at the same time in this moment, her feelings were dramatically diffused, for her usually keeled composure seemed fragile on this hauntingly surreal night.  It was as if …she were to take her finger, and if she traced it in the air before her, her surroundings would float in dream of haziness, and wither up and die. Oh, how she did not want this to happen!  She wanted to stay in the moment forever, but knew her apprehension was keeping her from becoming fully immersed in the tide of holiday spirit.  In her mind, she tried reasoning with her conscience, coming up with no plausible solution.  She was here, with the Captain.  Wasn't she?  She even remembered having gone to work
earlier in the day and later had come home to a wonderful dinner with the family.  Hadn't she? Surely this wasn't just a folly, they were getting married upon the new year!
   As the minutes passed, Carolyn's reluctance to resist the inevitable waned even further, for the atmosphere around her was ideal and rich with a sentiment, which claimed her senses.  Oddly, the music she heard in the air, seemed sweeter, the fire in the hearth inside, warmer, and the glow of the love she and the Captain were sharing, became deeper and enchanting.  In his arms, Carolyn truly felt as if she were in a dream.  She had longed for the Captain to stand before her, loving her, and she loving him.  Only a breath ago, the Captain had said they were in a dream, but how could they be?  He was emphatically solid and she knew dreams to be fleeting things, never
remembered the next morning.  Decidedly sure of the elements around her, she knew that being with him now was as real as anything she knew to be true or could ever possibly imagine.  Why, …she could even feel her gown weighing heavy and tight against her waist!
   Suddenly, a chilling wind whipped up, wrapping a cloak of cold around the couple, urging them to go inside.  "It's time, my dear.  It's time to go."  The Captain looked deeply into her eyes hoping she'd understand his meaning.
   "Yes, shall we sit by the fire?"  Carolyn wanted to go inside, into the warmth of his arms, to be held by him, forever, if that was possible.  But the Captain did not move.  He merely stroked her cheek gently with the back of a finger, then brought her chin up.  It was then, she knew they would not be going in.  The forlorn look she gave the Captain made him smile tenderly at her heartbreaking realization.
This was a dream!  Their time together was an illusion after all!  She had a sinking feeling in her stomach, and she tried to speak, but the catch in her throat, which stung like fire, prevented her from doing so.  The Captain's image blurred as she hopelessly eyed him through growing tears.  Squeezing her eyes shut to the horrid unfairness, she let the brimming droplets fall hard upon her cheeks in a waterfall of anguish.  The Captain pushed her head into his shoulder and could feel her shaking.
   The immediate fear of losing Carolyn altogether, startled the Captain and he knew he must act quickly.  Earnestly, he framed her face in his hands, "Look at me, darling."  Carolyn opened her eyes to him, letting out a stifled and childlike moan.  "Know this," he brushed away her tears with his thumbs, "…this is not the end, my darling, there will be other times, …other dreams."  He told her
sincerely, "There is a future. You must believe.  You must hold on.  Will you do that for me?  For us?"  Anxiously, the Captain searched her eyes for an answer as she sniffed back the uncontrollable sobs.
   Then, still with her face in his hands, Carolyn simply nodded as best she could to her beloved Captain. She managed a consenting smile, as he saw the love in her eyes rising above the obstacles that lay between them.  "I'll never let go," she promised.  Then, laying her hands over his, she took one of his palms and kissed it, closing it tightly to seal the memory forever.
   The seaman wrapped his arms around Carolyn once more, in a final kiss, which was long, and deep and true, before he let the demanding lightness of living awaken her senses.