The Old Cape Teapot Read Online Free PDF Page A

opened the door. “Hey, what’s going on in here?” He looked amused as he dropped his backpack on the floor by the couch.
    Nick was right behind him.
    Brian laughed. “My mom’s catching up on all her lost hugs from over the last year.”
    Ian’s short stature didn’t hold him back from making his presence known. He bounded towards me. “Do I get some?”
    Nick hung back by the open door, not like the other night at Ms. Jones’s.
    “Come on over here you two, there’s always room for a few more in a mother’s arms.”
    Ian wrapped his arms around me.
    Nick came a little closer and gave me a quick but awkward hug, then asked, “Mrs. C, where’s that beautiful necklace?”
    I touched my neck. “Brian thought it would be safer if I didn’t wear it out in public. It’s in my purse. I’ll probably keep it in my suitcase while I’m here.”
    “Oh.” He took his seat in one of the leather chairs, picked up a sports magazine and said nothing more to the rest of us.
    His behavior seemed odd to me. He’d been so curious before but… perhaps he was thinking of all the work that lies ahead of him. I understood his somber mood; everything must be so new to him here.
    ***
    1722
    ANTIGUA
    After work, John Julian hurried home; he was almost finished with his maps. No word had come from Thomas Davis, but he knew a ship was arriving from Cape Cod tomorrow. Isaac Smith, the young son of his employer, was scheduled to be on the vessel and it was his job to greet him. John hoped Davis would also be aboard.
    That evening, Elizabeth grew sleepy as she tried to focus on the words in her Bible. She glanced over to John at the table. “Will you be staying up much longer?”
    He returned a contented look and said, “No. I’m finished.”
    Two pieces of vellum, displaying the same drawing on each, lay on top of the sideboard. Elizabeth got up from her rocker, carrying the Bible, and came closer to him. “They look like two bent arms.”
    “Yes, do they not?” Pleased with himself that he remembered it so well. “Wait and see, they will bring wealth and happiness to us.” He folded each one into a square.
    Elizabeth turned to stoke the fire and pushed a new log back into the hearth. Julian stood to replace the ink and extra vellum back on the shelf. Under a tankard on the table, he placed one of the folded vellums; the other he slipped into the back of the Bible. All was ready for the morrow. He was sure of his plan. Davis was his lifesaver, and his dream of being a wealthy man would soon become reality.
    Elizabeth took off her earrings and put them in a wooden box that had an ivory carving on its lid. She slid into bed next to John. Leaning on her elbow she watched him before she finally spoke.
    “John, are you awake?” She whispered again, “John?”
    He opened his eyes. “Is everything all right?”
    “Yes, I have something to tell you.”
    “What is it?”
    “I think I am with child.”
    “Elizabeth, that’s good news. Are you sure?”
    “Yes. I have not bled in two months. I also spoke with the midwife and she agrees.”
    He pulled her close into his arms. “It’s fitting that you tell me on the eve of the completion of my maps.” Then he gently kissed her hair.
    “I’m pleased that you’re so happy,” she said as she nestled in the crux of his elbow. “It will be a fine day when you write with your inks into our Bible the name of our first born.”
    A warm tropical breeze wafted through the one window of their small room and softly lulled them both into the night.
     
     

6
    Present Day
    ANTIGUA
    THE NECKLACE matched my linen blouse perfectly; I couldn’t resist wearing it down to dinner.
    It was almost five o’clock before Brian and I were able to walk down the rutted dirt road to the ocean restaurant for dinner. Nick would join us later. We passed several cute goats tethered on the grass under palm trees. At the bottom of the sloped road, I could see the buildings’ outside walls. They were