Sicily’s arms and face were covered in poison ivy rash and she pouted better than ever with swollen lips.  Nanny gave Mona quite a talking to and she got extra chores assigned to her for the week.  Mona and Lucie were allowed to retrieve a bouquet for Sicily, along with some jewelweed (which, coincidentally, helps with poison ivy rash).  The sailors and the pirates were to leave that day.  Both crews promised to return soon. 

“Miss Mona and Miss Lucie, we’ll miss you,” cried many a sailor or pirate as they grabbed each girl in their arms and hugged her goodbye. 

​

“Why, Miss Mona, I’ll be sure ta see ya again real soon and I’m goin’ ta buy ya the very nicest fishin, rod I can find.  Gold plated with silver line.  And Miss Lucie, I may just get ya a golden pocket knife.  You’re a good girl, despite your lopsided ideas.” Captain Malarkey hugged Mona and Lucie, and then turned to Nanny. 

“Well Miss Nanny, put ’er there and thank ya much,” said the Captain.  Most of the others had shaken Nanny’s hand briefly as they exited, but the Captain gave her a large bear hug, and knocked off her glasses by mistake.  As she stood after retrieving her glasses, Nanny looked frazzled.

​

“We’ll go on a real vacation now, crew!” shouted Captain Malarkey to the sailors. 

Cheers sounded from outside.

The pirate captain also bid good-bye to Nanny, Mona, and Lucie.

​

“Ladies, we set off today and the sea is a vast expanse. But who knows? We may meet again. Perhaps —"

He paused.

“We may even consider becoming sailors instead of pirates.”

Just then, the steel glint flickered in his eye and Nanny, Mona, and Lucie all saw it.

He kissed each on the cheek. Turning abruptly, he left.