Owned by the Ocean Read Online Free PDF

When I was a boy my mother used
to take me down to the wharf to watch the ships sail away. I used
to dream of what adventures those vessels would embark on and I
wanted that for myself—I still want that.”
    “ It’s hard work, the life of a sailor. Don’t think it is all
swashbuckling stories.”
    “ I know, but that doesn’t change how I feel about the sea. I
need to go out and experience it.”
    Leo sighed and
his shoulders slumped a little in defeat. “What can I do to
help?”
    “ Nothing for me. Just... be around for James after I leave.
Make sure he’s doing okay.”
    “ Of course. When are you going to leave?”
    “ The next few days. I’ll ride to the docks and hopefully leave
before my father can track me down. After I’m gone he won’t bother
with me. I’ll be dead to him.”
    “ Will you talk to James before you leave?”
    “ No. He might tell someone. Could you explain things to him
after I’m gone?”
    “ If that’s what you want.”
    “ You’re a good friend, Leo. Thank you.”
    “ Don’t mention it, please. Helping you will dirty my pristine
reputation.” Leo laughed, but Brant could see there was sadness in
his eyes, a sense of loss.
    Brant only
shook his head and finished the last of his drink. “Your reputation
was tarnished about when you started cavorting with me.”
    “ True. Perhaps your leaving is a good thing. It might save
me.”
    Brant smiled.
Nothing kept his friend down for long, at least not outwardly. He
was going to miss Leo. He never judged Brant for his decisions or
choices, even if they were contrary to what he might believe or
enjoy. Leaving this life, school, home, his father behind would be
easy. Leaving behind Leo and James... that would be nearly
impossible.
     
    * * *
     
    Brant spent
the next few days with James. He played games with the young boy
like hide and seek and tag. Every day with Brant he seemed to open
up a little more, revert to his natural childlike tendencies. He no
longer had to act the part of an adult like he did around his
father. For a few days James got to be a six year old and it made
Brant feel better that he was able to give his brother that much
before he left.
    On the day he
planned on leaving, Brant took James out horseback riding. They
spent dinner in silence though as their father joined them. After
that James was taken to bed and Brant was left to his own devices.
He walked throughout the entire house, in and out of rooms that he
would likely never see again. When he was sure his father had gone
to bed Brant went to his own room and packed a bag with a few
necessities and then walked out the front door and to the stables.
He quickly saddled one of his father’s horses and mounted; riding
down the lane he stopped the horse and looked back. The house was
dark and not a movement was made. Brant smiled, stroked his horse
and turned it back towards town. Tonight was the start of the rest
of his life. He had made his choice and now it was time to live
with it. Out of the corner of his eye Brant noticed the curtain in
his father's study move slightly. Brant was leaving his father's
life for good. That was the second loss in the Foxton household in
six years. Would there be more?
     
    * * *
     
    Brant tied his
father's horse on a hitching post and left him. Someone would claim
him come morning, whether it was his father or someone else. It
didn't really matter to him anyway.
    Walking down
the docks it was quiet. It was not the right time of day to be
looking to join a crew, but he knew the taverns along the way would
house a few crews who might know of a ship he could join.
    Walking into
one particularly loud one he found himself a seat and took out a
smoke. It didn't take long for an older man to approach him.
    “ And what might a fine young man like you be doing in a place
like this?”
    “ Looking for a billet.”
    “ I see. And why might that be? From yer clothes I'd say you
ain't in need of money.”
    “ I prefer to keep my